Latest news with #SEC-best
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SEC softball power rankings: Does Oklahoma remain No. 1 after series loss at Florida?
After falling 6-5 to top-ranked Oklahoma in Thursday's series opener at home, Florida had dropped consecutive games and saw its chances of earning a double bye in the SEC Tournament go up in smoke. But the Gators turned things around to build some momentum going into the tournament, which begins Tuesday in Athens, Georgia. Advertisement Florida beat the Sooners in back-to-back games by a combined 15-8 to earn the No. 6 seed in the tournament. The Gators open the tournament Wednesday against either Missouri or Ole Miss. Florida was one of the risers in the final SEC softball power rankings, joining Texas A&M, South Carolina and Mississippi State as team making jumps based on the final series of the regular season. Here's a look at the complete power rankings: REQUIRED READING: USA TODAY Sports Network 2025 All-SEC softball awards, coach and player of the year OU's Ella Parker rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Texas at Love's Field in Norman on April 26. 1. Oklahoma Record: 42-7, 17-7 SEC Last week: 1 The Sooners dropped two of three at Florida, but Ella Parker remains red hot. During her current six-game hitting streak, Parker is 13 of 23 (.565) with seven RBIs, six runs and four home runs. 2. Texas A&M Record: 43-9, 16-7 SEC Advertisement Last week: 3 Mya Perez was 6 for 9 with four RBIs and a run scored in the Aggies' series victory over Tennessee. During her six-game hitting streak, Perez is hitting .588 (10 of 17). 3. Tennessee Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens, left, celebrates after an NCAA softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, March 28, 2025. Record: 40-13, 15-9 SEC Last week: 2 Though the Vols dropped two of three to Texas A&M, pitcher Karlyn Pickens was fantastic, allowing one run in nine innings of work, with 11 strikeouts and three walks. But Pickens got the loss in Thursday's series opener as Tennessee was shut out in a 1-0 defeat. 4. Texas Record: 45-9, 16-8 SEC Last week: 4 The Longhorns bounced back from being swept by Oklahoma and swept Kentucky, outscoring the Wildcats 28-10 in three games. Kayden Henry was 5 for 11 with five runs and an RBI in the series. 5. Arkansas Record: 38-11, 14-10 SEC Advertisement Last week: 5 Arkansas slugger Bri Ellis hit her 25th home run of the season in Thursday's win over LSU, but had just three at-bats in the three-game series as she drew 10 walks. CARLSON: Why OU softball ace Sam Landry could've ended up pitching at Texas Tech — and why she didn't 6. Florida Record: 43-13, 14-10 SEC Last week: 7 In Florida's three-game series against Oklahoma, Reagan Walsh was 7 for 10 with a home run and five RBIs. The Gators have scored an SEC-best 500 runs and are tied for the conference lead with 95 home runs. 7. South Carolina Record: 39-14, 13-11 SEC Last week: 9 The Gamecocks swept Alabama in an unusual doubleheader Saturday, first finishing off a 3-1 win after Friday's game was suspended due to inclement weather after two innings, then winning the second game 7-2 in five innings when the game was called early due to more inclement weather. Lexi Winters was 4 for 7 with four RBIs and two runs in the series. 8. Mississippi State Record: 37-16, 13-11 SEC Advertisement Last week: 10 While Sierra Sacco has been the Bulldogs' offensive star this season, Jessie Blaine took center stage in the series vs. Ole Miss. Blaine was 4 for 8 with four RBIs and two runs scored in Mississippi State's series victory vs. the Rebels. 