Latest news with #Alabama
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Sam Cunningham in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 39 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at USC Hall of Fame running back Sam Cunningham. Position: Running back Years played at USC: 1969-1972 Career highlights: Cunningham starred at fullback for John McKay's USC teams of the early 1970s. As a senior in 1972, he earned first-team All-American honors. In the Rose Bowl against Ohio State, Cunningham scored four touchdowns, clinching an undefeated season and a national championship for the Trojans. Perhaps Cunningham's biggest, impact, though, came in the 1970 game between USC and Alabama. At the time, the Crimson Tide still did not have any African American players on their team. Getting dominated by 42-21 Cunningham and the integrated Trojans, however, prompted legendary Alabama head coach Bear Bryant to change that the following year, forever altering the course of college football. In 2010, Cunningham was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame and the USC Athletics Hall of Fame. After USC: The New England Patriots selected Cunningham with the 11th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft. He would go on to play for the team from 1973-1972, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1978. In 2010, he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. Cunningham passed away in 2021 at the age of 71.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama football 2025 season preview, predictions: AK Dear
Part of a loaded Alabama Crimson Tide running back room, could true freshman AK Dear make an impact as early as this season? A player new to the Crimson Tide this season, Dear comes to Tuscaloosa as a member of Alabama's 2025 recruiting class where he was among the highest-rated prospects in the group overall. Dear was also considered among the nation's top high school prospects a year ago at his position, and now looks at a potential breakout campaign in year one at Alabama. Let's take a look at everything you need to know about the debut season for AK Dear at Alabama this fall. AK Dear player information AK Dear career stats This will be the first season for Dear at the collegiate level. Dear has yet to compile any stats collegiately. AK Dear 2024 stats As for Dear's stats a year ago, the freshman running back is coming off an impressive conclusion to his prep career a year ago at Mississippi's Quitman High School. Across nine games, Dear played multiple roles offensively which included 1,081 yards and six touchdowns rushing over 151 attempts, as well as four more scores as both a passer and receiver. AK Dear recruiting ranking According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Dear was considered as the nation's No. 53 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, as well as the No. 2 running back nationally. A four-star recruit who committed to Alabama in Aug. 2024, Dear also ranked as the No. 3 player in the state of Mississippi where he attended Quitman High School. AK Dear 2025 season outlook With his exact role likely unsure at the moment, it feels like how much we see of Dear in 2025 could be an unknown. A highly-touted prospect, Dear joins a deep Alabama running back room that returns starter Jam Miller and notable backup Richard Young, while also having added transfer Dre Washington, who also has significant experience. As a result of this, those three names could be among Alabama's top options at the position, while Dear is alongside the group of others who are potential set to emerge. Overall, expect Dear to see some action in 2025 offensively, as well as potentially on special teams, and for the true freshman to likely play a depth role this fall who could possibly emerge later in the year. AK Dear 2025 season prediction Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
New York Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
College Football Playoff hopefuls: Should we buy what these teams are selling?
We're exactly a month away from Kansas State and Iowa State kicking off the 2026 college football season in Ireland. Before we get there, we'll have to spend the next several weeks in training camp mode. Jobs will be won. Surprises will emerge. Injuries will occur. And since everyone is still undefeated, hope will be sold. Advertisement A few weeks ago, 'The Athletic Football Show' took a look at the stories teams are telling themselves as a new NFL season approaches. We liked the concept so much that we're trying out a variation of it here on the college football side of things. Today, we're highlighting the narratives that College Football Playoff hopefuls are selling this preseason. Some of these are worth buying into. Some are not. Note: This list is looking at programs that did not reach the 12-team CFP last season. The Crimson Tide scored 17 points or fewer in losses to Tennessee, Oklahoma and Michigan last season as they finished 9-4 and failed to reach the Playoff in coach Kalen DeBoer's first season. But the offense is going to take a considerable step forward this season with the arrival of coordinator Ryan Grubb, who has coached with DeBoer at Sioux Falls, Eastern Michigan, Fresno State and Washington, where they reached the CFP championship game in 2023. Grubb was the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator in 2024 — after he spent a month at Alabama following DeBoer's hire — but was fired after just one season. The 2024 season demonstrated that DeBoer and Grubb are better together than they are apart, and that familiarity will boost the