Latest news with #DamonWilson
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN's SP+ reveals post-spring ranking for Georgia football
The Georgia Bulldogs lost 13 players to the 2025 NFL draft and four more players went undrafted. UGA also lost 19 players via the transfer portal including starting quarterback Carson Beck and edge rusher Damon Wilson, who are both ranked among the country's best transfers. In total, 36 Georgia player left the program. Georgia's 2025 preseason expectations have a lot of variance due to the significant amount of roster turnover the Bulldogs experienced this offseason. Georgia is expected to start quarterback Gunner Stockton this fall. Stockton impressed at times during the SEC championship, against Notre Dame and in Georgia's spring game. He brings experience, humility and toughness to the Georgia quarterback room, but is not expected to be among the best passers in the country. Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs on the field prior to the start of the Georgia Spring game at Sanford Stadium. Still, despite Georgia's uncertainty, ESPN's SP+ metric thinks the Bulldogs could be in for a big season. SP+, which factors in returning production, recent recruiting and recent history, ranks Georgia fourth in the country and second in the SEC behind Alabama. Advertisement SP+ ranks Georgia's special teams as the best in the country. The Dawgs return starting punter Brett Thorson (recovering from a torn ACL) and kicker Peyton Woodring. Both were All-SEC selections in 2024. SP+ ranks Georgia's offense as the eight-best offense in the country. It ranks Georgia's defense as the fourth-best defense in the nation. If Georgia has a top 10 unit on offense, defense and special teams this fall, then the Bulldogs will be national championship contenders. Georgia fans can expect to see a lot of new players on the Bulldogs in 2025, but SP+ has a lot of confidence in the new breed of Dawgs. Georgia faces an easy start to the 2025 college football season (home versus Marshall and then Austin Peay), so the Dawgs will have some time to adjust before they head on the road to play Tennessee in Week 3. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia football's post-spring SP+ ranking
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Despite Losing 45 Players this Offseason, Missouri Reloaded via the Transfer Portal
As the spring transfer portal window closed Friday, Mizzou made major changes to its roster. The team lost 45 players this offseason, including 25 players to the portal. In return, the team has added 20 players to finish with No. 7 transfer portal team ranking for 2025. A key win for the Tigers is that out of the 25 portal exits, none were full-time starters lsat season. In addition, the team loaded up on defense via the transfer portal. Advertisement TRANSFER PORTAL ADDITIONS ON DEFENSE Headlining the class is five-star edge Damon Wilson, who transferred in from Georgia, and joins a loaded group including Nate Johnson, Langden Kitchen and Darris Smith. At linebacker, Missouri landed Josiah Trotter, the Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. Mizzou also buffed up its secondary, adding third-team All-American Jalen Catalon, who spent last season at UNLV. TRANSFER PORTAL ADDITIONS ON OFFENSE After losing key offensive players like QB Brady Cook, and wideouts Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr. to the NFL, Missouri reloaded, adding quarterback Beau Pribula from Penn State to compete against Sam Horn for the starting spot. Advertisement 'Those two guys will be the primary two pushing to be the starting quarterback,' Mizzou coach Eliah Drinkwitz said in a post-spring press conference. Tigers head coach Eliah Drinkwitz watches the clock against the Iowa Hawkeyes© Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Running back Ahmad Hardy, who transferred in from UL Monroe this offseason, is expected to lead the backfield after rushing for over 1,300 yards in 2024. At receiver, All-SEC transfer Kevin Coleman Jr. will attempt to replace Burden in the slot, while Xavier Loyd adds depth after a 900-yard season at Illinois State. Iowa tight end Gavin Hoffman and Florida State offensive lineman Jaylen Early add extra strength to the offense. INCOMING RECRUITING CLASS Missouri's 2025 freshman class ranks 20th nationally per with standouts like wide receiver Donovan Olugbode and running back Marquise Davis impressing during the spring. Davis is expected to be the third option in the backfield behind Hardy and Jamal Roberts. Four-star quarterback Matt Zollers, the gem of the class, is progressing well recovering from ankle-surgery but is expected to redshirt. Advertisement With roster spots still available, Mizzou continues to target a starting-level defensive tackle, an offensive-lineman (preferably a left tackle), a cornerback and a best-player-available. Drinkwitz expressed confidence in the roster's current state, but acknowledged key positions still need reinforcement. With impactful additions on both sides of the ball, particularly on defense, and a strong recruiting class, Missouri appears well-positioned heading into the summer. Related: Seven Missouri Tigers are headed to the NFL Related: Mizzou WR Room Reloads After NFL Departures With Transfer Addition
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
U.S. program paused under Trump helped independent voices tell the truth in Cuba
The Cuban dictatorship just 90 miles from Florida has spent more than six decades oppressing and silencing its people to survive. Its grip on power depends on controlling information and ensuring that Cubans can't think critically, speak freely or organize without fear. That's why supporting Cuba's independent journalists and democracy activists is not just a moral imperative. It's a strategic investment in a freer Cuba, a more secure Western Hemisphere and a safer United States. Today, that investment is at risk. The U.S. has long supported Cuban democracy efforts through the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a congressionally mandated private foundation. But State Department funds for this work are being paused as the administration reassesses its priorities. These initiatives help Cubans push back against authoritarian control and build a democratic future. There is bipartisan recognition that a free, democratic Cuba aligns with long-term U.S. interests of a more stable, prosperous region. That's why restoring NED's support for Cuba's independent voices is critical. They need our backing now more than ever — when the regime is at its weakest. Cuba's economic collapse is accelerating. Inflation exceeds 500%. Public services have crumbled. Over 400,000 Cubans have fled in two years — reshaping South Florida communities and overwhelming the U.S. border. As someone who fled Cuba as a child during Operation Pedro Pan, one of us, Mel Martinez, knows firsthand what it means to be silenced. My family had to choose between freedom and home. That experience shaped my conviction that no Cuban should have to leave their country just to have a voice. As a U.S. senator, I fought to support those still inside Cuba continuing the struggle I was forced to leave behind. Today, alongside Damon Wilson, who leads NED's mission to advance freedom worldwide, we remain committed to that fight. NED has supported independent journalists and democracy activists in Cuba for over four decades. These partners are breaking through state propaganda and dismantling the regime's lies every day. The impact isn't confined to Cuba's borders. Despite harassment, exile and imprisonment, independent journalists persist. In 2024 alone, NED-supported media reached more than 10 million people — half of them inside Cuba. Local news bulletins, like those from the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression (ICLEP), hold officials accountable in real time. NED partners like Diario de Cuba are holding the regime accountable at home and abroad. Their exposé of a former Cuban judge — who sentenced peaceful protesters and then sought asylum in the U.S. — exposed corruption within Cuba's judiciary and pushed for justice across the Florida Straits. Another partner, Cuba Siglo 21, uncovered how GAESA, a military-run conglomerate of former generals, serves as the regime's economic backbone — an investigation published in the Miami Herald. Without Cuba Siglo 21's work, much of this information would remain buried. These investigations don't just expose corruption — they create a ripple effect, enabling other journalists to follow the money. Meanwhile, Cuba remains a destabilizing force across the region, exporting antidemocratic narratives through state-run institutions; and, as NED partner Directorio Democrático revealed, allowing its citizens to be recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine. These revelations matter. They undermine the regime's legitimacy, galvanize international accountability and arm Cubans — and U.S. policymakers — with the truth. This is not just a Cuban crisis. It's a U.S. national security concern. A bankrupt dictatorship near our shores threatens regional stability, fuels mass migration, and enables authoritarian influence from Moscow to Caracas. But this is also a moment of opportunity. The regime is morally and fiscally bankrupt and out of answers. The Cuban people are not. They are demanding change, and independent journalists and freedom fighters are helping them imagine — and build — a different future. The U.S. must not blink now. We call on Congress, the administration and international partners to ensure continued investment in Cuba's democracy movement. These frontline actors need immediate, sustained resources to continue their work. Every day without them, the regime's stranglehold of censorship tightens. Mel Martinez is a former U.S. senator from Florida and a NED board director. Damon Wilson is the president and CEO of NED.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranking the top five portal LB classes
© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Teams around the country solidified the foundation of their roster during the winter transfer window. This week we're highlighting the best transfer classes by position. Today the linebackers are under the microscope. THIS SERIES: Ranking the top five portal QB classes | Top portal RB classes | Top portal WR classes | Top portal TE classes | Top portal OL classes | Top portal LB classes MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking Missouri dominated the linebacker position this transfer portal cycle reeling in two of the best at the position. Damon Wilson is a former five-star who couldn't quite find his footing at Georgia but his talent is undeniable. Josiah Trotter, son of former NFL star Jeremiah Trotter, is coming off a season in which he won Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. The Tigers also added a pair of linebackers who have tallied more than 60 tackles over the past two seasons in Mikai Gbayor from Nebraska and Nate Johnson from Appalachian State. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MISSOURI FANS AT © Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images Ole Miss sits at the top of the transfer team rankings for a reason - the Rebels loaded up with impressive talent across the board and linebacker is no exception. They just lost standout Princely Umanmielen to the NFL but they have signed his younger brother Princewill after an impressive start to his career at Nebraska. Lane Kiffin's defense will also benefit from the hard fault recruiting win for former Grambling State star linebacker Andrew Jones. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OLE MISS FANS AT © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Nebraska saw a lot of turnover on its roster during the winter transfer window but they restocked at multiple key positions, including linebacker. Dasan McCullough comes to Lincoln after an up-and-down career at Indiana and most recently Oklahoma. He has a chance to finish out his career on a high note since he has the inside track to start this coming season. Marques Watson-Trent also brings plenty of experience to the linebacker corps and should be a difference maker for the Cornhuskers. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH NEBRASKA FANS AT © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Jedd Fisch and company took over a depleted Washington roster at the beginning of last season but things are looking up for the Huskies after a strong high school recruiting class and now a strong transfer class. At linebacker, former Arizona standout Jacob Manu is reuniting with his former head coach in Seattle in hopes of finishing his career out on a strong note. Xe'ree Alexander comes to Washington after a strong season at UCF and is primed to draw serious NFL Draft buzz if he continues to improve at the same rate. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WASHINGTON FANS AT © Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Wildcats restocked their linebacker corps with two impressive prospects in Jayshawn Ross and Gabe Powers. This is a bit of a homecoming for Ross after he couldn't quite make it work at Alabama to start off his collegiate career. Powers is an Ohio native who signed with Ohio State but his style of play made it difficult to find consistent playing time. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH KANSAS STATE FANS AT
