Latest news with #KadynProctor
New York Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Favorite highlights from the Freaks List, plus the coaches' poll debuts
The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic's daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! Time to pick a favorite college football player. College football, despite some recent upheaval, is a sport of rites and traditions. Rivalries, bowl games and sentient Pop-Tarts weave a beautiful, funny and stupid tapestry. We love it. In that tapestry each year is Bruce Feldman's annual Freaks List, which comes at a perfect time. The entire draft cycle has petered out for a bit. Excitement for the upcoming season is boiling. No better junction to talk about some of the sport's most eye-popping players. Advertisement Bruce picked 101 Freaks — which, to be clear, is a very complimentary term in this space — and we cannot fit all of them here, of course. I'm picking a few that jumped out with some notes appended: 1. Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith It's legitimately funny how entrenched Smith is as the best player in the sport right now. He was an NFL player the moment he stepped onto a college field last year and helped the Buckeyes win a national title. His measurables are absurd: 11-foot broad jump, 38-inch vertical jump and 23.5 mph speed, all at 6-foot-3 1/2. He also gave up Wendy's for the season, which is impressive. 2. Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor Proctor is a unique character in the NIL era, having transferred from Alabama to Iowa and back to Alabama without playing a down for his home-state Hawkeyes. He's also an elite prospect, and I could not get over his stats in the weight room: 'This summer, he squatted 815 pounds, benched 535 and power cleaned 405.' He's also 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds. None of this is normal. 26. Toledo TE C.C. Ezirim My favorite genre on this list is the small-school athletes that I might not have known before the season if not for Bruce's reporting. Ezirim is a specimen, 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, and can hit 22 mph on the radar gun. If he has a big season, expect every NFL scout to drool uncontrollably. It's a great day. See all 101 Freaks here. So many great anecdotes in there, too. Spurs lock up Fox De'Aaron Fox agreed to a four-year, $229 million extension with San Antonio yesterday, cementing the star point guard as a long-term partner to wunderkind Victor Wembanyama. It also creates a bona fide two-timeline system for the Spurs, who picked point guard Dylan Harper in this summer's draft. Fox allows them to compete now; Harper, Wembanyama and Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle are all under 21. Read our full story for more analysis. Advertisement Texas rules the coaches' poll The Texas Longhorns are No. 1 in the first football coaches' Top 25 poll of the year, finishing just ahead of defending national champion Ohio State. Scott Dochterman says No. 20 Kansas State is underrated, while the aforementioned second-ranked Buckeyes might be overrated. Can't wait to argue about all this until Labor Day. That Week 1 matchup between No. 6 Clemson and No. 9 LSU is looking delicious for the general public and terrifying for me. See the full rankings here. More news 📫 Love The Pulse? Check out our other newsletters. 📺 LL(S)WS: All Day 10 a.m. ET on ESPN networks Consider this more of a placeholder to let you know the kids are playing this week. The baseball boys start today's action at 10 a.m. with regional play — much of the day airs on ESPN — while the Little League Softball World Series starts and ends the day on ESPN 2 with ESPN+ programming in between. Here's the full schedule. 📺 MLB: Reds at Cubs 8:05 p.m. ET on TBS The NL Central race is tight as we approach the final stretches of the season. Every game is nervy. Chicago is just three games back of the MLB-best Brewers. 📺 WNBA: Wings at Liberty 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV Paige Bueckers against the league's second-best team and defending champions? Yes, please. We'll see how Dallas looks after trading DiJonai Carrington to the Lynx on Sunday, too. Get tickets to games like these here. Jim Bowden doled out MLB trade deadline superlatives across the league. Come for the blockbusters, stay for the niche awards. The Twins' trade deadline fire sale still doesn't feel real, and Dan Hayes' report on Griffin Jax actually requesting a trade minutes before the buzzer — and getting it! — was wild. What sports merch could Giannis Antetokounmpo actually want or need? Victor Wembanyama cards, it turns out. Advertisement We have more star NFL trade proposals today, this one for Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin. I loved this story from Tim Spiers on the soccer players and managers destined to play for certain clubs because of their names. Shout out to David Moller Wolfe signing to play for Wolves. Also from across the globe, the story of Son Heung-min's final game for Tottenham — where he became maybe the best Asian soccer player ever — was touching. A beautiful ending. Naomi Osaka's trial run with her new coach is working. Really, really well. Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: The back-and-forth between Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek at the U.S. track championships. Spicy. Most-read on the website yesterday: The Freaks List, of course
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos doubles-down on Alabama football comments