9. LSU Record: 40-13, 12-12 Last week: 6 The Tigers won the middle game of their series at Arkansas 13-2, but were outscored 18-9 in the other two games as the Razorbacks' took the series. After registering 24 hits combined in the first two games, LSU managed just four in Saturday's 6-0 loss. 10. Alabama Record: 36-20, 12-12 SEC Last week: 8 Second baseman Kali Heivilin was 4 for 8 with three runs and an RBI in the series against South Carolina. After recording 12 hits in the opener, the Crimson Tide managed just 10 hits in the rest of the series. Advertisement More: OU softball is SEC Tournament No. 1 seed, but Sooners' loss vs Florida brings up concerns 11. Ole Miss Record: 35-16, 11-13 SEC Last week: 11 After allowing three runs in five innings, picking up the loss in Friday's 3-0 defeat by Mississippi State, Miali Guachino bounced back to throw four scoreless 12. Auburn Record: 32-21, 6-18 SEC Last week: 12 The Tigers wrapped up their conference schedule a week earlier, and played just twice — beating North Carolina State in a pair of 8-0 victories. SJ Geurin and Haley Rainey threw a pair of complete-game shutouts. Nelia Peralta was a combined 5 for 7 in the victories. 13. Kentucky Record: 29-25, 7-17 SEC Advertisement Last week: 13 The Wildcats pushed Texas in Friday's second game of a three-game set, leading 4-0 and 5-4 before ultimately falling 7-6. But in the other two games of the series, the Longhorns outscored Kentucky 21-4 in a pair of run-rule decisions. 14. Missouri Record: 25-30, 6-18 SEC Last week: 14 The Tigers managed just seven runs in a three-game series against Georgia, but still won two of three. Cierra Harrison, Taylor Pannell, Jayci Kruse and Marissa McCann held the Bulldogs to just 17 combined hits. 15. Georgia Record: 30-19, 7-16 SEC Last week: 15 Dallis Goodnight and Tyler Ellison combined for seven hits against Missouri, but the rest of the Bulldogs' lineup combined for just 10 more hits. Advertisement More: How former OU softball star Tiare Jennings has passed knowledge as Sooners' student coach Ryan Aber covers OU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ryan? He can be reached at raber@ or on Twitter at @RyAber . Sign up for the OU Sooners newsletter to access more OU coverage. Support Ryan's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at . 2025 SEC softball tournament schedule At Jack Turner Softball Stadium in Athens, Georgia. All times Central. Tuesday's games Game 1: No. 12 Georgia vs. No. 13 Kentucky | Noon | SEC Network Game 2: No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 14 Missouri | 3 p.m. | SEC Network Game 3: No. 10 Alabama vs. No. 15 Auburn | 6 p.m. | SEC Network Advertisement Wednesday's games Game 4: No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 LSU | 10 a.m. | SEC Network Game 5: No. 5 Arkansas vs. Game 1 winner | 1 p.m. | SEC Network Game 6: No. 6 Florida vs. Game 2 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network Game 7: No. 7 South Carolina vs. Game 3 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network Thursday's games Game 8: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Game 4 winner | 10 a.m. | SEC Network Game 9: No. 4 Tennessee vs. Game 5 winner | 1 p.m. | SEC Network Game 10: No. 3 Texas vs. Game 6 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network Game 11: No. 2 Texas A&M vs. Game 7 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network Friday's games Game 12: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner | 3 p.m. | ESPN2 Game 13: Game 10 winner vs. Game 11 winner | 5:40 p.m. | ESPN2 Saturday's game Championship Game: Game 12 winner vs. Game 13 winner | 4 p.m. | ESPN This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: SEC softball power rankings: Does OU finish regular season at top?
