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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
CBS Sports ranks Michigan's Bryce Underwood in Big Ten's top QBs before his first game
He hasn't even played a real snap of college football just yet, or even named the starter, but CBS Sports already has Bryce Underwood among the Big Ten's best. Great things are expected for the former five-star and No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class. So much so that Underwood is thought to be a shoo-in for the starting quarterback job, even though head coach Sherrone Moore has said that decision has not yet been made. And even though Underwood could be a shell of his potential, consistent, standard play would help the Wolverines out greatly, considering the quarterback quandary of last year. Still, CBS Sports ranked all 18 Big Ten quarterbacks, and Underwood came in above the middle of the pack, despite having only the spring game and practice as his college experience thus far. 8. Bryce Underwood, Michigan It would be impossible for Michigan's quarterback play to be worse than it was last season. Considering Underwood draws comparisons to Cam Newton and Vince Young, the Wolverines might be right there with Iowa in terms of who in the Big Ten upgraded most at QB. Even the most highly touted true freshman quarterbacks take their lumps, though, and it would be unwise to expect Underwood to be anything close to a finished product out of the gate. If this were an upside ranking, he would be No. 1, but there will be potholes to navigate in 2025. If he does start, as expected, it will be interesting to see just how much Michigan feels comfortable unleashing him. Much of that is on Underwood being a quick study, and while he's gone up against an NFL-style defense coached by Wink Martindale in practice, there are other sharp defensive minds with schemes of their own that will work to confuse and perplex him throughout the year. But it's also not a given that he does struggle, even if that hesitancy has been the working theory. Michigan does face some tough teams, but if the run game is able to bear the load (which would be very Michigan), then Underwood might not be asked to do that much just yet -- which could help mitigate major errors while building consistency. Just ahead of Underwood is another phenom quarterback in last year's wunderkind recruit, Dylan Raiola of Nebraska. What is interesting is that Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (who appeared in four games and had 27 snaps) is ranked No. 2, even though his statline was 4-for-12 for 84 yards and one touchdown -- so his ranking seems, not unlike Underwood, feels like a bit of a projection. Fall camp is set to begin for the Wolverines on Wednesday, while the season opener will take place on August 30.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
British & Irish Lions player ratings: Half-back duo, Keenan and Itoje lead the charge
15 Hugo Keenan Series-winning hero. Quite the accolade and a collective reward for hanging tough, for believing in each other and the cause until Keenan was able to apply the coup de grace in the final minute. Took his opportunity so well even if it was in squeaky-bum time. 8.5 14 Tommy Freeman Had to kick his heels for 10 minutes in the sin-bin after ignoring Andrea Piardi's warnings to be clean in defence. Ill-discipline was to cost the Lions dear as Australia racked up two tries in his absence. Carried strongly though. 6.5 13 Huw Jones Under the spotlight and managed to flicker brightly, scoring a try just before half-time. The beneficiary of Garry Ringrose's concussion call, Jones was worthy enough even if he did spill one flung pass from Finn Russell. Gave way to Owen Farrell. 6.5 12 Bundee Aki Quiet but grew into it wonderfully well, featuring in the build-up to the dramatic last try. Aki was a controversial choice ahead of Tuipulotu but took time to show what he really had to offer, one big upfield bust in the second half creating enough chaos in Aussie ranks from which Tadhg Beirne was eventually to profit. 7 11 James Lowe Under pressure but eventually came good. Lowe is not at the top of his game and was fortunate to make the starting XV. Was busy enough albeit flunked one catch over his shoulder but showed his worth when setting up Beirne's try. 6.5 Lions' Hugo Keenan celebrates winning the match with fans. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho 10 Finn Russell Always on the ball, always on the look-out, always keen and willing. There were one or two minor blots on the copybook but Russell's head never dropped, a leader in a proper sense, never faltering or losing the belief that he could make something happen. A class act. 9 9 Jamison Gibson-Park Kept scheming and working. The scrum-half did not have the run of the park as he had in the first test but that did not stop him from looking for a way to make things happen, with his kicking or with his probing. A proper test of character and he stood tall. 8.5 1 Andrew Porter Contentious starter ahead of Ellis Genge to form the first all-Ireland front-row in Lions history. Scrummed effectively, about the only area of relative success for the Lions as they were set back on their heels in the opening 40 minutes. 