Crimson Tide's offense this fall. And while Jalen Milroe is a unique talent at quarterback, he wasn't an ideal fit for DeBoer's offense. Now Alabama is likely to have a steadier passer in place (presumably Ty Simpson), which will unlock the passing attack and allow the offense to take advantage of a talented group of receivers, led by star sophomore Ryan Williams. The Grubb hire and better fit at quarterback will provide the offensive consistency that was missing in 2024 and will help Alabama, which brings back a strong core from a top-10 scoring defense, return to the Playoff and compete for the national championship again. Advertisement It's Year 2 for DJ Lagway, and he and the program are ready to take a major leap. Look at how the Gators finished last season, winning their last four games, which included victories over good LSU and Ole Miss squads. Lagway sat out the spring because of shoulder soreness but said last week at SEC media day that he's fully recovered. Florida coach Billy Napier preached a slow build when he took the job more than three years ago, and this is when the program will start to see the fruits of the labor. Florida will be strong in the trenches, particularly along the defensive line with Tyreak Sapp. And the Gators have added two talented receivers in true freshman Dallas Wilson and UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant. Lagway possesses the ability to elevate those around him, so expect Florida to become a real threat now that the former five-star recruit is surrounded with strong talent across the roster. And, no, don't look at Florida's schedule. The Fighting Illini return 16 starters from the program's first 10-win team since 2001. Illinois' optimism for 2025 is less about selling the dream and is rooted more in reality. Coach Bret Bielema knows what it takes to be successful in the Big Ten and enters Year 5 with the Illini and Year 3 with Luke Altmyer, who is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, under center. That sort of continuity is difficult to find in college football these days. And while the schedule isn't easy — there are road games at Duke, Indiana and Washington and a home game against Ohio State — it's definitely manageable for a team with CFP aspirations. The Illini check a lot of boxes. Good head coach. Solid quarterback. An experienced, veteran team. A schedule that doesn't feature too many heavyweights. And there's the built-in confidence from last year to set the table for a potential breakthrough season. Advertisement Quarterback Avery Johnson went through the natural growing pains you would expect from a first-year starter, but those are behind him now, and his development and consistency will help the Wildcats contend in the Big 12 after going 5-4 in league play in 2024. Kansas State returns dynamic receiver Jayce Brown, who will be Johnson's top target. And Matt Wells' ascension to offensive coordinator and play caller will also help Johnson's development. With Johnson, Brown and running back Dylan Edwards, Wells will have explosive players at his disposal. The line will be the strength of the Kansas State defense and should help take some pressure off a new-look secondary. In a wide-open Big 12, the ingredients are there for a conference title run. The Tigers recognize that they have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Garrett Nussmeier, so they went all-in this offseason — landing the best transfer portal class in the country — which will put them in contention for their first CFP trip since winning the 2019 national championship. LSU will be better at the skill spots, led by transfer receivers Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barion Brown (LSU). The Tigers also addressed their most pressing need — the defensive line — with the additions of Florida State's Patrick Payton, Florida's Jack Pyburn and USF's Bernard Gooden. They should help a defense that gave up 5.9 yards per play last season (89th nationally). There are also some high-impact freshmen at positions of need in corner DJ Pickett and running back Harlem Berry. This is the most talented roster Brian Kelly has had at LSU, and he's finally got the Tigers to the point where they can compete for a national championship. The Hurricanes placed a major emphasis on fixing the defensive issues that sabotaged their 2024 season, and now they have what it takes to finally reach the Playoff with coach Mario Cristobal. Miami hired Corey Hetherman as defensive coordinator after he led Minnesota to a top-15 finish in scoring defense and yards per play allowed. The Canes also brought in six transfers in the secondary to fix a unit that was a weakness last year. Advertisement The offense lost a lot of production, too, but brought in some experienced talent, headlined by Carson Beck, one of the top transfer quarterbacks available in the offseason. Cristobal has recruited well during his tenure. So the talent is there, especially compared to ACC foes. The schedule — at SMU on Nov. 1 is the toughest road game — sets up well, too. With that combination, Miami should be in the Playoff this fall — if it can avoid the typical pitfalls that have plagued Cristobal's teams over the years. The Gamecocks lost some really important pieces on both sides of the ball, but quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge rusher Dylan Stewart are foundational building blocks and two of the best players in the SEC. So there's top-end talent and a solid transfer class that helped address some needs in key spots. It took a while for South Carolina to find its footing last season. The Gamecocks started 3-3 before