Latest news with #Heisman-level
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bold predictions for Penn State football in 2025
Penn State's hype for the 2025 season is unlike any we have seen in previous years under head coach James Franklin. After a run to the College Football Playoff semifinal, the 2025 squad returns a roster built for another deep playoff run, and perhaps laying claim to a long-awaited national title. The anticipation for the new college football season in Happy Valley is about as high as it has been in quite some time. The staff of Nittany Lions Wire is taking time this week to share our season predictions for Penn State football with our picks for offensive and defensive MVPs, big questions for the team, final record predictions, and our bold predictions. Our bold predictions for the season are where we get things started. Here are our bold predictions for Penn State football in 2025. Christopher Sheppard: Penn State will be the best road team in the Big Ten this year. Last year, the Nittany Lions were a sterling 5-0 away from home, including a tough conference win over the Badgers and a thriller against USC in the Coliseum. This year, they get all of their toughest opponents at Beaver Stadium, with Ohio State their toughest road test. In fact, their first road game is not until Week 5, when they visit a rebuilding UCLA team. I would not be shocked if the only road blemish is their Week 8 matchup against the defending national champions. Other than that potential hurdle, look for the Nittany Lions to roll on the road. Sam Woloson: 2025 Penn State defense statistically outperforms 2024 unit In Tom Allen's lone season as Penn State's defensive coordinator, the Nittany Lions ranked seventh in yards allowed per game and eighth in points allowed per game. That's quite good, but I think the defense will be even scarier under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Knowles' 4-2-5 scheme matches the team personnel perfectly, and his aggressive use of three safeties complements Penn State's secondary well. There's plenty of star power to work with, including DT Zane Durant, DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, LB Tony Rojas, and S Zakee Wheatley. With Knowles' championship experience, this could be a truly elite defense. Toluwani Akintunde: Penn State finally wins the Big Ten this year. Not just makes it to Indy but actually brings the trophy home. Drew Allar steps into full beast mode and delivers a Heisman-level season. Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen remind the country they're still the best 1-2 punch at running back. But the real x-factor is the defense under Jim Knowles. Dani Dennis-Sutton is going to be a problem off the edge, and I think freshman Daniel Jennings is going to surprise people and work his way into the rotation. Penn State pulls off a win at Oregon, beats Ohio State in Columbus, and flips the national narrative. Andrew Deal: Penn State defeats Ohio State in Columbus The Nittany Lions haven't defeated Ohio State in nine years. However, if there is a team to end the streak, it'd be the 2025 squad. Penn State returns most of its talent from last year's roster while adding more pieces to the team on the field. However, it's the addition to the coaching staff that will help the blue and white get over the hump. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles joined Penn State after building Ohio State's defense into one of the best units year in and year out. Knowles has already been useful to both quarterback Drew Allar and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki while installing his defense. The talent on the defensive side of the ball, in addition to Knowles' defensive scheme, could be the difference maker against the Buckeyes when they face off later in the season. Kevin McGuire: Penn State gets a signature win at Ohio State The odds are Penn State is due for a win against Ohio State, and a win in Columbus is also bound to happen at some point. Other than the 2017 season, this may be Penn State's best chance to check those two items off the to-do list. On paper, Penn State appears to have a more well-rounded team going into this season, and Ohio State has a few more things to figure out going into its national title defense than Penn State does. But the fact that this game comes later in the year means Ohio State has plenty of time to figure things out before the Nittany Lions come into town. If it's not going to happen this year, I don't know when it will. This Penn State team is built to give Ohio State a stiff challenge, and no team has played Ohio State so consistently close over the last decade and come up so short on so many occasions as Penn State has. The Nittany Lions are due, and it happens this November. Coming up next in our week-long Penn State predictions roundtable: Biggest question for Penn State in 2025
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shane Gillis roast of Shedeur Sanders at ESPYs goes viral: Was it a joke or a reality check?