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What draft experts said about new Commanders cornerback Trey Amos
What draft experts said about new Commanders cornerback Trey Amos The Washington Commanders entered the 2025 NFL draft with only five selections. They had opportunities to trade back and add more. Still, Washington really liked who was on the board at No. 29 and No. 61. At No. 29 overall, the Commanders selected offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. With the 61st overall pick, Washington selected Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos. General manager Adam Peters said they loved Amos so much that they considered selecting him in the first round. Fortunately for the Commanders, Amos was still on the board, and Washington landed a long, athletic cornerback who can press. If Marshon Lattimore is healthy next season, the Commanders suddenly have a much deeper cornerback room. Like Conerly, Amos will likely start immediately. Here's what some expert draft analysts had to say about Amos during the pre-draft process and what Commanders fans can expect to see: "A one-year starter at Ole Miss, Amos was an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Pete Golding's diverse coverage scheme (press man, off man, zone, etc.). After three years at Louisiana, he transferred to Alabama and played behind Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. After Nick Saban retired, Amos made the move to Ole Miss, where he had his breakout season with an SEC-best 16 passes defended. A good-looking athlete, Amos is a professional pesterer with the way he reads receivers, crowds break points/catch points and never stops ball searching with his length. Whether in man or zone, he has a feel for phasing up receivers from different alignments. His timed speed is better than his play speed, however, and there is some stiffness in his change of direction. Overall, Amos has an appetite for press, but I liked him best in zone (Cover 2, Cover 3, quarters), where he can trust his athletic instincts from depth to read and rally. His super-senior season convinced evaluators that he is a pro starter, similar in ways to Paulson Adebo." "Long press cornerback who proved he could make the jump from the Sun Belt to the SEC without a hitch. Amos can disrupt the release and plays with good short-area movement in man coverage. He can get a little lost at the top of the route and needs occasional safety nets over the top. He has twitchy feet to close and sees the action clearly from zone but can be hampered by indecisiveness, despite favorable instincts. Amos uses physicality and length to shrink the 50/50 odds in his favor. He can play in multiple coverage but is most consistent in zone. Amos needs to ramp up his run support and trust his eyes in space, but he has the goods to become a solid starting outside corner." "Trey Amos enters the NFL draft after beginning his collegiate career at ULL, transferring to Alabama, and finishing his career at Ole Miss. Amos is a highly experienced defensive back who plays with a scrappy temperament, excelling both in stepping up in the run game and making plays in coverage. In coverage, Amos has aligned in various roles, including press-man, press-bail technique, and off-coverage. However, he thrives in press-man situations, where he can position himself close to the line of scrimmage and leverage his length and physicality to dictate the rep from the outset. In press-man coverage, Amos' length is his greatest asset. He effectively uses strong punches at the snap to disrupt receivers' releases and the timing of their routes. A big-bodied cornerback, Amos forces receivers to work around him before shadowing them in a trail technique, where he can eliminate underneath routes. His physicality is evident, as he frequently uses subtle contact to disrupt receivers' progress and create distractions. Amos does an above-average job staying in phase with receivers on short to intermediate routes. On vertical routes, his length allows him to compensate for separation, enabling him to contest passes by disrupting the receiver's catch point, fitting his hands through theirs, and knocking the ball loose. Although Amos plays a considerable amount of man coverage, his skill set suggests he is best suited for a zone-heavy scheme, such as Cover 2 or Cover 3, in the NFL. In zone coverage, Amos could take advantage of his physicality in press knowing he has help on the back end. He can also be more aggressive in jumping routes and taking angles to make plays on the ball, without worrying about being left without safety support. His football IQ and understanding of route combinations put him in excellent positions to anticipate plays and generate turnovers. As a run defender, Amos is an effective boundary player who has consistently shown a willingness to step up and make tackles. He works hard to shed perimeter blocks and engage with ball-carriers, demonstrating his physical nature in this phase of the game. The primary concern with Amos is the potential for penalties stemming from his physicality in coverage. While his disruptive playstyle can be effective, excessive grabbing or holding during routes may draw penalties for holding, pass interference, or illegal contact at the NFL level. Refining his hand placement and timing will be critical for his transition to professional play. Amos possesses the ideal length, physicality, and mental temperament to be a productive cornerback in the NFL. While there are details in his coverage technique that require refinement, he appears best suited for a zone-heavy defensive scheme. With his combination of size and football IQ, Amos has the potential to develop into a reliable NFL cornerback." Trey Amos is a physical and fluid cornerback prospect with the size, strength, and athleticism to compete at the next level. Known for his strong press technique and ability to match up against bigger receivers, Amos has the skill set to develop into a versatile corner capable of playing both man and zone coverage schemes. Amos excels in press coverage, using his quick feet, lateral movement, and strong hand usage to control receivers at the line. His ball skills are notable, allowing him to high-point the ball and play through the catch point. However, his aggressiveness can cause him to struggle with eye discipline, leading to separation or loss of leverage. His transitions, particularly from a backpedal, can be inconsistent, which hampers his ability to recover downfield. Amos is a willing and physical run defender, quick to trigger and take on blockers with his hands. He consistently disengages, using both strength and quickness to attack screens or ball carriers. His tackling is inconsistent, especially against bigger runners. He sometimes reverts to arm tackles, leading to missed opportunities. Trey Amos projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a versatile starter. His combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills makes him an intriguing prospect. However, improving his tackling consistency and refining his technique in deep coverage will be key to his success."
