Latest news with #FCSNationalChampionships
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tom Brady helped Las Vegas Raiders acquire a young quarterback
The Las Vegas Raiders have a new franchise quarterback named Geno Smith, but he's already 34 years old and will turn 35 in October. So it's no surprise that the Raiders called on Tom Brady to provide some advice on the incoming rookie QB class. According to The Athletic's Dan Pompei, not only did Brady endorse the Smith trade, he also had a hand in selecting the Raiders' developmental quarterback Cam Miller in the 2025 NFL Draft. And, like Brady, Miller was a sixth-round pick too. Advertisement Brady 'stayed in communication' with the Raiders during the NFL Draft and he was reportedly 'on board' with the Raiders selecting Miller with the 215th overall pick. Brady, meanwhile, was the 199th overall pick out of Michigan in 2000. Miller, however, hails from North Dakota State, where he helped the Bison win two FCS National Championships. Though, comparing Brady, arguably the NFL's greatest quarterback of all-time, to Miller would be unfair, especially because the 6-foot-1, 212-pound quarterback has a lot more mobility than Brady had during his prime playing days. If Miller does ever take the field for the Raiders, he'll have to climb past Smith and 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell first. For now, Miller just needs to worry about putting enough on tape in practice and the preseason to etch out a spot on the Raiders' 53-man roster. Advertisement Related: 2025 NFL QB Rankings: Where does Geno Smith rank? Related Headlines
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Seahawks select guard Grey Zabel at pick No. 18 overall
With the No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected the versatile guard/center Grey Zabel from North Dakota State. Hardly the most surprising pick, as many mock drafts - including three on Wednesday - had the Seahawks selecting Zabel. ESPN's Matt Miller went as far as to suggest Seattle's decision in the first round came down to either Grey Zabel or Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan. With McMillan going No. 8 overall to the Carolina Panthers, it left only Zabel for the Seahawks. Given how crucial it is for Seattle to improve their interior offensive line, selecting Grey Zabel (one of the top prospects in this draft) was a move the 12th Man can rejoice with. Zabel won two FCS National Championships with the Bison and declined lofty NIL offers to leave Fargo. Instead, he remained with NDSU. Now, he is headed from the great plains to the Pacific Northwest. Advertisement Seattle was reportedly interested in trading down, which is something they are prone to do. Clearly, they did not get an offer they were looking for. Not one to convince them to move off selecting Zabel. We at Seahawks Wire will continue to update for any further action Seattle may take during the rest of the first round. As of this moment, they are not slated to make any more picks. This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks select guard Grey Zabel at pick No. 18 overall
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks select guard Grey Zabel at pick No. 18 overall
Seahawks select guard Grey Zabel at pick No. 18 overall With the No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected the versatile guard/center Grey Zabel from North Dakota State. Hardly the most surprising pick, as many mock drafts - including three on Wednesday - had the Seahawks selecting Zabel. ESPN's Matt Miller went as far as to suggest Seattle's decision in the first round came down to either Grey Zabel or Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan. With McMillan going No. 8 overall to the Carolina Panthers, it left only Zabel for the Seahawks. Given how crucial it is for Seattle to improve their interior offensive line, selecting Grey Zabel (one of the top prospects in this draft) was a move the 12th Man can rejoice with. Zabel won two FCS National Championships with the Bison and declined lofty NIL offers to leave Fargo. Instead, he remained with NDSU. Now, he is headed from the great plains to the Pacific Northwest. Seattle was reportedly interested in trading down, which is something they are prone to do. Clearly, they did not get an offer they were looking for. Not one to convince them to move off selecting Zabel. We at Seahawks Wire will continue to update for any further action Seattle may take during the rest of the first round. As of this moment, they are not slated to make any more picks.
