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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Warriors hosting trio of players for pre-draft workout
Warriors hosting trio of players for pre-draft workout Warriors hosting a pre-draft workout Tuesday: — Sam Gordon (@BySamGordon) June 2, 2025 Draft month is officially here. In just a couple of weeks, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Steve Kerr are set to be on the clock for the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2025 edition of the NBA draft. Before Kerr and Dunleavy Jr. lock in their only pick in the 2025 draft, the Golden State Warriors are hosting a trio of prospects at San Francisco's Chase Center for a pre-draft workout. Duke's Sion James, Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard and Appalachian State's CJ Huntley are the players set to work out in San Francisco on Tuesday, according to Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle. While earning a spot on the ACC All-Defensive team alongside top prospect Cooper Flagg at Duke, James averaged 8.6 points on 51.6% shooting from the field to go along with 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 39 games. After two seasons at Creighton, Nembhard transferred to Gonzaga for his final two seasons of college hoops, earning All-WCC honors in both campaigns. Nembhard led Mark Few's squad at point guard, averaging 10.5 points on 44.6% shooting from the field and 40.4% from beyond the arc. Nembhard added 9.8 assists and three rebounds per game. Nembhard notched 10 or more assists in 19 different games last season for Gonzaga, including a 16-assist performance against San Francisco at Chase Center. Nembhard's brother, Andrew, is getting ready to play in the NBA Finals with the Indiana Pacers. Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard is a dream point guard for teammates to play alongside in a Combine setting with his tremendous feel, vision and unselfishness. Rightfully earned the callup to the big show, making a strong case for two-way consideration. — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025 Huntley played all five seasons at App State, earning All-Sun Belt honors in as a senior in 2024-25. The 6-foot-11 big man averaged a career-best 15.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last season. Prior to hosting James, Nembhard and Huntley, the Warriors hosted another group of prospects earlier in draft season. UCLA's Kobe Johnson, St. John's RJ Luis and Mizzou's Tamar Bates were some of the players to visit Chase Center for a pre-draft workout. The Warriors have the next three weeks to prepare for the start of the NBA draft on June 25 in Brooklyn, New York at Barclays Center.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans reveal first look at new offensive line for upcoming season
Texans reveal first look at new offensive line for upcoming season What will the Houston Texans' offensive line look like in 2025? New offensive coordinator Nick Caley might have just pulled back the curtain a bit on that during the first day of organized team activities. At one point, Cam Robinson started at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Jake Andrews at center, Tytus Howard at right guard and second-round pick Aireontae Ersery at right tackle. Then, Ersery would be flipped with 2024 second-round pick Blake Fisher while he'd replace Robinson on the left side. Juice Scruggs and Jarrett Patterson would flip reps with Tomlinson and Andrews, respectively, while Austin Deculus also saw some first-team reps on the right side. While this isn't the starting lineup heading into the season, it's a baseline on what Caley has to work with after a turnover in talent last season. Entering Day 2 of camp, Caley is just trying to find the right combination of players and where they fit to enhance their craft eventually. 'It will be a lot of mixing and matching guys, putting guys in different spots, and seeing which five guys work well together,' Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. 'One thing about the O-line is that there's a lot of smart guys in that room, and they can move around and play multiple spots, so that helps them." No one is promised a starting role going into the season. No one should be, either. Houston alllowed 54 sacks last season, in 52 against C.J. Stroud. Their 11 sacks in the postseason were the most by any team despite only playing in two games. And eight allowed in the divisional round was the most by any offensive line in a single postseason appearance in franchise history. The Texans retooled their offensive line by parting ways with three starters from last year's squad. Kenyon Green and Laremy Tunsil were traded to NFC East rosters while Shaq Mason was designated as a June 1 cut. Tomlinson and Robinson have been starters since entering the league, though their overall play has been underwhelming in recent years. Ersery and Fisher are hopeful building blocks for the future. Both were top 60 selections coming of Minnesota and Notre Dame over the last two years and the Texans will give them ample time to learn the ins and outs of the offense before they decide to move off them in a different direction. Andrews could be the biggest surprise addition, given his relationship with Popovich. Prior to joining the Texans, Pop worked for Troy as the team's offensive line coach. Andrews started all 13 games, earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors under his watch. The Texans will have six more practices before the start of mandatory minicamp beginning next month. By then, Caley should have a basis of a starting five in the trenches.