6.5 2 Dan Sheehan Defiant and involved. Sheehan was determined not to fold in the face of such an Aussie onslaught and managed to find his way to the try-line with an NFL-style dive over the top, legitimate in the act of scoring a try. Set-piece solid. 7.5 3 Tadhg Furlong Hung in there. Furlong is usually so visible and it was a fair indicator of the Lions' difficulties that he was seen rarely in open play. Failed to connect with Porter on the fringe defence for Jake Gordon's try. 6.5 4 Maro Itoje (capt) Led from the front, setting an example to others when the Lions were really under the pump in the first half. It was a match of such small margins and Itoje made sure that he kept piling forward, scragging and pressurising. 8.5 5 Ollie Chessum Big boots to fill and was a decent fit. Chessum may not have been quite as eye-catching as the injured Joe McCarthy had been but did so much unseen and uncomplaining toil at the coal-face to ensure that the Lions had a solid platform. 7 6 Tadhg Beirne Worked and worked and worked. Another that had to re-locate last week's energy and accuracy, eventually making his mark with some impactful runs and that important second-half try. Kept at it throughout. 7.5 7 Tom Curry Slipped down a little from last week's monumental high, although ended his 55-minute shift with a try-saving claw-back tackle on Wallaby centre, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Set the tone for the Lions' record comeback. 7 8 Jack Conan The Lions were a distant second in the close-quarters power game initially and Conan had to knuckle down to help kick-start something before the cavalry arrived from the bench to figure in that memorable finale. 7 British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell (right) with Jac Morgan. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire. Replacements A game-changing bench and so different from the first test when the Lions faded badly and only just managed to hang on. This time the task was daunting as the Lions had to somehow recover from an early shellacking, trailing by a record 18 points at one point. Ellis Genge, James Ryan and Jac Morgan were the first to appear shortly into the second-half and managed to galvanise those around them. Others followed not long afterwards. The forwards managed to maintain the set-piece ascendancy in the scrummage while Ryan and Morgan injected pace and energy round the field. The relief on Morgan's face when he was deemed not to have been guilty of an illegal clear-out the final play echoed those of thousands and thousands Lions fans in the record crowd. Blair Keenan made inroads out wide. The bench had a job to do and they delivered. 8.5
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Disgusting behavior': Ja'Marr Chase's viral hand placement on his girlfriend has fans spiraling and screaming
Ja'Marr Chase and Deja Nicole (Photo via TikTok) You'd think a mirror selfie wouldn't break the internet in 2025, but when it involves Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase, fans simply can't behave. The Pro Bowl receiver posted a steamy photo with his girlfriend and boom social media exploded. We're talking full chaos: thirst traps, dad jokes, right-wing one-liners, and good ol' NFL-style misogyny. It wasn't just a cute couple moment. It turned into a full-blown timeline war, with fans debating her past, his choices, and what the hand placement really meant. Here's everything going down in the aftermath of the most controversial mirror selfie of the season. Ja'Marr Chase's mirror selfie with girlfriend goes viral and fans immediately lost it The photo, now viral, shows Ja'Marr Chase cozying up with his girlfriend in front of an ornate wooden mirror. She's holding the phone, he's holding her waist (hand notably…low), and the whole vibe screams 'we're good, we look good, life's good.' It was clearly meant to be intimate and casual but NFL Twitter took it personally. Within hours, the post racked up hundreds of thousands of views, TikTok reposts, and a storm of 'what is he doing' replies. The energy? Equal parts 'king behavior' and 'delete this now, Ja'Marr.' The comment section spiraled into chaos: support, slut-shaming, Trump references, and pure delusion As always, the internet overdelivered. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo It's like every corner of Twitter showed up, NFL fans, gossip trolls, incels, and bored uncles. Somehow, one photo became a Rorschach test for everyone's insecurities, politics, and parasocial fantasies. Fans call out 'sinful' hand placement in Ja'Marr Chase's viral couple selfie. This wasn't a scandal. It wasn't even a soft launch. But when NFL stars post their love lives, the internet reacts like it's the Super Bowl. The comments reveal something deeper: how athletes' relationships get projected onto by fans. Some people idolize them, others weirdly gatekeep who they date. And when that person's a confident, attractive woman with a visible past? Prepare for instant misogyny and slut-shaming dressed up as concern. Add a dash of political memes and alpha-male energy, and boom, a casual selfie turns into NFL Twitter's culture war of the day. Ja'Marr Chase is unbothered, his girlfriend is glowing, and together they're living rent-free in thousands of fans' heads. Whether people are simping, judging, or spiraling, one thing's clear: social media still can't handle when a Black athlete posts his girl with confidence. Also read - Joe Burrow's home got robbed and the pawn shop owner just pleaded guilty Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Winners and losers of 2025 NHL draft round 1: Matthew Schaefer's heartwarming no. 1 selection highlights a night of ups and downs
The inaugural round of the 2025 NHL Draft presented an evening of unforgettable drama, surprise picks, and a little bit of growing pains with the league's initial NFL-style decentralized model. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Although the structure of the draft left some fans and insiders pining for the ambience of the classic draft floor, compelling tales like Matthew Schaefer's ensured the focus was still on the players themselves. Here's a complete analysis of Round 1 winners and losers of the 2025 NHL draft. Winners 1. Matthew Schaefer and the New York Islanders The strongest moment of the draft came when the New York Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall. His jersey had a pink Hockey Fights Cancer ribbon and his mother's initials embroidered below the collar—a heartwarming reference to his family's experience. Despite his abbreviated season due to a broken clavicle, Schaefer headed the Central Scouting's list. The Islanders, who also traded defenseman Noah Dobson to Montreal earlier in the day, sent a clear message: Schaefer is the Islanders' future on defense. 2. Boston Bruins and James Hagens Getting center James Hagens at No. 7 might be the draft's biggest steal. A former first-round candidate, Hagens had his value decline after a yo-yo freshman year at Boston College. But desperate for center depth, the Bruins jumped. To cap it all off, Hagens was welcomed to the NHL by Adam Sandler—all in Happy Gilmore form — who announced with a "Congratulations, homie!" EVERY Pick from the 1st Round of the 2025 NHL Draft 3. Utah Mammoth Utah created a big splash with the selection of two-way center Caleb Desnoyers at No. 4, a player some felt might be available as high as second overall. He will pair with Logan Cooley to form a powerful 1-2 punch up the middle. Now with the acquisition of winger J.J. Peterka, Utah's rebuild is getting into high gear. 4. Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers embraced their rugged persona by taking bruising winger Porter Martone and almost 6-foot-5 center Jack Nesbitt. Martone, who captains the Brampton Steelheads, has drawn comparisons to Corey Perry and the Tkachuk brothers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Philadelphia will be a harder out in the future; just wait. 5. The Fans—and a Few Celebrities From Sandler's slapstick humor to the tearful standing ovation for Johnny Gaudreau's widow, Meredith, who made the Blue Jackets' selection, the draft had several moments that extended beyond hockey. Anaheim's selection, Roger McQueen, even received the complete Disney experience, heading to Disneyland after being selected. Losers 1. The Draft format itself The NHL attempted something different in a decentralized draft, but the effect was mediocre at best. With "war rooms" in far-flung locations and prospects putting on erratic connections from afar, the excitement of the old draft floor was noticeably missing. While the format might cut expenses and time, many (and some GMs) are already wishing this was a one-and-done deal. 2. Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus had two first-round picks and trade bait but squandered opportunities. Having drafted defenseman Jackson Smith at No. 14, the Jackets stunned everyone by making Russian goalie Pyotr Andreyanov their 20th pick—a player thought to be a Day-2 guy. It's a high-risk selection in a position where development timelines stretch long and far into the future. 3. Failure in player trades Despite the massive Dobson-for-picks trade, Round 1 had no other player transactions—the second consecutive year in which no NHL players were traded in the first round. Though picks are precious, fans and pundits were expecting some mega-deal shakeups. 