Latest news with #NFL-ready
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Does the Big Ten CONTROL the Future of the CFP?
Big Ten Media Days are underway in Las Vegas, and Tony Petitti took the stage front and center on day one. With many interesting comments regarding the number of conference games, playoff format, and the future of the league, Andy & Ari break it all down here in today's show. 0:00 Intro: Back in Vegas 1:01 What did we learn from Tony Petitti 7:50 Heather Dinich from ESPN joins 18:20 Heather's Ideal CFP 21:49 Petitti and the future of the CFP 32:00 ACC Media Days 37:06 CSC's new rules on NIL, Collectives 39:23 Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith joins 45:14 More on Jeremiah Smith 48:28 Is Jeremiah Smith a true NFL-ready WR? 51:34 Nebraska, Dylan Raiola's jump? 1:01:06 Conclusion Heather Dinich from ESPN joins the show and she gives her thoughts and perspective on the state of college football and where things stand right now. Later, Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith joins the show and he shares his experience after his first year of college football. Is this rising star destined for greatness?
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucs' WR Emeka Egbuka is making plays early and often at training camp
It hasn't taken long for rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka to make an impression. Just days into Buccaneers training camp, the first-round pick is already looking the part of a polished, NFL-ready contributor. Lining up with the first-team offense, Egbuka has shown off the crisp route running, strong hands, and explosive burst that made him one of the most complete receivers in the 2025 draft class. Whether working from the slot or outside, he's looked comfortable and confident against NFL defenders. Egbuka's transition has been smooth since rookie minicamp, where teammates and coaches were impressed by his football IQ and natural feel for the game. His ability to quickly absorb the playbook has only boosted his reps in camp, especially with Chris Godwin Jr. ramping up slowly from his dislocated ankle that required surgery and a second "procedure" a few weeks ago. At Ohio State, Egbuka posted over 200 career receptions, routinely producing in big moments. That poise and consistency are translating early in Tampa. During team drills, he's already made several standout catches and earned praise from quarterback Baker Mayfield for his timing and reliability. With Mike Evans and Godwin Jr. cemented atop the depth chart, Egbuka is in a strong position to claim the WR3 role, especially given his versatility. He's currently battling with Jalen McMillan, Sterling Shepard, and Tez Johnson, but his polish and playmaking have stood out. The Bucs drafted Egbuka to contribute early, and so far, that vision is coming to life. If he continues this pace, Emeka Egbuka won't just earn snaps; he could be one of the most impactful rookie receivers in the NFL this season.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
LaNorris Sellers: Preseason scouting report on the electric South Carolina QB
The athleticism and natural tools jump off the screen with Sellers, but he's far from polished as a passer. Listed at 6'3', 240 pounds, Sellers is a brickhouse that's tough to bring down in the pocket. He has twitchy feet, excellent balance to bounce off contact, and borderline excellent strength to shrug off defenders. However, his pocket awareness and ball security need improvement. He'll also need to be better at staying calm when the pocket squeezes around him. Sellers is below average as a passer. He consistently favored shorter throws on film and was hesitant to let it rip downfield or over the middle. There were fewer play actions or longer-developing route concepts in South Carolina's repertoire last year, but he wasn't quick to pull the trigger when those plays came up. Check out my full LaNorris Sellers preseason report and grade on my Substack. That said, there were excellent flashes when he stood tall in the pocket and delivered throws from a solid base. His arm strength is just average, but the bigger concern is his accuracy. Sellers was inconsistent at all levels, and his sloppy mechanics hurt his ball placement. He's frustrating to watch because he struggles to throw into tighter windows, and typically bails before routes naturally come open. Sellers was very much a 'see it, throw it' guy last year, reading half the field before taking off. His limited play time showed most in this area. Luckily, his legs are a legitimate NFL-ready weapon. He's an exceptional athlete with toughness to break through contact and good hip wiggle to make defenders miss in space. Sellers has homerun speed and is borderline unstoppable once he gets rolling (Hello Clemson). Sellers is a young, exciting QB with a ton of upside given his size, toughness, and running ability. However, he needs a lot of development as a passer.
