Latest news with #ConsensusAll-American
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs DB Nohl Williams shares excitement for his NFL preseason debut
During Thursday's training camp press conference, Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Nohl Williams shared his mindset going into his first NFL game this Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. "It hasn't hit me just yet. I'm just taking it day by day, but it's going to be a blessing just going out there with my guys," said Williams, "Just putting on for Kansas City, name on my back, and the people next to me. It will be big." Following a draft day trade with the New England Patriots, the Chiefs selected Nohl Williams in the third round with the 85th overall pick. His ball-hawking skills made him an ideal addition to a secondary that struggled with takeaways. "I'm getting comfortable more and more." said Williams, "The more I study, the more it starts to gel with me, and like I said, 'watching the veterans, (you) see they've been in the system for a while, learning from them, picking their brains, and I feel like every day I get a step closer to our goal.'" After transferring from UNLV in 2023, Williams totaled 53 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. In 2024, Williams' seven interceptions from the previous year at California earned him First Team All-ACC honors and made him a Consensus All-American.
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers adding former All-American to their WR room
Through the first week of their 2025 training camp at the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, California, the San Francisco 49ers are struggling to keep their wide receivers on the field. San Francisco's top wideout, Brandon Aiyuk, started camp on the PUP list after tearing his ACL in 2024. Ricky Pearsall started off on PUP, and while he's come off, he's been on and off the field as the team manages his hamstring injury. Jacob Cowing and Jauan Jennings are also dealing with injuries of their own that have kept them off the practice field. While the 49ers try to find players for quarterback Brock Purdy to throw to, they're adding another after a successful workout on Wednesday, as NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that they're signing Andy Isabella. Isabella, 28, was a beast at UMass from 2015-18, catching 231 passes for 3,526 yards and 30 touchdowns in 45 games and earning Consensus All-American honors in his final season that saw him haul in 102 passes for 1,698 yards and 13 scores. The Arizona Cardinals selected Isabella in the second round (No. 62 overall) of the 2019 NFL draft, but he hasn't had the same success in the pros. Since the Cardinals waived him in the middle of his fourth season, he's had stints with the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers. In 43 NFL games, Isabella has recorded just 33 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns while also getting limited opportunities as both a punt and kick returner. With the 49ers not only expected to sign Isabella but running back Ameer Abdullah as well, they'll have to make two corresponding moves to open up spots on the their 90-man roster. At this point, San Francisco's wide receiver room includes Aiyuk (injured), Pearsall (injured), Jennings (injured), Cowing (injured, Jordan Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Russell Gage, Isaiah Hodgins, Isaiah Neyor, Junior Bergen, Malik Knowles, Terique Owens and Equanimeous St. Brown. More 49ers: Why 49ers' DC Robert Saleh believes San Francisco has 'a dog' leading their secondary
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys, second-round pick finally agree to terms on eve of training camp
Dallas inks its second-round pick and finalizes all 2025 draft deals before heading to Oxnard. The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $10.1 million with rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku. Dallas' first-year defender will reportedly see the first three years of his deal guaranteed, and 38% of his fourth-year salary guaranteed, the long wait, was sparked due to a league wide standoff with second round picks and their agents trying to secure fully guaranteed deals, after Texans' WR Jayden Higgins, pick No. 34, became the first second rounder in NFL history to sign a fully guaranteed rookie contract and was followed by Browns' LB Carson Schwessinger at pick No. 33 to the same deal, which has caused several second round picks to sign late in the offseason and now following the signing of Ezeiruaku, 19 players overall from round two have still not signed their rookie deals. Dallas selected Ezeiruaku at pick No. 44 in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Boston College. The signing of Ezeiruaku secures Dallas' entire 2025 draft class just days ahead of the start of training camp in California. During his time with Boston College, Ezeiruaku recorded 215 tackles, 30 sacks, 47 tackles for loss, and eight forced fumbles. In his senior season, the 6-foot-2, 237-pound defender cemented his name on the NFL's radar, finishing with 80 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. As a result, the Williamstown, New Jersey native was named the 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a Consensus All-American, First-team All-ACC, and was the 22nd winner of the Ted Hendricks award, which is given annually to the nation's best defensive end. Ezeiruaku will play alongside a defensive end group that features All-Pro Micah Parsons, a returning veteran in Dante Fowler Jr., and Sam Williams, who Dallas lost last year during training camp to a torn ACL. Dallas will report for its 2025 training camp period on Monday, July 21, with the first official practice set for Wednesday, July 23. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucky Brooks places Rome Odunze on 2025 NFL All-Breakout Team
Rome Odunze had a strong rookie season after the Chicago Bears selected the Washington Huskies Consensus All-American with the No. 9 overall pick in 2024. He tallied 54 catches for 734 yards and 3 touchdowns while working with a fellow rookie at quarterback in the No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams, behind a pair of veterans in DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, and a weak offensive line that allowed a league-high 68 sacks last year. That's without mentioning that his head coach and offensive coordinator were both fired midseason. That perfect storm has led to Odunze starting to build a fair amount of hype ahead of his second season with head coach Ben Johnson taking over the offense, and on Friday, analyst Bucky Brooks named Odunze to his 2025 NFL All-Breakout Team. "Ben Johnson's arrival and Caleb Williams' expected development should result in increased production for the Bears' WR2 in 2025," Brooks wrote. "As a big-bodied playmaker with sticky hands and rugged running skills, Odunze can excel as a possession receiver in a ball-control offense that frequently targets the middle of the field. With Williams instructed to play on time, the QB should find the second-year receiver early and often, with opponents forced to defend a multi-faceted attack that efficiently mixes run and pass plays with a creative approach." Odunze, who finished third on the team as a rookie with 101 targets, is set to see a significant increase in that department during his sophomore season after Chicago opted not to retain Allen after trading for him ahead of the 2024 season. Over three seasons as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, Johnson produced four 1,000-yard receivers, and with him calling the shots in Chicago, a revamped offensive line in front of Williams, and Odunze's offseason development, a big step forward is well within reach for the former Washington superstar.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Celebrating USC football's All-Americans in honor of the Fourth of July
Friday marks the Fourth of July. 249 years ago, the founders signed the Declaration of Independence, marking the foundation of America. In honor of our county's birthday, let's take a look at some fun facts about All-Americans. USC football has produced 177 All-Americans in program history. The most recent Trojan to earn such honors was punter Eddie Czaplicki last season. USC's first All-American was guard Brice Taylor, all the way back in 1925. This year will mark the 100th anniversary of Taylor's All-American season. Of the Trojans' All-Americans, 84 have been Consensus All-American selections—having been voted a first-team All-American by at least three of the five main selectors. This ranks fifth among all schools, behind only Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, and Alabama. Between 1962 and 1990, USC produced at least one first-team All-American in every season. In addition, from 1972 through 1987, the Trojans had at least one Consensus All-American every year.
