Latest news with #SECDefensivePlayeroftheYearAward
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans named to 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans named to 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot DeMeco Ryans might never make it to Canton, Ohio, for his efforts as a player with the Houston Texans, but he could represent the University of Alabama in Atlanta, Ga. The former Alabama Crimson Tide star and future 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year was named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted on Dec. 8, 2026. Ryans dominated the college ranks during his time in Tuscaloosa. He was a 2005 unanimous First Team All-American and won the Lott Trophy during his final season. The defender was also an All-SEC first-team honoree, a two-time All-SEC second-team honoree and won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2005. The Texans landed Ryans with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2006 draft and never looked back. He became a captain in 2007 after winning the DPOY, and was considered the leader in the clubhouse until his trade to Philadelphia in 2012. Over his decade-long career in the league, Ryans totaled 970 tackles, 72 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and 13.5 sacks. He was a two-time Pro Bowl representative as well.
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
This South Carolina pass rusher was named the Panthers' best Day 2 fit of 2025 draft . . .
This South Carolina pass rusher was named the Panthers' best Day 2 fit of 2025 draft . . . Do you know exactly what the Carolina Panthers need? Yes, another Gamecock. With the 2025 NFL draft a little over a few weeks away, Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron recently named the best Day 2 fits for each team. When it comes to the Panthers, he settles on University of South Carolina edge defender Kyle Kennard. Cameron writes: Carolina ranked dead last in PFF pass-rush grade (51.6) in 2024, highlighting the team's clear need for a dynamic pass rusher. Kennard, a long player with a good understanding of how to win in a variety of situations, would slot well into the Panthers' 3-4 scheme at outside linebacker, where he can deploy his full bag of pass-rush moves. Kennard is fresh off an SEC-leading 11.5-sack campaign in what was his first and only year in the powerhouse conference. His efforts earned him a consensus All-American selection, a first-team All-SEC nod, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Carolina has had eyes on the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Atlanta native, most recently at their local day from Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday. If the Panthers were to spend their second- or third-round pick on Kennard, he'd become the sixth South Carolina Gamecock on the roster—joining running back Rico Dowdle, wide receiver Xavier Legette, outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum and cornerback Jaycee Horn. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
