Latest news with #Blue-White
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan's opposition KMT and TPP look to build on momentum from recall votes
Taiwan's main opposition party the Kuomintang and the smaller Taiwan People's Party have been 're-energised' by last weekend's failed recall votes The result was widely seen as a major setback for the island's leader, William Lai Ching-te, and a turning point for the so-called Blue-White alliance between the two opposition parties. Saturday's unprecedented recall vote, which targeted 24 KMT lawmakers accused of blocking key legislation and jeopardising the island's security, ended with none losing their seats. A second round next month will target seven more KMT legislators, but observers say the chances of their removal are even slimmer given their stronger support in home districts. 'This wasn't just a failed recall – it was a political miscalculation that re-energised the opposition,' said a KMT official who spoke on condition of anonymity. 'More importantly, it allowed us to deepen coordination with the TPP in ways voters clearly supported.' The outcome has given the informal KMT-TPP coalition momentum heading into the 2026 local government elections and even the race in 2028 to elect the island's next leader.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan's opposition parties KMT and TPP look to build on momentum from recall votes
Taiwan's main opposition party the Kuomintang and the smaller Taiwan People's Party have been 're-energised' by last weekend's failed recall votes The result was widely seen as a major setback for the island's leader William Lai Ching-te and a turning point for the so-called Blue-White alliance between the two opposition parties. Saturday's unprecedented recall vote, which targeted 24 KMT lawmakers accused of blocking key legislation and jeopardising the island's security, ended with none losing their seats. A second round next month will target seven more KMT legislators, but observers say the chances of their removal are even slimmer given their stronger support in home districts. 'This wasn't just a failed recall – it was a political miscalculation that re-energised the opposition,' said a KMT official who spoke on condition of anonymity. 'More importantly, it allowed us to deepen coordination with the TPP in ways voters clearly supported.' The outcome has given the informal KMT-TPP coalition momentum heading into the 2026 local government elections and even the race in 2028 to elect the island's next leader.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
James Franklin will look for linebackers in NCAA transfer portal
With Penn State's spring football practices now officially in the books following the playing of the annual Blue-White spring game this weekend, head coach James Franklin is putting out an open invitation to any linebackers who want to come address a concern on the roster leading into the fall. Penn State's depth at the program's signature position is a bit more shallow than Franklin would like to see at this point in time, which led him to suggest the staff will be aggressive in the transfer portal a bit more than usual to address the position. "I think we're in good shape but there are some concerns as well since we lost someone we did not anticipate losing," Franklin said in his postgame comments following Saturday's spring game. The comment was a reference to the surprising departure of Ta'Mere Robinson, who entered the transfer portal and committed to USC. Robinson was expected to be a contributor to the Penn State defense this season following the departure of Kobe King to the NFL (King was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings). Advertisement Penn State will return veteran team captain Dominic DeLuca and rising star Tony Rojas, who was limited this spring while recovering from an injury. Franklin also praised the development of Anthony Speca, who is entering his second season with the program with high expectations. "As you all know, we aren't a big portal team, but we're going to address some issues," Franklin said. "If there is a linebacker out there that wants to be a part of our program and play for LBU, the most historic linebacker program in the history of college football, there's an opportunity to join the room." Related: Updated Penn State football transfer portal tracker Penn State has added seven players to the program from the transfer portal, including the most recent addition of former Syracuse wide receiver Trebor Pena. That includes a pair of edge rushers with Owen Wafle and Enai White, but not the focus will be on adding some more bodies at the linebacker spot before the start of the season. Advertisement "I think we have enough in the room, but getting through a season with potential injuries could be challenging," Franklin said. "We're going to look in the portal soon and see if we can find a solution." Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads. This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State will be aggressive in transfer portal for linebacker depth
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
James Franklin will look for linebackers in NCAA transfer portal
James Franklin will look for linebackers in NCAA transfer portal With Penn State's spring football practices now officially in the books following the playing of the annual Blue-White spring game this weekend, head coach James Franklin is putting out an open invitation to any linebackers who want to come address a concern on the roster leading into the fall. Penn State's depth at the program's signature position is a bit more shallow than Franklin would like to see at this point in time, which led him to suggest the staff will be aggressive in the transfer portal a bit more than usual to address the position. "I think we're in good shape but there are some concerns as well since we lost someone we did not anticipate losing," Franklin said in his postgame comments following Saturday's spring game. The comment was a reference to the surprising departure of Ta'Mere Robinson, who entered the transfer portal and committed to USC. Robinson was expected to be a contributor to the Penn State defense this season following the departure of Kobe King to the NFL (King was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings). Penn State will return veteran team captain Dominic DeLuca and rising star Tony Rojas, who was limited this spring while recovering from an injury. Franklin also praised the development of Anthony Speca, who is entering his second season with the program with high expectations. "As you all know, we aren't a big portal team, but we're going to address some issues," Franklin said. "If there is a linebacker out there that wants to be a part of our program and play for LBU, the most historic linebacker program in the history of college football, there's an opportunity to join the room." Related: Updated Penn State football transfer portal tracker Penn State has added seven players to the program from the transfer portal, including the most recent addition of former Syracuse wide receiver Trebor Pena. That includes a pair of edge rushers with Owen Wafle and Enai White, but not the focus will be on adding some more bodies at the linebacker spot before the start of the season. "I think we have enough in the room, but getting through a season with potential injuries could be challenging," Franklin said. "We're going to look in the portal soon and see if we can find a solution." Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Penn State football 2026 NFL Draft prospects: An early look at where Drew Allar may land
