Latest news with #OffensiveMVP
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Late Pick Labeled Draft Steal
Jacory Croskey-Merritt was one of the more underrated players coming out of the 2025 Draft. He played in just one game last season but has the intangibles to be an immediate impact help on the Washington Commanders. As a seventh-round pick, the odds of Croskey-Merritt providing an impact are low at this point. Advertisement But not impossible. and deputy editor, written content, Gennaro Filice, believes the Arizona running back could be in line for a huge career with the Commanders, and it all may start in his rookie year. "Croskey-Merritt's one of the biggest wild cards in this draft class, as NCAA eligibility issues limited him to one game last season for Arizona (13 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against New Mexico)," Filice wrote. "He popped back up in the East-West Shrine Bowl, earning Offensive MVP honors after rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. JCM's a deep sleeper as the 245th overall pick, but he's an interesting prospect to follow, nonetheless." In a locker room with Ekeler and Robinson already established, playing time will be sparse for Croskey-Merritt to begin his career. Advertisement Both are on expiring deals, though. If Croskey-Merritt can prove he can be competent going into the 2025 season, despite his lack of touches in college, the Commanders may have found a diamond in the rough that they can trust moving ahead. And it would fundamentally change the team's draft going forward. Related: Commanders Trade for WR Projected To Produce Fantasy Stats Related: Jayden's Commanders Predicted To Surprise With 2 Rookie Starters
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alabama Football Reacts to Major Announcement on Saturday
On Saturday, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame will formally induct eight new members, headlined by former Crimson Tide running back and 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II. The event, part of the 57th annual induction ceremony at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel, cements Ingram's legacy as Alabama's first Heisman winner and a trailblazer in the Saban era. Advertisement By the end of his three‑year Alabama career, he had amassed 3,261 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns, ranking seventh on the school's all‑time rushing list. Celebrating the historic achievement, Alabama Football took to X to reveal the news and give Ingram his flowers. The 35‑year‑old Ingram, born December 21, 1989, in Hackensack, NJ, burst onto the Tuscaloosa scene in 2008. As a freshman, he earned All‑SEC Freshman Team honors after rushing for 728 yards and 12 touchdowns in limited starts. His sophomore campaign remains one of the most decorated seasons in school history. He led the SEC with 1,658 rushing yards (6.1 avg.), secured unanimous All‑American distinction, and became the first Alabama player to win college football's most prestigious individual award, the Heisman Trophy. Advertisement Ingram's contributions peaked in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game against Texas, where his 116 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries earned him Offensive MVP honors in a 37–21 victory. Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Drafted 28th overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2011, Ingram parlayed his collegiate success into a 12‑year NFL career. He totaled 8,111 rushing yards, 2,125 receiving yards, and 75 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl selections in 2014, 2017, and 2019. After stints with the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, he returned to New Orleans to finish his playing days and retired as one of the franchise's all‑time leading rushers. Advertisement Related: Steelers Make Official WR Move Amid George Pickens Rumors Related: George Kittle Reacts to 49ers Reunion With Former Backup Tight End
Fox News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Ohio State's Will Howard seemingly wills Steelers into drafting him
Will Howard fell a bit further than some might have expected in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the former Ohio State quarterback might have manifested his landing spot before the Pittsburgh Steelers took him in the sixth round. In a clip shared by the NFL previewing the next episode of "Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL," Howard pleaded for the Steelers to select him as he watched the final rounds of the draft with family and friends. "Please pick me, please," Howard said in the clip. "Please pick me, Pittsburgh." The next shot of the edited clip shows Howard getting a phone call from the Steelers, informing him that Pittsburgh is drafting him with the 185th overall pick. "Are you ready to be a Steeler?" an unidentified member of the Steelers' organization asked Howard. "F-----g right, man," Howard said with a grin as he slapped the tabletop next to him in excitement. "Let's go!" Steelers coach Mike Tomlin eventually took the phone to chat with Howard. "I'm doing great, coach," Howard replied when Tomlin asked how he was doing. "How are you?" "Hey, man. Congratulations, man, to you," Tomlin told Howard. "You deserve it, man. To your family, you guys enjoy it today." Howard, who grew up in the Philadelphia suburb of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, told Tomlin that his family was set to change their NFL allegiance. "All Eagles fans, but now they're gonna be some damn Steelers fans in this world," Howard said with a laugh while his family applauded around him. When the pick was officially announced on the broadcast of the draft, Howard got emotional. He teared up as he hugged his mother, Maureen. A few moments later, he and the rest of his family ran to the backyard and jumped into their pool in excitement. As Howard's football career brings him back to Pennsylvania, he had moved closer to home this past college football season. He transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season, a move that paid major dividends. He led Ohio State to a national championship, standing out in all four of its College Football Playoff wins. He threw for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions in the postseason, finishing the year with 4,010 passing yards, 42 total touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Prior to joining Ohio State, Howard started 27 games at Kansas State. He was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2023 before being named third-team All-Big Ten in 2024 and eventually won Offensive MVP of the national championship game this past season. FOX Sports NFL Draft expert Rob Rang ranked Howard as his No. 101 top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, giving the Steelers a "B" grade for their draft haul as he liked Pittsburgh's selection of the former Ohio State quarterback. Howard figures to be a part of the Steelers' quarterback room this upcoming season as Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson (who Howard backed up at Kansas State) are the only other quarterbacks on Pittsburgh's roster as of Tuesday. The Steelers have still been strongly linked to free agent Aaron Rodgers. Howard will also reunite with former Ohio State Jack Sawyer in Pittsburgh. The Steelers took Sawyer in the fifth round of the draft. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
