Latest news with #FCSAll-American
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New 49ers CB's college coach says 'every day wasn't cream and cookies' with him
New 49ers CB's college coach says 'every day wasn't cream and cookies' with him After a 6-11 season that saw them finish in fourth place in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers added some talent to their roster this offseason, who will hopefully help them climb in the division standings and make it back to the postseason. That new group includes 11 rookies that San Francisco selected in the 2025 NFL draft. 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan focused on the defense early in the draft, attacking that side of the ball with their first five selections, including Western Kentucky cornerback Upton Stout, who the team took in the third round (No. 100 overall). Stout, 23, was a three-star recruit out of North Shore Senior High School in Houston, Texas, before beginning his collegiate career at North Texas. After two seasons with the Mean Green, he transferred to Western Kentucky in 2022 and spent the last three years with the Hilltoppers, earning All-CAA honors and FCS All-American honors twice. At Western Kentucky, the 5-foot-8 cornerback was known for his talking on the field, and he wasn't afraid to voice his displeasure with mistakes or poor effort from his teammates around the field. 'Every day wasn't cream and cookies, right?' Hilltopers' cornerbacks coach Da'Von Brown said (via San Francisco Chronicle). 'I'd be lying to you if I told you that.' The 49ers knew about Stout's demeanor during his time at Western Kentucky, and they actually view some of those things as positives. 'We were aware,' 49ers director of player personnel Tariq Ahmad said. 'We did a lot of background work on him. … When someone is so passionate and so competitive, it's possible not everyone responds to that or enjoys working with that type of person. But we have to figure out: Do they love football? And is the passion coming from a good place? Our scouts do a great job filtering through all of that. And we felt really comfortable with Upton.' On top of that, 49ers area scout Warren Ball said the cornerback had the "heart of a lion" and "absolutely loved what Upton Stout was about." It's unclear exactly what role Stout will play in San Francisco as a rookie, but there's a chance that he competes with Deommodore Lenoir for the starting nickel cornerback job throughout training camp and into the preseason. Stout's demanding personality may be exactly what the unit needs to get back to their physical brand of defense after giving up the fourth-most points per game (25.6) in 2024. More 49ers: 49ers veteran has eyes on one specific matchup on 2025 schedule
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Patriots UDFA contract revealed for WR that broke Cooper Kupp's record
Patriots UDFA contract revealed for WR that broke Cooper Kupp's record New England Patriots undrafted free agent signing Efton Chism III signed a $234,000 deal that includes a $25,000 signing bonus, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. Those are elevated numbers for an undrafted rookie, and it indicates that the Patriots likely had some competition when attempting to sign the Eastern Washington slot receiver. Chism had a tremendous senior season with the Eagles, hauling in 120 catches for 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 120 catches set a new school record and toppled the previous record set by former NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp. Chism was named a First-Team FCS All-American for his efforts. Chism could be a player to watch as a potential surprise in training camp. The Patriots have gone through extensive efforts to ensure a more competitive wide receivers room. They signed four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency, along with spending a third-round draft pick on Washington State standout Kyle Williams. Given the players that are already on the roster, including Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, it sets the stage for one of the most competitive training camp battles in recent memory. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens announce the signing of 17 undrafted rookie free agents
Ravens announce the signing of 17 undrafted rookie free agents The Baltimore Ravens signed 17 undrafted rookie free agents before kicking off their 2025 rookie minicamp. After using all 11 picks in the 2025 NFL draft, Baltimore signed 17 undrafted free agents and made the reveal during the second day of rookie minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center. With 11 draft picks and a loaded roster on both sides of the football, someone will likely not pull a Beau Brade and make the 53-man roster in 2025. WR Jahmal Banks, Nebraska Banks (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) appeared in 58 games during his five seasons (2020-24), including one season at Nebraska (2024) and four at Wake Forest (2020-23), totaling 1,991 yards and 16 touchdowns on 151 receptions. During his lone season with the Cornhuskers, he logged a team-high 587 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 44 catches. OLB Diwun Black, Temple Black (6-3, 246) logged 23 tackles (19 solo), including six tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles during his lone season at Temple. OT Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, Oregon State Christian-Lichtenhan (6-8, 315) started all 12 games at left