Latest news with #All-MAC
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Buffalo Football Preview 2025: The Bulls Can Win The MAC Championship
The city of Buffalo has become a good place to enjoy over with new head coach Pete Lembo, the University of Buffalo football team wasn't supposed to do much of anything after a 3-9 2023. And then it beat the Northern Illinois team coming off a win over Notre when it seemed that things were back to expected with a 44-point loss at UConn, boom, UB 30, Toledo 15, and … two straight losses to follow ended October 4-4. Five wins later, including a dominant Bahamas Bowl victory over Liberty, and the program earned its second season with more than eight wins since coming up to the FBS ranks 35 years now Lembo has an even better had a whole slew of issues, but the defense was smothering in the backfield, the offense was opportunistic, and best of all, the transfer portal wasn't a big problem. Most of the top guys who could return, now, very, very quietly, the Buffalo football program - the college version - has a real shot to go bowling for the sixth time in eight years. Buffalo Preview 2025: Offense X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN- The offense did what it was supposed to do - it scored. It wasn't great through the air, there wasn't enough on the ground, but it didn't turn it over, and it managed to score 30 points or more eight times.- The passing game has a new quarterback in Ta'Quan Roberson from Kansas State to take over for CJ Ogbonna. Gunnar Gray didn't do much in his little time, but he's a veteran second option. - Top wide receiver Victor Snow went from walk-on to All-MAC with 55 tackles for 651 yards and six scores. He's back, but the rest of the corps is thin on experience and production, needing Nik McMillan to be a threat on the outside after missing most of last year injured.- The offensive line should be one of the team's biggest strengths, with transfer Jake Timm (LIU) stepping in, flanked by All-MAC guards Tyler Doty and Trevor Brock. Starting left tackle Henry Tabansi is back, and there are veteran options for the right side.- All-star Al-Jay Henderson is back after a 1,078-yard, nine-touchdown season as the team's top back. He's backed up by really young, but really promising options. Sophomores Messiah Burch and Lamar Sperling saw enough time last year to be ready. Buffalo Preview 2025: Defense - Overall, the defense finished eighth in the MAC, allowing close to 400 yards per game, but the pass rush was good, the aggressiveness and takeaways were great, and just about everyone is back to what should be the league's best D.- Massive-tackling linebacker Shaun Dolac is gone, but his main running man is back. Red Murdock made 156 tackles with two sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, and a pick six. He's in the middle, great pass rusher Dion Crawford is back on the outside coming off a 59-tackle season, and there's decent depth waiting in the wings. - The pass rush is there from the line, too, with 9.5-sack All-MAC star Kobe Stewart returning to one side. The tackles aren't huge around junior Cornell Evans, and there isn't a ton of experience, but there are good young parts.- The secondary is loaded with veterans, led by a great group of corners around Marquis Cooper and Charles McCartherens - they combined for three picks and 12 broken up passes. Solomon Brown was third on the team with 66 tackles and six broken up passes. Jalen McNair and Jonathan Capo should round out one of the MAC's best group of safeties. Buffalo Key to the Season Hold up against the Bull run defense wasn't all that bad overall. As long as it held up, everything else came into Bulls were 9-0 when holding teams to under 5.2 yards per carry, and 0-4 when giving up that many or more. They won by double-digits in all six games when they allowed fewer than three yards per run. Buffalo Key Player Ta'Quan Roberson, QB been a very, very long road. Roberson started out at Penn State, left for UConn, and after a strong 2023 he moved to Kansas State. Now, in his seventh year of college football, he has to use that maturity and experience to be the baller for the attack like he was for the Huskies a few seasons ago. Buffalo Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: Jake Timm, C only does the Buffalo line get a new center, but it landed a veteran who was a two-time All-NEC star with 30 starters in the middle at Long Island University. He solves a huge problem as the anchor of the Transfer Out: Upton Bellenfant, PK Bulls didn't lose a whole bunch of talent in the portal, but not having a kicker who hit 18-of-21 field goals is a concern when you won two games by three points each. He's a great get for a Texas Tech team that loaded up through the portal. Buffalo Key Game Miami University, Nov. 22The Bulls can't take any game for granted, but the MAC schedule is about as manageable as can possibly be asked for. The one big problem comes late against Miami University. It's a home game with a spot in the MAC title game possibly on the line.