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USA Today
11-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football omitted from preseason AP Poll
The first AP Poll for the 2025 season was released on Monday. The preseason ranking marks the first time the outlet has published a hierarchy since Jan. 20, after the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 College Football Playoff title game. The Texas Longhorns, who fell to the Buckeyes on Jan. 10 in the Cotton Bowl Classic, hold the No. 1 position in the poll ahead of the 2025 slate. The Penn State Nittany Lions (No. 2), Ohio State (No. 3), Oregon Ducks (No. 7), Illinois Fighting Illini (No. 12), Michigan Wolverines (No. 14) and Indiana Hoosiers (No. 20) comprised the Big Ten talent featured on the poll's first installation of the season. The Nebraska Cornhuskers also received 23 votes, while the Iowa Hawkeyes reeled in five votes. Wisconsin, meanwhile, did not receive a single vote in Aug. 11's installation. UW finished the 2024 campaign with a 5-7 mark, which included a five-game losing streak to wrap the season. The Badgers' lackluster performance also resulted in the program's first season missing out on a bowl game in over 20 years. Most notably, Luke Fickell's crew is slated to line up across from six AP top 25 ranked programs throughout the 2025 season. With hopes of avenging its 42-10 Week 3 loss in 2024, Wisconsin will take on the No. 8-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Sept. 13 in Tuscaloosa. UW will then venture to Ann Arbor for a tilt against the Wolverines on Oct. 4 before back-to-back contests against the Buckeyes in Madison and Ducks in Eugene on Oct. 18 and Oct. 25, respectively. A road bout vs. the Hoosiers, another College Football Playoff team from 2024, awaits on Nov. 15 prior to a Nov. 22 clash against Illinois at Camp Randall. While talking heads across the country acknowledged how difficult UW's 2025 gauntlet was throughout the offseason, Monday's AP Poll reaffirms that notion. Outside of the Badgers' first two games against Miami (Ohio) and Middle Tennessee, UW will need to scratch and claw for the remainder of the season with first year offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes and quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. at the helm. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
The Herald Scotland
25-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Justin Fields injury: Jets QB carted to locker room at training camp
Initial reports indicate that Fields limped off of the field with a trainer to a medical tent before the cart came to take him back to the locker room. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is scheduled to speak to the media after practice ends. Fields was one of the Jets' biggest free agent signings of the offseason, representing a new face under center for the team's new regime after Gang Green released veteran Aaron Rodgers. SAUCE GARDNER CONTRACT DETAILS: Jets agree to $120.4 million extension with star CB Fields was slated to be the Jets' starting quarterback prior to his injury. Depending on the severity of Fields' injury, the Jets may have to hold a competition for the starting job between the other three quarterbacks on their roster. Here's who New York currently has under contract: Fields signed with the Jets in free agency after spending one year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went 4-2 in six starts for Pittsburgh last year before Russell Wilson's return from injury relegated him to a backup role. Taylor signed a two-year deal with New York prior to the 2024 season. He played in two games for them last year - Week 1 and Week 17 - both in relief of Rodgers in garbage time. The Jets are the seventh team for the 35-year-old journeyman. Martinez joined the Jets last year after winning the UFL league MVP and UFL Championship MVP during the 2024 spring football season. He spent the fall on the Jets' practice squad and re-signed with Gang Green on a reserve/future contract in January. Cook signed with New York as an undrafted free agent about two weeks after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Missouri product went 26-13 as a starter during his collegiate career, including an 11-2 2023 season that culminated in a Cotton Bowl Classic win over Ohio State. GARRETT WILSON CONTRACT DETAILS: Jets agree to $130 million extension with star WR Length: Two years Two years Value: $40 million ($20 million AAV) The Jets are paying Fields starting quarterback money for each of the next two seasons. It was the first contract Fields signed as a free agent after his rookie contract expired following the 2024 season. The deal's $20 million average annual value ranks 20th of all NFL quarterbacks this year, behind Baker Mayfield's deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ahead of Rodgers' with the Steelers. Fields is set to make nearly $6 million more than Rodgers will make this year in the Steel City. This story will be updated.
