Latest news with #MinkahFitzpatrick
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minkah Fitzpatrick Praises Steelers Veteran Additions to Secondary: ‘There's No Real Concerns'
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers' veteran additions to their secondary this offseason. PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers added a couple of older faces to their secondary this offseason and they have safety Minkah Fitzpatrick feeling very optimistic for the defense in 2025. Advertisement The Steelers first signed veteran cornerback Darius Slay to a one-year deal in free agency. He's 34 but Fitzpatrick thinks Slay is bringing some much-needed experience to the group. 'I think a guy like that is extremely valuable. He's covering his side of the field, and you know when you have man-to-man, he's solid over there,' Fitzpatrick said. 'There's no real concerns over there. You know he's gonna be in the right position. You know he's gonna do his job at a high level.' Slay spent the last five years with the Philadelphia Eagles as a starting outside cornerback. He started 14 games for Philly last season, plus another four on the team's run to its Super Bowl LIX championship. He finished the regular season with 49 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 13 passes defended. Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 16, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Pittsburgh then added another veteran in safety Juan Thornhill on a one-year deal. The 29-year-old spent the first four years of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Cleveland Browns in 2023. Advertisement Fitzpatrick thinks Thornhill's versatility will come in handy for the Steelers on defense. 'Juan is a guy who has a lot of experience,' Fitzpatrick said. 'He's done multiple things in all the different places he's been. He's a splash guy. He's a rangy guy, similar skillset to myself. So just having another guy out there on the field is another chess piece on the chessboard.' In his six-year NFL career, Thornhill has recorded 337 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, eight interceptions and 24 passes defended. Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill plays against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Pittsburgh's defense struggled with poor communication last season, but Fitzpatrick is optimistic the additions of Slay and Thornhill will prevent that from happening again in 2025. Advertisement 'Leave no gray,' he said. 'Football, I think, should be black and white, in regards to executions, schematics. It should just be, this is how we're doing it, this is how we're gonna communicate. If I give you a thumbs up, you give me a thumbs up back. If I give you a thumbs down, you give me a thumbs down back. It's as simple as that.' This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Minkah Fitzpatrick Praises Steelers Veteran Additions to Secondary: 'There's No Real Concerns' Related Headlines
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama ignored by No. 4 CB despite connection
The post Alabama ignored by No. 4 CB despite connection appeared first on ClutchPoints. Alabama football is in dire need of college football recruiting momentum for the summer. Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide have delivered quiet recruiting results for the 2026 cycle. And now the nation's No. 4 cornerback isn't considering 'Bama — despite having a prominent family connection there. Advertisement Four-star cornerback Justice Fitzpatrick unveiled his top five list via Hayes Fawcett of On3 Thursday. He's the younger brother of famed Alabama defender turned NFL Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick. The 6-foot, 185-pound CB doesn't list Alabama in his list of suitors, however. Miami out of the Atlantic Coast Conference made the cut. Same with Florida as his second in-state opportunity. But then the Fort Lauderdale native places defending national champion Ohio State, then SEC representatives Texas and Georgia as his final options. The alma mater of the five-time Pro Bowl safety gets ignored by the talented '26 CB. Did Alabama offer No. 4 CB and brother of Minkah Fitzpatrick? Will McLelland-Imagn Images The St. Thomas Aquinas talent reeled in more than 40 offers. Alabama rose as one of his offers. Advertisement However, Fitzpatrick listed the Tide as 'cool.' Meaning he's not considering Alabama compared to the other five programs on his radar. The elder Fitzpatrick played in Tuscaloosa during a time Alabama delivered aggressive recruiting tactics. Former head coach Nick Saban created a habit of chasing five and four-star talent — regardless of where they lived. Saban snatched the future Steelers defender via the 2015 recruiting class. Minkah Fitzpatrick arrived as a five-star prospect and the state of New Jersey's top-ranked prospect by 247Sports. This 'Bama class holds only five verbal commits. Alabama ranks 41st overall in the '26 recruiting cycle. DeBoer managed to land five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds on March 26. But he's the Tide's lone five-star verbal pledge. Alabama did win over prized in-state talent Kamhariyan Johnson in April. But the edge rusher represents DeBoer and Alabama's last verbal commitment. Now 'Bama struggled to win over the family member of a beloved Tide defender.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Minkah Fitzpatrick's brother chooses Georgia football over Ohio State, Texas