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Carson Beck: Preseason scouting report for the new Miami QB
Beck has good size and a strong arm, but his inconsistency and failure to protect the ball in 2024 were frustrating at this stage of his college career. At 6'4', 220 pounds, Beck has good size and a solid frame to stand tall in the pocket. He has good awareness in traffic and smooth enough feet to find open space. However, his average athleticism and speed get him in trouble, and his ball security in the pocket was an issue. Beck is solidly average as a passer and is the quintessential 'high variance' quarterback. He's frustrating to watch because his flashes are so good, but his consistency isn't there. Check out my full Carson Beck preseason report and grade on my Substack. His arm strength is above average, as Beck can confidently rip it from a solid base. He knows how to put good touch on layered throws, but his accuracy, anticipation, and decision-making limit him. Beck's processing is NFL-ready, but he's a beat late to get the ball out. Often, his throws end up in contested situations because he hesitates. This can be improved, but his anticipation is average right now. In rhythm, Beck is reasonably accurate at all levels. However, his accuracy drops when he's off-platform or on the move. He's at his best in the short and intermediate areas, but he'll get loose with his ball placement when he doesn't have a solid base. He's dangerous with the ball outside the pocket, recklessly throwing into tight windows. Beck's decision-making is the most disappointing aspect of his game. He threw 12 interceptions in 13 games last season, which could have easily been more. There are too many poor decisions to put faith in this guy. He's a smart but adequate ball carrier who will take what the defense gives him, then go down to avoid a hit. Beck is not a running threat. Beck has the arm strength and experience to play in the NFL, but his inconsistent accuracy, anticipation, and decision-making will limit him at the next level. How much better can he get after five years and two seasons starting at a high-level program?
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kadyn Proctor: dark horse to become #1 overall draft pick
Left Tackles, like edge rushers, are the premium position (outside of quaterbacks), come draft night, every year. And Alabama's Kadyn Proctor is the top prospect of them all. On the Crimson Tide's official roster, Alabama LT Kadyn Proctor is listed at 369 pounds, while numerous media outlets list him as 360. Meanwhile other outlets list him at at various weights all across the spectrum from 360 to 370. No matter what his actual weight, he's larger than life, and seems destined to be the first offensive lineman off the board come April. He said at SEC Media Days this past week that he's "comfortable" playing at his current weight, but that he would like to drop "10-15 pounds" before the season begins. While his massive size is not something that most of us can relate to, his desire to drop 10-15 pounds certainly is! It is very likely that a quarterback will go first overall in the next NFL Draft, as that's exactly how it has gone in seven of the past eight years and 10 of the last 12. But if it's not a QB, then it could be a defensive end or offensive tackle. And as both the book and the movie "The Blind Side" told us, the NFL pays big money to offensive tackles, specifically left tackles. Thus LTs, like edge rushers, are a premium position, come draft night, every year. And Proctor is the top prospect of them all. "I haven't really looked into it too much," Proctor said, when asked about NFL mock draft projections at SEC Media Days. "Because I feel like I haven't proven myself to be in at that level yet. Like I still have another season. You never know what's going to happen. So I'm doing everything in my best ability, and if that happens at the end of the day, then I'm going to be blessed. But I'm not focused on that at all." It's the perfect answer to the perfect type of question that should be asked at these types of events. Proctor, who graduate early from the University of Alabama by earning his degree this fall, is entering the NFL Draft process with the same kind of astronomical hype with which he entered college. Proctor was ranked #1 offensive lineman (and 7th overall regardless of position) recruit coming out of high school. He was also rated the #1 recruit from the state of Iowa. This upcoming season, it's not just Proctor, but also his whole position group that have major hoopla surrounding him. When asked about the Bama OL being considered by many, if not most pundits the best unit in the nation, Proctor responded with humility. "We have not proven anything yet, offensive line-wise, to be ranked No. 1 throughout the season," Proctor responded to the SEC Network host who asked the question. "When the Joe Moore [Award] comes around, then we'll know. Right now, we're just focused on lifting and running and going into fall camp and just having the best time of our lives." When it comes to fielding media questions, Proctor is certainly NFL-ready, right now. If a team that doesn't need a QB or DE, but badly needs a OT ends up with the first overall pick, then we could see the Des Moines, IA native become the first overall choice.