- 2025 Buffalo Schedule Breakdown Buffalo Top 10 Players 1. Red Murdock, LB Sr. 2. Kobe Stewart, EDGE Sr.3. Dion Crawford, LB Jr.4. Al-Jay Henderson, RB Sr.5. Tyler Doty, OG Sr.6. Victor Snow, WR Jr.7. Trevor Brock, OG Sr. 8. Marquis Cooper, CB Sr.9. Ta'Quan Roberson, QB Sr.10. Jake Timm, C Sr. Buffalo 2024 Fun Stats - Field Goals: Buffalo 19-of-24, Opponents 13-of-21- Points Allowed: 1st Quarter 44, 2nd Quarter 107- Tackles For Loss: Buffalo 92, Opponents 73 Buffalo 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen Last year's team wasn't even close against the teams it shouldn't have beaten, gave away a 50/50 game at home to Western Michigan, and took out everyone Bulls didn't just load up on wins over bad teams. It beat Toledo and Northern Illinois, along with the MAC speed bumps. This year's team should be about the same. The defense should take a big step up, the offense has enough parts to be better as long as the quarterback play is okay, and the team should be deep in the MAC Championship going into the final two games on the road against Bowling Green and Central The Buffalo Win Total At … 7.5Likely Wins: Akron, at Kent State, St. Francis, at UMass50/50 Games: at Bowling Green, at Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Miami University, Ohio, Troy, UConnLikely Losses: at Minnesota © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
NBC Sports
02-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Eagles add nine undrafted free agents
The Eagles drafted cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round of the 2024 draft and they announced the signing of one of his former college teammates on Friday. Defensive back Maxen Hook was one of nine undrafted rookies to sign with the team. He made three All-MAC teams at Toledo while compiling 356 tackles, seven interceptions, and 22 passes defended in 52 games for the Rockets. The Eagles also signed linebacker Lance Dixon from Toledo, but he and Mitchell didn't cross paths. Dixon transferred from West Virginina before the 20245 season and had 46 tackles and two forced fumbles. Tarleton State wide receiver Darius Cooper, Oregon defensive back Brandon Johnson, Florida running back Montrell Johnson, Texas A&M defensive back BJ Mayes, Wake Forest wide receiver Taylor Morin, Rutgers offensive lineman Hollin Pierce, and Central Arkansas Shunderrick Powell also signed with the Super Bowl champs.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles announced the signing of 9 intriguing 2025 undrafted prospects to free agent deals
Eagles announced the signing of 9 intriguing 2025 undrafted prospects to free agent deals The Philadelphia Eagles signed nine 2025 prospects to undrafted free agent deals ahead of the rookie minicamp The Eagles came away with a dynamic ten-player 2025 NFL draft class last weekend, but the biggest and most efficient nuggets can be found in undrafted free agents. Reed Blankenship went undrafted four years ago, but enters the final year of his rookie deal as a potential Pro Bowl safety for the league's best defense. Philadelphia usually is among the league leaders in bonuses paid out, but with an already stacked roster, Howie Roseman put together one of the smallest classes with just nine players. WR Darius Cooper – Tarleton State #41 A player to watch, the St. Louis, Missouri native joins the Eagles from Tarleton State, where he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch. LB Lance Dixon – Toledo #41 A former five-star recruit and No. 13 prospect coming out of high school, Dixon had 46 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2024 for Toledo after transferring from West Virginia, where he spent three seasons. The former safety turned linebacker is 6-2, 233 pounds, and is from Oak Park, Michigan. DB Maxen Hook – Toledo #37 A former teammate of star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Hook was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2024, his third straight season earning the honor. He was the third Toledo Rocket to make an All-MAC team in four seasons. Hook could be this year's Reed Blankenship after accepting an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl and finishing 24th in the nation with 8.92 tackles per game. Hook finished his career with 356 tackles, seven interceptions, and 22 passes defended in 52 games. DB Brandon Johnson – Oregon #35 Named All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2024, Johnson played in 14 games for the Ducks, logging 45 tackles, five pass breakups, and 4.5 tackles for loss. Johnson played three seasons at Duke before transferring to Oregon. RB Montrell Johnson Jr. – Florida #34 Johnson, a 5-foot-11-inch, 216-pound running back, wrapped up an impressive college career with over 3,000 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. Known for his powerful running style, big-play ability, and reliable hands out of the backfield, Johnson became a solid running back for the Gators after transferring from Louisiana. A former Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and an East-West Shrine Bowl participant, Johnson made an impact everywhere he played. DB B.J. Mayes – Texas A&M #49 At 6-1 and 195 pounds, Mayes is a versatile nickel corner with the size and speed to play on the outside. Mayes played one season at Texas A&M and led the team with four interceptions in 2024, which ranked fourth in the SEC. Before his time with the Aggies, he spent two seasons at Incarnate Word and one at UAB. WR Taylor Morin – Wake Forest #45 Morin is Wake Forest's all-time leading pass catcher after logging 2,974 yards throughout his career and finished second all-time in school history in receptions (227) and fourth in touchdowns (21). Morin was a 2024 All-ACC Honorable Mention after picking up a team-high 64 catches and 756 yards. Morin has also been used as a punt returner, finishing second in program history in career punt return yards (809). OL Hollin Pierce – Rutgers #63 The 6-8, 341-pound Trenton, New Jersey native was Rutgers' first offensive lineman to earn All-America status since Anthony Davis in 2009. He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 after starting 13 games at left tackle. RB ShunDerrick Powell – Central Arkansas #39 Powell rushed for over 4,000 yards in his collegiate career with 42 total touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard games in 2024. The two-time FCS All-American is a three-down running back and potential special-teams standout.