Latest news with #All-SEC
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
1 49ers draft pick unsigned as rookies report to training camp
It's been a long offseason, but NFL teams are back in the building this week for the start of training camp, and for the San Francisco 49ers, they welcomed their rookies to their SAP Performance Facility next to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Tuesday. While the 49ers are ready to fully kick off camp when veterans arrive Tuesday, July 22, they still have some business to take care of, including rookie defensive lineman Alfred Collins' contract. Entering training camp, Collins is the team's lone unsigned draft pick of their 11-player class, but following a fascinating trend around the league, he's one of 30 second-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft that have yet to put pen to paper. Collins, 23, was a five-star recruit out of Cedar Creek High School in Cedar Creek, Texas, before committing to the University of Texas ahead of the 2020 season. In five years with the Longhorns, he appeared in 64 games, recording 141 tackles (18 for a loss), 12 passes defensed, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. He also earned All-SEC and All-American honors in 2024. At this point, Collins isn't considered a holdout, considering he's not under contract. However, when he does eventually sign, he'll be competing for a top spot in the interior of San Francisco's defensive line along with veterans Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens and 2025 fourth-round pick C.J. West. Missing time in training camp could keep him from taking on an important role, especially early in the season. If the 49ers are looking to get Collins locked in sooner rather than later, they should be offering more guaranteed money, as that seems to be the holdup for these second-round rookie deals. The only second-round picks from the 2025 NFL draft to sign their deals thus far are Houston Texans wide receiver and Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who both received fully guaranteed entry-level contracts earlier this offseason. More 49ers: Second-year 49ers WR identified as a breakout candidate ahead of 2025 season
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Counting down the top 11 safeties in LSU history: Where do Delpit, Landry, and Adams rank?
LSU football has a rich history at the safety position. Few programs produce secondary talent on LSU's level, which has earned LSU the nickname of DBU (defensive back university). Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, LSU built elite defenses on the backend. In the 2000s, we saw Laron Landry and Craig Steltz play at an All-American level. Jamal Adams and Grant Delpit continued that tradition a decade later. But the tradition started before those players were even born with guys like Greg Jackson leading the way in the 1900s. These lists are never easy. It's hard enough to decide on the 10 most deserving names. After it's narrowed down, it's even harder to find the right order, especially with the amount of talent that's come through Baton Rouge over the years. I tried to consider a variety of factors, from raw talent, production, all-conference accolades, All-American honors, and NFL Draft position. Here are the 11 best safeties in LSU football history. 11. Chad Jones Jones spent three years at LSU and played in all 40 games, making 19 starts. As a junior in 2019, Jones racked up 74 tackles, three picks, with six pass breakups. Jones was quick to make an impact after arriving at LSU. As a true freshman, he made 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a pick, a forced fumble, and three pass breakups. It wasn't just defense where Jones made his impact. Against Mississippi State in 2009, Jones returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown to give LSU a 30-21 lead in the fourth quarter. That score proved to be key as LSU won 30-26. Jones was a two-sport standout and won a national title with the football team and the LSU baseball team. 10. Craig Burns Burns wasn't all that different from Jones, except he wore the LSU uniform 35 years earlier. Burns was a playmaker in the secondary who also returned punts and was a star on the baseball team. Burns eight interceptions in 1970 is tied for first place in program history. He finished his career with 12 picks, one of the best marks in LSU history. Burns earned second-team All-SEC honors in 1970. Burns had a career day with three picks vs. Ole Miss in 1970. 9. Liffort Hobley Hobley picked off 10 passes in his LSU career, one of the best marks in program history. Six of those picks came in 1984, when Hobley was an All-SEC safety. Hobley came up big in the Sugar Bowl vs. Nebraska, picking off two passes. He earned All-SEC honors twice in his career and was a third-round pick in the 1985 NFL Draft. 