Fox Sports
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Ohio State's Will Howard seemingly wills Steelers into drafting him
Will Howard fell a bit further than some might have expected in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the former Ohio State quarterback might have manifested his landing spot before the Pittsburgh Steelers took him in the sixth round. In a clip shared by the NFL previewing the next episode of "Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL," Howard pleaded for the Steelers to select him as he watched the final rounds of the draft with family and friends. "Please pick me, please," Howard said in the clip. "Please pick me, Pittsburgh." The next shot of the edited clip shows Howard getting a phone call from the Steelers, informing him that Pittsburgh is drafting him with the 185th overall pick. "Are you ready to be a Steeler?" an unidentified member of the Steelers' organization asked Howard. "F-----g right, man," Howard said with a grin as he slapped the tabletop next to him in excitement. "Let's go!" Steelers coach Mike Tomlin eventually took the phone to chat with Howard. "I'm doing great, coach," Howard replied when Tomlin asked how he was doing. "How are you?" "Hey, man. Congratulations, man, to you," Tomlin told Howard. "You deserve it, man. To your family, you guys enjoy it today." Howard, who grew up in the Philadelphia suburb of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, told Tomlin that his family was set to change their NFL allegiance. "All Eagles fans, but now they're gonna be some damn Steelers fans in this world," Howard said with a laugh while his family applauded around him. When the pick was officially announced on the broadcast of the draft, Howard got emotional. He teared up as he hugged his mother, Maureen. A few moments later, he and the rest of his family ran to the backyard and jumped into their pool in excitement. As Howard's football career brings him back to Pennsylvania, he had moved closer to home this past college football season. He transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season, a move that paid major dividends. He led Ohio State to a national championship, standing out in all four of its College Football Playoff wins. He threw for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions in the postseason, finishing the year with 4,010 passing yards, 42 total touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Prior to joining Ohio State, Howard started 27 games at Kansas State. He was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2023 before being named third-team All-Big Ten in 2024 and eventually won Offensive MVP of the national championship game this past season. FOX Sports NFL Draft expert Rob Rang ranked Howard as his No. 101 top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, giving the Steelers a "B" grade for their draft haul as he liked Pittsburgh's selection of the former Ohio State quarterback. Howard figures to be a part of the Steelers' quarterback room this upcoming season as Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson (who Howard backed up at Kansas State) are the only other quarterbacks on Pittsburgh's roster as of Tuesday. The Steelers have still been strongly linked to free agent Aaron Rodgers. Howard will also reunite with former Ohio State Jack Sawyer in Pittsburgh. The Steelers took Sawyer in the fifth round of the draft. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaguars Add Duke's Eli Pancol as Undrafted Free Agent
Eli Pancol's path to the NFL didn't follow the typical script, but his production and perseverance have earned him a chance at the next level. The former Duke wide receiver has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft, joining a roster that includes quarterback Trevor Lawrence and newly drafted standout Travis Hunter. Pancol, who spent six years at Duke, saw his college career defined by both promise and persistence. After suffering season-ending injuries in 2022 and missing all of 2023, he returned for a standout 2024 campaign that reestablished his value as a playmaker. He caught 60 passes for 798 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking third in the ACC in scoring receptions and finishing top-15 in multiple receiving categories. Measurable Production Across a Long-Term Career Over 57 games with 27 starts, Pancol totaled 130 receptions for 1,710 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 40 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. His consistency earned him a spot in Duke's record books, ranking 12th in touchdown receptions, 15th in career receiving yards, and 17th in total receptions. Advertisement Beyond stats, Pancol's career showed a steady ability to produce when healthy. He recorded at least one catch in 45 games fifth-most in school history and multiple receptions in 35 contests, tying him for eighth in that category. His value as a vertical threat was especially notable, with 10 touchdown catches of 20 yards or more. Senior Season Cemented NFL Attention Pancol's sixth and final season was the turning point. Recognized with the ACC's Brian Piccolo Award for comeback player of the year, he also earned Third Team All-ACC honors and was named Duke's Offensive MVP. His standout performance against Virginia Tech 188 yards and three touchdowns, including plays of 86 and 77 yards highlighted his explosiveness and big-play potential. While not selected in the draft, Pancol's productive senior year helped him emerge as a priority free agent target. His signing marks the second Duke receiver to land an NFL deal post-draft, joining teammate Jordan Moore, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Fit and Future in Jacksonville Pancol steps into a Jaguars offense looking to bolster depth at receiver and add playmaking options around its young core. His size, experience, and proven ability to stretch defenses vertically could earn him a role as a situational deep threat or special teams contributor. Whether Pancol can make the 53-man roster remains to be seen, but his signing represents a continuation of a career shaped by resilience. As the Jaguars assess their offseason additions, Pancol presents a low-risk, high-upside prospect with both the tools and the temperament to compete at the professional level.
