Latest news with #McElroy
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Greg McElroy Didn't Hesitate When Naming The Best Defense In College Football
Greg McElroy Didn't Hesitate When Naming The Best Defense In College Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports. ESPN analyst and former national champion quarterback Greg McElroy believes one defense sits above the rest ahead of the 2025 college football season. Advertisement The Ohio State Buckeyes fielded the top defense last season on the way to their ninth national championship and first under head coach Ryan Day. That group will look differently this season, though, with multiple NFL draft departures and the transition at coordinator from Jim Knowles to Matt Patrica. McElroy is still high on the Buckeyes, ranking them at No. 2 on his list of the top-10 defenses after spring practice and before fall camp. Leading the country, according to the former Alabama quarterback, is the Texas Longhorns. Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski instructs players during practice Austin American-Statesman-USA TO "This group has a ridiculously high ceiling this upcoming season," McElroy said Monday on "Always College Football." "I don't think there's a group in the country that can get after the quarterback better. That's what makes the Texas Longhorns the number one defense in the country heading into the 2025 season." Advertisement Texas and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski had some holes on the interior after NFL draft departures, leading to some notable pickups via the transfer portal like Maraad Watson (Syracuse), Hero Kanu (Ohio State), Travis Shaw (North Carolina) and Cole Brevard (Purdue). The Longhorns return two of the top pass rushers in the country in linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and EDGE Collin Simmons. Hill racked up eight sacks, 17 tackles for loss and earned First-Team All-America honors as a sophomore last season while Simmons posted nine sacks, 14 tackles for loss and took home Freshman All-America honors. McElroy tabbed Hill as the best linebacker in the nation and referred to Simmons as the most feared pass rusher outside of South Carolina's Dylan Stewart. Advertisement "The guy's a complete superstar," McElroy said of Hill. "I think he's the best linebacker in the country. Ridiculously athletic, amazing against the run and the pass, and he's versatile enough to win a third down situation." "I'm not sure there is a more feared pass rusher in the SEC outside of maybe Dylan Stewart, but he's expected to take on an even bigger role here in 2025," McElroy said of Simmons. In the secondary, Texas returns star safety Michael Taaffe alongside experienced cornerback Malik Muhammad. Jelani McDonald returns at nickel and Derek Williams Jr. is back after missing most of the 2024 season due to injury. High expectations surround the Longhorns' defense after finishing third nationally in scoring (15.3 points per game) last season. Advertisement However, It appears that there is enough talent and experience for a third consecutive College Football Playoff berth. That's if, of course, new starting quarterback Arch Manning can keep the offensive success rolling. Related: Updated Recruiting Rankings Feature New No. 1 Team After 5-Star Prospect's Commitment Related: SEC Powerhouse Emerges As Leader For Nation's No. 1 DL This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Greg McElroy Names Quiet SEC Contender Flying Under the Radar
Greg McElroy Names Quiet SEC Contender Flying Under the Radar originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The win totals for every SEC team have been released, with the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas Longhorns emerging as the favorites to win the conference. All three teams have a predicted win total of 9.5 games for the upcoming season, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Advertisement Following them are the LSU Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels and Tennessee Volunteers, with a forecasted total of 8.5 wins each. Notably absent from the top six are the Texas A&M Aggies, who finished with an 8-5 record in the first year under head coach Mike Elko. The Aggies have a win prediction set at 7.5 for the 2025 season. The 8-5 season represented progress following 7-6 and 5-7 campaigns, which ultimately led to the firing of Jimbo Fisher. Although the improvement was encouraging, it was bittersweet. The Aggies started the season strong with a 7-1 record but stumbled to a 1-4 finish. One of those losses came against Texas in the final game of the season, where the Aggies fell 17-7, despite having a chance to secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game. Despite the disappointing end to the season, ESPN's Greg McElroy expressed optimism on his radio show, "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning," stating that there is reason to believe the Aggies could compete for the SEC title in 2025. Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Lysaker-Imagn Images "Then finally Texas A&M," McElroy said. "You are going to say, 'C'mon, they are always 8-4, Greg.' Well, I actually think they are one of the few teams, by the way, returning a quarterback this year. There aren't many that are. They are. Marcel Reed is back. Mike Elko's second year. You can expect a possible second-year bump." Advertisement McElroy mentioned Texas A&M's returning quarterback, Marcel Reed. After stepping in for starter Connor Weigman, Reed threw for 1,864 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also demonstrated his impressive running ability, rushing for 543 yards and scoring seven touchdowns at an average of 4.7 yards per carry. McElroy acknowledged that some key players on the defensive line will not be with Texas A&M this season, but he said he still believes they will perform well defensively. The players missing are Shemar Stewart, Shemar Turner, Nic Scourton and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. However, McElroy thinks the Aggies have a strong and deep running back room. He is optimistic about some of the new additions at wide receiver and considers the offensive line to be one of the best in the league. Additionally, he believes the Aggies' schedule is not overly challenging. McElroy thinks Texas A&M has the potential to be a real sleeper team in 2025, noting that not many people are discussing them. The Aggies will kick off their season against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners at 7 p.m. ET on Aug. 30. Related: Paul Finebaum Names Major SEC Team That Had a 'Miserable' End to the Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN's Greg McElroy questions Texas' Arch Manning's top-10 QB status
ESPN's Greg McElroy questions Texas' Arch Manning's top-10 QB status McElroy says Manning must prove himself as a starter before being named elite. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning continues to face skepticism from prominent college football analysts, with former Alabama quarterback and ESPN analyst Greg McElroy the latest to question the hype surrounding the highly touted sophomore. During a recent episode of "McElroy & Cubelic in the Morning," McElroy defended his decision to omit Manning from his preseason top-10 quarterback list for 2025, despite widespread projections placing the Texas signal-caller among the nation's elite. McElroy compared Manning's current trajectory to that of former five-star recruits Brock Vandagriff and Jackson Arnold, both of whom struggled to meet expectations at Kentucky and Oklahoma, respectively. "Well first thing, you have to play. Unfortunately, there are plenty of five-stars who aren't good. Brock Vandagriff was like a can't-miss prospect. How did that go for Kentucky last year? Jackson Arnold, how did that go for Oklahoma?" - ESPN's Greg McElroy McElroy emphasized that while Manning's talent and pedigree are undeniable, his production has come largely against weaker competition. In Manning's limited action last season, most of his stats were compiled against UTSA, Louisiana Monroe, and Mississippi State — teams that ranked 71st, 83rd, and 126th in total defense, respectively. "Under no circumstances should he be a top-10 quarterback. He can be a top-10 talent. I have no problemwith that. I think people have a hard time separating talent from production. Yes, talent and potential are awesome. Production is a totally different thing." - ESPN's Greg McElroy Manning completed over 67% of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions in spot duty last season, but McElroy insists that the real test will come when Manning faces top-tier opponents in the SEC. Despite the criticism, McElroy acknowledged Manning's potential for future success and included him as an honorable mention on his quarterback list. Manning will have an early opportunity to answer his critics when Texas opens the season at Ohio State in Columbus. The Longhorns' new starter will look to turn potential into production and prove he belongs among college football's best as the 2025 season unfolds. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Top 10 all-time leading passers in Alabama football history
