Latest news with #Molden
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
25 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 25
From Fred McAfee to Reggie Bush and Rejzohn Wright Only 25 days separate us from the New Orleans Saints regular season opener at home against the Arizona Cardinals. The No. 25 has been worn by a few standouts in Saints history, including two members of the franchise's Hall of Fame. Defensive back Rejzohn Wright gets his turn in the jersey this preseason. Here's a look at all who wore it before him. Saints' History of No. 25 Jerry Simmons was the first to wear No. 25 for the franchise, but only suited up in two games in the team's inaugural campaign and had 2 receptions. Al Dodd followed in 1969, playing 38 games over three years with New Orleans. Dodd was a fairly productive receiver for the Saints, catching 80 passes for 1,382 yards. Jerry Moore was the first defensive player to wear No. 25 as a Saint, playing two years. However, it took six players over a 15-year stretch before a New Orleans draft choice would wear a No. 25 jersey. Johnnie Poe was a sixth-round choice in an outstanding 1981 draft for New Orleans. Poe had an underrated seven-year career as a Saint through the early and middle portion of the 1980s as the defense formed into the fearsome Dome Patrol unit that dominated the league. Poe's 100 games with the Saints are the most for any player to wear No. 25 for the franchise. Over that span he had 17 interceptions, returning 2 for touchdowns. His 7 picks and 146 return yards in 1983 were second in the NFL. Poe also had 6 fumble recoveries and a sack in his New Orleans career. Brad Muster was a disappointment as a 1988 first round choice with the Chicago Bears. In 1993, the Bears swapped Muster with Craig Heyward, the Saints own disappointing first round draft choice in 1988. Muster wore No. 22 in 1993 with New Orleans before switching to No. 25 the next year. He rushed the ball only once that season before retiring at year's end. Of the 17 players that wore No. 25 for New Orleans, Muster is one of 12 that did it for two years or less. Alex Molden is one of two Round 1 draft picks made by the Saints to wear No. 25. The 11th overall choice in the 1996 NFL draft from the Oregon Ducks, Molden was the first cornerback selected that year. The Saints also selected him before such future stars like Eddie George, John Mobley, Marvin Harrison, Jeff Hartings, Eric Moulds, and Ray Lewis. That fact angers New Orleans fans to this day and has Molden, perhaps unfairly, labeled as a draft bust. Molden had a solid career with the Saints, even if it didn't live up to his draft expectations. He played five seasons with the team, with his 74 games the third most of any Saints player to wear No. 25. With New Orleans, Molden had 8 interceptions with 15 passes broken up and forced 5 fumbles along with recording 6 sacks. Fred McAfee had two separate stints with the Saints that would culminate with a place in the franchise's Hall of Fame. A Round 6 choice in the 1991 draft, McAfee was originally with New Orleans from 1991 to 1993. After stops with the Cardinals, Steelers, and Buccaneers, McAfee was back with the Saints in 2000. He wore three different numbers during his New Orleans tenure but is best-known in a No. 25 jersey. McAfee only had 924 yards from scrimmage and 5 touchdowns in 10 total seasons with the Saints. Where he forged his career was on special teams, where he was elite. It was those contributions that caused his 2022 induction into the Saints Hall of Fame. New Orleans has drafted first or second overall three times in their 59-year history. George Rogers was the first overall choice in the 1981 NFL draft. Archie Manning was the second overall pick in 1971. Manning shares that distinction with Reggie Bush, the Heisman Trophy winning running back with the USC Trojans, who was taken second overall by the Saints in the 2006 NFL draft. He would be with the Saints for five seasons and 60 games, the second-most behind Fred McAfee for any New Orleans offensive player to wear No. 25. Bush was never a featured back for the Saints, but he still made some colossal plays during his time with the franchise. In those five seasons, he rushed for 2,090 yards while catching 294 passes for 2,142 yards and scored 29 offensive touchdowns while adding 4 more scores on punt returns. Bush was also explosive in the postseason, accounting for 5 touchdowns and 639 total yards in six playoff appearances. He left as the franchise's all-time leader in punt return touchdowns and third in receptions by a running back. In 2019, Bush was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. One year after moving on from Bush in free agency, the Saints put another Bush in the No. 25 jersey. Safety Rafael Bush was a free-agent pickup in 2012 and would play 54 games for the team over five seasons. Rafael wouldn't have nearly the same impact as Reggie, but was solid as a backup defensive back and special teams contributor. Six different players have worn the No. 25 since Rafael Bush over the last nine years. Four of them, P.J. Williams, Ken Crawley, and Kendre Miller, ended up switching to different numbers. Miller now wears No. 5 after two injury-plagued years in No. 25. Eli Apple was the last significant contributor to wear the number. Apple actually had a very good year after the Saints acquired him in early 2018, recording 2 interceptions and 9 pass breakups while surrendering just 44% completion percentage in man coverage. That was an aberration, as by 2019 Apple slipped back into, well, what Eli Apple has always been throughout most of his career.