4. Ken Holland and Los Angeles Kings' Draft strategy Holding the draft in Los Angeles, new Kings GM Ken Holland decided to trade down from his first-round position, acquiring a late second-rounder in exchange. The decision underwhelmed fans clamoring for a more aggressive charge to enhance a middle-of-the-pack roster. 5. The Jim Nill GM of the Year Win—Again Stars GM Jim Nill won his third consecutive GM of the Year award, but Panthers GM Bill Zito has his critics saying he should have been recognized. Following his signings of Brad Marchand and Seth Jones and his back-to-back Cup wins, Zito's ongoing snub left people scratching their heads. Also read: Though the NHL's decentralized draft dampened some of the normal enthusiasm, Round 1 was no less full of emotion, surprise, and potential.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
West Spotlight: Five committed prospects on flip watch
Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney takes a look at five West commitments that could be at risk to flip their pledges before the end of the year. THIS SERIES: Five committed Southeast prospects on flip watch | Midwest prospects on flip watch | Florida prospects on flip watch MORE GORNEY: QB dominoes | Biggest storylines heading into huge recruiting weekend | Finalists beginning to crystallize for top prospects CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info Texas A&M landed a commitment from Moala in late October and the four-star edge rusher from Lawndale (Calif.) Leuzinger has shown no significant signs he's considering a flip other than taking a bunch of visits to other schools. Advertisement Washington got him on campus recently and Moala loved the NFL-style environment in that program. UCLA, Michigan and Notre Dame are working hard to flip him as well while Texas should get a visit before all is said and done. A good sign for the Aggies, though, is that after all his visits this month, Moala closes things out from June 20-22 in College Station. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS A&M FANS AT Oklahoma landed Odom's commitment in January as the four-star receiver from Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco has a phenomenal relationship with position coach Emmett Jones and others in Norman. He feels very supported there, plus he loves the Sooners' history of throwing a lot to their receivers. Advertisement But Washington is pushing very hard. Florida State, Miami and Texas are all involved. In Seattle, position coach Kevin Cummings is like an 'older brother or an uncle' to Odom and Bosco alum Jaleel Wadood is on staff as well. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has two 6-7 seasons in his first three years. If the Sooners struggle again – or Venables is clearly on the hot seat – that could be a major concern for Odom down the stretch. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OKLAHOMA FANS AT The high four-star slot receiver from Mission Viejo, Calif., has been committed to Georgia since November and he loves the program and its development. However, this weekend's trip back to Athens is crucial in his recruitment. Advertisement Washington loves Spafford and is working to flip him. UCLA is another program involved but that seems like a longer shot. The biggest threat to Georgia is Miami as Spafford loves the offense, the surroundings in South Florida and seems to fit with the culture there. Georgia has some work to do this weekend to keep him in the class and he'd be a perfect slot in that offense, too. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA FANS AT Terry committed to Michigan State super early as the 2027 four-star safety from Tustin, Calif., picked the Spartans on Dec. 1. There have been a lot of changes since then. Close friend and position coach Demetrice Martin departed for UCLA. And Terry has landed nearly every offer in the book. Advertisement It's actually a surprise Terry has stayed committed this long as it's a testament to the job the rest of Michigan State's coaching staff has done. But now with lots of other major Big Ten offers and SEC looks – along with the idea of playing for Martin in Westwood – it would be a major surprise if Terry lasts with the Spartans until signing day for the 2027 class. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN STATE FANS AT Washington and Florida State are the biggest threats to flip Williams, who committed to Texas A&M three days after Christmas and has given no serious signs that he's heavily considering a flip just yet. Advertisement The Seminoles feel like a long shot as USC, UCLA, Colorado and others have poked around. The one to watch here would be the Huskies as they had him on campus recently along with many other top prospects. He'd get to stay closer to home, play in the Big Ten, come back to Southern California and play some games, and he has a great relationship with that staff.