Top 10 all-time leading passers in Alabama football history Throughout the storied history of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, there has been no shortage of stellar play from the quarterback position. Over the years, Alabama has seen a quarterback win the Heisman Trophy, while others have also finished highly in voting for college football's top individual honor. The Crimson Tide have also seen multiple quarterbacks drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, some of which have come as high as No. 1 overall. A big reason for that success was each's on-field performance while at Alabama, with many of those same names going on to depart Tuscaloosa leading in many of the program's all-time statistical categories, arguably the most notable of which among quarterbacks is passing yards. Here is a look at just who Alabama's Top 10 all-time leaders in passing yards are entering the 2025 college football season. 10. Jay Barker (1991-94) Career Passing Yards: 5,689 One of Alabama's top quarterbacks of the 1990's, Barker ended his four-year Crimson Tide career with 5,689 yards passing from 1991-94, combining that total with a 56.9 CMP% and 26 touchdowns during his time in Tuscaloosa. A multi-year starter at Alabama, Barker helped lead the Crimson Tide to the 1992 national championship, with his best season in Tuscaloosa likely his 1994 campaign in which he finished fifth in Heisman voting. 9. Greg McElroy (2007-10) Career Passing Yards: 5,691 Among the first big names of the Nick Saban era, McElroy ended his Alabama career just ahead of Barker on the all-time passing leaders list with 5,691 yards from 2007-10, while also boasting a combined 66.3 CMP% and 39 scores through the air. A two-year starter at Alabama, McElroy helped lead the Crimson Tide to the 2009 national title, with his best season coming likely in 2010 where he led the SEC with a 70.9 CMP%. 8. Andrew Zow (1998-2001) Career Passing Yards: 5,983 A starter in the late-1990's who helped lead Alabama into the 2000's, Zow finished his Crimson Tide career with a total of 5,983 yards passing from 1998-2001, combining that total with a 53.9 CMP% and 35 touchdowns through the air. Zow's top season at Alabama was likely his first in 1998 where he threw for 1,969 yards with a 55.9 CMP%. 7. Jalen Milroe (2021-24) Career Passing Yards: 6,016 One of the top rushing quarterbacks in Alabama's history, Milroe ended his Crimson Tide career with 6,016 passing yards from 2021-24, along with a 64.3 CMP% and 45 touchdowns through the air. Milroe's top season at Alabama was likely his 2023 campaign in which he finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. 6. Mac Jones (2018-20) Career Passing Yards: 6,126 Owning one of the greatest season's Alabama has ever seen from the quarterback position, Jones concluded his Crimson Tide career with 6,126 passing yards, along with a 74.3 CMP% and 56 touchdowns through the air. The best season for Jones at Alabama was undoubtedly his 2020 season in which he helped lead the Crimson Tide to the national championship, while also finishing third in Heisman voting after leading the nation in passing yards and completion percentage. 5. Brodie Croyle (2002-05) Career Passing Yards: 6,382 A multi-year starter in Tuscaloosa, Croyle's time at Alabama concluded with a combined 6,382 passing yards from 2002-05, while also posting a 56.2 CMP% with 41 scores through the air. Croyle's top season at Alabama was likely his last in 2005 where he threw for a career-high 2,499 yards and a 59.6 CMP%. 4. Tua Tagovailoa (2017-19) Career Passing Yards: 7,442 One of the more talented quarterbacks in Alabama history, Tagovailoa ended his Crimson Tide career with a total of 7,442 passing yards, along with a combined 69.3 CMP% and 87 touchdowns through the air. Helping lead Alabama to the 2017 national championship, Tagovailoa's best season at Alabama was likely his 2018 campaign in which he finished runner-up for the Heisman Trophy by leading the SEC in numerous statistical categories such as completion percentage, passing yards, and touchdowns. 3. John Parker Wilson (2005-08) Career Passing Yards: 7,924 The first starting quarterback of the Saban era, Wilson was a three-year starter at Alabama who ended with 7,924 passing yards, a 56.6 CMP%, and 47 touchdowns through the air. Wilson's top season at Alabama was likely his 2006 campaign pre-Saban, but an argument could certainly be made for either 2007 or 2008 as well. 2. Bryce Young (2020-22) Career Passing Yards: 8,356 One of the highest-rated recruits in Alabama history, Young concluded his Crimson Tide career sitting second on the all-time passing yardage list at 8,356 total, while also owning a combined 65.8 CMP% with 80 touchdowns via the air as well. A one-time national champion in 2020, Young's top season at Alabama was his 2021 campaign in which he won the Heisman Trophy after leading the SEC in both passing yards and touchdowns. 1. AJ McCarron (2010-13) Career Passing Yards: 9,019 One of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Alabama history, McCarron is the Crimson Tide's all-time leading passer with 9,019 yards from 2010-13, which he paired that total with a career 66.9 CMP% and 77 touchdowns through the air. McCarron concluded his Alabama career as a two-time national champion in 2011 and 2012, with his best season in Tuscaloosa either his 2013 campaign in which he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, or his 2012 in which he led college football in passer rating. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Stelco's parent company is laying off thousands in the U.S. What does it mean for Hamilton?
