Latest news with #Mariota
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
The Athletic names Oregon quarterback a Top 25 player in last quarter century
The Athletic names Oregon quarterback a Top 25 player in last quarter century College football fans, and rightly so, get excited when their favorite team signs multiple five-star and four-star recruits. But sometimes the star system isn't an exact science. Former Oregon Duck quarterback Marcus Mariota is a prime example. The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner came to Eugene as a three-star recruit and actually redshirted his first year as a Duck. But once he was put in Chip Kelly's system, there was no looking back. Mariota has three incredible seasons at Oregon, and according to The Athletic, the Hawai'i native is No. 15 in their Top 25 college football players in the last quarter century. "A three-star recruit from Hawaii, the soft-spoken 6-4 220-pound Mariota was bigger than you think — and faster too. He made everything look easy," writer Bruce Feldman said. "In three seasons, Mariota totaled 134 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions. He took home the 2014 Heisman Trophy, earning over 88 percent of the first-place votes while leading Oregon to the national title game. "In the CFP semifinals against Florida State, Mariota threw for 338 yards to go with 62 rushing yards as the Ducks blew out the Noles 59-20. But Oregon lost in the title game, 42-20, against Ohio State. In his career at Oregon, Mariota was 12-3 in games against ranked opponents. All 12 of those wins came by double digits, with the Ducks averaging 48.5 points in those games." Mariota left some big cleats to fill and until Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel made their way to Eugene, the two Heisman finalists recreated the notion that Oregon could be QBU once again, with Dante Moore looking to continue the tradition in 2025. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Associated Press
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
QB Cam Ward of Miami is the Titans' likely pick at No. 1 overall in the NFL draft
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans need a quarterback, hold the No. 1 pick overall and have spent the offseason turning over every stone, rewatching tape and studying Miami's Cam Ward as much as possible. Yes, they've also looked closely at Shedeur Sanders, wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter and edge rusher Abdul Carter. Signing not one, but two journeyman sure makes Ward's name the one likely on the card the Titans give Commissioner Roger Goodell to kick off the first night of the NFL draft April 24 in Green Bay. If not, Tennessee has done its best to generate a trade market, needing more draft picks to fill roster holes after three straight losing seasons. New general manager Mike Borgonzi has said he's gotten calls about the No. 1 overall pick, but the Titans will need a 'big haul' to make a deal. Tennessee desperately needs a quarterback, somebody who can start and be a winner especially by the time their new stadium opens in 2027. This franchise has whiffed on a trio of first-round quarterbacks from Vince Young (No. 3 overall in 2006), Jake Locker (No. 8 in 2011) and Marcus Mariota (No. 2 in 2015). The Titans traded down from the No. 1 pick in 2016 two weeks before that draft because they already had Mariota. Young and Mariota each lasted five seasons. Locker retired after four seasons. Malik Willis, whom the Titans traded up to take in the third round in 2022, was traded last year, while Will Levis, the 33rd pick by the previous GM, was benched last season by first-year coach Brian Callahan. With veterans Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle signed in March, Levis appears to be trade bait with Tennessee needing to add to eight draft picks and leaving a big hole in the starting lineup. It's why Callahan said they're doing everything possible evaluating quarterbacks. More picks would be good for a team with only two within the first 35 picks and nothing in the third round. A potential franchise quarterback? 'If you think they're that good and they're that type of player, those guys, to me, are priceless,' Callahan said March 31 at the NFL owners' spring meetings. 'There is no price that you can put on those type of players if you think that they are that caliber of quarterback.' The Titans met with both Ward and Sanders of Colorado before the NFL talking period began just before the new league year opened. The team sent all the key front office personnel to Ward's pro day at Miami on March 24 and planned another visit before the draft. Team officials also checked out Sanders and Hunter at Colorado's pro day. Ward finished fourth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy after his lone season at Miami where he completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards with a FBS-best and program-record 39 touchdown passes. He also had only seven interceptions. His yards gained per pass attempt was a career-best 9.5 yards. That followed two seasons at Washington State where he threw for more yards and TDs in each season while dropping his interceptions from nine in 2022 to seven in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Ward did his best to make his case at Miami's pro day. He completed one pass on the run, then told the Titans' top officials, 'I'm solidifying it today ... I made sure they heard me.' Needs Edge rusher remains a big need after Harold Landry III was released after leading the Titans with nine sacks last season to create salary cap space. So was cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. Wide receiver depth behind Calvin Ridley remains a big question. Defensive backs depth always is in demand. Don't need The Titans can wait to add offensive linemen after signing Dan Moore, expected to take over at left tackle with JC Latham sliding over after his rookie year to the right side. They also signed Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal as a new right guard hoping to improve the offensive line after Tennessee allowed 52 sacks in the 2024 season. Only Houston, Seattle, Cleveland and Chicago gave up more. Pick 'em Ward. At this point, he makes the most sense for a quarterback-needy team. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Washington Commanders named a free agency Day 4 winner
The Washington Commanders have been incredibly active during the early 2025 free agency period. They've already begun working on their needs for next season, including trading to upgrade the offensive line and bringing in a new weapon for Jayden Daniels. They've also re-signed receivers Daniels is already familiar and comfortable with, plus kept some key defensive players while adding others. Adam Peters and Dan Quinn can say they won the 2024 offseason after turning the team around, and now it seems we can call them winners in 2025, too. recently named four winners and four losers from Day 4 of free agency, and the Commanders were winners. A day after bringing back Mariota, Washington re-signed offensive guard Trent Scott (who started in January's NFC title game at right guard), Noah Brown (the recipient of Jayden Daniels' game-winning Hail Mary last year against the Bears) and fellow receiver KJ Osborn, who caught 15 touchdowns during a three-year span during his time with the Minnesota signings serve as evidence that the Commanders are prioritizing Daniels' comfort level by retaining receivers he's familiar with while also bringing back a quarterback who has served as a positive mentor for the young quarterback. On top of that, Mariota is a quality backup who threw four touchdowns (and no interceptions) while completing 77.3% of his 44 pass attempts during his first season in Washington. Peters and Quinn took a four-win team in 2023 and turned them into a team that participated in the NFC Championship game. After the 2024 season, the Commanders were already very close to making a Super Bowl appearance. A few more small tweaks, and we could see them hoisting the Lombardi trophy at the end of 2025. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders named an NFL free agency Day 4 winner
USA Today
14-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Marcus Mariota says the 'grass isn't always greener' in his return to Commanders
The grass isn't always greener on the other side. That's precisely what Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota said on Thursday about re-signing with Washington instead of potentially pursuing starting options elsewhere. "At the end of the day, the grass isn't always greener, and being around this league for a long time, you understand that when you have a good thing, you have a great culture, have a great room, that's not everywhere," Mariota said. "So, I really, at the end of the day, somebody was going to have to really knock my socks off to leave this place. I am very happy, very blessed to be back, and I'm excited to make another run with this team." Mariota continued to praise Washington, calling it the best place he's ever been a part of. He credited head coach Dan Quinn for making him enjoy coming to work. The 2025 season is Mariota's 11th NFL season. A former No. 2 overall pick, Washington is Mariota's fifth NFL team. While he would like the chance to start again, he's appreciative of his current opportunity, serving as a backup to Jayden Daniels, and a mentor to the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Speaking of Daniels, Mariota said he had been in contact with him and plans to meet him soon in Southern California. Daniels and Sam Hartman are working out together in California, and Mariota said he'll meet with them and buy them dinner. Mariota's excitement to return to Washington speaks volumes about general manager Adam Peters and Quinn. Players want to come to the Commanders, and the ones who are here don't want to be anywhere else. From Washington's vantage point, having Mariota back gives them excellent insurance in case Daniels misses any time next season. Mariota, like Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz, was an outstanding leader and mentor for some of the young Commanders last season, including Daniels.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mariota set to re-sign with Commanders on 1-year deal
Hawaii's Marcus Mariota is set to return to the Washington Commanders in the 2025-26 NFL Season. ESPN's Adam Schefter breaking the news on Wednesday that the former Saint Louis standout quarterback will re-sign with the Commanders to a 1-year $8 million deal. In his career, Mariota has played in 93 games, throwing for 16,184 yards and 97 touchdowns while also rushing for 2,156 yards with 18 touchdowns. Last season Mariota played in 3 games, where he threw for 364 yards and 4 touchdowns and rushing for 92 yards and 1 touchdown. The 2014 Heisman Trophy Winner will return to Washington for his 2nd season with the team and 11th season in the NFL. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