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills First-Round Pick Explains Strange Nickname
Over the last month before the 2025 draft, no rookie prospect was predicted to get taken by the Bills more than cornerback Maxwell Hairston out of Kentucky. Throughout the course of his career with the Wildcats, Hairston was known as one of the fastest corners in the draft, and a perfect fit for the kind of defense that the Bills have become known for. Advertisement "Mad Max" picked off six passes over his run with Kentucky including an SEC-best five last season. But while Hairston prepares for rookie camp, the new corner has given a low-down on how he came to be known as "Mad Max." 'So that actually came about back in Little League. I was a lot smaller growing up, but my coach always said, like, hey, he might be small, but you're not going to run over him. You're not going to bully him. He was like, that's Mad Max right there," said Hairston. "I was like, you know what? I like that. That's going to stick with me. It's fitting because when I get on the field, I really turn into Mad Max.' Hairston joins a defense that added some major additions in both the draft and free agency. He'll be expected to compete with Tre'Davious White for a starting role during camp over the next few months. And if he's anything like the titular character in the blockbuster move, Hairston is going to be the kind of defender that the Bills have been looking for in the AFC. Related: Bills Receive Elite Grade for NFL Draft Picks Related: Bills Defend Defensive Focus in 2025 NFL Draft
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Commanders draft CB Trey Amos: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
The Washington Commanders selected Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos with the No. 61 pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Amos spent his first three seasons at Louisiana before transferring to Alabama in 2023 and finishing his college career at Ole Miss in 2024. In his final campaign last season, he had three interceptions, 13 pass deflections and one forced fumble as he was named a first-team All-SEC performer. Advertisement He joins a Washington cornerback room that includes four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore, second-year corner Mike Sainristil, last year's slot starter Noah Igbinoghene and free-agent signee Jonathan Jones. Amos ranked No. 39 in Dane Brugler's top 300 big board. Here's what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide: 'A one-year starter at Ole Miss, Amos was an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Pete Golding's diverse coverage scheme (press man, off man, zone, etc.). After three years at Louisiana, he transferred to Alabama and played behind Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. After Nick Saban retired, Amos made the move to Ole Miss, where he had his breakout season with an SEC-best 16 passes defended. 'A good-looking athlete, Amos is a professional pesterer with the way he reads receivers, crowds break points/catch points and never stops ball searching with his length. Whether in man or zone, he has a feel for phasing up receivers from different alignments. His timed speed is better than his play speed, however, and there is some stiffness in his change of direction. Overall, Amos has an appetite for press, but I liked him best in zone (Cover 2, Cover 3, quarters), where he can trust his athletic instincts from depth to read and rally. His super-senior season convinced evaluators that he is a pro starter, similar in ways to Paulson Adebo.' Trey with the PICK 😤@TreyAmos21 | #HottyTody — Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 5, 2024 The Commanders had a passable cornerback rotation but needed more depth and size. Last season's trade deadline deal for Lattimore didn't pay off immediately as the four-time Pro Bowler battled lingering hamstring injuries and then struggled in the playoffs. Sainristil, a 2024 second-round pick, shone initially inside and then outside down the stretch. Igbinoghene re-signed, and Jones, the former New England Patriots veteran, joined the roster in free agency. Advertisement Lattimore is locked at one outside corner position. Amos, capable of playing press coverage, could start as a rookie if the staff moves Sainristil back to the slot. If that happens, Igbinoghene would likely move to a reserve role, which could occur if Jones takes on the starting position. In other words, the cornerback rotation will be a fun watch this summer. Washington entered the draft with edge defender arguably its top need, and Arkansas' Landon Jackson would have provided a high-energy presence. The Commanders chose Amos over fellow corners Azareye'h Thomas and Shavon Revel Jr. There's still a need for speed on offense, which receivers Jaylin Noel and Jalen Royals could have addressed. Two picks and two premium positions for the Commanders. The second one surely made defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. happy, especially since general manager Adam Peters said Amos was under consideration for their first-round selection. Amos, at a minimum, provides more depth this season. Long term, he projects as a multi-year starter for a team that faces CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers and A.J. Brown twice a year.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Which prospect is most likely to be selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL Draft?