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Old Dominion Football Preview 2025: Strong Season Ahead For Dangerous Monarchs
Remember, Old Dominion isn't exactly a college football a lovely research university close to water and the beach, and it has enjoyed an FBS college football program since things considered, the school hasn't been bad since the move. It's flown under the radar, going a better-than-it-sounds 51-72 in ten full seasons - the team didn't play in 2020 There was a 1-11 clunker of a 2019 season, and there's been just one winning campaign since the move up in weight class, but things have turned up a Rahne came in as the head coach, and following the 2020 craziness that would have been a rebuilding campaign, he has gone to two bowl games in four years and went a respectable 5-7 last Year Six of Rahne's reign, the talent and parts are there to start being offense should be fun. The ground game is strong, the defense should quietly be great - the linebacking corps is fantastic if star Jason Henderson is okay - and soon the next step will come as a player in the Sun Belt race. Old Dominion Monarchs Preview 2025: Offense X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN- No one in the Sun Belt ran better than the Monarchs. No one in the country was better in the red zone. There were too many turnovers, the pass protection wasn't good enough, and the passing game was just Joseph had a little something to do with all of it. The sophomore quarterback ran for 647 yards and 11 scores, hit 60% of his throws, and he should be the star of the show once again, but … - The other skill parts are questionable. The Monarchs lost almost every receiver who did anything meaningful. It's a young group that needs JUCO transfer Ja'Cory Thomas to be a superstar on the outside, and fellow transfer - both receivers are coming from Hutchinson Community College - Tre Brown to be a reliable inside threat. Brown is the better of the two. - The line will work around tackles Zach Barlev on the left side and Stephon Dubose-Bourne on the right. Barlev is an All-Sun Belt performer, and Dubose-Bourne has the size. The interior is rebuilding, starting with Fordham transfer Ryan Joyce at is the most dangerous runner, but backs Devin Roche and Bryce Duke each averaged over six yards per pop for a ground game that should average over five yards per carry. Old Dominion Monarchs Preview 2025: Defense - The defense can and should get into the backfield, but it had a hard time holding up against anyone who tried pounding away. The transfer portal wasn't exactly kind, but the main tackles are back, along with the big end combination of sack leader Kris Trinidad and Ricardo Williams Jr. - Jason Henderson might be the best defensive player in America if he's fully back from the knee injury that cost him almost all of last year. The tackling machine linebacker made 438 tackles with 34 tackles for loss in his three seasons, and if he's right, everything changes on the tackler Koa Naotala filled in Henderson's place - he made 88 stops - and will be in the rotation in some form. Mario Thompson was the team's third-leading tackler, and Jaheel Culbreath was fourth. The linebacking corps will be a killer.- The transfer portal will take over the secondary. Safety Nickendre Stiger (Kansas State) and corner Botros Alsandro (Purdue) were the biggest name gets, but safety Lucas Struck from Iowa Western will be the statistical star. Old Dominion Monarchs Key to the Season Keep the turnovers to a minimumStopping the run is the real key, but that will be better with a veteran front six/seven. It might seem basic, but don't turn the ball over, and all should be well. The Monarchs were 0-6 when turning it over multiple times, and 5-1 when they didn't. Old Dominion Monarchs Key Player Ryan Joyce, C the tackles should be fine on a line that was great for the run but struggled in pass protection, mostly because Colton Joseph kept trying to run. The interior of the Monarch line is the slight question mark, and that's where the 6-5, 305-pound Joyce comes in. The Fordham transfer can work at guard, but he'll likely start at center. Old Dominion Monarchs Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: Ryan Joyce, C interior of the ODU line needs help, and it got a versatile 6-5, 305-pound veteran from Fordham. Most of his time was spent at guard, but he'll get a look at Transfer Out: Jahron Manning, S of the best all-around playmakers on the defense, he was second on the team with 85 tackles with three interceptions and 5.5 tackles for loss. He's going to a Mississippi State defense that needs him. Old Dominion Monarchs Key Game Coastal Carolina, Oct. 4It's the Sun Belt opener, and if Old Dominion is really that good, it should be 2-2, beating NC Central and Liberty, and losing on the road to Indiana and Virginia Tech. It lost last year to Coastal Carolina on the road, and is now 1-2 all-time in the series. With three road games in the next four, there's a problem if it loses this at home.