David Richard / AP file Only Shane Gillis could light a fire on national TV and smile while doing it. At the 2025 ESPYs, the comedian took the stage with the subtlety of a sledgehammer and Shedeur Sanders caught the brunt of it. His joke? A not-so-gentle jab at Shedeur's jersey retirement at Colorado and the ever-lingering whispers of nepotism. And yeah, the internet is very divided over it. Shane Gillis calls out Shedeur Sanders' jersey retirement with a brutal one-liner During his monologue, Gillis didn't waste time going there. He delivered this line with classic deadpan delivery: 'Shedeur Sanders had his jersey number retired at Colorado this year, and people are saying it's because of nepotism because of his father, and it's not. It's because he went 13‑12 over his career and he almost won the Alamo Bowl. Definitely not nepotism… right?' — NFL_DovKleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) Ouch. The crowd gave that uncomfortable half-laugh, half-gasp you hear when everyone's wondering if the cameras will cut away. But for those who've followed Shedeur's journey or the drama surrounding his jersey being retired,, it hit right in the middle of a long-brewing controversy. The jersey retirement was already controversial way before Gillis said anything Back in April, Colorado shocked fans by announcing they were retiring two jersey numbers: Travis Hunter's #12 and Shedeur Sanders' #2. The twist? Both players had just wrapped up their second season with the Buffs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo While Hunter's Heisman-level performance made some sense, Shedeur's 13–12 record had critics raising their eyebrows. And yeah, being the head coach's son didn't help quiet the 'nepotism' narrative. Several former Colorado players publicly questioned the move. One called it 'asinine.' Others pointed out that legends like Eric Bieniemy and Darian Hagan didn't even get that honor. So, when Gillis called it out, he wasn't exactly plucking a joke out of thin air, he was roasting a very real, very public debate. This isn't just about one joke, it's about legacy, favoritism, and where the line is drawn This whole drama taps into a much bigger conversation: when does honoring talent become favoritism? Deion Sanders has always been a headline machine whether it's cutting nearly an entire roster or elevating his sons to top spots. And while Shedeur has the stats and spotlight to back up his NFL draft pick with the Browns, many still question whether Colorado retired his jersey because of his numbers or his name. That's what made Gillis's roast land the way it did, it wasn't just a punchline. It was a mic drop on a debate that's far from over. Also read - 'So we can't wear green anymore?': CJ Gardner-Johnson's son's heartbreaking reaction to Eagles trade Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Meet the HBCU Legend Behind the SEC's Most Dangerous QB
'He came to me on a mission.' That's how Ramon Robinson-HBCU legend, Benedict College Hall of Famer, and quarterback whisperer-describes the first time he met LaNorris Sellers. The future star was just a middle schooler back then. Now, he's the name lighting up SEC defenses and rewriting South Carolina football history. Sellers, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, is coming off a 25-touchdown season that sparked the Gamecocks to a 9-win campaign and serious College Football Playoff buzz heading into this fall. At just 20 years old, he's already being projected as a possible top-5 NFL Draft pick in 2026. But his journey? It didn't start under stadium lights-it started on a practice field with a South Carolina legend from the HBCU ranks. Ramon Robinson is one of South Carolina's most decorated quarterbacks. A three-sport phenom from Anderson, SC, Robinson made history as the first Black quarterback to start at T.L. Hanna High School, where he led the state in passing as a senior. He later etched his name into the Benedict College record books, still holding the all-time marks for passing yards and total offense. After his time at Benedict, Robinson became the first player from the school to sign a professional football contract, joining the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1999. His career spanned nearly a decade across the CFL and arena football before injuries forced his retirement. But that was only the beginning of his real impact. 2011 Robinson founded RR Elite QB Training, which later evolved into Elite Position Training (EPT), a nonprofit powerhouse for football development and mentorship in the Southeast. The same year, he started coaching a young LaNorris Sellers. 'He was a sponge to everything I was delivering,' Robinson said in an interview with WYFF4, an NBC affiliate out of Greenville, SC. Sellers was far from a blue-chip recruit. Despite leading South Florence to a 29-game win streak and a state title, most major recruiting outlets tagged him a 3-star prospect. Overlooked? Sure. But Robinson made sure that the underdog mentality stuck. 'I make sure he understands and continues to understand, 'you were overlooked, you're still overlooked. Keep that chip on your shoulder,' Robinson told WYFF4. 