tackle for the Beavers, allowing just two sacks and being charged with one penalty on the year. WR Xavier Guillory, Arizona State Guillory (6-1, 201) appeared in 43 games during his five-year career at Arizona State (2023-24) and Idaho State (2020- 22), where he accounted for 1,938 yards and 15 touchdowns on 134 receptions (14.5 avg.). ILB Jay Higgins, Iowa An All-American and All-Big 10 selection, Higgins (6-0, 224) started all 13 games in his final season with the Hawkeyes, totaling a team high 124 tackles (53 solo), including 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, nine passes defensed, and four interceptions. G Reid Holskey, Miami (Ohio) Holskey (6-6, 302) started all 14 games in his final season at Miami (Ohio), earning first-team All-MAC honors. OT Ozzie Hutchinson, Albany Hutchinson (6-4, 305) appeared in 41 games during his stint at Albany (2019-23), earning second-team All-CAA honors in his final season. S Desmond Igbinosun, Rutgers During his four seasons at Rutgers, Igbinosun (6-2, 223) accumulated 186 tackles (95 solo), including 15 tackles for loss and seven passes defensed. He's a teammate at Rutgers with Ravens sixth-round pick Robert Longerbeam. S Keondre Jackson, Illinois State Jackson (6-2, 207) appeared in 45 games (33 starts) at Illinois State, logging 225 tackles (116 solo), including 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five interceptions (two returned for TDs), and 13 passes defensed. Jackson was named an FCS All-American by the Associated Press and first-team All-MVFC. DT Jayson Jones, Auburn Jones (6-5, 325) spent time at Auburn and Oregon, logging 84 tackles (37 solo), including 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. CB Reuben Lowery, Tennessee-Chattanooga Lowery (5-9, 204) posted 166 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and 15 passes defended during his time at Tennessee-Chattanooga. RB Marcus Major, Minnesota Major (5-11, 213) logged 1,185 yards and 11 touchdowns on 272 rushes (4.4 avg.) during his time at Minnesota and Oklahoma. ILB Chandler Martin, Memphis Martin (5-11, 229) logged 311 tackles, including 43.5 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks during his time at Tennessee State and Memphis. RB Sone Ntoh, Monmouth Ntoh (5-11, 220) scored a touchdown in 21 of 23 games and ranked second in program history with 39 rushing touchdowns during his final two seasons at Monmouth. In 12 games during his final season, Ntoh logged 487 yards and 25 touchdowns on 1,109 carries, en route to earning AP FCS All-America Honorable Mention and Phil Steele first-team All-CAA. His 25 rushing touchdowns set a program single-season record and led the FCS. G Jared Penning, Northern Iowa Jared Penning, brother of former Saints first-round pick Trevor Penning, played multiple positions on the offensive line in 48 games at Northern Iowa.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
South Florida lands running back Sam Franklin from Oklahoma
South Florida lands running back Sam Franklin from Oklahoma Sam Franklin saw the writing on the wall, packed his bags, and headed south. Franklin, who spent one year in the Oklahoma Sooners backfield, signed to play the 2025 season at South Florida. The running back entered the transfer portal on April 15 after going through spring practices with the Sooners. Franklin began his career at Tennessee-Martin, playing three seasons for the Skyhawks. He ran for 1,386 yards and 11 touchdowns in his third season at UT-Martin, en route to an FCS All-American nod. At Oklahoma, playing time was harder to come by, as he finished with 18 carries for 132 yards. Oklahoma returns all three of its top running backs from last year in Jovantae Barnes, Xavier Robinson and Tatum Taylor. Plus, the Sooners added Jadyn Ott, formerly of California-Berkeley, out of the transfer portal. Another year at fifth in the depth chart loomed, so Franklin headed for Tampa. The Bulls are replacing their four leading rushers from last year. Franklin was one of two Sooners running backs who entered the portal after spring practice. He spent about two weeks determining his destination, while Gavin Sawchuk, who led Oklahoma in yards rushing in 2023, entered over the weekend. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens select Alabama A&M OL Carson Vinson with pick No. 141 in the 2025 NFL draft
Ravens select Alabama A&M OL Carson Vinson with pick No. 141 in the 2025 NFL draft Baltimore hosted intriguing Alabama A&M offensive tackle Carson Vinson for a top 30 visit 19 days ago and used pick 141 on the All-American The Ravens love to do their due diligence on talented small-school draft picks, and with one of his 11 selections, GM Eric DeCosta may have found a diamond in the rough in later rounds. Baltimore hosted Alabama A&M offensive tackle Carson Vinson at the Under Armour Performance Center on April 9, and during the fifth round, the Ravens drafted the intriguing prospect. Vinson was named First Team All-SWAC for his play in 2024 and a First-Team FCS All-American. He accepted an invitation to the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl and was the lone invite from an HBCU program at the 2025 NFL Combine. Vinson plays with a physical, aggressive mentality and loves to set the tone in the run game, something the Ravens flourish at. The North Carolina native was a four-year starter at left tackle and projects as a developmental talent at the NFL level. Vinson measured 6-6 304 pounds in Mobile and started 48 games at offensive tackle during his career.
