Latest news with #GrahamMertz
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DJ Lagway Left Speechless After Fan's $6,000 Gesture
DJ Lagway Left Speechless After Fan's $6,000 Gesture originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As a true freshman for the Florida Gators this past season, quarterback DJ Lagway burst onto the scene with authority. Following an injury to Graham Mertz, Lagway started seven games, leading the Gators to a 6-1 record. He also tossed the pill for 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 101 yards. The former five-star recruit from the 2024 class, who ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the class, is widely expected to emerge as one of the sport's best this season after having a second offseason in the system and some reps under his belt. With his presumed status as one of the best in college football, collectors are already doing anything they can to get their hands on Lagway memorabilia. Something that the sophomore quarterback learned firsthand on Wednesday, as an avid collector, surprised Lagway with how much he spent on a one-of-one autographed chrome card. When asked how much he thought the card was, Lagway threw out a guess of $25. A figure that was a few thousand short, as collector Geoff Wilson revealed he spent $6,000. After initially staring at the card in awe, Lagway eventually stated, "$6,000? That's crazy." While the Willis, Texas product may be shocked at how much it is worth now, that value may only skyrocket depending on how the rest of his career unfolds. With the Gators emerging as the popular pick to be a College Football Playoff dark horse, all eyes will be on Lagway in 2025. He and the Gators open the year against LIU on Aug. story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fans left divided as Netflix releases trailer for new college football documentary
The producers behind the hit Formula One docuseries 'Drive To Survive' and the similar PGA Tour series 'Full Swing' are set to release their latest deep dive into sports, focusing on American college football. Box to Box Films' latest endeavor takes them to the American South to take a deep dive into the programs of universities playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the most successful college football conference of the last two decades. A trailer for the series 'SEC Football: Any Given Saturday' dropped on Monday afternoon shows an insight into what fans can expect - including behind-the-scenes footage from some of the biggest programs in the sport. Judging by the trailer, the programs at LSU, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Florida, South Carolina, Auburn, and Texas A&M will be particular focal points of this season. The trailer features discussions held with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, LSU head coach Brian Kelly, and Florida QB Graham Mertz among others. Fans were left divided over the trailer, previewing the series which is set to drop on August 5 - about three weeks before the college football season truly gets underway. SEC Football: Any Given Saturday, a Netflix Sports series offering an exclusive look at key matchups throughout the SEC season, premieres August 5. Witness the unparalleled pressure, commitment, and raw emotion it takes to be a D1 football player in college football's leading… — Netflix (@netflix) July 14, 2025 The trailer shows that figures like LSU coach Brian Kelly and Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (R) will be featured in the series which is set to be released on August 5 'I thought Netflix crushed it with the F1 and Full Swing shows, bringing in so many new fans to their sports,' wrote one fan of the trailer on X, formerly Twitter. 'Not that CFB needs any help attracting new fans, but I'm excited to see the reactions to this show.' One fan said, 'Oh my lawd hype me up', while another proclaimed, 'Inject this into my veins'. Another fan said, 'boy this s**t about to get me itching for this year even more'. However, there were also plenty of people who took issue with some things in the trailer - or outright expressed dislike for the SEC itself. 'Nastiest propaganda in all of sports,' said one detractor. Another said, 'This conference is trying to ruin college football. Not watching.' 'I have never been less interested in a sports doc,' posted another detractor. One college football fan took issue with a line in the trailer that said SEC teams usually win national titles, posting images of the two most recent title winners: Michigan and Ohio State, which are Big Ten schools. Fans were split on the doc - with some showing excitement and others hating on the SEC This documentary focuses on the previous college football season, which became the last one before schools were allowed to pay their players a portion of the revenue they make off athletics. Over the next year, the so-called 'House settlement' will allow each school to share up to $20.5m a year with their athletes. It now finally forces colleges and universities competing at the highest levels of the NCAA to face the reality that their players are responsible for the billions in television and other revenue brought in from athletics each year.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Which NFL teams have the most former Wisconsin Badgers?