- 2025 Old Dominion Schedule Breakdown Old Dominion Monarchs Top 10 Players 1. Jason Henderson, LB Sr.2. Mario Thompson, LB Jr.3. Colton Joseph, QB Soph.4. Zach Barlev, OT Sr.5. Kris Trinidad, DE Sr.6. Koa Naotala, LB Jr.7. Jahleel Culbreath, LB Jr.8. Stephon Dubose-Bourne, OT Sr.9. Lucas Struck, S Soph.10. Ricardo Williams Jr., DE Sr. Old Dominion Monarchs 2024 Fun Stats - Fumbles: Old Dominion 17 (lost 10), Opponents 16 (lost 4)- Time of Possession: Opponents 32:17, Old Dominion 27:43- Red Zone Scores: Old Dominion 25-of-27 (93%), Opponents 23-of-30 (77%) Old Dominion Monarchs 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen The Monarchs might be able to push Indiana or Virginia Tech if everything works perfectly, but probably okay. As long as they're winning the games they're supposed to, they should be able to make a second bowl game in three seasons and the third in five under Ricky won't be a ton of consistency, but the defensive front should be terrific and the ground game will continue to be effective. Going to James Madison and Georgia Southern might be just enough to prevent a real run for the Sun Belt title, but be great in SB Ballard, this should be the second winning season in 11 years at the FBS The Old Dominion Monarchs Win Total At … 5.5Likely Wins: NC Central50/50 Games: App State, Coastal Carolina, at Georgia Southern, Georgia State, at James Madison, Liberty, at Marshall, Troy, at ULMLikely Losses: at Indiana, at Virginia Tech © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
New York Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NFL Draft 2025's best undrafted free agent fits: One player to watch on each roster
When it comes to undrafted free agents, one thing's for certain: There is always gold in those hills. As is the case nearly every season, several undrafted rookie free agents (UDFAs) made an impact on NFL teams in 2024. Carolina Panthers receiver Jalen Coker (Holy Cross) had 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles Rams linebacker Omar Speights (LSU) turned an outstanding preseason into an eventual starting role. Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (Notre Dame) was tough to ignore, starting five games, including three of the last four. Advertisement Who will be this year's best post-draft finds? Here's our annual look at one candidate for each of the 32 NFL teams … (Editor's note: Click on each player's name to read more about them in Dane Brugler's draft guide, 'The Beast.') There's not much versatility here but Simmons, a 6-foot-1, 334-pound nose tackle, has the build to be the type of interior space eater for which teams are constantly searching. He was part of a heavy rotation at Tennessee (14.4 snaps per game last year), but when he was on the field, he brought the force and explosion necessary to be a run stuffer. Nash (6-3, 203) moved from QB to receiver in 2022 and was a near-immediate success, putting up more than 150 catches and 2,000 yards with 24 TDs over his final two seasons (including 18 contested catches in 2024). The Falcons also brought in explosive Miami DT Simeon Barrow Jr. and ultra-competitive Kansas CB Cobee Bryant. One of the biggest players in the 2025 NFL Draft, Christian-Lichtenhan (6-8, 315, 35 1/4-inch arms, 85 3/8-inch wingspan) has a Dawand Jones-like ability to use his length to erase pass rushers off the edge. He's a limited athlete, but his traits are worth taking a chance on. The Ravens will also get a look at Division III sensation Thomas Perry, a freakishly athletic center. A four-year starter and two-time All-Sun Belt center who made stops at Lamar and Arkansas State, Bayer plays with great power and punch in the run game. A tough customer, Bayer rehabbed an ACL injury in less than six months to start his final 12 games at Arkansas State. An explosive guard, Kandra (6-5, 320) has enough power (33 bench-press reps at the combine) to bully defenders at the line. He's a decent-enough mover to hang on either side of the center and works to overcome some flexibility issues with discipline and effort. Kandra took center reps during Hula Bowl practices. Carolina will also get a look at UCF WR Kobe Hudson and Miami WR Jacolby George. Advertisement A jumbo safety, Burns (6-2, 207 pounds) lacks top-end speed but has enough burst and strength to be a factor. He played all over the field for LSU, taking reps as a box safety, free safety, slot corner and even as an edge rusher. A two-year starter at Alabama, McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State in 2024 and won the Rimington Award (best center in college football) despite tearing his Achilles two weeks before the Michigan game. A powerful, agile leader (when healthy), McLaughlin played his best football in Columbus and will have a shot if he can overcome his injury. The Bengals also brought in stout Notre Dame DT Howard Cross III. Another big safety, McMillon (6-2, 203) played both safety spots and in the slot the last two years for Pitt, after spending time at Florida. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 35-inch vertical and 10 foot, 5 inch broad jump. An aggressive coverage player, McMillon broke up five passes and forced six incompletions last year. A raw tight end with interesting traits, Fairweather (6-3, 242 with 34 1/2-inch arms and an 83 5/8-inch wingspan) was one of the longest skill players in the draft. He plays with natural leverage as a blocker and has the length to be a factor in the run game and pass protection, should his technique improve. A three-year starter at Georgia who has played left guard, right guard and right tackle, Truss (6-7, 309) brings a ton of power and length in the run game — he could be a factor inside for an NFL team. He's not the quickest player, though, so Truss' toughness and durability (67 games at Georgia) will be his biggest selling points. Advertisement An elite athlete, Keeney-James (6-0, 190) ran a 4.37 40 with a 1.54-second 10-yard split at his pro day to go along with a 40 1/2-inch vertical, 10-6 broad jump and 4.07 short shuttle. He only had one real productive college season (51 catches, 870 yards in 2024) but has the traits to gamble on. Ole Miss TE Caden Prieskorn and Syracuse WR Jackson Meeks were quality adds for Detroit, too. A three-year starter at Georgia, the 6-3, 327-pound Stackhouse is big enough to play nose and quick enough to move out to three-tech in certain situations. A powerful player who fit in with Kirby Smart's attack, Stackhouse has battled narcolepsy to make it this far. He's a very determined athlete. More explosive than fast, Jackson plays much bigger than his 5-10, 193-pound frame. He combines solid burst and great agility to be a crafty route runner, with the ability to make acrobatic catches and big plays downfield. He made 208 catches at Minnesota, No. 3 on the school's all-time list. A gigantic receiver (6-4, 212) with arm length that would make tackles jealous (34 3/4 inches), Taylor also ran a 4.44 40 with a 39 1/2-inch vertical and 10-11 broad jump. A giant ball of explosion, his traits are absolutely worth watching this summer. A four-year starter at Memphis, Henigan (6-3, 215) threw for 14,266 career yards and 104 touchdowns (both AAC records) as one of the nation's most consistent Group of 5 quarterbacks. A smart player with middling arm talent, Henigan makes his money with consistency and technique. He's a sturdy pocket passer. A former basketball player who never played a snap of high school football, Pole (who learned the game from his older brother, Toni, a former Washington State defensive lineman) is a natural mover on the outside. His pass-protection instincts are better than what he can offer as a run blocker right now, but the 6-5, 323-pounder hasn't come close to his ceiling yet. Physically, Joyner is an NFL edge out of central casting: 6-4, 262 with 34-inch arms, 82 1/2-inch wingspan and 4.60 40. The big, long and explosive Joyner is still more traits than substance, but his flashes (7 1/2 sacks in 2023) are intriguing. Another gigantic tackle prospect, Washington (6-8, 340) played at Kent State, Colorado and Syracuse as a right tackle and has enough nastiness in the run game to be interesting for Jim Harbaugh's roster. The Chargers also brought in South Carolina RB Raheim 'Rocket' Sanders, a 230-pounder with 4.46 speed. Advertisement The most uniquely shaped offensive line prospect in this class, Lampkin is one of the rare O-line prospects who stands under 6 feet (5-11, 279). But the former wrestler used violent hands and natural leverage to be effective in college. If he were three inches taller, he'd have been drafted. A versatile tight end who can play fullback, H-back or whatever else a team needs, Conyers (6-4, 260) was also a big-time basketball prospect at one time and has enough length and bulk to be a potential weapon in Miami's stretch run game. He showed great effort and bend as a run blocker at the Shrine Bowl. Frankly, I was surprised to see Brown go undrafted. A 6-6, 311-pounder with near 34-inch arms and good explosion, Brown was a five-star recruit who transferred to Kansas in 2023 after Wisconsin dismissed him for reportedly striking another player during practice. He flashes NFL starter-level traits. Another player who easily could have been drafted, Dippre (6-4, 256) was a very good run blocker at Alabama and did everything — including