NBC Sports
28-01-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Five former FCS standouts that will be household names in the Power Four
Editor's Note: This article first appeared on the leader in college football and basketball recruiting coverage. Be the first to know and follow your teams by signing up here. Thousands of college players transferred to new schools during the last two months. Many of them moved from one Power Four program to another but some transferred up to the Power Four level from the FCS ranks. Here are five former FCS players who will be household names at the Power Four level come this season. THIS SERIES: Breaking down the biggest impact transfer for each Big Ten program | Biggest SEC transfers | Biggest ACC transfers | Biggest 12 transfers MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking Ohio State stars Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau are off to the NFL so there is an opportunity for playing time at defensive end next season. Of course, the Buckeyes have a few big-time defensive ends ready to fill the void but George is expected to see the field plenty this season. The former Idaho State star has two years of eligibility remaining. In his first two collegiate seasons, George amassed 51 quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus. He was also credited with nearly 20 tackles for a loss and six sacks this past season. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT Kentucky's defensive front gutted during this transfer cycle but the Wildcats reloaded with a few very talented and accomplished prospects. Grace is one of the stars of this Kentucky transfer class and will be one of their key players on defense next season. At South Dakota this past season, grace led the conference with nine and a half sacks and 17 tackles for a loss, which earned him FCS All-American honors while also being named Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Diehard football fans are likely familiar with Gronowski but even casual viewers will get to know Iowa's next starting quarterback during the upcoming season. He spent the first four years of his college career with South Dakota State where he won two FCS National Championships in addition to being named FCS National Player of the Year in 2023. Gronowski had the option of entering the upcoming NFL Draft but decided to spend his final year of eligibility playing for the Hawkeyes and head coach Kirk Ferentz. Even though Gronowski is recovering from an injury that will keep him off the field this spring, he is expected to step in and take over the starting role. His track record of winning and high-end production should give Iowa fans a lot to be excited about heading into the upcoming season. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH IOWA FANS AT Head coach Lane Kiffin and his high-flying offense is what moves the needle at Ole Miss but the Rebels had to replace a lot of outgoing talent on the defensive side of the ball during this transfer cycle. In fact, three of the four highest-ranked transfers Ole Miss signed are on the defensive side of the ball. Jones is among those four and should hear his name called frequently during the upcoming season. The SWAC co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, Jones was credited with 122 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Look for Jones to step into the role vacated by Chris Paul Jr. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OLE MISS FANS AT Smith had a prolific 2024 campaign at Southeast Missouri State (76 catches for 929 yards and six touchdowns) but he'll be a household name for Clemson fans for another reason – he was the first non-quarterback transfer the Tigers have taken since Dabo Swinney became head coach. Receiver was certainly a position of need for Clemson and it didn't waste time in the courtship of Smith. He announced his commitment to the Tigers just one week after the transfer portal opened. As Clemson works to re-tool its receiving corps, Smith (6-foot-5) brings a much-needed element of size to the table so don't be surprised if he draws significant attention in the lead-up to the 2025 season. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five former FCS standouts that will be household names in the Power Four
© Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK Thousands of college players transferred to new schools during the last two months. Many of them moved from one Power Four program to another but some transferred up to the Power Four level from the FCS ranks. Here are five former FCS players who will be household names at the Power Four level come this season. THIS SERIES: Breaking down the biggest impact transfer for each Big Ten program | Biggest SEC transfers | Biggest ACC transfers | Biggest 12 transfers MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking Ohio State stars Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau are off to the NFL so there is an opportunity for playing time at defensive end next season. Of course, the Buckeyes have a few big-time defensive ends ready to fill the void but George is expected to see the field plenty this season. The former Idaho State star has two years of eligibility remaining. In his first two collegiate seasons, George amassed 51 quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus. He was also credited with nearly 20 tackles for a loss and six sacks this past season. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT Diehard football fans are likely familiar with Gronowski but even casual viewers will get to know Iowa's next starting quarterback during the upcoming season. He spent the first four years of his college career with South Dakota State where he won two FCS National Championships in addition to being named FCS National Player of the Year in 2023. Gronowski had the option of entering the upcoming NFL Draft but decided to spend his final year of eligibility playing for the Hawkeyes and head coach Kirk Ferentz. Even though Gronowski is recovering from an injury that will keep him off the field this spring, he is expected to step in and take over the starting role. His track record of winning and high-end production should give Iowa fans a lot to be excited about heading into the upcoming season. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH IOWA FANS AT Head coach Lane Kiffin and his high-flying offense is what moves the needle at Ole Miss but the Rebels had to replace a lot of outgoing talent on the defensive side of the ball during this transfer cycle. In fact, three of the four highest-ranked transfers Ole Miss signed are on the defensive side of the ball. Jones is among those four and should hear his name called frequently during the upcoming season. The SWAC co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, Jones was credited with 122 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Look for Jones to step into the role vacated by Chris Paul Jr. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OLE MISS FANS AT Safety was a position of need for Miami and the Canes are expecting Poyser to be a major upgrade compared with their starting safeties from last season. Poyser is coming off a highly productive season at Jacksonville State where he posted eight pass breakups, three interceptions and 66 tackles according to Pro Football Focus. With three years of eligibility remaining, Poyser is in position to become a key piece of Miami's secondary for years to come. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MIAMI FANS AT Smith had a prolific 2024 campaign at Southeast Missouri State (76 catches for 929 yards and six touchdowns) but he'll be a household name for Clemson fans for another reason – he was the first non-quarterback transfer the Tigers have taken since Dabo Swinney became head coach. Receiver was certainly a position of need for Clemson and it didn't waste time in the courtship of Smith. He announced his commitment to the Tigers just one week after the transfer portal opened. As Clemson works to re-tool its receiving corps, Smith (6-foot-5) brings a much-needed element of size to the table so don't be surprised if he draws significant attention in the lead-up to the 2025 season. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT
