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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Previewing the Washington Huskies heading into 2025
Following a run to the national championship game in 2023, Washington lost coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama, saw most of its top players move on to the NFL and transitioned to the Big Ten Conference. With many moving pieces, the Huskies dropped to 6-7 last season, an expected regression in their first year led by coach Jedd Fisch. Washington is expected to see improvement this season, with a win total set at 7.5 and a more manageable schedule. Here's a breakdown of the Huskies heading into 2025. 2024 in review Washington sustained its first major set back with a loss to Washington State in the Apple Cup, finishing the nonconference slate 2-1. The Huskies earned impressive wins over Michigan and USC, but also picked up an unexpected loss to Rutgers and lost by multiple scores to Oregon, Penn State and Indiana. The season was capped off with a loss to Louisville in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Poor offensive line play dragged down a unit with skill position talent, while the defense faced it's share of struggles. Head coach profile Fisch struggled in his first year with the Huskies but previously led a major turnaround at Arizona, guiding the Wildcats from 1-11 in his first season to 10-3 two years later. He finished with a 16-21 record in three seasons in Tucson. Prior to head coaching roles, Fisch has lots of experience as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Top offensive players Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. impressed after taking over the starting role from Will Rogers, and he's earning some offseason hype heading into the season. Williams has explosive play ability and is dangerous with his legs, but if the offensive line play doesn't improve significantly, he may struggle. Joining him in the backfield is running back Jonah Coleman, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season after following Fisch from Arizona and should continue that success in 2025. At wide receiver, Denzel Boston returns after racking up 63 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns last season. This trio could produce some major offensive firepower if given time to operate. Top defensive player Though he didn't initially follow Fisch to Washington, cornerback Tacario Davis transferred in from Arizona this offseason and has the potential to be the star of the defense. Davis recorded 43 tackles and six passes defended en route to second-team All-Big 12 honors last seaosn. Additionally, he was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the top defensive back nationally. 2025 schedule
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos roster: OL Joe Michalski (No. 68) competing for reps at center
Broncos Wire's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie offensive lineman Joe Michalski, No. 68. Before the Broncos: Michalski (6-5, 305 pounds) was a team captain in his final two seasons at Oklahoma State, spending six years in college with 35 career starts. After earning honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year recognition in 2023, he also received an honorable mention All-Big 12 nod in 2024. He was considered a notable undrafted center following April's draft. Broncos tenure: Michalski was one of Denver's 15 initial undrafted free agent signings in May. He will make his Bronco debut during preseason next month. Chances to make the 53-man roster: Long shot. Michalski will face extremely long odds to make the active roster as a rookie because Luke Wattenberg is locked into the starting job and Alex Forsyth is the top backup. Michalski will get an opportunity to impress during preseason, though, and he could end up on the practice squad. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska football announces 2025 Hall of Fame class
Nebraska football revealed its 2025 Nebraska Football Hall of Fame class. The Huskers selected six standouts to be inducted, including an All-American and two long-time contributors to the program. Voted into the Hall of Fame by the chapter's membership include offensive lineman Tom Welter, running back Derek Brown, running back Dahrran Diedrick, kicker Brett Maher, and wide receiver Kenny Bell. Linebacker Bob Nelson was also selected by the Hall of Fame board as a veteran inductee, while Nebraska-Omaha linebacker Tom Sutko is this year's state college representative. Also, for the first time, a Nebraska Football Hall of Fame Legend Award will be presented by the Nebraska Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Johnny Rodgers will receive the award. Tom Welter was a third-team All-America and first-team All-Big Eight offensive tackle for the Huskers. In 1986, Welter helped Nebraska to a 10-2 season, becoming the second-best team in the nation in both rushing and scoring offense. Derek Brown played three seasons with the Huskers, becoming one of the top running backs in school history. He racked up a career total of 2,699 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. In his final two seasons, he produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, becoming the fifth Husker to achieve the mark. Brown was also named Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year in 1992. He went on to play four seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Dahrran Diedrick also tore up the field for Nebraska at running back. He played four seasons with the Huskers, starting in his final two seasons. He led the Big 12 in rushing in 2001, racking up 1,299 