Which NFL teams have the most former Wisconsin Badgers? The 2025 NFL draft and free agency have concluded. The league's 32 teams are now holding their rookie minicamps in advance of OTAs and further offseason activity in June and July. As things currently stand, there are 35 former Wisconsin Badgers on NFL rosters. That total is just direct Wisconsin products and does not include former transfers, such as quarterback Graham Mertz (Houston Texans, via Florida), wide receiver Chimere Dike (Tennessee Titans, via Florida) and Jordan Turner (Denver Broncos, via Michigan State). The number likely won't stand for long, as several players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents or as rookie minicamp tryouts. Just 27 of those 35 former Badgers enter their respective offseason programs with a roster spot somewhat guaranteed. Of course, even that total can shrink when rosters are finalized in August. As of May 19, there are 10 NFL teams with more than one Wisconsin product on their offseason roster. Another 11 have just one, including the Atlanta Falcons (Jack Nelson), Buffalo Bills (David Edwards), Houston Texans (Dare Ogunbowale), Denver Broncos (Matt Henningsen), Kansas City Chiefs (Leo Chenal), Philadelphia Eagles (Zack Baun) and San Francisco 49ers (Tanner Mordecai). Here are the 10 teams with two or more former Badgers, ranked in ascending order. What NFL teams have the most former Wisconsin Badgers on their offseason roster after the draft? No. 4 (tied): Washington Commanders Center Tyler Biadasz Offensive lineman Michael Deiter No. 4 (tied): New York Giants Quarterback Russell Wilson Cornerback R.J. Delancy No. 4 (tied): New York Jets Running back Braelon Allen Center Joe Tippmann No. 4 (tied): Minnesota Vikings Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel Offensive lineman Joe Huber No. 4 (tied): Los Angeles Rams Wide receiver Quintez Cephus Offensive tackle Rob Havenstein No. 4 (tied): Dallas Cowboys Tight end Jake Ferguson Linebacker Jack Sanborn No. 4 (tied): Cincinnati Bengals Wide receiver Kendric Pryor Linebacker Maema Njongmeta No. 2 (tied): Miami Dolphins Fullback Alec Ingold Tight end Hayden Rucci Cornerback Jason Maitre No. 2 (tied): Indianapolis Colts Running back Jonathan Taylor Offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini Safety Hunter Wohler Outside linebacker T.J. Watt Defensive tackle Keeanu Benton Outside linebacker Nick Herbig Defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans agree to terms on new rookie deal with Florida QB Graham Mertz
Texans agree to terms on new rookie deal with Florida QB Graham Mertz Will Graham Mertz be cleared to play in 2025? That remains a question, but at least he'll be under contract with the Houston Texans. According to KRPC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, the Florida rookie quarterback and Houston have agreed to terms on a four-year deal, keeping him in the AFC South through 2026. A sixth-round pick, Mertz will earn $4.93 million on his deal that included a $228,484 signing bonus. A former four-star talent from Kansas, Mertz began his college career at Wisconsin and later transferred to Florida. He impressed in 2023, leading the SEC in completion percentage while throwing for 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns against three interceptions. Mertz was expected to start all of the 2024 season, but a torn ACL limited him to just six games. He put together a 76.6 percent completion percentage while throwing for 791 yards and six touchdowns, against just two interceptions, before being sidelined for the rest of the year. During his final season with the Badgers, he passed for 2,136 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Texans return to the practice fields for rookie minicamp starting Friday.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans updated depth chart following 2025 NFL Draft
Welcome to the madness, newbies. Nine new players enter the fold for the Houston Texans following draft weekend with the intent of helping the AFC South winners improve. There's four new offensive weapons, a new trench player on both sides and two members of the secondary all ready to take the next steps forward in their careers. Advertisement The top three picks should have an immediate impact on the squad. Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel were two of the top targets and likely will serve as the No. 2 and No. 4 weapons for C.J. Stroud. Then there's second-round pick Aireronte Ersery, who likely won't be the Week 1 starting left tackle, but the expectation is for him to take over long-term in place of five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil Cam Robinson, who inked a one-year, $12 million deal earlier this week, is expected to start in place of Tunsi, who was traded in a blockbuster move with the Washington Commanders built around four future draft picks. Robinson isn't guaranteed to be the long-term answer for the Texans as C.J. Stroud's new blindside protector. He allowed seven sacks and gave up the sixth-most pressures among offensive tackles during his 11 games with the Vikings. At wide receiver, there's talent outside of Nico Collins, but everyone besides Christian Kirk is on thin ice of making the roster. The same goes for the tight end room with the arrival of Iowa's Luke Lachey. The draft is officially in the books, so here's an updated look at the team's (projected) depth chart after the arrival of nine new picks. Advertisement Note: Undrafted free agents and future deal players will not be mentioned. * - denotes rookie Quarterback (3) Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) slides during a play while being pursued by Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) uring the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the first half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun] QB1: C.J. Stroud QB2: Davis Mills QB3: Graham Mertz* Mills returns as Stroud's backup, but it seems like