8. Craig Steltz Steltz is one of four LSU safeties to earn consensus All-American honors. Steltz didn't become a full-time starter until his final year with LSU in 2007, but he made the most of it. Steltz was a team captain on a national championship-winning defense. He picked off six passes and forced three fumbles. Steltz's 11 career interceptions. Steltz was a finalist for the Thorpe Award, annually given to the top defensive back in college football. He was a first-team All-SEC and a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft. 7. Eric Reid Reid was a member of LSU's dominant secondary in 2011. Reid's 2011 interception vs. Alabama is remembered as one of the best plays in LSU history. In the fourth quarter of a 6-6 game, Reid wrestled a jump ball away from Alabama's tight end to secure the turnover. LSU went on to win 9-6. That moment was representative of the plays Reid made throughout his LSU career. Reid was a first-team All-American in 2012 and a second-team All-American in 2011. He earned all-conference honors in 2011 and 2012 before moving on to be a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. 6. Greg Jackson Jackson earned first-team All-American honors in 1988 from Gannett News Service. He was named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press and SEC coaches. Jackson came up with seven picks in 1988. Jackson was dangerous with the ball and his 219 interception return yards in 1988 remain an SEC record. He was a team captain as LSU went 6-1 in conference play thanks to a stellar defense. Jackson was a versatile secondary player who went on to be a third-round pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. 5. Jamal Adams Jamal Adams is one of the most talented defenders to wear the LSU uniform. He was a five-star recruit before the New York Jets selected Adams with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Adams made an impact as a true freshman in 2014, but saw his career take off in 2015. Adams earned second-team All-SEC recognition and finished the year with 67 tackles, five tackles for loss, six pass breakups, and four interceptions. In 2016, Adams took it up a notch, earning first-team All-American honors. LSU's 2026 defense was one of the best in the nation with Adams holding it down in the secondary. Few LSU defenders were as fun to watch as Jamal Adams. 4. Grant Delpit Grant Delpit won the Thorpe Award in 2019 as a leader on LSU's national championship-winning defense. He was a consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC. But for as good as Delpit was in 2019, he was even better in 2018, when he was a finalist for the Nagurski Award. In 2018, Delpit led the SEC with five picks and ranked No. 2 in the SEC in pass breakups. He finished the year with 74 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. It's hard to find another player who made Delpit's impact in coverage, stopping the run, and rushing the passer. Delpit did it all, and he did it at an elite level, leaving LSU with a national title ring. 3. Chris Williams Coming in at No. 3, we have LSU's all-time interceptions leader Chris Williams. Williams played corner and safety at LSU, but he played enough safety to be on this list. Williams picked off 20 passes at LSU, including an eight-interception campaign in 1980. Williams earned first-team All-SEC honors that year. Williams was a second-team All-SEC in the prior season, too. Williams was a top contributor at LSU from 1977-1980 and was a second-round pick in 1981. It's tough to find a player who made a high impact like Williams in all four years. 2. LaRon Landry Landry's talent speaks for itself. It's why he was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Landry's resume is strong, and he has a case to be the top-ranked player on this list. Landry was a second-team All-SEC in 2003 as a member of LSU's national championship-winning defense. In 2004, Landry earned all-conference recognition again. In 2005, Landry earned third-team All-American honors. And then in 2006, Landry was a Thorpe Award semifinalist, first-team All-SEC, and first-team All-American. Landry's 315 career tackles rank top 10 in school history, and his 12 career interceptions rank third in LSU history. 1. Tommy Casanova Tommy Casanova was a two-time consensus All-American in the secondary for LSU. Casanova made an impact in all three phases of the game, contributing on offense and special teams, too. Casanova emerged in 1970 as one of the best players in the nation. He entered 1971 in the Heisman conversation, but an injury in 1971 cost Casanova five games. Casanova still managed to earn first-team All-American honors again. Casanova was selected in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft. As a pro, he went on to be a three-time Pro Bowler. Casanova finished his LSU career with three first-team All-SEC selections.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