yards, earning first-team All-Big 12, and helping Nebraska to the BCS Championship Game. He finished his Husker career with 2,745 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns before playing in the NFL, then putting together a strong CFL career. Diedrick ran for 872 yards and six touchdowns off 179 carries across 130 games, winning four Grey Cups, three as a player and one as a coach. Brett Maher both punted and kicked for Nebraska, winning Big Ten Kicker of the Year twice and being named Big Ten Punter of the Year in 2011. In 2012, Maher kicked 20 field goals, setting a Nebraska record for points scored by a kicker (119). His 20 field goals also placed him second in school history for the most field goals made in a single season. Maher played five seasons in the NFL and kicked 111 field goals out of 139 attempts, 34 being from 50 yards or more. He kicked a career-long 63-yard field goal in 2019 in his second season with the Dallas Cowboys. He is now a special-teams assistant for Nebraska. Kenny Bell is one of the top receivers in Husker history, setting the school record in both career receptions (181) and receiving yards (2,689) at the time. He earned 49 career starts at Nebraska and earned first-team All-Big Ten in his senior year, before spending four seasons in the NFL. Bob Nelson played three years at Nebraska, racking up 189 total tackles, including 73 solos. He totaled 79 tackles his junior year in 1973 before racking up 75 tackles in his senior year, earning him second-team All-Big Eight. Nelson then played 11 years in the NFL, becoming a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Raiders. Tom Sutko played three seasons for Nebraska-Omaha, earning 320 career tackles for the Mavericks to rank in the top 10 in school history. He earned first-team All-American in 1980 and was a three-time first-team All-North Central Conference selection. Rodgers is a staple of Nebraska football history, being the team's first Heisman Trophy winner. He was then inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. The 2025 class will be officially inducted in September, before being recognized during Nebraska's Week 3 clash with Houston Christian. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Official: Grizzlies sign No. 48 overall pick Javon Small to two-way contract
The @memgrizz today announced the team signed Javon Small to a two-way contract. Former West Virginia guard Javon Small, the No. 48 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, the team announced. Small was an All-Big 12 first-team selection last season, averaging a career-high 18.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals on 35.3% shooting from 3-point range in 32 games as a senior. He ranked second in the conference in scoring average and third in assists. The 6-foot-1 standout finished in double figures in all but two games with the Mountaineers, including 14 20-point performances. He produced a season-high 31 points and seven rebounds on Nov. 27 in an overtime win over Gonzaga. Small began his collegiate career by playing two seasons at East Carolina. He then transferred to Oklahoma State for one year, where he was an All-Big 12 honorable mention, averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and one steal on 37.4% shooting from 3-point range in 31 games. The 22-year-old will split his time next season between the NBA and the Memphis Hustle in the G League. He is eligible to be active for up to 50 games in the NBA and will earn $636,435, equal to 50% of the minimum salary applicable to a player with zero years of service. Small will suit up for the Grizzlies in the NBA Summer League for at least five games, beginning on Friday against the Boston Celtics (4 p.m. EDT, NBA TV).
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: C.J. Baxter, RB, Texas
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Vikings fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Minnesota. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Vikings, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Vikings fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: CJ Baxter School: Texas Height/Weight: 6-1/220 lbs. Player Background - 5-Star Recruit - High School All-American and All-State Honoree in Florida - All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2023 - Missed 2024 with Knee Injury Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 138 Rushing Attempts - 659 Rushing Yards - 4.8 Yards Per Carry - 24 Receptions - 156 Receiving Yards - 6.5 Yards Per Reception - 5 Touchdown Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 74.8 PFF Rushing Grade - 2.94 Yards After Contact Per Carry - 29 Missed Tackles Forced - 18 Carries of 10+ Yards - Breakaway Run Chance of 23.2% Player Traits - Can be a dual-threat out of the backfield - Microwave ability to get full-speed quickly - Good ball carrier vision and awareness - Can be physical when he has to - Will surprise you with his footwork in his route running Player Summary CJ Baxter is going to be coming off a knee injury when fans see him return, but he has a chance to be very loud when he gets to be a part of an explosive 2025 Texas offense. Baxter has a dual-threat ability out of the backfield which will be perfect for Arch Manning to exploit against opposing defenses. He has great awareness and vision as a ball carrier, and it allows for him to get the most out of every touch. He really surprised me with his footwork and route running ability, something I hope to see be even better in 2025. All in all, he will be in a loaded backfield at Texas, but his skillset is unique enough he will have every chance to shine when given the chance.