Miami Herald
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Ohio State, USC, Oregon Battling For Commitment From Top Recruit In Oregon
When the USC Trojans and Oregon Ducks get into a recruiting battle for an elite West Coast recruit, chances are the player hails from California. That is not the case for one of the best players in the state of Oregon in the 2027 recruiting cycle, four-star cornerback Josiah Molden, who is an Oregon native. Molden is getting pursued by nearly every top program on the West Coast, including USC and Oregon. Molden spoke with Rivals about his recruitment and how the USC coach Lincoln Riley and the Trojans stack up against the field. Ohio State, Oregon, and Washington are all pushing hard for Molden's commitment in addition to USC. The four-star recruit said that USC cornerbacks coach Trovon Reed has been recruiting hard for the Trojans. "They're also doing a great job," Molden said. "They're texting me and calling me a lot. I really love their DB coach. I feel like he meets all my standards and their defensive coordinator and how they play ball is amazing," Molden said. The No. 16 cornerback and No, 142 player in the country according to 247Sports Composite rankings, Molden is the top prospect hailing from the state of Oregon. USC hasn't recruited a ton of prospects from the Beaver State. The last time they signed an Oregon native was in the 2024 recruiting cycle when four-star tight end Joey Olsen signed with the Trojans. Although there's two college football seasons between now and when Molden will land on campus, On3's Recruiting Prediction Machine favors the Ducks to land the in-state prospect, giving Oregon a 29.7 percent chance of landing Molden. USC will have to keep their foot on the pedal if they want to go into the Pacific Northwest and land one of the top targets in the region. USC will have a chance to make a big impression on Molden as the two sides are attempting to hammer out a visit during the season according to Rivals. Molden has yet to make the trip out to Los Angeles. MORE: Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams Addresses Criticism, Accuracy At NFL Training Camp MORE: USC Trojans Receive Shocking Preseason Poll Ranking MORE: Big Ten Media Days' Biggest Winners, Losers: Lincoln Riley, Curt Cignetti, Matt Rhule MORE: USC Trojans Receiver Makai Lemon Teases More 'Explosive' Offense With Jayden Maiava USC has yet to add a commitment to their 2027 recruiting class, but are heavily in the mix for a handful of their top targets in the cycle. Similarly to their 2026 recruiting class, the Trojans have been aggressively recruiting the defensive backs in the 2027 recruiting cycle. In addition to Molden, USC has been going after a pair of four-star cornerbacks in Jailen Hill and Aaryn Washington, two California natives. Hill is the No. the No. 17 cornerback and No. 173 player in the country according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He currently attends from St. John Bosco, the same school USC 2026 commit Joshua Holland attends. Washington is the No. 4 cornerback and No. 19 player in the country. He is one of the Trojans' top targets in the 2027 recruiting cycle, regardless of position. This article was originally published on as Ohio State, USC, Oregon Battling For Commitment From Top Recruit In Oregon. Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
NBC Sports
21-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Elijah Molden, Jaylen Johnson passed physicals with Chargers
The Chargers have gotten two of their players back on the practice field. Via the NFL's daily transaction wire, defensive back Elijah Molden and receiver Jaylen Johnson have each passed a physical. Both players started training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Molden ended the 2024 season with a broken fibula. Johnson's injury was undisclosed. Molden appeared in 15 games with 12 starts for the Chargers last year, recording three interceptions with seven passes defensed. He also had a pair of fumble recoveries. Johnson appeared in one game for Los Angeles last year. The Chargers will take on the Lions in the Hall of Fame game next Thursday night.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
4 Chargers players who should build off breakout season