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M lands former All-MAC first team SG from the transfer portal
Texas A&M lands former All-MAC first team SG from the transfer portal New Texas A&M basketball head coach Bucky McMillan is starting to fill his roster, earning a commitment from his seventh transfer on Sunday night. The former All-American JUCO player and NC State guard, Marcus Hill, will be joining a host of talented transfers in Bryan-College Station. Hill, a 4x MAC Player of the Week and All-MAC first-team selection during the 2023-24 season at Bowling Green, showcased exceptional scoring prowess, averaging 20.5 points per game. After transferring to NC last season, his production dipped but his shooting efficiency improved significantly. At NC, he posted an average of 11.5 points, and 3.9 rebounds, with shooting percentages of 45% from the field, 20% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free-throw line. With a proven track record of scoring ability, Hill is a strong contender to become one of the first options off the bench, with the potential to earn starting roles. The Rockford, Illinois native excels at attacking the basket, making him a strategic asset in systems heavily reliant on three-point shooting. He thrives on exploiting defenses as they shift focus to protect the perimeter. Coach McMillan has made waves by out-recruiting NC State's Will Wade and Ole Miss's Chris Beard, easing concerns among Aggie fans about securing top-tier talent. Hill's commitment underscores coach Bucky's ability to attract solid recruits even within a condensed timeline, showcasing his recruiting prowess. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
CBS News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Eagles undrafted free agent tracker: Here's who Philadelphia added so far after 2025 NFL draft
Eagles' first-round draft pick, Jihaad Campbell, talks about the excitement of playing for Philly Eagles' first-round draft pick, Jihaad Campbell, talks about the excitement of playing for Philly Eagles' first-round draft pick, Jihaad Campbell, talks about the excitement of playing for Philly The Philadelphia Eagles made 10 picks in the 2025 NFL draft over the weekend, including eight on Day 3, when the team added several defensive players after losing multiple key pieces in free agency. But the offseason is far from over for general manager Howie Roseman and the rest of Philadelphia's front office. Now, the team is adding undrafted free agents who weren't picked in the NFL draft for a chance to compete for a roster spot this offseason. Roseman and the Eagles have found success in the undrafted free agency market with additions like running back Corey Clement and safety Reed Blankenship in recent years. Here's a list of Philadelphia's undrafted free agents: Who did the Eagles sign as undrafted free agents? Rutgers OT Holin Pierce The Eagles signed Rutgers University offensive tackle Hollin Pierce as an undrafted free agent, according to 247sports. Pierce is a Trenton, New Jersey, native and was a two-time All-Big Ten selection at Rutgers. Florida RB Montrell Johnson Jr. CBS Sports reports the Eagles signed Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. after an impressive career in Gainesville. Johnson rushed for 3,089 yards in his college career and 33 touchdowns. He spent his freshman year at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Central Arkansas RB ShunDerrick Powell The Eagles added another running back in the undrafted free agent market by signing Central Arkansas' ShunDerrick Powell. Powell rushed for more than 4,000 yards and nearly 40 touchdowns in four years playing in the FCS. Toledo S Maxen Hook Quinyon Mitchell's college teammate is joining the Birds as an undrafted free agent. The team is adding Toledo safety Maxen Hook, who earned All-MAC honors for the fourth time last season. He had 108 tackles and two interceptions. Toledo LB Lance Dixon Hook isn't the only Toledo player the team is adding in the undrafted free agent market. The Eagles signed Rockets linebacker Lance Dixon as an undrafted free agent. He spent the 2024 season with Toledo after stints at Penn State and West Virginia. Oregon S Brandon Johnson Oregon safety Brandon Johnson is signing with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent, according to the Oregonian. He played in 14 games last season for the Ducks and had 45 total tackles and one interception. Texas A&M CB BJ Mayes Texas A&M cornerback BJ Mayes will join the Birds as an undrafted free agent. He had a team-high four interceptions last season, which ranked fourth in the SEC.