Thomas Castellanos is not backing down. The Florida State quarterback and Boston College transfer made headlines in June when he spoke with On3 about the Seminoles' season opener against Alabama football Aug. 30. "I dreamed of moments like this," Castellanos said. "I dreamed of playing against Alabama. They don't have Nick Saban to save them. I just don't see them stopping me." While Castellanos' comments sparked a fire from select Crimson Tide football players, the Florida State quarterback is doubling down. When asked at ACC media days if he "would have said some things differently," Castellanos agreed, but stood by his initial statement. "We stand on what I said," Castellanos told reporters. "I said what I said, and we stand on that. I don't mean no disrespect to none of those guys at Alabama or anything like that. I just have confidence in my guys and the work we have been putting in and preparing and the preparation we've been putting together. That's all that was. No disrespect to those guys, but we stand on what I said." At SEC media days, Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson said he "won't forget what (Castellanos) said and that "all disrespect will be addressed accordingly." Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor said the Crimson Tide is "not really giving into whatever anybody else is saying." "It's all internal," Proctor said. "Keeping it in house." Alabama will open the 2025 season at Florida State Aug. 30. Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@ or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Thomas Castellanos doubles-down on Alabama football comments
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Add 'Mammoth' Offensive Tackle with Extra First-Round Pick in 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Browns Add 'Mammoth' Offensive Tackle with Extra First-Round Pick in 2026 NFL Mock Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We don't know who will be under center for the Cleveland Browns in 2025, but it's safe to assume it'll be one of the four quarterbacks on the offseason roster. Advertisement But what about beyond next season? There is much speculation that none of the four - Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders - will survive as the starter beyond the upcoming campaign. In PFSN's way-too-early 2026 NFL Draft, it predicted the Browns would select Arch Manning first overall. Afterward, in PFSN's scenario, Cleveland attempts to give Manning some protection. The Browns gained the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 draft day deal that gave Jacksonville the No. 2 pick. Advertisement And with that pick, the Browns select a "mammoth offensive tackle with a sky-high ceiling," per PFSN. ROUND 1, PICK 8 - Cleveland Browns: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama "At a hulking 6-7 and 360 pounds, Kadyn Proctor is a mammoth offensive tackle with a sky-high ceiling," PFSN wrote. "The Alabama Crimson Tide's left tackle has rare physical traits without sacrificing athletic gifts. His physical profile alone projects him as a high selection. Proctor combines intense power and leg drive to displace defenders in the run game while possessing the nasty demeanor required to dominate on the ground. He also boasts a strong anchor in pass protection. Advertisement "Yet, there are still some technical things to clean up this season, including a tendency to bend at the waist." Related: Browns Predicted to Draft NFL Legacy in 2026 First Round Related: Browns Could Play Role of 'Spoiler' in Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kadyn Proctor: dark horse to become #1 overall draft pick
Left Tackles, like edge rushers, are the premium position (outside of quaterbacks), come draft night, every year. And Alabama's Kadyn Proctor is the top prospect of them all. On the Crimson Tide's official roster, Alabama LT Kadyn Proctor is listed at 369 pounds, while numerous media outlets list him as 360. Meanwhile other outlets list him at at various weights all across the spectrum from 360 to 370. No matter what his actual weight, he's larger than life, and seems destined to be the first offensive lineman off the board come April. He said at SEC Media Days this past week that he's "comfortable" playing at his current weight, but that he would like to drop "10-15 pounds" before the season begins. While his massive size is not something that most of us can relate to, his desire to drop 10-15 pounds certainly is! It is very likely that a quarterback will go first overall in the next NFL Draft, as that's exactly how it has gone in seven of the past eight years and 10 of the last 12. But if it's not a QB, then it could be a defensive end or offensive tackle. And as both the book and the movie "The Blind Side" told us, the NFL pays big money to offensive tackles, specifically left tackles. Thus LTs, like edge rushers, are a premium position, come draft night, every year. And Proctor is the top prospect of them all. "I haven't really looked into it too much," Proctor said, when asked about NFL mock draft projections at SEC Media Days. "Because I feel like I haven't proven myself to be in at that level yet. Like I still have another season. You never know what's going to happen. So I'm doing everything in my best ability, and if that happens at the end of the day, then I'm going to be blessed. But I'm not focused on that at all." It's the perfect answer to the perfect type of question that should be asked at these types of events. Proctor, who graduate early from the University of Alabama by earning his degree this fall, is entering the NFL Draft process with the same kind of astronomical hype with which he entered college. Proctor was ranked #1 offensive lineman (and 7th overall regardless of position) recruit coming out of high school. He was also rated the #1 recruit from the state of Iowa. This upcoming season, it's not just Proctor, but also his whole position group that have major hoopla surrounding him. When asked about the Bama OL being considered by many, if not most pundits the best unit in the nation, Proctor responded with humility. "We have not proven anything yet, offensive line-wise, to be ranked No. 1 throughout the season," Proctor responded to the SEC Network host who asked the question. "When the Joe Moore [Award] comes around, then we'll know. Right now, we're just focused on lifting and running and going into fall camp and just having the best time of our lives." When it comes to fielding media questions, Proctor is certainly NFL-ready, right now. If a team that doesn't need a QB or DE, but badly needs a OT ends up with the first overall pick, then we could see the Des Moines, IA native become the first overall choice.