Latest news with #JordanReid
USA Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
ESPN has Clemson outside of the Top 10 in their 2025 preseason outlook
ESPN has Clemson outside of the Top 10 in their 2025 preseason outlook ESPN's newly released Football Power Index may have sparked some buzz, but its view on Clemson is raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. The Tigers came in at No. 11 overall — and, even more puzzling, behind Miami in the ACC pecking order. Despite finishing last season with momentum and boasting one of the most complete rosters in the country, Clemson finds itself ranked behind a Hurricanes team that just swapped out a Heisman finalist for a quarterback recovering from a torn UCL. Even ESPN's own experts think the FPI got it wrong. 'I think you can argue that Clemson is one of the two best teams in the FBS entering the season (along with Penn State), and it's certainly one of the best 10, so it's surprising to see them in at No. 11,' said ESPN's Mark Schlabach. 'In our colleague Jordan Reid's initial 2026 NFL mock draft, he had four Tigers going in the first round, including quarterback Cade Klubnik at No. 1.' Klubnik's rise has been meteoric. Once a question mark, he's now viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick after throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions last season. He'll lead an offense that ESPN still ranks as the eighth-best in the country — but somehow not good enough to crack the FPI's Top 10. Defensively, Clemson is as loaded as it gets. Tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher T.J. Parker are projected top-10 picks, anchoring what many view as the most dominant defensive front in the nation. Yet, ESPN's FPI has the Tigers' defense rated just No. 15 nationally. That's a head-scratcher, especially considering Clemson's relatively favorable schedule. While the Tigers open with a high-profile matchup against No. 12 LSU, the rest of the slate features only two other opponents in the Top 20 (No. 15 South Carolina and No. 20 SMU). Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, and the rest of the ACC trail far behind. Even ESPN's Paolo Uggetti questioned Miami's spot at No. 9, saying, 'I'm having a hard time with Miami all the way up at No. 9... Count me among the skeptics.' Clemson still holds the seventh-best odds to make the College Football Playoff (47.3%) and win the national title (3.8%), according to the FPI — but that's a ceiling far below what many think the Tigers are capable of reaching. So while the metrics may say No. 11, the eye test — and ESPN's own analysts — suggest Clemson should be firmly in the national title conversation. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL expert makes bold Malaki Starks prediction
ESPN NFL expert Jordan Reid and other NFL draft analysts love how former Georgia Bulldogs safety Malaki Starks fits into an already formidable Baltimore Ravens secondary. The Ravens got a steal when they selected Starks with the No. 27 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Baltimore always seems to find excellent value in the draft. Starks proved himself in his first game as a true freshman at Georgia. He started as a freshman and helped the Bulldogs win a national championship in 2022. His top freshman year highlight included an acrobatic interception of quarterback Bo Nix, who now starts for the Denver Broncos. Advertisement Starks' instincts and range should immediately translate to the NFL level. He joins a Baltimore secondary that features All-Pro Kyle Hamilton, who is already considered to be the top safety in the league. Reid's bold prediction for Malaki Starks Safety Malaki Starks of Georgia poses after being selected by the Baltimore Ravens Reid predicts that Starks will lead the NFL in interceptions as a rookie. If Starks accomplishes that, then he'd be the first rookie to lead the NFL in interceptions since Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen led the league in interceptions (tied) back in 2022. "Starks will lead the league in interceptions as a rookie," said Reid. "After playing slot corner during his final season at Georgia, Starks could be moving back to his more natural position at free safety in the NFL. That will lead to plenty of opportunities for interceptions, especially if Baltimore's talented defensive front forces off-target throws." Advertisement We have to agree that Starks has an excellent opportunity in Baltimore. The Ravens' high powered offense and strong front-seven should force opposing teams into a high percentage of obvious passing situations. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Ravens rookie Malaki Starks predicted to lead NFL in interceptions
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How does rookie QB Riley Leonard fit with Indianapolis Colts? ESPN analyst weighs in
ESPN analyst Jordan Reid recently highlighted how each quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL draft fits with their new team, including the Indianapolis Colts' sixth-round selection, Riley Leonard. "Leonard will be allowed to develop," wrote Reid. "He is a dual-threat quarterback who can take advantage of quick throws and use his mobility to create off schedule. He still needs to trust his initial reads more, but Leonard has long-term backup potential because of his physical traits and leadership." Advertisement After spending three seasons at Duke, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame in 2024 and helped guide the Irish to a National Championship appearance. On the season, Leonard completed a career-high 66.4% of his passes and threw for 2,851 yards at 7.0 yards per attempt with 21 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Along with being efficient, Leonard was very good at taking care of the ball, ranking 12th in turnover-worthy play rate among all quarterbacks. In addition to his contributions in the passing game, Leonard rushed for just shy of 1,000 yards as well. The Colts showed interest in Leonard throughout the pre-draft process, and one of the characteristics about him that caught Indianapolis' attention was how he performed in some of Notre Dame's biggest games. Advertisement Lenoard's 223 passing yards against Penn State in the College Football Playoffs was his third-highest total of the season, and his 9.3 yards per attempt was also his third-best mark. In the National Championship Game vs. Ohio State, Leonard threw for 255 yards, a season-high, completed 71% of his throws, and averaged 8.2 yards per attempt. As Reid mentions, with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones on the roster, Leonard is going to have the opportunity to grow and develop this season. In Shane Steichen's first two seasons as head coach, we've seen the Colts' roster three quarterbacks, and Leonard has an opportunity to fill that role for the team in 2025. In the long run, as Stephen Holder described in the article with Reid, Leonard has a path to becoming the team's primary backup if he can continue to progress. Advertisement 'He's got the physical ability to be much more than a No. 3," area scout Mike Lacy said after the draft. "I think that's kind of what he's going to be coming in as. He's going to find his way. He's going to learn, be a sponge, soak things up and be ready to go. We're excited about what he can be, that's for sure.' This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: How QB Riley Leonard fits with Indianapolis Colts
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mock Draft Monday with Jordan Reid: Browns land Travis Hunter, Commanders grab RB
Another edition of 'Mock Draft Monday' rolls onto the pod feed as ESPN's Jordan Reid joins Matt Harmon to share his five favorite fits from his latest mock draft and reveals the prospect he'd 'stand on the table' for in this year's draft. Reid previews his upcoming 7-round mock draft and highlights one RB he thinks will be the steal of the draft on day three. (3:15) - Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter - Cleveland Browns (10:15) - Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders (16:00) - Jordan Reid shares his favorite deep sleeper RB target on day 3 (17:35) - Missouri OT Armand Membou - Jets (21:45) - Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson - Commanders (26:45) TCU WR Jack Bech - Rams (31:30) - Jordan's stand on the table prospect: Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen 🖥️
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mock Draft Monday with Jordan Reid: Browns land Travis Hunter, Commanders grab RB
Another edition of 'Mock Draft Monday' rolls onto the pod feed as ESPN's Jordan Reid joins Matt Harmon to share his five favorite fits from his latest mock draft and reveals the prospect he'd 'stand on the table' for in this year's draft. Reid previews his upcoming 7-round mock draft and highlights one RB he thinks will be the steal of the draft on day three. (3:15) - Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter - Cleveland Browns (10:15) - Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders (16:00) - Jordan Reid shares his favorite deep sleeper RB target on day 3 (17:35) - Missouri OT Armand Membou - Jets (21:45) - Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson - Commanders (26:45) TCU WR Jack Bech - Rams (31:30) - Jordan's stand on the table prospect: Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen 🖥️
