Latest news with #MACPlayeroftheYear
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who picked Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin in the NFL draft?
Who picked Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin in the NFL draft? The Cleveland Browns selected Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin with the 67th overall pick in the third round of NFL draft on Friday night. Fannin (6-3, 241 pounds) was a big target at Bowling Green, where he played three seasons. In a deep tight end class, Fannin is from a non-Power 4 conference, a rarity in this draft and in the NIL era of collegiate sports. In 2022-23, Fannin caught 63 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 24 rushing attempts for 94 yards and four touchdowns. Fannin had a breakout 2024 season, when he caught a MAC conference-topping 117 passes for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. He added nine rushes for 65 yards and one touchdown. His season netted him 2024 Consensus All-American honors, 2024 MAC Player of the Year and the MAC's MVP award. Fannin participated in the 2025 NFL combine, where he posted a 4.71 40-yard dash, 34-inch vertical jump, and a 9-foot 10-inch broad jump. Fannin is a projected third or fourth-round pick in the NFL draft, according to Lance Zierlein, but is rated the seventh-best tight end according to Draft Wire's Curt Popejoy. Fannin would provide an enticing target for any quarterback, or any offense in the NFL.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Conference Player of the Year Makes Final Transfer Portal Decision
John Groce and the Akron Zips reached the 2025 NCAA Tournament after capturing the MAC Conference Tournament title. The Zips finished the regular season with a 28-6 overall record, including an impressive 17-1 mark in MAC play. Advertisement Akron was the conference's lone representative in the NCAA Tournament. However, their postseason run was short-lived, as they struggled in their opening game and fell 93-65 to the Arizona Wildcats. Despite the early exit, the Zips' successful season brought several individual accolades. Notably, Nate Johnson was named MAC Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season. Following the conclusion of the season, Johnson announced that he would be moving on from Akron. He has since chosen his next destination, making the leap from the MAC to the Big 12 Conference. Joe Tipton of On3 Sports made the news official on Sunday: "NEWS: Akron transfer guard Nate Johnson has committed to Kansas State, he told @On3sports." In Johnson's final season with the Zips, he posted 14 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Advertisement Johnson will now suit up for Jerome Tang in Manhattan, Kansas. The Wildcats have missed the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons, though they reached the Elite Eight in 2023. Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson (34).© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In addition to Johnson, Kansas State has added two other transfers. Abdi Bashir Jr., a guard from Monmouth, is expected to contribute significantly on offense after averaging 20.1 points per game. The other addition is Khamari McGriff, a 6-foot-9 forward from UNC Wilmington. McGriff was one of the top sixth men in the country, averaging 11.6 points per game and helping lead the Seahawks to the NCAA Tournament. Related: Duke's Jon Scheyer Suffers Major Recruiting Loss on Sunday Related: Duke's Cameron Boozer Sends Message to No. 1 College Basketball Recruit
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft sleepers: These seven players are being undervalued
2025 NFL draft sleepers: These seven players are being undervalued Show Caption Hide Caption 2025 NFL Draft offers tons of offensive and defensive line help USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon breaks down the deepest part of the 2025 NFL Draft, offensive and defensive lineman. Sports Pulse Each year, there are NFL draft prospects who go unnoticed and end up making significant impacts as rookies. For example, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving finished in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards and led all rookies in the category after being a fourth-round selection in 2024. The year prior, then-Los Angeles Rams rookie fifth-round pick Puka Nacua broke the NFL's all-time receiving yards and receptions record for a rookie. Some players in this draft class are currently being slept on but will soon make a name for themselves once the games begin. USA TODAY Sports examines seven draft sleepers who have a good chance to grab our attention in the NFL. NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: Best landing spots for Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, more 2025 NFL Draft: 7 prospects being undervalued Harold Fannin Jr. TE, Bowling Green Fannin isn't a 'sleeper,' based on statistics. He set FBS single-season records in both receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555) for a tight end. He won MAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first tight end in FBS history to win conference Player of the Year. Despite the collegiate success, Fannin isn't considered a top-three tight-end prospect. Some scouts note he's a poor blocker, has a limited route tree and didn't compete against top-tier competition. However, Fannin starred in his role at Bowling Green. The 6-foot-3 tight end possesses good hands, he's a playmaker with the football and is tough to tackle. Plus, he's proven capable of a heavy workload. Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland are the consensus top two tight ends in this year's draft. But Fannin can potentially develop into the number one tight end in this year's draft. Kyle Williams WR, Washington State The fifth-year senior ranked fourth in college football with 14 touchdowns and eighth in receiving yards. His 70 catches led Washington State. Williams is a deep threat with 4.4 40-yard dash speed. He tracks the football well and creates good separation. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound receiver has a slight frame so physical corners and press coverage could give him problems. Still, Williams can use his quickness to his advantage. He has the versatility to play outside or in the slot having played 541 snaps outside and 166 snaps in the slot with the Cougars in 2024. JT Tuimoloau EDGE, Ohio State There were times when Tuimoloau was the best player on Ohio State's defense. Tuimoloau uses his hands, footwork and overall technique to shed blocks. He doesn't have the athleticism or quickness of the highly-touted edge rushers, but he relies on fundamentals and power to be effective. The defensive end amassed 144 tackles, 23.5 sacks and 43.5 tackles for loss during his college career. He ranks in the top 10 in Ohio State history in career sacks and tackles for loss. Tuimoloau was a three-time All-Big Ten performer. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end figures to be a Day 2 pick, but he could be a steal. Tory Horton WR, Colorado State Horton might've been mentioned among the top wide receivers in this year's draft if he hadn't suffered a brutal knee injury. Unfortunately, the injury cut Horton's 2024 season short. He was 30 yards shy of Colorado State's all-time receiving record when he went down. He produced 193 receptions for 2,620 receiving yards and had 17 touchdowns in three seasons in Fort Collins. The 6-foot-2 wide receiver is an instinctive route runner with sure hands. He ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, which should quell concerns about his knee recovery. Horton compiled 16 catches for 133 yards and one touchdown against a Travis Hunter-led Colorado defense in 2023. He led Colorado State with 96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns that year. TOP WR PROSPECTS: Best landing spots for Hunter, McMillan, Golden Joshua Farmer DT, Florida State At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Farmer possesses the frame to be a stout NFL defensive tackle. The Florida State product is powerful, plays the run well and has position versatility as an interior lineman. He doesn't have a great first step or quickness but can clog lanes and rush the passer from the inside. Farmer shared a team-high with four sacks last season. He also tallied 32 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 26 pressures. The defensive line is the deepest position group in this year's draft. Farmer is projected to be a mid-round pick but he could develop into a good starting defensive tackle. Charles Grant OL, William & Mary The William & Mary tackle was a standout lineman in college with elite traits and impressive fundamentals. Grant is 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds. He could add a little more weight and muscle as he transitions into a more physical brand of football. Grant was named an AP FCS All-American after starting 12 games at left tackle in 2024. He allowed only two sacks and nine pressures during his final college season. Grant has the footwork and technique to play tackle, and the tools to transition inside to guard at the next level. Many scouts project him to be selected in round three or four. Jordan Phillips DT, Maryland Phillips is a sturdy nose tackle who is violent at the point of attack. The defensive tackle produced 29 tackles, one tackle for loss and 16 pressures in 12 games last year for the Terrapins. Phillips is 6-foot-2, 312 pounds. He is twitchy, and his strong upper body doesn't have tremendous length but that helps him spring off blocks. The Maryland product is projected to be a late-round pick but could be a solid contributor in the right situation. Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nate Johnson in transfer portal? Akron Zips basketball star reportedly enters portal
After it appeared the Akron men's basketball team team would have its core players back for another run at the NCAA Tournament, the Zips could be poised to lose the league player of the year just days after another starter left through the transfer portal. Akron Zips star Nate Johnson is reportedly entering the transfer portal, according to multiple college basketball writers on Twitter, including Jeff Borzello of ESPN, Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 and John Fanta of Fox and NBC Sports. Advertisement Johnson has one year of eligibility remaining after leading Akron to Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championships, and to the NCAA Tournament in 2025. Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson (34) dribbles the ball against Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 21, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. Johnson, a 6-foot-3 junior guard, was named MAC Player of the Year after he averaged 14.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists this past season. Johnson was a redshirt who did not play during Akron's run to a MAC Tournament title and an NCAA appearance in 2022. Johnson starred on Akron's 2024 and 2025 teams that won MAC Tournament championships and played in the NCAA Tournament. Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson (34) drives to the basket for a layup against Miami during the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game March 15, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. On April 13, Akron starting forward James Okonkwo announced he was transferring to Utah. Advertisement It's quite a reversal from the days after Akron's season ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 93-65 loss to No. 4 Arizona on March 21 in Seattle. At that point several key Zips players told the Beacon Journal they planned to return to UA next season. Within a few days, 11 players said they were coming back to Akron. Nate Ulrich contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron basketball's Nate Johnson reportedly enters NCAA transfer portal
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals have spoken with UCF running back Peny Boone
Arizona Cardinals have spoken with UCF running back Peny Boone Peny Boone is a Day 3 or undrafted prospect who has third-down and special teams skills. The Arizona Cardinals are not only looking at pass rushers in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, although it does feel that way. They have met or will meet with Day 1 pass-rushing prospects and guys expected to go on Day 2 and Day 3. But they also have their eyes on running backs. One running back to know for Day 3 or perhaps as a priority free agent is Peny Boone out of UCF. Boone told The Draft Network's Justin Melo that the Cardinals are one of several teams that have spoken with him. Boone is the less-heralded back from UCF. R.J. Harvey is the big name who rushed for over 1,500 yards and led the Big 12 with 22 rushing touchdowns and 25 total scores. Boone played six games for UCF in 2024 after leading the MAC in 2023 with 1,400 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 7.7 yards per attempt for Toledo and winning MAC Player of the Year. In 2024 for UCF and playing behind Harvey, he had 208 rushing yards on 6.1 yards per carry and scored twice. He is a bigger player at his position at six feet and 225 pounds. Boone did not get invited to the combine but tested at his pro day. He said his 40 times was the 4.5-second range. It was officially 4.69 seconds, so not great. But he posted a 6.93-second three-cone and 4.36-second short shuttle. The Cardinals don't need a starting running back as they have James Conner, and 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson is expected to be an impact player for the Cardinals in 2025. However, Emari Demercado is coming off a back injury, so there perhaps is a door open to make the team in the third-down/special teams role. Guess what? Boone might be a guy to do that. "I'm going to help an NFL team at the next level," he told Melo. "I can help protect the quarterback and catch the football on third down. I can play on special teams. I feel like I'm ready to contribute right away. "I'm a great teammate as well. Playing in the NFL has always been my dream. I'm going to put my best foot forward. I've had to work for everything I have. It's going to be more of the same at the next level." If Boone is going to be drafted by the Cardinals and make the team, that is exactly what he would have to do. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
