Latest news with #ConsensusAll-American
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens DC Zach Orr offers A1 critique of their new safety tandem
Ravens DC Zach Orr offers A1 critique of their new safety tandem Zach Orr sees something special brewing in the Ravens starting safety tandem. Pay close attention to the backend of the Baltimore Ravens' defense as mandatory minicamp and training camp ensue. How's that for stating the obvious, right? Several OTA practices have already given us so much to talk about. Rashod Bateman is set to enter another tax bracket after signing an extension. Ar'Darius Washington is in a contract season, but he is unfortunately injured. That has seemingly opened the door for the nearly-forgotten Jalyn Armour-Davis, who has since gotten some snaps and worked at the safety position. For the Ravens to take another step in the right direction and get back to the AFC Championship Game, the backend of their defense will need to take a few steps of their own. We know there isn't much to worry about with Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton. The latter has missed a few OTA sessions, but there's a lot of optimism in the tandem he will form with a newly-acquired and highly-touted rookie. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr has a ton of faith in his starting safety duo. The first three seasons of Kyle Hamilton's career were good enough to inspire the potential envy of NFL stars who are five years his senior. He earned a spot on the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team in 2022. He has only gotten better since then. A member of the past two Pro Bowl rosters, he earned a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2023 before being named a Second-Teamer in 2024. One star alone, however, does not an elite safety tandem make, so Baltimore found an answer and an upgrade during the first round of this past April's draft in Malaki Starks. Saying defense coordinator Zach Orr is excited would be a massive understatement. This past week, he expressed his expectation for Hamilton and Starks as a duo. The NFL is a long way from college football in terms of level of competition, but Starks looks like a sure thing. Baltimore is hoping his skill set translates to the highest level of football. During his time in Athens with the Georgia Bulldogs, he was named a Freshman All-American and became a College Football Playoff National Champion. He was a Consensus All-American in 2023, a First-team All-American in 2024, and has two First-Team All-SEC (2023, 2024) to show for his trouble. He's used to playing in big games. He's certain to play in several this season, and fortunately for him, though the pressure to perform will come quickly, he doesn't have to do everything on his own.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo says rookie DB 'had a tough day' at OTAs
Kansas City Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo says rookie DB 'had a tough day' at OTAs The Kansas City Chiefs are back at work for OTAs, and rookies continue to integrate into the team's game plans. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke with reporters on Wednesday, revealing a tough outing for rookie defensive back Nohl Williams. "Nohl (Williams) had a tough day today. (It's) Just a couple things that stick out, but what I really like about him is (that) he's a student of football," said Spagnuolo, "You know, coming from Cal – that Cal (team) had really good players on that team, they had a lot of them. I thought, for the most part, when we Zoom called or interviewed guys, I thought they were really sharp football-wise, so it begins there with all the things we do. We'll find out a little bit more about him when we get pads on, and we can go live, but he's done a pretty solid job for us right now." Following a trade with the New England Patriots, the Chiefs selected Williams in the third round with the 85th pick in April's NFL draft. He is expected to be a key contributor in takeaways for Spsgnuolo's defense. 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
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs officially sign DB Nohl Williams to a rookie contract
The Kansas City Chiefs will officially sign cornerback Nohl Williams to a rookie contract after selecting him in the 2025 NFL draft last month. Williams was Kansas City's third-round pick and joined the Chiefs after an impressive collegiate career in California. After transferring from UNLV in 2023, Williams totaled 53 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. In 2024, he earned First Team All-ACC honors and was a Consensus All-American, leading the FBS in interceptions with seven. News of Kansas City's latest signing was first reported by NFL insider Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Texas: The deal is reportedly $6.335 million, including a $1.247 million signing bonus, plus $50,000 workout bonuses in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Omar Norman-Lott, the Chiefs' second-round pick, is the only remaining rookie from the draft class unsigned at the moment.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens rookie Malaki Starks adds NFL MVP Josh Allen to his most-wanted list
Most have known that Malaki Starks would be special since they watched him play for the Georgia Bulldogs. No one knew that he'd join the Baltimore Ravens. The chances of that seemed slim as he climbed both the draft boards and opinion polls. The resume seemed like that of a top ten to 15 prospect. Starks won Freshman All-American honors and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2022. He was named a First-Team All-SEC star and a Consensus All-American in 2023 before adding his second First-Team All-SEC honor in 2024 to stack next to a First-Team All-American mention. Advertisement How he fell to the Ravens at the 27th overall selection of the 2025 NFL Draft is beyond us. We're glad he's here, though. By the looks of things, he will fit right in with the flock. Ravens rookie Malaki Starks sets his sights on the reigning NFL MVP. After winning the MVP trophy and leading his team to the AFC Championship Game during the 2023-24 season, Lamar Jackson watched those honors bestowed on Josh Allen last January and February. It was Allen who heard his name called at the NFL honors. The congratulatory handshake between Lamar and Josh in the Divisional Round was one to wish the Buffalo Bills star well on his journey to the most recent AFC Championship Game. Starks isn't having it. He's made his stance known. To paraphrase, he has a most-wanted list. It appears Allen is public enemy number one. There's no dancing around the issue there. Again, Starks is going to fit in just fine. He'll be part of Zachary Orr's defensive unit, ranked among the NFL's top ten last season. Advertisement Solving the Josh Allen riddle will be among the top tasks. Though the Ravens have bested him and his Bills in three of four regular-season head-to-head meetings, Allen and company are 2-0 vs. Lamar Jackson and company when it matters the most in the postseason. That has to change, and it must change quickly, because the chances are high that the Ravens and Bills will meet again in January. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens rookie Malaki Starks wants to pick off Bills QB Josh Allen
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens rookie Malaki Starks adds NFL MVP Josh Allen to his most-wanted list
Ravens rookie Malaki Starks adds NFL MVP Josh Allen to his most-wanted list Former Georgia S Malaki Starks is coming for Josh Allen The rookie wants to pick off the current NFL MVP 😈 (via @SportsCenter) — B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) May 7, 2025 Most have known that Malaki Starks would be special since they watched him play for the Georgia Bulldogs. No one knew that he'd join the Baltimore Ravens. The chances of that seemed slim as he climbed both the draft boards and opinion polls. The resume seemed like that of a top ten to 15 prospect. Starks won Freshman All-American honors and a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2022. He was named a First-Team All-SEC star and a Consensus All-American in 2023 before adding his second First-Team All-SEC honor in 2024 to stack next to a First-Team All-American mention. How he fell to the Ravens at the 27th overall selection of the 2025 NFL Draft is beyond us. We're glad he's here, though. By the looks of things, he will fit right in with the flock. Ravens rookie Malaki Starks sets his sights on the reigning NFL MVP. After winning the MVP trophy and leading his team to the AFC Championship Game during the 2023-24 season, Lamar Jackson watched those honors bestowed on Josh Allen last January and February. It was Allen who heard his name called at the NFL honors. The congratulatory handshake between Lamar and Josh in the Divisional Round was one to wish the Buffalo Bills star well on his journey to the most recent AFC Championship Game. Starks isn't having it. He's made his stance known. To paraphrase, he has a most-wanted list. It appears Allen is public enemy number one. There's no dancing around the issue there. Again, Starks is going to fit in just fine. He'll be part of Zachary Orr's defensive unit, ranked among the NFL's top ten last season. Solving the Josh Allen riddle will be among the top tasks. Though the Ravens have bested him and his Bills in three of four regular-season head-to-head meetings, Allen and company are 2-0 vs. Lamar Jackson and company when it matters the most in the postseason. That has to change, and it must change quickly, because the chances are high that the Ravens and Bills will meet again in January.