winning six consecutive games to end the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the country. Sellers' ankle injury contributed to that slow start, and we saw what he's truly capable of later in the season. In theory, South Carolina wasn't far off from a Playoff appearance last year — probably one win away. If the Gamecocks can avoid a similar slow start this season, they should be in contention for a CFP bid late in the year. Despite major defensive issues and deficiencies at receiver, Texas A&M was still in the mix for the SEC Championship Game late in the season. Quarterback Marcel Reed displayed some promising flashes, and the Aggies upgraded his receiving options through the portal with Kevin Concepcion (NC State) and Mario Craver (Mississippi State). Cornerback transfers Julian Humphrey (Georgia) and Jordan Shaw (Washington) have solid experience and could help a pass defense that struggled last season. Tyler Onyedim (Iowa State), Dayon Hayes (Colorado) and T.J. Searcy (Florida) were brought in to boost a defensive front that needs to be better against the run and rushing the passer. Advertisement Head coach Mike Elko accomplished some good things in his first season, and the Aggies could be a CFP darkhorse candidate after addressing some of their issues in the offseason. The Big 12 is wide open and there for the taking, which is why the Red Raiders spent so much money to upgrade their roster this offseason. Will other programs be jealous of that spending? Sure. Does it raise expectations in a manner Texas Tech has never really faced before? Absolutely. But any program would love to have transfer additions such as edge rusher David Bailey (Stanford), offensive tackle Howard Sampson (North Carolina) and running back Quinten Joyner (USC) — especially in a league that isn't loaded with future NFL talent like the SEC or Big Ten. The Red Raiders were close to conference title contention last season, one win away from being involved in a convoluted multi-team tie for first place. So they weren't that far off. Now with full buy-in from the donors, the administration and coaching staff, Texas Tech is on the verge of ascending to heights it's never reached. (Top photo of Marcel Reed: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: James Burnip is the Saints Player of Day 46
Burnip will provide training camp competition for punter Matthew Hayball There are 46 days that remain until the New Orleans Saints open their 2025 regular season. They'll do so at home against the Arizona Cardinals under Kellen Moore as their new head coach. At this time, No. 46 is being worn by punter James Burnip. An undrafted rookie, Burnip is trying to overthrow incumbent Matthew Hayball for the punting job. Here's a look at Burnip's path to the NFL as our Saints Player of the Day. An Australian rules football player at Victoria University, Burnip was recruited by SEC schools Mississippi and Alabama before deciding on the Crimson Tide. He won the punting job at Alabama as a freshman in 2021. Burnip consistently showed great range throughout his career with the Crimson Tide, averaging 43.9 yards per punt over his four years. The 2023 season was Burnip's best. He led the SEC with 2,806 yards, averaging a whopping 47.6 per kick to finish third in the conference and resulting in 2nd Team All-SEC recognition. Leading up to the 2025 NFL draft, Burnip was considered one of the top punting prospects. Florida punter Jeremy Crawshaw was the only punter drafted, going in Round 6 by the Denver Broncos. This led to New Orleans signing James Burnip to an undrafted deal. Burnip was also a second-round selection by the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League global draft. New Orleans has had three different punters in the last three seasons. The last two, Hayball and Lou Hedley, were also former Australian rules football players. James Burnip will now have his opportunity to face off against Matthew Hayball to provide competition for the Saints punting job in 2025.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
There's a Clear-Cut Favorite to Win the SEC in 2025
There's a Clear-Cut Favorite to Win the SEC in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We're roughly a month away from the start of the 2025 college football season. The Texas Longhorns are expected to enter the season ranked one of the top three teams in the nation. The high ranking feels warranted as Texas reached the College Football Playoff semifinal each of the last two seasons and return several key playmakers. Led by quarterback phenom Arch Manning and a few of the top defensive players in the country, the Longhorns are the clear-cut favorite to win the SEC title in 2025. The SEC preseason media poll was revealed on Friday and Texas received 96 first-place votes. The next closest was Georgia with 44 first-place votes. Texas faced Georgia in the SEC Championship game in 2024 but lost a close contest to the Bulldogs, 22-19. The two powerhouse programs are the favorites to meet in the SEC title game once again, but Alabama and LSU are close behind and are expected to make strides this season. The Longhorns primary rivals, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, fall in the middle of the pack at No. 8 and No. 10. Steve Sarkisian's squad defeated both rivals last season and are favored to do it again in 2025. Although not a conference matchup, Texas kicks off the upcoming season with a massive game against Ohio State in Columbus on Aug. 30. The winner of this matchup should become the heavy favorite to reach the national title story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