Penn State football is preparing for its most anticipated, star-studded season under head coach James Franklin. The Nittany Lions are expected to be a top-five preseason team, make it back to the College Football Playoff and contend for a national title. Advertisement Even more? They could bring a possible record-setting contingent to next year's NFL Draft. That should include another couple of first-round picks. For comparison, Penn State earned eight draft picks twice under Franklin, including in 2024. They landed five picks in this year's NFL Draft that ended Saturday evening, including first-rounders Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren. The Lions' seven-round record: 10 draft choices back in 1996. Here's why their 2026 NFL Draft could challenge that. A way-too-early look at next April in Pittsburgh: Drew Allar #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions attempts a pass before the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Beaver Stadium on December 21, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State football 2026 NFL Draft prospects Drew Allar, quarterback, senior Drew Allar has everything, physically, to be a first-round draft pick quarterback: great size (6-foot-5, 235 pounds), tremendous arm strength and ever-increasing mobility. He's also been a careful, accurate passer, owning the school record for completion percentage (62.9). Advertisement Can he make the step into a big-game QB extraordinaire? If he becomes a difference-maker at the end of his toughest games, there may be no stopping his draft rise into the top-five. He's the early No. 1 overall pick in this early draft projection and lands in the first round in most others. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, senior MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Dani Dennis-Sutton #33 of the Penn State Nittany Lions forces a fumble against Steve Angeli #18 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) An injury slowed his national breakout season last year, but Dani Dennis-Sutton finished strong, as hoped. Now, he's sitting on an All-America campaign and potential first-round draft status. His size and power are nearly unmatched at one of the most highly-valued NFL positions. He should be Penn State's next elite pass rusher, following Abdul Carter, Chop Robinson, Odafe Oweh and Micah Parsons — all first-round picks. Advertisement This mock draft has him going to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the No. 20 pick overall — and three other Lions going in the first round. Nick Singleton, running back, senior Penn State running back Nick Singleton (10) carries the ball during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 10-8. Nick Singleton can become Penn State's all-time leading rusher this coming season. The talk from him, and new running backs coach Stan Drayton, is attempting to add more open-field elusiveness to his big-play running style. Hitting another growth level could push him into first-round draft territory, as well. Kaytron Allen, running back, senior Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) carries the ball during the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in State College. The White team defeated the Blue team, 10-8. This punishing, co-starting tailback also could potentially top Penn State's all-time rushing list as a senior. Advertisement Kaytron Allen should team with Singleton to form the top running back duo in the nation. And if he continues to improve as a receiver and stay healthy, he should be a Day Two pick in Pittsburgh. Zane Durant, defensive tackle, senior Senior defensive tackle Zane Durant may be one of the top defensive tackles in the nation this fall. He often played like that last season and seemed underappreciated in Penn State's Top 10 defense. He's improved his playmaking in the backfield each season, to go along with a sturdy presence up front against the run. He's a strong second- or third-round draft projection, at this point. Zakee Wheatley, safety, redshirt senior Penn State football players, including safety Zakee Wheatley, center, walk down Curtin Road outside Beaver Stadium before the Blue-White game on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in State College. Zakee Wheatley grew from a starter-quality safety into a national-grade playmaker by the end of last season. Advertisement In his last performance, against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff, he registered 16 tackles — the most by a Penn State defender in a bowl game in 45 years. The senior expects to grow on that 2024 season, which featured three interceptions, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Nick Dawkins, offensive lineman, redshirt senior+ Nick Dawkins starred as a first-time starting center in 2024 and will anchor one of the nation's top offensive lines. After Saturday's Blue-White Game, coach James Franklin called him one of the best leaders he's ever coached. Drew Shelton, offensive lineman, senior Drew Shelton accounted for himself well as a first-time starter last season at left tackle. He would have earned a draft-eligible grade this year, if he would have chosen to leave. Advertisement Instead, he will team up with Dawkins to help form one of the nation's top offensive lines. Vega Ioane, offensive lineman, redshirt junior Penn State head football coach James Franklin greets offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane (71) during a NCAA football game against Delaware Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in State College, Pa. Vega Ioane may be the most athletic member of Penn State's star-studded offensive line — and the one with the most NFL Draft upside. He could push toward a first-round grade, which may help him leave PSU with a year of eligibility remaining. Nolan Rucci, offensive lineman, redshirt senior An intriguing draft possibility after starting just six games last year, his first at Penn State. But the former high school All-American finally began to grow into his enormous potential and should lock down that right tackle job early on. A.J. Harris, cornerback, junior The former five-star recruit who started his career at Georgia enjoyed a stellar 2025 with the Nittany Lions. Advertisement This season could be his time to garner national recognition, he is that talented. If so, he could leave early for the NFL, like Ioane. Penn State football NFL Draft picks 2024 Round 1, Pick 3: Abdul Carter, EDGE, New York Giants Round 1, Pick 14: Tyler Warren, tight end, Indianapolis Colts Round 3, Pick 82: KJ Winston, safety, Tennessee Titans Round 6, Pick 187: Jaylen Reed, safety, Houston Texans Round 6, Pick 201: Kobe King, linebacker, Minnesota Vikings Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football 2025 roster: Early look at its top NFL prospects
