Latest news with #SecondTeamAll-BigTen
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kate Martin's Dad Has Strong Words for Caitlin Clark
The WNBA opens its 2025 season on Friday, and all eyes will be on the league's top stars. Interest in the WNBA has surged recently, thanks in large part to the standout players now filling rosters across the league. One of the brightest stars is Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. Now in her second year, the former Iowa Hawkeye and All-American won Rookie of the Year last season and helped lead the Fever to the playoffs. She's aiming even higher in 2025. Advertisement While at Iowa, Clark formed a close friendship with Kate Martin. Martin also played in the WNBA last season with the Las Vegas Aces and was acquired by the Golden State Valkyries during the offseason. She's seen firsthand how the women's basketball world works and the unique pressures that come with it. Recently, Kate Martin's father, Matt Martin, joined Matt Randazzo for an interview in the Quad Cities. During the conversation, he spoke on several topics, including Caitlin Clark—and he didn't hold back. "Kate Martin's father was interviewed recently and brought up the evolution of Kate and Caitlin's relationship while at Iowa. He sees the attention on Caitlin as a positive, since it brings visibility to other players. Advertisement Matt Martin called Clark 'special' and recalled meeting her during her freshman year in Iowa City. He remembered telling the players, 'If you guys can make this work, I really think you can compete for Big Ten championships or something.' Former Iowa Hawkeyes basketball player Kate Martin.© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Clark and Martin went far beyond that. They helped lead Iowa to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament title game, a historic run that captivated the college basketball world. Kate Martin earned the Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award in 2021 and was named Second Team All-Big Ten in her final season. She came to Iowa from Edwardsville, Illinois, where she scored 1,518 career points in high school. Advertisement In her fifth and final year at Iowa, Martin averaged 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. She was also voted "Women's Hawkeye of the Year" by fellow student-athletes at the university. Related: Kate Martin Addresses WNBA Fans After Major Personal Announcement
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
DeMeco Ryans explains Texans' selection of USC RB Woody Marks on Day 3
Running back wasn't the top offensive need for the Houston Texans in this year's draft, but it was worth dicussing in draft meetings leading up to the three-day weekend. Joe Mixon returned to Pro Bowl form after rushing for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season with the Texans. After inking a three-year extension ahead of the 2024 season, he's locked in with the team through at least 2026 and plans to remain a fixture in the ground game. Advertisement But the Texans need a serviceable No. 2 option past 2025. Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale are in contract seasons and despite their roles last season, neither should be trusted as the focal secondary option. Pierce had two 100-yard rushing performances and then averaged less than 30 yards per contest the rest of the season. Ogunbowale scored a 1-yard touchdown reception as time expired in Week 4 to beat the Jaguars, but he was also limited as a threat outside of a few plays. Does this mean USC running back Woody Marks should take over as the new No. 2? Probably not at first, but given his pedigree as a pass-catching threat, it's hard to imagine that the Texans traded away a 2026 third-round pick to move up on Day 3 with the intentions of him sitting as RB No. 4. Advertisement "We really like Woody and what he's able to provide," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said following the draft. "Really like him out of the backfield catching the football. Really great hands. Really has that ability to make guys miss at the line of scrimmage and the ability to play behind his pads, play physical. So, like the addition of him to our running back room.' A native of Atlanta, Marks began his career at Mississippi State before transferring to USC for his final season in 2024. As a freshman, he became a fixture in Mike Leach's air raid offense, recording a record-setting 60 receptions to go along with 70 carries for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Marks continued to be a threat on the ground and through the air out of the backfield the next three seasons in Starkville, posting 1,883 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns along with 1,225 receiving yards and five touchdown catches in four years. After the firing of Zach Arnett, he elected to leave for the Big Ten and join forces with another pass-heavy offense under Lincoln Riley. The 2024 campaign marked the first breakout campaign where Marks became a legit force in an offense. With the Trojans, he posted a career-high 1,133 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns while adding 321 yards as a receiving threat. Marks earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors for the campaign. Advertisement Getting both a physical runner and a qualified receiving threat could be a massive long-term addition for the Texans' offense this fall. Mixon should still average over 200 carries this season, but a stellar showcase from Marks in spring might force Ryans and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley to design plays meant for the 24-year-old target as Houston looks to return to the postseason. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: DeMeco Ryans explains Texans' selection of USC RB Woody Marks on Day 3
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dolphins select Michigan DT Kenneth Grant at No. 13 overall in 2025 NFL draft
Dolphins select Michigan DT Kenneth Grant at No. 13 overall in 2025 NFL draft The Miami Dolphins selected Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with the No. 13 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft. Grant is a massive 6'4, 331-pound nose tackle who earned Third Team All-American and Second Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024. He finished his final season with the Wolverines with 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, but did his best work as a run stuffer -- earning an 87.5 grade against the run from Pro Football Focus. The Dolphins didn't have much of a choice but to address the defensive line early in the draft after losing starter Calais Campbell and backup Da'Shawn Hand in free agency. Following the departure of that duo, the team essentially had only Zach Sieler and Benito Jones on the roster. With few options left on the veteran free agent market, Miami needed to find a rookie defensive lineman capable of starting immediately in the NFL. Following the selection, the Dolphins are slated to pick next at No. 48 overall in the second round.