La'el Collins teases NFL comeback with Saints, talks high respect for Kellen Moore
'We've been talking a little bit ... You never know what could happen' Could more help be on the way for the New Orleans Saints' offensive line? Maybe so. After turning pro out of LSU, La'el Collins spent the first seven years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, where he got to know Kellen Moore as both a coach and a teammate. And the Baton Rouge native suggested something may be brewing as the Saints prepare for Moore's first training camp as their head coach. "What's crazy about the NFL, anything can happen right? I I mean, you got Kellen over there down in New Orleans. We've been talking a little bit. Hopefully," Collins trailed off, speaking with After Further Review's Matt Moscona about an NFL comeback. "You never know what could happen." Collins, who turns 32 this month, played left guard and left tackle at LSU, earning All-SEC recognition in both 2013 and 2014, but moved to right tackle with the Cowboys and insisted on staying there; he was later cut by Dallas with three years left on his contract. Back and knee injuries interrupted his time with the Cincinnati Bengals and he briefly returned to the Cowboys practice squad before the 2023 season drew to a close. He tried out at Buffalo Bills training camp last summer, working at both guard and tackle, but didn't make the team. All told, he's started 86 of his 89 games in the NFL, plus three playoff games. It's clear that he has a ton of respect for Moore, and the pair have a good relationship. Collins continued: "He's going to be a great coach in the NFL for a long time. Obviously I had to tell him that I'm here for him, too. If he ever needs to call me, I'll be ready." The Saints have loaded up with former LSU Tigers like safety Tyrann Mathieu, tight end Foster Moreau, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, offensive lineman Will Clapp, and this offseason's trade pickup Davon Godchaux (who is expected to play heavy minutes at nose tackle in Brandon Staley's new-look defense), so Collins would be in good company. Maybe he could offer better depth inside at guard or share some experience with Taliese Fuaga at right tackle. We'll see.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
7 most explosive Eagles heading into the 2025 season include two dynamic rookies
With the rookies and veterans set to report to the NovaCare Complex next Tuesday, we're looking at the seven most explosive players on the Eagles roster. The Eagles are nine days away from reporting to the NovaCare Complex for training camp. Nick Sirianni's team is focused on having a singular goal for the 2025 NFL regular season. Howie Roseman orchestrated another roster makeover in free agency, the 10-player NFL Draft, and several talented undrafted free agents. Training Camp begins in late July, with July 22 as the report day, followed by a practice on July 23. Although a surprise move or two could still be on the way, the majority of the work has been completed. After watching 12 players depart in free agency, Roseman added two dynamic SEC linebackers, an All-American pass rusher, three offensive linemen, and an accomplished quarterback from Philadelphia. With the rookies and veterans set to report to the NovaCare Complex on Monday, July 21, we're looking at the seven most explosive players on the Eagles roster. QB Jalen Hurts Hurts broke his Super Bowl QB record with 72 rushing yards, becoming the first QB to have multiple Super Bowls with a 100+ passer rating and 50+ rushing yards. He is the second QB to post a 115+ rating and rush for 50+ yards in a Super Bowl, along with Joe Montana in Super Bowl XIX (1/20/85). RB Saquon Barkley Barkley's 2,005 rushing yards were the eighth most in a regular season in NFL history, and he compiled an NFL-high 46 runs of 10-plus yards in 2024. WR A.J. Brown In 2024, Brown ranked 1st in receiving average (16.1) (min. 60 catches) and 3rd in receiving yards per game (83.0) (min. 13 games), behind Ja'Marr Chase (100.5) and Justin Jefferson (90.2). DT Jalen Carter During the 2024 regular season, Carter was 4th among interior defensive linemen with an 81.5 PFF pass-rush grade, behind Chris Jones (91.0), Cameron Heyward (87.2), and Jeffery Simmons (81.6) in that category. LB Jihaad Campbell (Rookie) Campbell was named to a list of players who could make an immediate impact for Philadelphia at linebacker. The 6'3", 235-pounder has sideline-to-sideline speed and impressive coverage skills. He also flourished as a quality pass rusher, registering five sacks in 2024. During his final season in Tuscaloosa, Campbell was putting together a stellar 2024 campaign before suffering a torn left labrum, totaling career-highs in tackles (117) and sacks (5.0) in 13 games. He was named first-team