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can Alabama football OL win Joe Moore Award? Four questions after 2025 SEC media days
Talking season commenced from Atlanta on July 16 with Kalen DeBoer, Tim Keenan III, Deontae Lawson and Kadyn Proctor each sharing expectations for what Alabama football could do in 2025. With SEC media days complete for the Crimson Tide, and fall camp approaching quickly, which storylines remain? Here are four Alabama football questions that emerged from SEC media days. Once Alabama football names QB starter, how long of a leash will he have? Whenever DeBoer was asked about the Alabama quarterback battle, he exuded confidence. He proved to be extremely complimentary of Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, sharing how each has grown heading into fall. Despite the inexperience of the room, and despite the lack of game reps, DeBoer is assured that Alabama has always had its next leader of the Crimson Tide offense, not turning to the NCAA transfer portal to secure a rental for the 2025 season. And as he spoke about the battle, DeBoer seemed to give an indication about what would happen once a starting quarterback is officially named. 'That's where consistency, continuity, them being comfortable with Ryan Grubb, Nick Sheridan, Mitch Dahlen, senior analyst on our staff, myself. Them knowing that we believe in you,' DeBoer said. 'Just be you, go out there and don't try to do too much. Just go execute what you're supposed to.' DeBoer and his Alabama staff will obviously show trust in whoever is named the starter. But could this statement indicate that the Crimson Tide won't be too quick to pull the trigger if its starting quarterback struggles out of the gate? Time will tell. Can Alabama have a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line? When Keenan committed to Alabama, he knew he would be challenged up front. The defensive lineman feels the exact same way heading into Year 5 against the Crimson Tide's offensive line. 'Going against guys like those guys, they're hard workers, they're strong, fast,' Keenan said. 'It's something to see.' When Kadyn Proctor, the consistent 2026 NFL mock draft first-round pick, talks about his upcoming season with the Crimson Tide offensive line, it's never in the context of what he can personally do. It's always about the collective. And the unit's sights are set high. 'The Joe Moore Award is definitely something that we want to win,' Proctor said. 'That's really not personal. That's all of us. I want to see the whole offensive line succeed.' Since the award's inception in 2015, given to the best offensive line in college football, Alabama has won twice: 2015 and 2020. If the Crimson Tide wins in 2025, it would be the first team to win it three times. Can the group of Proctor, Wilkin Formby, Jaeden Roberts, Parker Brailsford and, likely, either Geno VanDeMark and Kam Dewberry be the group to make history? Can Alabama defense bring pressure? DeBoer has high expectations for his defense as a whole. But he wants a level of pressure up front to match Alabama's ball-hawk reputation in the secondary. It's not just pressure from blitzes or from more players at the line of scrimmage either. It's pressure solely brought from athleticism. And DeBoer feels he has the pieces to do it. 'I think guys like LT Overton jump out with me,' DeBoer said. 'LT was there a lot last year. Those are the next steps you want to take. Not just he, but a lot of guys finishing the plays. LT has it in him, the skillset. He has those instincts. Continues to hone in on taking it to the next level.' To develop that pressure, Keenan said it comes down to players trusting their coaching, to 'do what we know to do' from Alabama defensive line coach Freddie Roach. '(Roach is) going to get on your tail, now. Ain't no slacking, but it's all about the love,' Keenan said. 'He wants you to have that generational wealth. He wants you to be the best player ever and be that dominant force.' Does Alabama have a special teams problem? DeBoer has answers for both Alabama's offense and defense heading into the 2025 season. When it comes to special teams, the Crimson Tide coach did not sugarcoat things. 'That's the tricky one,' DeBoer said. Alabama is tasked with replacing its kicker, punter and long snapper from the 2024 team. While Conor Talty, Alabama's kickoff man from 2024, is set to slide into replace Graham Nicholson, DeBoer said he still has questions about who will replace James Burnip, 'the best punter I have ever had.' Heading into fall, Alabama will have true freshman Alex Asparuhov, who spent the spring rehabbing an injury, and Colorado School of Mines transfer Blake Doud battling for the starting punting job. Special teams consistency could be a main storyline that could make or break Alabama in 2025. Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@ or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Four Alabama football questions after 2025 SEC media days