Stelco is no longer selling any steel in the U.S. amid a tariff war that has also seen owner Cleveland-Cliffs idle six facilities and lay off 2,000 workers south of the border. There have been no layoffs of unionized workers at the Hamilton-based steelmaker since it was taken over by Cleveland-Cliffs in a $3.4-billion deal last fall, but some non-union staff and managers have reportedly been let go. In a recent earnings report , the American parent company said it is now selling steel made by Stelco exclusively within Canada while a 25 per cent tariff is in place on imports of the metal into the U.S. That's a change from last year, when about 30 per cent of the company's Canadian-made steel was sold over the border. Federal politicians like Liberal Chrystia Freeland have visited with workers at Stelco and other local steelmakers repeatedly during the tariff war with the U.S. The company did not respond to Spectator questions about the earnings report or tariff impacts Friday. But United Steelworkers local union president John McElroy said work at the company's Nanticoke steelmaking hub is 'pretty slow.' McElroy said workers are worried about the trade war and the news of turmoil in the steel industry — including Cleveland-Cliffs layoffs linked to six idled steel facilities and mines in the U.S. in recent months. He stressed he has heard 'no talk' from the ownership about layoffs at Stelco — a time-limited requirement the U.S. steelmaker agreed to when seeking government permission to buy the Canadian company last year. But McElroy added he understands Stelco has parted ways with a number of non-union staff and managers in recent weeks. There is also a hiring freeze and fewer summer students this year, he said. 'It is stressful,' he said. 'And it doesn't help when the CEO is constantly talking about tariffs being a good thing.' Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves has been a public cheerleader for U.S. President Donald Trump's steel tariffs — suggesting earlier this year they would even 'benefit' Stelco. But during an earnings conference call last week, Goncalves acknowledged the larger trade war with Canada is hurting his clients — and by extension, the steel business. 'That was not part of our plan. Absolutely not. Nobody saw that coming,' he told analysts in a response to a question about tariffs. 'Otherwise, I would not have been so eager to buy Stelco if I knew that Canada would not be treated like a friend.' Goncalves said on the call he believed the broad-based tariff war with Canada is 'completely temporary.' He suggested the recent meeting between Trump and new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was a positive step toward 'normalizing the relationship' between the two countries — which he also characterized as a necessity. 'There's no other way to go. We are tied by the hip, and we cannot go without each other. We need each other, and we should continue to work that way.' During the earnings presentation, Goncalves also outlined the company's plans to idle or shutter six different U.S. facilities as part of a larger strategy to 'optimize our operating footprint' and focus on 'core' strengths like automotive steel. Those moves including idling money-losing steelmaking facilities and stopping operations at two iron ore mines, resulting in at least temporary layoffs for around 2,000 people. (By contrast, the company is bringing a currently idled blast furnace back online later this year.) Despite those challenges, the CEO continued to argue in favour of tariffs on imported steel into the U.S. 'We firmly believe that the Trump administration is spot on in its push to bring back manufacturing to the United States,' he said. 'However, in the short term, we need to do everything we can to make sure that we remain cost competitive.'
