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USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Reggie Bush ranked No. 2 college football player of the 21st century by The Athletic
Reggie Bush ranked No. 2 college football player of the 21st century by The Athletic USC's Reggie Bush continues to receive his due from college football historians and scholars Recently, The Athletic published rankings of college football's greatest teams, players, coaches, programs, and games of the 21st century (so far). USC was well-represented in the greatest teams rankings, with the 2004 Trojans coming in at No. 5. On the top players list, USC was once again featured prominently, with star running back Reggie Bush coming in at No. 2 on the list. Bush's accolades at USC certainly made him more than worthy of inclusion. He won two national championships, a Heisman Trophy, a Doak Walker Award, was twice named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, and was a two-time first-team All-American. Here is what The Athletic's Bruce Feldman had to say about Bush: "Arguably the most electrifying player in college football history, Bush helped the Trojans win national titles in his first two seasons and then won the Heisman in his third. In 2005, he averaged 223 all-purpose yards per game, including a memorable Saturday night when he went for 513 against Fresno State. His knack for game-changing plays was uncanny. 'He single-handedly won us some games,' said [Ed] Orgeron, a former USC assistant. "When I asked experts for their take on the best player of the 2000s, Bush's name came up by far the most. 'The only perfect grade I ever gave to a college player was Reggie,' Daniel Jeremiah said. 'He was a jaw-dropping college player. He was so much better than everybody else on the field, it wasn't even close. You went out of your way to watch him. He was literally must-see TV.'" Interestingly, Bush was the only USC player in the rankings, with none of USC's three Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks making the cut. Matt Leinart, Bush's USC teammate and one of two quarterbacks this century to win a Heisman and multiple national championships, was a particularly glaring admission. In addition, a strong case could have been made for two USC star safeties from the 2000s, Troy Polamalu and Taylor Mays, who racked up a combined five first-team All-America honors. So, while Bush certainly deserves his flowers, many USC fans will feel as though the Trojans did not get the recognition they deserved in the rankings.
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
The new 'Beast Mode'? Why Ashton Jeanty was destined to be with Raiders
The new 'Beast Mode'? Why Ashton Jeanty was destined to be with Raiders Show Caption Hide Caption Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty excited to play for Pete Carroll Ashton Jeanty is getting ready to start his NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders. He hopes he can recreate the magic Pete Carroll had with Marshawn Lynch in Seattle. Ashton Jeanty might have been destined to be coached by Pete Carroll. The Boise State product and 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist grew up watching a former running back who starred under Carroll in the Pacific Northwest. 'I take a lot of different things from different guys. But one of the first guys I really watched, was Marshawn Lynch, crazy,' Jeanty told USA TODAY Sports, during a promotional appearance with Sharpie. 'Just loved his physical running style, and how he broke so many tackles.' Carroll had Lynch in the backfield for seven total seasons when he was the Seattle Seahawks head coach. Lynch rushed for 6,381 yards, was the single season rushing touchdown leader in 2013-14, was named to four Pro Bowls and helped the team win Super Bowl 48. NFL ROOKIE WATCH: Five non-first round players to make noise after minicamp Lynch powered one of the most famous runs in NFL history during his Seattle days and was appropriately nicknamed 'Beast Mode' for his aggressive running style. Under Carroll, Seattle had the NFL's best rushing offense in 2014 and a top-five rushing attack from 2012-15. Fixing Las Vegas' running game has headlined Carroll's responsibilities since being named the Raiders head coach in January. The Raiders averaged an NFL-worst 79.8 rushing yards a contest last season, the fewest single-season average of any club since 2022. Carroll's reputation and the Raiders' inefficient ground attack is why Las Vegas was a popular speculated landing spot for Jeanty ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Jeanty compiled 2,601 rushing yards his final year at Boise State, the second-most ever in a single season in FBS history, and won the Doak Walker Award. 'He's doing great. He really is. He's right on point with everything that we're doing. He's studying really hard. He's been really diligent about all aspects. There's nothing that he doesn't find important,' Carroll said of Jeanty last week. 'We're not holding anything back on him. He's getting a lot of plays.' Not only has he gotten plenty of plays, but the No. 6 overall pick believes he's ready for them as the Raiders' new workhorse running back. 'Already, I can see from the run schemes, and how we've started off getting with the guys and OTAs. We want to establish a run game. We want to be a very physical football team. We want to be able to make teams quit in the fourth quarter,' Jeanty explained. 'So just having that identity, coming from the head coach, and understanding that, right? He says it every day at practice, like, 'Hey, running backs, you guys set the tempo for everybody.' "How the defenders can finish every play and chase after the ball, to making the right cuts, pressing the line of scrimmage, all those types of things. I'm super excited for it.' MORE: Breakout rookie candidates for all 32 NFL teams If Jeanty has it his way, maybe he'll create his own variation of 'Beast Mode' with the Silver and Black. 'It's amazing, especially with how he used (Lynch) so much in the rushing attack,' Jeanty said. 'It makes me even more excited. I can kind of be that next iconic running back to play for Pete Carroll.' Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How will the Dolphins deploy their new-look backfield in 2025?