'He uses that energy to build on what he's doing right now. That's what his thing was, 'I want to go to South Carolina, I want to build my own legacy.'' And it's working. Last season, Sellers dazzled with arm talent, poise, and next-level athleticism. He's working with Robinson on throwing with even more anticipation this offseason-fine-tuning what could become a Heisman-level skillset. And with a loaded receiver room, a strong O-line, and sky-high expectations in Columbia, the Gamecocks might just shock the college football world this year. What makes this story even more powerful? Robinson's work doesn't end with Sellers. Over the last 15 years, Robinson and his EPT team-which includes standout coaches like Bobby McGowens (WR), ChaChi Sullivan (DB), and Rashaad Jackson (DL)-have helped over 100 players earn college scholarships. Seven QBs from his 2018 class alone signed with programs like Clemson, Temple, and Coastal Carolina. In 2021, Robinson was named CEO of The QB Legacy, a national coalition of elite QB trainers. He also serves as commissioner of the Post-Grad Football League (PGFL), continuing to create pathways for players who need a second chance to shine. His mission? Develop high-character athletes on the field, and better men off it. This July, Robinson returns home to host a youth football camp at the Anderson Rec Center, where he'll pour into the next wave of young talent, just like he did with Sellers. From Benedict College to the SEC spotlight, the connection between HBCUs and high-level football success is alive and well. Ramon Robinson proves that you don't need a Power Five pedigree to change the game-you just need passion, purpose, and patience. And if LaNorris Sellers keeps rising the way he's expected to? That HBCU legacy will likely be front and center on NFL Draft night. The post Meet the HBCU Legend Behind the SEC's Most Dangerous QB appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
The Herald Scotland
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Heisman Trophy sleepers for college football's top award
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (8 1/2 -to-1), Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (9-to-1), Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (10-to-1) and Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (14-to-1) complete the top five of oddsmaker front-runners. Give me a three-pack of Heisman picks, and I'd take Manning, Smith and Nussmeier. Behind the front-runners are a few more quarterbacks and another wide receiver that stand out as Heisman sleepers. How do I define a sleeper? Their odds are worse than 15-to-1. Full disclosure: I am a Heisman voter. I do not wager on the award. Here are my top Heisman sleepers for the 2025 season: Prime Heisman Trophy sleeper candidates Carson Beck, Miami, QB BetMGM odds: 25-to-1 Beck headlined the shortlist of Heisman front-runners last summer. Since then, he threw twice as many interceptions (12) in 2024 as he did the previous season, then he transferred to a worse program, he had his expensive cars stolen, and he split with his model girlfriend. Ouch! Never mind all that. He still can make throws most other quarterbacks can't, and he should find ACC defenses to his liking. Cam Ward finished fourth for the Heisman after transferring to Miami before last season. Beck injured his elbow in December. He resumed throwing recently. If healthy, he retains Heisman-level talent. EXPERIENCE MATTERS: Familiar faces top Big Ten QB rankings TIME TO SHINE: Arch Manning headlines SEC QB rankings LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina, QB BetMGM odds: 18-to-1 Few quarterbacks outclassed Sellers by the end of last season. Ask Missouri about Sellers' passing ability. Ask Clemson about his running ability. Dual-threat quarterbacks make for good Heisman contenders, and Sellers fits that billing. He's an efficient passer, but he must reduce his turnovers after a redshirt freshman season filled with fumbles. A neat story helps a Heisman campaign. How's this? Sellers signed with South Carolina as a three-star recruit who played in goggles. (He later switched to contacts.) His Heisman hopes will depend on the Gamecocks rekindling their 2024 success, when they reached the playoff's doorstep. Julian Sayin, Ohio State, QB BetMGM odds: 18-to-1 Coach Ryan Day churns out successful quarterbacks. Sayin, a former blue-chip recruit, is next in line. If Sayin outperforms Manning in a season-opening clash of top teams at "The Horseshoe," his Heisman stock will soar. Here's your buy-low opportunity. Sayin should benefit from throwing to one of the nation's best wide receiving corps. He might encounter Heisman competition from his teammate, Smith, but a big season for Smith probably also means a big season for Sayin. He played sparingly in 2024, but he's got the arm to be a star. Sayin exudes upside, with a great supporting cast around him. Long-shot sleeper to contend for Heisman Trophy John Mateer, Oklahoma, QB BetMGM odds: 25-to-1 Oklahoma needed a quarterback to lead a revival after the Sooners' dismal first season in the SEC. Insert Mateer, who starred at Washington State, like Ward before him. Mateer's offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, preceded him to Oklahoma, so there's no need for Mateer to learn a new system. Now, he just needs to prove himself in the SEC. He's a dual threat with a bundle of playmaking skills. Oklahoma's brutal schedule - it's perhaps the nation's toughest - will create a platform for Mateer to sink or shine. Hail Mary sleeper to contend for Heisman Trophy Ryan Williams, Alabama, WR BetMGM odds: 35-to-1 How's this for a Heisman narrative: Williams, at 18 years old, would be the youngest player to win the award. He introduced himself on the scene with a 177-yard receiving game against Georgia. He'll need to find more consistency as a sophomore to emerge as a contender. Alabama will have a new starting quarterback, and it's unclear whether that will help or hamper the pass game. Williams' Heisman hurdles include proving himself as the nation's best receiver within a landscape that includes Smith from Ohio State. Williams enjoys an advantage in playing for Alabama, which has produced four Heisman winners since 2009. Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@ and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Heisman Trophy sleepers: Five unlikely contenders for college football's top award