Houston has another long-term plan in motion just in case the former third-rounder walks in free agency. Mertz, who led the SEC in completion percentage during the 2023 season at Florida, likely won't be cleared to play until 2026, giving him time to learn the playbook under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. Running back (5) Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Woody Marks (4) carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images RB1: Joe Mixon RB2: Dameon Pierce RB3: Woody Marks* RB3: Dare Ogunbowale RB4: J.J. Taylor It's the Mixon show for another year, but Marks might have a bigger role than most Day 3 picks. He's a receiving threat that shines when asked to win in the flats on third down. That might make him the new No. 2 back, especially with Pierce, Taylor and Ogunbowale all becoming free agents after the season. Fullback (1) Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) runs onto the field against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports FB1: Jakob Johnson Advertisement Johnson has special teams experience and a previous relationship with Caley. There is a legit chance for him to make the final 53-man roster. Wide receiver (10) Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) reacts after making a catch against North Dakota on Aug. 31, 2024, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. WR1: Nico Collins WR2: Christian Kirk WR3: Jayden Higgins* WR4: Jaylin Noel* WR5: John Metchie III WR6: Justin Watson WR7: Xavier Hutchinson WR8: Jared Wayne ST: Braxton Berrios Injured Reserve: Tank Dell With Dell missing most of the season, Houston added two weapons to win in both the slot and on the outside. Given that Higgins and Noel played together in Ames, the transition of working together in the pros should come easily. Tight end (4) Aug 31, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey (85) looks for yards after catch against the Illinois State Redbirds during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports TE1: Dalton Schultz TE2: Brevin Jordan TE3: Cade Stover TE4: Luke Lachey* There's a chance for Jordan and Stover to pass up Schultz after a down season, but all three should be on the active roster. Lachey likely takes over as a blocking option with red zone upside, but he'll need a great training camp to ensure there's a spot for him in the 53. Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Cam Robinson (74) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Offensive Line (10) LT: Tytus Howard , Aireontae Ersery* Trent Brown LG: Laken Tomlinson , Nick Broeker C: Jarrett Patterson , Juice Scruggs, Jake Andrews RG: Tytus Howard , Ed Ingram RT: Blake Fisher, Zach Thomas Advertisement Robinson might be the best fit for left tackle entering the draft, but Houston's selection of Ersery signals he's the long-term starter after 2025. The bigger question at this point is whether former second-round pick Blake Fisher is ready to transition into a full-time starter, thus allowing Howard to shift inside for good. Defensive line (13) Dec 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) runs onto the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images DE: Will Anderson Jr. , Darrell Taylor, Dylan Horton, Casey Toolhill DT: Sheldon Rankins , Mario Edwards Jr., Kyvontae Hamilton* DT: Tim Settle, Kurt Hinish, Tommy Togiai DE: Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry, Derek Barnett, Solomon Byrd Houston is set on the edge for years to come with nine different options, including three backups who could start for most teams. Hamilton should compete with Hinish and Togiai for second-team reps through camp as a late-round gem. Linebacker (7) Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) scrambles from Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) in the second quarter in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images LB1: Azeez Al-Shaair , Jamal Hill LB2: Christian Harris , Henry To'oTo'o LB3: E.J. Speed ST: Nick Niemann, Jake Hansen Linebacker was a need going into the draft since Harris enters a contract season, but the Texans added E.J. Speed in early April. He'll compete with To'oTo'o and Harris for subpackage reps in DeMeco Ryans' defense. Everything else should remain the same. Cornerback (8) Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans cornerback Jaylin Smith (2) intercepts a pass intended for Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images CB1: Derek Stingley Jr. CB2: Kamari Lassiter Slot: Jalen Pitre CB4: Ronald Darby ST: Tremon Smith Depth: Jaylin Smith * Junior Gregory, D'Angelo Ross Advertisement Smith is expected to see action in the nickel and on special teams. It's interesting to see Houston move up in Day 2 for the former Trojan to compete for starting reps after paying a new three-year deal to Pitre literally less than two weeks before the draft. All three starters aren't going anywhere. Safety (6) S1: C.J. Gardner-Johnson S2: Calen Bullock Dime: Jimmie Ward S4: Jaylen Reed* ST: M.J. Stewart Depth: Russ Yeast Landing a talent in Gardner-Johnson to shore up the back end of the defense could be a game-changer in the playoffs. He's exactly the type of player that was missing once Pitre went out with a chest injury. The Texans also might have landed his replacement in the fifth round with Reed out of Penn State. If you watch his tape, it like seeing a more undefined CJGJ option. Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans place kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (15) concentrates before making a 59 yard field goal against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Special teams (3) K: Ka'imi Fairbairn P: Tommy Townsend LS: Tucker Addington Advertisement For the first time in 15 years, someone else than Jon Weeks will be snapping a football. It still remains the end of an era. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Houston Texans: Updated depth chart following 2025 NFL Draft
