Latest news with #CampbellTrophy
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Connor McDavid tries to follow Wayne Gretzky's path with Oilers in tough Final
Connor McDavid tries to follow Wayne Gretzky's path with Oilers in tough Final (Image Source: Getty Images) Connor McDavid is getting ready for the 2025 Stanley Cup Final with the Edmonton Oilers. The team will face the Florida Panthers again, just like in 2024. Last year, the Oilers lost the game. Now, McDavid gets a second chance. This is his second Final in a row. Many fans are saying he might follow the path of NHL greats Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby. McDavid's second chance mirrors Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby's paths In 2024, Connor McDavid and the Oilers lost to the Panthers in the Final. It was a hard series. But now, in 2025, they will play the same team again. This gives McDavid a rare chance- a rematch for the Cup. Wayne Gretzky went through the same thing. In 1983, Gretzky and the Oilers lost to the New York Islanders. But in 1984, they came back stronger. They beat the Islanders 4–1 and won the Cup. Gretzky scored 35 points in that playoff run. That was his first Stanley Cup win and the start of a great era for Edmonton. Sidney Crosby also had a similar story. In 2008, Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Final. Then, in 2009, they played them again. This time, Crosby's team won in Game 7. He was only 21 years old. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cinnamon: The Greatest Enemy Of Blood Sugar (See How To Use It) bloghealthnet Learn More Undo He became the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup since 1895. Now, Connor McDavid is in the same spot. He lost once, and now he gets another shot. Fans are watching closely to see if he can do what Gretzky and Crosby did. Also Read: 'What The Hell?': Oilers' Fans Lose It As Connor McDavid Breaks Superstition By Touching The Campbell Trophy McDavid's playoff numbers and leadership raise hope for redemption Connor McDavid has played well in this year's playoffs. According to official NHL stats, he is only the fourth player in history to get 20 or more points in four straight postseasons. He has been a big reason the Oilers made it this far again. In a recent media interaction posted on McDavid said, 'We've worked hard all year to be back here. We know what we're facing.' The Oilers have looked stronger this season. They won games with solid defense and fast offense. Fans and experts believe McDavid has what it takes to win. If he does, he'll join a special group of stars — just like Wayne Gretzky in 1984 and Sidney Crosby in 2009.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Everything Chiefs fans need to know about KC's third-round pick EDGE Ashton Gillotte
Everything Chiefs fans need to know about KC's third-round pick EDGE Ashton Gillotte The Kansas City Chiefs selected one of college football's most exciting sack-masters, Louisville Cardinals edge rusher Ashton Gillotte, in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. In 51 games as a collegian, Gillotte racked up 26.5 sacks and 41 tackles for loss, leading Louisville's defense as one of the top pass rushers in the Atlantic Coast Conference. With Gillotte in the mix, the Chiefs' front four should be able to feast on opposing passers next season as Kansas City endeavors to earn a spot in its fourth consecutive Super Bowl. Take a look at everything the Chiefs had to say about Gillotte in their official draft packet: Ashton Gillotte college bio "Spent four seasons at Louisville (2021-24) … Appeared in 51 games and recorded 131 tackles (73 solo), 40.5 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, 26.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one pass defensed … Played in 12 games in 2024 and tallied 43 tackles (23 solo) and 4.5 sacks … Led the country in hurries … Started all 14 games in 2023 recording 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks … Started 12 games in 2022 posting 7.0 sacks and eight tackles for loss … Appeared in 13 games (four starts) in 2021 and finished with 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks … Three-time All-ACC Academic selection (2022-24) … Finalist for the Campbell Trophy (2024) … CSC Academic All-American (2024) … First-team All-ACC (2023)." Ashton Gillotte personal notes Three-star prospect by 247Sports. Ranked as the No. 72 weakside defensive end and the No. 165 in Florida. Credited with 128 tackles during his career at Boca Raton (Fla.). Went to the state championship in weightlifting and was ranked 21st in the Southeast region for CrossFit. Ashton Gillotte draft notes Gillotte becomes the first defensive end to be selected by the Chiefs in the third round since DEAlex Magee was taken 67th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. This marks the fifth time the Chiefs have selected a defensive end in the NFL Draft in the last sixyears (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025). Gillotte was the first defensive end taken in the third round and the 10th defensive end takenoverall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Gillotte is the only former Louisville Cardinal on the current Chiefs roster. What did Gillotte have to say after the Chiefs drafted him? Q: What was your draft experience like? GILLOTTE: 'I was celebrating with my family. I have family outside – currently they're following me a littlebit. I was inside with (my) mom, dad, brother, sister, some close friends, aunts and uncles. A really tightgroup, people that I care a lot about – it's nice.' Q: Can you tell us more about your relationship with George Karlaftis? GILLOTTE: '(DE) George (Karlaftis) and I are coached by the same Coach – (Louisville Co-DefensiveCoordinator/Defensive Line) Mark Hagen. He had him at Purdue, and then Coach Hagen came to us(Louisville). The relationship with George is (that) he was training with us, just because (a) free facility inthe offseason, and so, my coach was like, 'I think this would be a good person for you to get in with. He'sa smart guy. I think you would be able to relate to him a little bit.' I was doing film study with him, watchingplays – he was watching (our) practice, saying, 'that's bad, you have to fix that.' He's very critical, but, ina lot of ways, he helped refine how our pass rushing needed to get to this level to be considered. It's kindof a mentor-type role, trying not to blow his phone up too much and try to respect it. Now he has nochoice, he's stuck with me.' Q: What were your conversations like with Steve Spagnuolo and the defensive staff?