New York Post
20-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Bengals sign Desmond Ridder to add depth behind Joe Burrow
Former starter-turned-backup Desmond Ridder has agreed to join the Bengals, adding depth behind Joe Burrow. Cincinnati officially announced Ridder's signing Sunday, filling out a quarterback room behind Joe Burrow that already includes Jake Browning and Payton Thorne. Ridder, who turns 26 before Week 1, brings prior starting experience along with multiple backup stints to Cincinnati. Advertisement After being made a third-round selection by the Falcons in 2022, he started 18 games — including 13 in 2023, when he threw for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 64.2 completion percentage. 3 Desmond Ridder is signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. Getty Images In Atlanta, things unraveled mid‑season in 2023 after Ridder entered as the starting quarterback. Advertisement He was benched after turnover struggles and uninspiring play, which ultimately led to the team adding Kirk Cousins in free agency last year, along with Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Ridder has recorded 4,002 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, alongside 293 rushing yards and three rushing scores for his career. He had a stint with the Raiders in 2024, appearing in six games and making one start. 3 Desmond Ridder leaves the field after warm ups before their game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 34-20. Getty Images Advertisement He threw for 458 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in Las Vegas, and he completed 52-of-85 passes for 61.2 percent. Ridder also played his college football at Cincinnati, where he helped lead the team to a 13-1 record in the 2021 season, earning an American Athletic Conference championship with a 35-20 win over Houston. The season concluded with a 27-6 loss to Alabama in the Cotton Bowl Classic. 3 Joe Burrow will be starting ahead of Desmond Ridder. Imagn Images Advertisement Ridder threw for 3,334 passing yards with 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he also completed 64.9 percent of his passes. Not all roster business is running smoothly in Cincinnati, though. First-round rookie Shemar Stewart remains unsigned amid disputes over his rookie contract. Veterans will report for NFL training camp on July 22. Meanwhile, star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is holding out and reportedly seeking a long-term extension.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Keyshawn Johnson sues NFL agent for almost $1 million from alleged 'oral agreement'
Former USC and NFL player Keyshawn Johnson is suing sports agent Christopher Ellison for nearly $1 million for allegedly breaking an oral agreement between them. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press) Keyshawn Johnson is suing a sports agent for almost $1 million. Johnson says he recruited several players, who are now in the NFL, to be represented by Christopher Ellison. The former NFL and USC star's claim is based on an alleged oral agreement the men made a decade ago to pay Johnson for his efforts. Most of the $1 million represents back payments that Johnson feels he is owed. Advertisement A lawsuit filed May 23 in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that Johnson and Ellison had agreed that Johnson "was to identify players, make the initial contact with them, and recruit them to be represented by" Ellison. Read more: NFL owners vote to keep 'Tush Push,' the Super Bowl champion Eagles' signature play "In return for this player identification, recruitment and eventual entry into the highest level of the game of football, Defendant promised to pay Plaintiff a specific percentage of the player's signed contract with the NFL," the lawsuit states. "Each year, Defendant promised to pay Plaintiff one-third of the (3%) three percent commission Defendant made on each of the players' salary." According to the lawsuit, Johnson successfully recruited four players — San Francisco 49ers defensive back Deommodore Lenoir, Chicago Bears defensive back Jaylon Johnson, Atlanta Falcons defensive back Mike Hughes and Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs — for Ellison but "has not received his earned percentage of Defendant's full commission." Advertisement Read more: Prep talk: Salesian is proud of its NFL alumunus, Deommodore Lenoir Ellison did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment. TMZ reports that the attorney and UCLA adjunct professor "denies all of the claims Johnson made in the suit." The lawsuit details each player's contract and states that Johnson should have been paid "no less than $962,335 from his work on securing these player agreements." But, according to the filing, no payment has been received. "For several months, Defendant claimed he had not received any payments for the NFL's recruitment of the players he represents," the lawsuit states. "It is our reasonable belief that this is false." Advertisement Since then, the filing alleges, Ellison "has become unresponsive to Plaintiff's demands for payment." Read more: NFL owners vote to allow players to compete in flag football at 2028 L.A. Olympics Johnson is seeking the full amount he states he is owed — as well as other damages, costs and fees — for causes of action that include breach of contract, unfair business practices and intentional misrepresentation. A two-time All-American at USC, Johnson was named the MVP of the 1995 Cotton Bowl Classic and the player of the game in the 1996 Rose Bowl. During his 11-year NFL career, Johnson made three Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since retirement, he has become a sports media personality and, according to his lawsuit, "currently works to coach and develop prospective NFL players." Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Keyshawn Johnson sues NFL agent for almost $1 million from alleged ‘oral agreement'
Keyshawn Johnson is suing a sports agent for almost $1 million. Johnson says he recruited several players, who are now in the NFL, to be represented by Christopher Ellison. The former NFL and USC star's claim is based on an alleged oral agreement the men made a decade ago to pay Johnson for his efforts. Most of the $1 million represents back payments that Johnson feels he is owed. A lawsuit filed May 23 in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that Johnson and Ellison had agreed that Johnson 'was to identify players, make the initial contact with them, and recruit them to be represented by' Ellison. 'In return for this player identification, recruitment and eventual entry into the highest level of the game of football, Defendant promised to pay Plaintiff a specific percentage of the player's signed contract with the NFL,' the lawsuit states. 'Each year, Defendant promised to pay Plaintiff one-third of the (3%) three percent commission Defendant made on each of the players' salary.' According to the lawsuit, Johnson successfully recruited four players — San Francisco 49ers defensive back Deommodore Lenoir, Chicago Bears defensive back Jaylon Johnson, Atlanta Falcons defensive back Mike Hughes and Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs — for Ellison but 'has not received his earned percentage of Defendant's full commission.' Ellison did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment. TMZ reports that the attorney and UCLA adjunct professor 'denies all of the claims Johnson made in the suit.' The lawsuit details each player's contract and states that Johnson should have been paid 'no less than $962,335 from his work on securing these player agreements.' But, according to the filing, no payment has been received. 'For several months, Defendant claimed he had not received any payments for the NFL's recruitment of the players he represents,' the lawsuit states. 'It is our reasonable belief that this is false.' Since then, the filing alleges, Ellison 'has become unresponsive to Plaintiff's demands for payment.' Johnson is seeking the full amount he states he is owed — as well as other damages, costs and fees — for causes of action that include breach of contract, unfair business practices and intentional misrepresentation. A two-time All-American at USC, Johnson was named the MVP of the 1995 Cotton Bowl Classic and the player of the game in the 1996 Rose Bowl. During his 11-year NFL career, Johnson made three Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since retirement, he has become a sports media personality and, according to his lawsuit, 'currently works to coach and develop prospective NFL players.'