While Arch Manning headlines the list of favorites for the Heisman Trophy, other quarterbacks like Miami's Carson Beck stand as sleepers to watch for college football's top award. Two out of the past five Heisman Trophy winners did not play quarterback, but smart money remains on a quarterback reclaiming the award this season. Quarterbacks won the Heisman in nine of the 10 years throughout the 2010s. The Heisman favorite wears one of football's most famous surnames on the back of his jersey. Texas quarterback Arch Manning enjoys 6-to-1 odds from BetMGM. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (8½-to-1), Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (9-to-1), Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (10-to-1) and Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (14-to-1) complete the top five of oddsmaker front-runners. Give me a three-pack of Heisman picks, and I'd take Manning, Smith and Nussmeier. Behind the front-runners are a few more quarterbacks and another wide receiver that stand out as Heisman sleepers. How do I define a sleeper? Their odds are worse than 15-to-1. Full disclosure: I am a Heisman voter. I do not wager on the award. Here are my top Heisman sleepers for the 2025 season: Prime Heisman Trophy sleeper candidates Carson Beck, Miami, QB BetMGM odds: 25-to-1 Beck headlined the shortlist of Heisman front-runners last summer. Since then, he threw twice as many interceptions (12) in 2024 as he did the previous season, then he transferred to a worse program, he had his expensive cars stolen, and he split with his model girlfriend. Ouch! Never mind all that. He still can make throws most other quarterbacks can't, and he should find ACC defenses to his liking. Cam Ward finished fourth for the Heisman after transferring to Miami before last season. Beck injured his elbow in December. He resumed throwing recently. If healthy, he retains Heisman-level talent. EXPERIENCE MATTERS: Familiar faces top Big Ten QB rankings TIME TO SHINE: Arch Manning headlines SEC QB rankings LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina, QB BetMGM odds: 18-to-1 Few quarterbacks outclassed Sellers by the end of last season. Ask Missouri about Sellers' passing ability. Ask Clemson about his running ability. Dual-threat quarterbacks make for good Heisman contenders, and Sellers fits that billing. He's an efficient passer, but he must reduce his turnovers after a redshirt freshman season filled with fumbles. A neat story helps a Heisman campaign. How's this? Sellers signed with South Carolina as a three-star recruit who played in goggles. (He later switched to contacts.) His Heisman hopes will depend on the Gamecocks rekindling their 2024 success, when they reached the playoff's doorstep. Julian Sayin, Ohio State, QB BetMGM odds: 18-to-1 Coach Ryan Day churns out successful quarterbacks. Sayin, a former blue-chip recruit, is next in line. If Sayin outperforms Manning in a season-opening clash of top teams at 'The Horseshoe,' his Heisman stock will soar. Here's your buy-low opportunity. Sayin should benefit from throwing to one of the nation's best wide receiving corps. He might encounter Heisman competition from his teammate, Smith, but a big season for Smith probably also means a big season for Sayin. He played sparingly in 2024, but he's got the arm to be a star. Sayin exudes upside, with a great supporting cast around him. Long-shot sleeper to contend for Heisman Trophy John Mateer, Oklahoma, QB BetMGM odds: 25-to-1 Oklahoma needed a quarterback to lead a revival after the Sooners' dismal first season in the SEC. Insert Mateer, who starred at Washington State, like Ward before him. Mateer's offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, preceded him to Oklahoma, so there's no need for Mateer to learn a new system. Now, he just needs to prove himself in the SEC. He's a dual threat with a bundle of playmaking skills. Oklahoma's brutal schedule – it's perhaps the nation's toughest – will create a platform for Mateer to sink or shine. Hail Mary sleeper to contend for Heisman Trophy Ryan Williams, Alabama, WR BetMGM odds: 35-to-1 How's this for a Heisman narrative: Williams, at 18 years old, would be the youngest player to win the award. He introduced himself on the scene with a 177-yard receiving game against Georgia. He'll need to find more consistency as a sophomore to emerge as a contender. Alabama will have a new starting quarterback, and it's unclear whether that will help or hamper the pass game. Williams' Heisman hurdles include proving himself as the nation's best receiver within a landscape that includes Smith from Ohio State. Williams enjoys an advantage in playing for Alabama, which has produced four Heisman winners since 2009. Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@ and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