All-SEC and was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's top linebacker. DB Andrew Mukuba (Rookie) Over his final 26 games in college, Mukuba recorded 18 pass breakups and committed zero penalties. That's impressive for a player who's aggressive at the catch point. Mukuba allowed just 74 yards and a 12.1 passer rating on 401 coverage snaps last season, per PFF. At 6-0, 186 pounds, Mukuba is undersized but makes up for it with excellent ball skills and instincts. He possesses good length and exhibits ball-hawking tendencies, tying the SEC lead with five interceptions in 2024. If he were a few inches taller and 15 pounds heavier, Mukuba would've been a first-round pick. DB Cooper DeJean DeJean, who did not allow a TD in coverage in 2024, became the youngest player (22) to record an INT-TD in a Super Bowl when he had a 38-yard INT-TD against Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
MLB draft: Dodgers select a pair of Arkansas standouts with their first picks
SAN FRANCISCO — The Dodgers' first two picks in this year's MLB draft came consecutively at Nos. 40 and 41 overall. Turns out, their two selections came from the same school, as well, with the team taking left-handed pitcher Zach Root and contact-hitting outfielder Charles Davalan out of the University of Arkansas. Root, a junior for the Razorbacks this year, went at No. 40. A transfer from East Carolina, he had a 3.62 earned-run average this season with 126 strikeouts in 99⅓ innings. Scouting reports lauded his versatile pitch mix, which includes a slider, curveball and changeup from a funky low arm-slot delivery. Davalan, a sophomore who was draft-eligible, also transferred into Arkansas last year after one season at Florida Gulf Coast. He hit .346 for the Razorbacks with 14 home runs, 60 RBIs and more walks (35) than strikeouts (27). Both players were part of an Arkansas team that won 50 games and reached the College World Series. Both figure to be key pieces of the Dodgers' future, as well. Though the Dodgers once again were boxed out of a high draft pick — picking outside the top 30 for the third time in the last four years because of competitive balance tax penalties — the team did acquire an extra selection in what is known as 'Competitive Balance Round A,' securing the No. 41 overall selection as part of the trade that sent Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds. That meant, for the first time since 2019, the Dodgers made two top-50 selections. And when their selections were on the clock, they identified the pair of Southeastern Conference teammates. Root is a Fort Myers, Fla., native who was the No. 31-ranked recruit in the state coming out of high school, according to Perfect Game. After starting his college career at East Carolina, where he had a 9-5 record and 4.43 ERA in two seasons, he found immediate success upon joining Arkansas, earning first-team All-SEC honors and second- and third-team All-American nods. Though he grew up in Florida, Root said he was a childhood Dodgers fan — thanks in large part to another certain left-handed pitcher. 'Growing up, my dad always made me watch [Clayton] Kershaw and learn to pitch like him,' Root said. 'So I've just been watching Dodger baseball ever since I can remember, because of Kershaw.' Davalan took a decidedly more circuitous route to the Dodgers. Originally a childhood hockey player from Quebec, Canada, Davalan moved to Florida when he was in high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, enrolling in a specialized high school that allowed him to spend much of his days training as a baseball player. 'With COVID, a lot got shut down in Canada,' Davalan said. 'So decided to go live in Florida, where the restrictions [weren't there] and you could play 12 months of the year.' From there, the undersized Davalan — who is listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds — got one D-I offer from FGCU, impressed enough there to transfer to Arkansas, and then blossomed into 'one of the best hitters in the draft class, I think,' Root said of his teammate. 'Getting him at pick 41 is just a big steal for the Dodgers.' Davalan offered similar praise about Root, calling him 'kind of an old-school pitcher' who 'really filled the zones up good, but can still get his punchouts when he needs to get out of the jam.' 'Old-school' was also an adjective Davalan used to describe himself. 'I like to win. I like to play hard,' he said. 'So that's what I'm going to try to do. And I'm sure that knowing the organization, it's filled of players like that, so I'm super excited just to get to meet new people.' And, of course, be reacquainted with one from his recent past. 'He's one of my best friends because of Arkansas,' Root said. 'He's a really great dude.' 'I guess I'm going to have to live with him in a couple more years,' Davalan joked. 'He's awesome.'