4 Chargers players who should build off breakout season The Chargers had a handful of players who stood out last season, with a few on both sides of the ball who enjoyed breakout campaigns. Heading into the 2025 season, there are reasons to believe that they will build off it and continue to make an impact. Here are four players who fall under that category. LB Daiyan Henley Henley hurt his hamstring during his rookie season, and he was primarily a special teams player. One year later, he thrived in his role as a starter. His presence in the middle of the defense was crucial to the Chargers' success. Henley had 147 tackles, the eighth most in the NFL. Despite finishing strong in the coverage department, Henley only recorded a single interception, which came in the final regular-season game against the Raiders. However, the former wide receiver and safety did finish with eight passes defended. Henley should only continue to establish himself as one of the league's top linebackers. S Elijah Molden After joining the Chargers via trade, Molden quickly became an integral part of Jesse Minter's defense. Molden's presence in the deep parts of the field allowed Derwin James to play closer to the line of scrimmage, where he's proven to be at his best. Molden set career highs in tackles (75), passes defended (7), and interceptions (3). As a result, he was rewarded with a three-year contract extension. With Molden back in the mix, he should continue to be an essential piece of the secondary. DL Teair Tart Tart was another addition before the 2024 regular season who made the most of his opportunities. Appearing in all 17 games, Tart was a key cog up front as an interior pass rusher and against the run. He notched 29 tackles, a sack, five tackles for loss, an interception, and a forced fumble. He set career highs in Pro Football Focus overall (76.9) and run defense (70.9) grades. The Chargers lost Poona Ford, who signed with the Rams. They added veterans Da'Shawn Hand and Naquan Jones, as well as rookie Jamaree Caldwell. In a defensive tackle room that's not particularly that strong, Tart's contributions will be crucial. OL Mekhi Becton Becton had been given the "first-round bust" label for the first few years of his career during his time with the Jets. That was before he joined the Eagles ahead of the 2024 season, where he re-established himself after making the switch from tackle to guard. Becton posted a PFF grade of 75.2 in the regular season, which was 16th among guards with at least 500 snaps. For a Chargers interior offensive line that struggled in 2024, Becton will provide a boost in both pass protection and in the run-blocking department.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is the Chargers' most underappreciated player ahead of the 2025 season?
Who is the Chargers' most underappreciated player ahead of the 2025 season? NFL Media's Tom Blair identified the most underappreciated players for each of the 32 teams in the NFL. For the Chargers, Blair spotlighted safety Elijah Molden. Here is what he had to say: After a fitfully productive, injury-marred start to his career in Tennessee, Molden was traded to the Chargers last year and flourished under coordinator Jesse Minter, starting 12 games and logging three picks, seven passes defensed and 75 tackles, all personal highs, before landing on injured reserve with a broken fibula. The former cornerback's switch to safety paid off: He ranked sixth in the NFL at the position in EPA when targeted (-12.3), per NGS, and fit in well with Derwin James and Alohi Gilman. There is something satisfying when a change of scenery really clicks for a player, with a new coaching approach or better surrounding circumstances unlocking an underlying talent or ability to contribute, and that certainly seems to be what happened with Molden, who signed a new three-year pact with the Bolts this offseason. After being traded by the Titans, Molden enjoyed a resurgence season, as he was one of the better defenders during the 2024 season. As a result, the former Washington product was rewarded with a three-year contract extension worth $18.75 million. Molden served as the third safety alongside Derwin James and Alohi Gilman, allowing James to primarily serve as a slot defender, where he's at his best. Before sustaining a broken leg in Week 17, Molden had career-highs in tackles (75), interceptions (3), and passes defended (7). His 75.6 PFF overall grade ranked 12th among qualified safeties, and his 75.4 PFF coverage grade was 11th. With Molden staying in Los Angeles, his presence will once again be imperative in Jesse Minter's defense, which finished top 10 in multiple categories this past season.