Which prospect is most likely to be selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL Draft? The Jacksonville Jaguars are slotted fifth in the pecking order in this year's NFL Draft, and it's sort of an awkward spot for them. The two 'blue chip' prospects Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are likely gone, leaving the Jaguars with a Top 5 selection but without a player necessarily deserving of it. Let's take a look at the betting favorites to be selected by the Jaguars via Draft Kings. Top 5 Most Likely to be drafted by the Jaguars 1. Mason Graham DL, Michigan (Odds: -125) Mason Graham has been connected with the Jaguars since the dawn of time, it feels like. As soon as Jacksonville locked in their position with the fifth overall selection, Graham has been their most mocked prospect. Advertisement Graham is as solid a prospect as it gets. He is dominant against the run, especially for a player of his size, and posted the fifth-best 'Pass-Rush Win %' among DTs in the country last season. He isn't the athlete Quinnen Williams, Aaron Donald, or Jalen Carter were, but he is as sure-fire as they come. Read: What could Tetairoa McMillan offer the Jaguars offense? 2. Armand Membou OT, Missouri (Odds: +550) Armand Membou is likely the top tackle available, assuming most teams view Will Campbell as an interior lineman due to his arm length. There hasn't been a lot of noise surrounding the Jaguars and Membou, however, Vegas seems to think it's one of the likeliest connections. Advertisement Membou was dominant at Missouri, posting a 99.0 'Pass-Block Efficiency,' an SEC-best among tackles. In 2024, Membou allowed just eight pressures and zero sacks on 411 pass-block snaps. Oh yeah, he was also the SEC's highest graded tackle in run-blocking too, according to Pro Football Focus. Read: Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence must avoid turnover trouble in 2025 season 3. Jalon Walker LB, Georgia (Odds: +600) Where there is smoke, there is fire, and the Jalon Walker to Jacksonville connection is full steam ahead. More and more mock drafts have come out as of late pairing the Georgia Bulldog linebacker with Jacksonville, and Vegas is in the same boat. Advertisement Walker might not be as well-known by Jags fans as some of the other names on this list, but he is no doubt worthy of discussion. Walker won the Butkus Award, leading all FBS linebackers with 34 pressures in addition to his 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Read: Can Jaguars' HC Liam Coen get Anton Harrison back on track? 4. Ashton Jeanty RB, Boise State (Odds: +600) On the surface, Ashton Jeanty to Jacksonville might not make a lot of sense as the Jaguars have both Travis Etienne and Tank Bisgby on the roster. However, Etienne is entering a contract year and neither offers the Jaguars much on third down. Jeanty could come in and instantly become a three-down weapon much like Brian Thomas Jr. last season. Advertisement A man who needs no introduction, Jeanty put forth one of the greatest running back seasons ever in 2024, rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, not to mention he's also a solid blocker and receiver. Jeanty's 1,970 yards after contact were more than any other running back had as a whole. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 5. Will Campbell OT, LSU (Odds: +1000) Among offensive linemen, the Campbell to Jacksonville connection has been the strongest throughout the offseason. Campbell's football IQ and ability to play any position along the line make him an easy match for a Liam Coen-led offensive attack. Advertisement Campbell's arm length may concern some at offensive tackle, however, he is as pro-ready as it gets. Campbell was named a First-Team All-American and two-time First-Team All-SEC, starting 38 games at left tackle for LSU and allowing just four sacks. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Overview As the 2025 NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away, the picture is starting to become clearer. ESPN Analytics' predictive draft model lists the same five players above as the most likely options for Jacksonville, though the order differs slightly. It's unlikely that Travis Hunter will be available, as he has the ninth-best odds (+2500) to be selected fifth overall as it stands today. Vegas and analytics both agree, the Jaguars' next first-round selection will be one of the five names you see above. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