The post Minkah Fitzpatrick's brother chooses Georgia football over Ohio State, Texas appeared first on ClutchPoints. Pittsburgh Steelers star safety and Alabama Crimson Tide great Minkah Fitzpatrick just gained an enemy for life, and unfortunately, that person is in his own family. The three-time All-Pro's brother, cornerback Justice Fitzpatrick, is committing to Georgia football, according to On3's Hayes Fawcett. Family gatherings will never be the same, as one of the SEC's fiercest rivalries finds its way to the Fitzpatrick household. Advertisement The 2026 four-star recruit did not include Bama in his list of top-five schools, which was a tad surprising, but he is taking his individuality to even greater lengths by moving to Athens. Fitzpatrick watched his older brother win two national championships with the Tide, and now he aims to enjoy his own glorious run with the Bulldogs. Minkah will make his jokes and flash his rings, but he is surely excited to see Justice begin this next crucial part of his journey. The five-time Pro Bowler should have little problem with his kin representing Georgia for the next few years, especially since he knows the head coach. Kirby Smart served as Alabama's defensive coordinator during Fitzpatrick's freshman season, something that presumably came up during the recruitment process. Georgia football will try to maintain its proud DB tradition Smart helped the elder Fitzpatrick get off to a nice start in what turned out to be a magnificent college career, and now he is entrusted with molding Justice Fitzpatrick. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound talent out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a top-five ranked CB in his class. He chose Georgia football over reigning national champ Ohio State, Texas, Florida and Miami. Advertisement While he will certainly look to his accomplished and experienced brother for advice, Fitzpatrick is eager to make a name for himself with the Bulldogs. He joins a program that has a history of developing impactful defensive backs. Georgia is at its best when it is defined by an elite defense. This future player has the tools to help ensure that the team's identity stays intact. Although Justice Fitzpatrick will be in the midst of his senior year at St. Thomas Aquinas, and Minkah Fitzpatrick will have NFL business to attend to with the Steelers, expect both athletes to be dialed-in when the Dawgs and Crimson Tide collide on Sept. 27.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
$73 Million NFL Star's Brother Sends Clear Message on Georgia After Big News
$73 Million NFL Star's Brother Sends Clear Message on Georgia After Big News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Georgia Bulldogs are no stranger to the NFL with the program consistently sending stars to the league. Now, Georgia is adding a major four-star recruit with a connection to a current NFL star. Advertisement Georgia is currently ranked No. 5 in the 2026 college football recruiting rankings, per On3. The SEC power is projected to have an NIL value of $248,000 per player. According to On3, this is second highest amount just behind the Miami Hurricanes' $251,000. Now, the Dawgs are adding the brother of Pittsburgh Steelers star Minkah Fitzpatrick. The 5-time Pro Bowler is on a four-year, $73.6 million contract with the Steelers. Georgia coach Kirby Smart takes the field with his team before the start of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Four-star cornerback Justice Fitzpatrick of St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) took to Instagram to post his announcement graphic made by On3's Hayes Fawcett. The future Georgia corner pointed to his family's strong track record as a reason for Dawgs fans to be excited. Advertisement 'I am truly blessed🙏🏾," Fitzpatrick told Fawcett on Tuesday. "Y'all (know) how this family gets down, I'm coming to work! GO DAWGS!🐶' Fitzpatrick is On3's No. 4 rated corner and No. 34 overall recruit in the 2026 class. "Georgia landed the Nation's No. 4 rated CB," DawgsHQ's Rusty Mansell detailed in an X message on Tuesday. "A top 35 player in the country overall tonight. "Older brother Minkah was All-American at Alabama. He made several trips to UGA this spring with his brother. This past weekend sealed it for the Dawgs." Georgia already has 12 commitments in the 2026 college football recruiting class, including 10 four-stars along with one five-star. Related: Future Georgia Star QB Jared Curtis' First Instagram Posts After Major Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brother of Minkah Fitzpatrick Announces Commitment To College Football Powerhouse
Brother of Minkah Fitzpatrick Announces Commitment To College Football Powerhouse originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In 2024, the Georgia Bulldogs again proved themselves a force in the Southeastern Conference, despite an abrupt end to their season with a 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. Advertisement The Bulldogs finished with an 11-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play, securing the SEC title with a dramatic 22-19 overtime victory against Texas in the championship game. Head coach Kirby Smart, in his ninth season at the helm, notched his 100th career victory along the way. As the Bulldogs prepare for what many expect to be another dominant season, Georgia has secured the commitment of one of the nation's top high school cornerbacks. Justice Fitzpatrick, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, announced on Tuesday that he will join the Bulldogs' 2026 recruiting class. Fitzpatrick, ranked as the No. 64 overall prospect and No. 7 cornerback nationally in the On3 Industry Rankings, is also listed as the No. 11 player in Florida for the 2026 cycle. Advertisement In the lead-up to his commitment, Fitzpatrick trimmed his list to five finalists: Georgia, Ohio State, Miami, Florida and Texas. This pledge marks Georgia's 12th commitment in the 2026 cycle, solidifying a recruiting class currently ranked No. 5 nationally. Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.© Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The younger brother of NFL Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick, who starred at Alabama before becoming a first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2018 and an All-Pro safety with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Justice arrives in Athens with high expectations. His development under Smart's tutelage will be particularly noteworthy, given that Smart coached his older brother Minkah at Alabama, forging a relationship that undoubtedly influenced Justice's decision. Advertisement With Malaki Starks and Dan Jackson now in the NFL, and Daylen Everette and Joenel Aguero likely to follow behind them next year, Fitzpatrick could prove to be a foundational piece of Georgia's heralded defense for years to come. Related: Deion Sanders Makes His Feelings Clear About Shedeur Sanders' $4.6M Browns Contract Related: 'Duck Dynasty' Star & Former College Football QB Passes Away on Sunday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