playing on special teams — with supreme effort and intensity. He'll never be a high-volume receiver but could be an asset for Mike Vrabel in the run game. Also keep an eye on crafty Eastern Washington WR Efton Chism III. Small but explosive, Yarns (5-10, 193) ran a 4.45 40 with a 37 1/2-inch vertical and 10-2 broad jump at the combine. He flashed true breakaway speed as a runner and a receiver at Delaware, making 11 touchdown catches to go along with a 6.4 yards per carry mark over five years. Wells (6-1, 201) was one of the hottest transfers in the country in 2022 following a 15-touchdown season at James Madison. A foot injury slowed him down in 2023-24, but Wells has enough wiggle to get open and be a problem after the catch. Edwards was arguably a better receiver than a runner at Michigan. An explosive, agile 205-pounder, Edwards served mostly as a backup throughout his college career and has poor vision between the tackles, but he's enough of an athlete to have a shot. One of Quinyon Mitchell's secondary mates at Toledo, Hook was a four-year starter for Jason Candle's Rockets and proved to be one of the MAC's most consistent safeties. The Eagles also brought in hulking Rutgers OT Hollin Pierce (6-8, 341, 36-inch arms). Advertisement A three-year starting safety — and a playmaker — for Phil Parker's always-tough Iowa defense, Castro doesn't have elite athleticism but is an extremely smart defender, both in pass coverage (especially zone) and run support. A burner with a gigantic frame, Neyor (6-4, 218 with 34 3/8-inch arms and an 82 5/8-inch wingspan) ran a 4.40 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 11-1 broad jump at the combine. An elite athlete, Neyor struggled at Texas and Nebraska to match the production he put up at Wyoming, but he's worth the gamble. A high school quarterback who moved to defensive back while at SE Louisiana before matriculating to LSU, Alexander (6-1, 187 with 31-inch arm) is a big, long corner with enough athleticism to hang in as a safety in a pinch. The biggest big man in the 2025 NFL Draft class (and one of the biggest we've ever seen), the 6-6, 464-pound Watson is a house on wheels. He's lighter on his feet than his weight suggests, so he could be an interesting project for Todd Bowles' staff, if he can stay in shape. Restrepo was one of Cam Ward's favorite targets at Miami last season. He was super-productive for the Hurricanes, putting up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and nearly 3,000 career yards. He's slow (4.85 40), but his toughness, competitive drive and route nuance might be enough to surprise folks. Ward will be happy to see him, at least. The Titans also brought in Boston College DT Cam Horsley, an interior thumper who was very good at the Shrine Bowl. A relatively disciplined corner with good length, Cypress (6-0, 182) ran a 4.43 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 10-3 broad jump at his pro day, after a six-year career (four at Virginia, two at Florida State). He worked opposite Azareye'h Thomas last season, tying with him for the team lead in forced incompletions (6). (Top photo of Donovan Edwards: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oregon WR Tez Johnson selected with No. 235 pick in 2025 NFL draft
Oregon WR Tez Johnson selected with No. 235 pick in 2025 NFL draft Dreams really do come true. Oregon receiver Tez Johnson just had his dreams realized when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 7th round of the 2025 NFL draft, with pick No. 235. At 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, Johnson may not be the prototypical NFL wide receiver, but he still gets the job done, which is exactly what he's done for his entire college career, whether it be at Troy or Oregon. Johnson was a good player for Troy. He tied for the ninth-most catches in program history with 141 and 10th with 1,809 receiving yards as a sophomore. Johnson was named honorable mention All-Sun Belt by coaches and media that year. But when he came to Oregon and teamed up with his adoptive brother Bo Nix at quarterback, Johnson exploded on the scene in the Pac-12 as a junior. He made history in his first season as a Duck, breaking the Oregon single-season record for receptions with 86 while racking up 1,182 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Johnson ranked fifth in the Pac-12 and tied for 16th nationally in receptions as well as No. 4 in the Pac-12 and No. 12 in the country in receiving yards. Johnson was on the coaches' All-Pac-12 honorable mention list and on the Associated Press All-Pac-12 second team. Johnson solidified his NFL draft status in 2024 as he was on the All-Big Ten Second Team (coaches and media) and was named as the Big Ten Championship Game Most Valuable Player. It'll be interesting to see how Johnson fits in with Tampa Bay's plans going forward. He could be a possession-type receiver as as well as a deep threat. He also has special teams experience as well. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