How will the Dolphins deploy their new-look backfield in 2025? The Miami Dolphins are no strangers to running back committees throughout their history and they're turning the page to a new one in 2025 with De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright leading the charge. In addition, there are two new runners in South Florida: veteran free agent Alexander Mattison and sixth-round rookie Ollie Gordon II. After three seasons, the Dolphins cut ties with Raheem Mostert earlier this offseason which clears the way for Wright to see a lot more field time, possibly as a bulk-carry runner. Achane, who claimed the top spot in the backfield last season, could be utilized a lot more as a receiver this season to build on last year's past catching success. More of Achane at receiver would open the door for the second-year Wright to be more of a factor in 2024. Achane caught 78 passes in 2024, and that number could have been much higher, if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa didn't miss significant time. In total last year, Achane averaged 4.5 receptions across the 2024 season, but in games Tagovailoa started, that mark was 6.1 catches. Achane will still see plenty of rushing attempts, but his prowess as a pass catcher could give the Dolphins and head coach Mike McDaniel several creative personal options with both he and Wright on the field at the same time. Wright finished his rookie season with 68 rushes for 249 yards, but judgement about the back should be withheld until he is given a substantial increase in work. While he averaged just 3.7 yards per attempt, Wright only had one game with more than 10 carries after Achane was forced to leave a Week 5 game with a concussion. Wright ran 13 times for 86 yards (6.6 yards per carry) in that win against the Patriots, showing signs he can handle a workload. With Achane and Wright as the one-two punch, don't discount Gordon getting in the mix for quality touches. The 2023 Doak Walker Award winner regressed in his final collegiate season at Oklahoma State. But in the pro ranks, he has the potential to be a lead-back of the future, although he'll start his career specializing in spot scenarios. Gordon could potentially help Miami improve on their short-yardage production. Behind the newly added Jonah Savaiinaea and James Daniels, Gordon could be a short-yardage back with the ability to be a pile-pusher while also adding viable receiving threat out of the backfield who recorded 80 receptions in college. Mattison, who spent five seasons in Minnesota and one in Las Vegas, rushed for an average of 31.3 yards in his 89 career games with 15 rushing touchdowns. He has also added 136 receptions for 1,012 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Mattison will have to prove that he's more worthy of touches than Gordon, though. With fullback Alec Ingold also in the mix, there will likely be five players in the Dolphins' backfield. That versatile group should offer coaches plenty of scheme-diverse options this fall.
Calgary Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Roughrider training camp: Another Super Mario, and he's on the cutting edge
Article content Running back Mario Anderson looks to be on the cutting edge when it comes to his first training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Article content Not only does Anderson have an opportunity to make the Riders roster, he could become one of the team's unofficial barbers. Article content The hair clippers are on standby, though. Article content 'First, I've got to make the team,' stresses Anderson, a 5-foot-9, 209-pound dynamo from Summerville, S.C., who finished his college football career with some impressive numbers for the University of Memphis Tigers. Article content Article content 'I've got to get it (barber kit) shipped up here. It's on stand-by.' Article content Article content A sensational 2024 college season saw him rush for 1,362 yards and 18 touchdowns with 100-plus yards in eight of his 13 games. Anderson also caught 52 passes for 312 yards and three TDs. As well, he scored two touchdowns (one on a run and one on a reception) to help Memphis defeat West Virginia 42-37 in the Frisco Bowl. Article content Anderson was nominated for the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes outstanding performance on the field, in the community, and in the classroom. Article content Anderson describes himself as an 'old-school' back. Article content 'I think I bring that passionate grit, that old-school back that the game is kind of missing a little bit,' he says when asked what he brings to the Riders. 'I feel like I can produce any way you need me to; special teams, offence, whatever the case may be. I just want to be able to make the team successful any way I can.' Article content Article content Article content He's a small-town kid from South Carolina who was raised, along with three brothers, by a single mom, Sequoia. Article content 'She raised four boys, kept us in sports, kept us healthy, kept us in school and everything,' Anderson points out. 'I really take pride in that.' Article content 'I'm just taking it day by day right now, seeing where it gets me,' Anderson says. 'I'm putting one foot in front of the other, and going on and doing what's important, and having the chips fall. We'll see during the season.' Article content 'Besides that, I did my own research, of course. I know last year the guys were one game away from the Grey Cup. What the coaches have built here is phenomenal, all the work ethic that all the guys have, the love for everybody that they have. It's a great feeling.
Ottawa Citizen
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Roughrider training camp: Another Super Mario, and he's on the cutting edge
Article content Running back Mario Anderson looks to be on the cutting edge when it comes to his first training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Article content Not only does Anderson have an opportunity to make the Riders roster, he could become one of the team's unofficial barbers. Article content The hair clippers are on standby, though. Article content 'First, I've got to make the team,' stresses Anderson, a 5-foot-9, 209-pound dynamo from Summerville, S.C., who finished his college football career with some impressive numbers for the University of Memphis Tigers. Article content Article content 'I've got to get it (barber kit) shipped up here. It's on stand-by.' Article content Article content A sensational 2024 college season saw him rush for 1,362 yards and 18 touchdowns with 100-plus yards in eight of his 13 games. Anderson also caught 52 passes for 312 yards and three TDs. As well, he scored two touchdowns (one on a run and one on a reception) to help Memphis defeat West Virginia 42-37 in the Frisco Bowl. Article content Anderson was nominated for the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes outstanding performance on the field, in the community, and in the classroom. Article content Anderson describes himself as an 'old-school' back. Article content 'I think I bring that passionate grit, that old-school back that the game is kind of missing a little bit,' he says when asked what he brings to the Riders. 'I feel like I can produce any way you need me to; special teams, offence, whatever the case may be. I just want to be able to make the team successful any way I can.' Article content Article content Article content He's a small-town kid from South Carolina who was raised, along with three brothers, by a single mom, Sequoia. Article content 'She raised four boys, kept us in sports, kept us healthy, kept us in school and everything,' Anderson points out. 'I really take pride in that.' Article content 'I'm just taking it day by day right now, seeing where it gets me,' Anderson says. 'I'm putting one foot in front of the other, and going on and doing what's important, and having the chips fall. We'll see during the season.' Article content 'Besides that, I did my own research, of course. I know last year the guys were one game away from the Grey Cup. What the coaches have built here is phenomenal, all the work ethic that all the guys have, the love for everybody that they have. It's a great feeling.
