Latest news with #GregMcElroy
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN's Greg McElroy says Texas Longhorns have No. 1 defense in country
While most Longhorns fans believe the UT offense will be much improved in 2025 with new starting quarterback Arch Manning taking the reins, the Texas defense might be the standout unit in a possible national championship run. In face, Greg McElroy of ESPN things the Horns have the best defense in the country. The No. 1 defense coming into the season are the Texas Longhorns," McElroy stated on his most recent addition of his "Always College Football" podcast. "What they have is honestly off the charts from a star-powered standpoint." Advertisement The former Alabama quarterback says the upside for the Longhorns defense is very high. "I don't think there's a team in the country that has a higher ceiling than Texas," he said. "With the amount of guys that can take over the game and absolutely wreck the opponents offense." The ESPN analyst calls out a number of players on the UT defense front seven that he believes put them at the top in college football. "Colin Simmons, I'm not sure there is a more feared pass rusher in the SEC, outside of maybe (South Carolina's) Dylan Stewart," McElroy said. "But he's expected to take on an even bigger role. If he can go alongside of Trey Moore and Anthony Hill's in the middle ... I don't know what you do. One of those guys is going to get home on a down in and down out basis in obvious passing situations." Even though the Longhorns lost some key members of the secondary to the NFL draft like Andrew Mukuba and Jahdae Barron, McElroy thinks the defensive backfield will just reload. "In the secondary, you have five players back that are really, really solid kind of across the board," he said. "And they went out and got some of the best young players in the country and reinforce their depth there in the back end." Advertisement McElroy thinks Ohio State has the second best defense, followed by Penn State, Georgia and Notre Dame to round out the top five. Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan, Oregon and Clemson make up the rest of the top ten. But it is Texas' defense that he feels will have the biggest impact. "I don't think there's a group in the country that can get after the quarterback better," McElroy said. "That's what makes the Texas Longhorns the No. 1 defense in the country heading into the 2025 season." Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Who has No. 1 defense in nation? ESPN's Greg McElroy says it's Texas
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
ESPN's Greg McElroy says Texas Longhorns have No. 1 defense in country
ESPN's Greg McElroy says Texas Longhorns have No. 1 defense in country While most Longhorns fans believe the UT offense will be much improved in 2025 with new starting quarterback Arch Manning taking the reins, the Texas defense might be the standout unit in a possible national championship run. In face, Greg McElroy of ESPN things the Horns have the best defense in the country. The No. 1 defense coming into the season are the Texas Longhorns," McElroy stated on his most recent addition of his "Always College Football" podcast. "What they have is honestly off the charts from a star-powered standpoint." The former Alabama quarterback says the upside for the Longhorns defense is very high. "I don't think there's a team in the country that has a higher ceiling than Texas," he said. "With the amount of guys that can take over the game and absolutely wreck the opponents offense." The ESPN analyst calls out a number of players on the UT defense front seven that he believes put them at the top in college football. "Colin Simmons, I'm not sure there is a more feared pass rusher in the SEC, outside of maybe (South Carolina's) Dylan Stewart," McElroy said. "But he's expected to take on an even bigger role. If he can go alongside of Trey Moore and Anthony Hill's in the middle ... I don't know what you do. One of those guys is going to get home on a down in and down out basis in obvious passing situations." Even though the Longhorns lost some key members of the secondary to the NFL draft like Andrew Mukuba and Jahdae Barron, McElroy thinks the defensive backfield will just reload. "In the secondary, you have five players back that are really, really solid kind of across the board," he said. "And they went out and got some of the best young players in the country and reinforce their depth there in the back end." McElroy thinks Ohio State has the second best defense, followed by Penn State, Georgia and Notre Dame to round out the top five. Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan, Oregon and Clemson make up the rest of the top ten. But it is Texas' defense that he feels will have the biggest impact. "I don't think there's a group in the country that can get after the quarterback better," McElroy said. "That's what makes the Texas Longhorns the No. 1 defense in the country heading into the 2025 season." Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Greg McElroy Names Quiet SEC Contender Flying Under the Radar