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Longhorn Jake Majors signs undrafted free agent deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Former Longhorn Jake Majors signs undrafted free agent deal with Tampa Bay Buccaneers He didn't get drafted, but former Texas Longhorns center Jake Majors is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. The Prosper, TX product signed an undrafted free agent deal with Tampa shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft ended in Green Bay. A four-year starter, Majors played in 57 games at Texas, 56 of them as the starter. Majors was a huge part of the Texas rebuild of the offensive line. One of the smartest players in recent Texas history, Majors led the offensive line in identifying and diagnosing defensive fronts. Majors' resume includes Campbell Trophy finalist, Joe Moore Award finalist and semifinalist, Outland Trophy Player of the Week, SEC Co-Lineman of the Week, honorable mention All-Big 12, and more. Majors blocked for five running backs taken in NFL Draft. Majors is tough and leverages his undersized frame very well. He consistently stays well balanced while demonstrating solid coordination. Because of his lack of size, Majors is considered a project by NFL Scouts. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Social media reacts to Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars
Social media reacts to Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars The third day of the NFL draft saw Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser get picked with the No. 107 overall selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round. The leader of the Irish defense for the last few seasons wasn't expected to go early in the draft, and this was right around where he should have gotten picked. Unlike the previous two Notre Dame players taken, the Jags found a player that was expected to go in this range. It was a great moment for Kiser, one that he certainly earned following a very successful Irish career. Find out below how social media reacted to the Notre Dame linebacker getting selected. Jack Kiser hearing his name called Called the glue, the leader of the Notre Dame defense after getting selected. The broadcast was very favorable with Kiser going to Jacksonville, and rightfully so. He's going to be a very solid player for them. Head coach Marcus Freeman It's hard to disagree with Freeman's initial statement, Kiser certainly deserved this moment. As a four-year starter at a big-time program, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he'll get the opportunity to play at the next level. Jack Kiser getting the call It is time for Kiser to get back to work, just look at the smile on his face. That is what this day is all about, seeing your dream come true and getting a chance to play at the highest level. What a moment for Jack and his family. The Jaguars get deeper at linebacker Jacksonville saw all they needed to out of Kiser, as he surely impressed them during his Notre Dame career and then during the Senior Bowl as well. He's going to be a very solid pro for them, and represent the team extremely well. Could Kiser play another position for Jacksonville? Not only did Kiser go earlier than he was mocked by O'Brien, he has positional versatility as well. While he probably won't play too much safety at the next level, it just shows that he has the skill set to play on the back-end of a defense as well. Intangible rich Not only is Kiser a great football player, he's a great student and person as well. A finalist for the Campbell Trophy, he exemplified 'academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership,' during his Notre Dame career. A tackling machine There aren't more solid tacklers than Kiser that were coming out of the draft, as Griffis points out that he had the lowest missed tackle rate of any linebacker with over 75 tackles this past year. That's elite production.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame linebacker headed to Jacksonville Jaguars
Notre Dame linebacker headed to Jacksonville Jaguars Jack Kiser goes to the Jags in the fourth round. Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser is heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars after being picked fifth in the fourth round (107th overall) in the 2025 NFL draft. Kiser was a defensive leader for Notre Dame over his five seasons with the Irish, and in 2024 he compiled 90 tackles -- 55 solo -- and had two sacks. He also forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles. In 2021, he had two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Kiser was a finalist for both the Wuerffel Trophy and Campbell Trophy in 2024. Now Kiser has reached the NFL, becoming the third member of the 2024 Fighting Irish to be drafted. All three drafted so far have been defensive players -- Kiser joins defensive backs Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts in the NFL. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