Greg McElroy Names Quiet SEC Contender Flying Under the Radar originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The win totals for every SEC team have been released, with the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas Longhorns emerging as the favorites to win the conference. All three teams have a predicted win total of 9.5 games for the upcoming season, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Advertisement Following them are the LSU Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels and Tennessee Volunteers, with a forecasted total of 8.5 wins each. Notably absent from the top six are the Texas A&M Aggies, who finished with an 8-5 record in the first year under head coach Mike Elko. The Aggies have a win prediction set at 7.5 for the 2025 season. The 8-5 season represented progress following 7-6 and 5-7 campaigns, which ultimately led to the firing of Jimbo Fisher. Although the improvement was encouraging, it was bittersweet. The Aggies started the season strong with a 7-1 record but stumbled to a 1-4 finish. One of those losses came against Texas in the final game of the season, where the Aggies fell 17-7, despite having a chance to secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game. Despite the disappointing end to the season, ESPN's Greg McElroy expressed optimism on his radio show, "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning," stating that there is reason to believe the Aggies could compete for the SEC title in 2025. Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Lysaker-Imagn Images "Then finally Texas A&M," McElroy said. "You are going to say, 'C'mon, they are always 8-4, Greg.' Well, I actually think they are one of the few teams, by the way, returning a quarterback this year. There aren't many that are. They are. Marcel Reed is back. Mike Elko's second year. You can expect a possible second-year bump." Advertisement McElroy mentioned Texas A&M's returning quarterback, Marcel Reed. After stepping in for starter Connor Weigman, Reed threw for 1,864 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also demonstrated his impressive running ability, rushing for 543 yards and scoring seven touchdowns at an average of 4.7 yards per carry. McElroy acknowledged that some key players on the defensive line will not be with Texas A&M this season, but he said he still believes they will perform well defensively. The players missing are Shemar Stewart, Shemar Turner, Nic Scourton and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. However, McElroy thinks the Aggies have a strong and deep running back room. He is optimistic about some of the new additions at wide receiver and considers the offensive line to be one of the best in the league. Additionally, he believes the Aggies' schedule is not overly challenging. McElroy thinks Texas A&M has the potential to be a real sleeper team in 2025, noting that not many people are discussing them. The Aggies will kick off their season against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners at 7 p.m. ET on Aug. 30. Related: Paul Finebaum Names Major SEC Team That Had a 'Miserable' End to the Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Could Notre Dame use a two-quarterback attack?
Could Notre Dame use a two-quarterback attack? The Fighting Irish could have a nice platoon setup. Could Notre Dame have a two-pronged attack at quarterback? Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman suggested in an interview with Alway College Football's Greg McElroy that it's possible that potential starting quarterbacks Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr could be used in a platoon situation. That could mean having a different guy start each week and/or having each guy play in each game, depending on the situation. Freeman said both have an "extremely high ceiling... they both do things really, really well and do them differently." Having a two-pronged attack could make life difficult for defenses, but having two quarterbacks rotate in and out can be tricky to manage. Still, if Notre Dame's quarterback competition is too close to call because both Carr and Minchey are playing well, that's a good problem for Notre Dame to have. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former SEC quarterback a believer in the Oklahoma Sooners
Former SEC quarterback a believer in the Oklahoma Sooners The Oklahoma Sooners have made plenty of changes at all levels of the program ahead of the 2025 season. After a second 6-7 record in three years, after no losing seasons in the previous 23 years, OU has a lot on the line this year. The Sooners have the belief one analyst, as ESPN's Greg McElroy had high praise for Oklahoma's offseason moves, and their chances of a rebound this season. "I'm not sure there's been a team that is going to improve as much as I think Oklahoma has a chance to improve," McElroy said on his podcast "Always College Football". The ESPN college football color commentator continued to outline his reasons to believe the Sooners will be better this year. I think Oklahoma is poised for a significant jump in wins. I think Oklahoma is poised to have some breakthrough candidates at multiple different positions. And their new GM Jim Nagy is off to a tremendous start. They had a bit of a need at running back; they got one of the best running backs in the country by bringing in Cal's Jaydn Ott ... It's gonna be really impressive to see him alongside John Mateer in the backfield. I think John Mateer has a chance to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country. - McElroy, ESPN The former national championship-winning QB with Alabama believes in OU's other player acquisitions in the transfer portal, and emphasized the importance of getting defensive tackle David Stone to withdraw his name from the portal last weekend. "Guys I'm telling you, I think Oklahoma's a sleeper," McElroy said. "I think they're a sleeper going into this year and we need to start paying attention. In Year 4 for Brent Venables, the additions of Nagy, Ott, Mateer and new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle will help tell the story of the 2025 season. Greg McElroy believes the Sooners have the right pieces to exceed expectations this fall. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
