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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Clemson makes a huge move in the transfer portal landing shortstop Tyler Lichtenberger
Clemson makes a huge move in the transfer portal landing shortstop Tyler Lichtenberger Clemson baseball has landed one of its first portal additions of the offseason. App State shortstop Tyler Lichtenberger has committed to the Tigers after making a visit to campus on Thursday, according to multiple sources. The standout freshman brings immediate impact potential after an impressive debut season in Boone. Lichtenberger was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2025, hitting .341 with 13 doubles, three home runs, two triples and 44 RBIs. He recorded 24 multi-hit games, reached base in 46 of 52 regular-season contests—including the first 34 games of the year—and also swiped seven bases in nine attempts. His 70 hits ranked among the top 10 in the conference. With Andrew Ciufo exhausting his eligibility, Clemson had a clear need at shortstop heading into next season. While incoming freshman Dax Kilby is a highly regarded option, there's a strong chance he's selected in July's MLB Draft, potentially opening the door for Lichtenberger to step into a starting role right away. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles announced the signing of 9 intriguing 2025 undrafted prospects to free agent deals
Eagles announced the signing of 9 intriguing 2025 undrafted prospects to free agent deals The Philadelphia Eagles signed nine 2025 prospects to undrafted free agent deals ahead of the rookie minicamp The Eagles came away with a dynamic ten-player 2025 NFL draft class last weekend, but the biggest and most efficient nuggets can be found in undrafted free agents. Reed Blankenship went undrafted four years ago, but enters the final year of his rookie deal as a potential Pro Bowl safety for the league's best defense. Philadelphia usually is among the league leaders in bonuses paid out, but with an already stacked roster, Howie Roseman put together one of the smallest classes with just nine players. WR Darius Cooper – Tarleton State #41 A player to watch, the St. Louis, Missouri native joins the Eagles from Tarleton State, where he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch. LB Lance Dixon – Toledo #41 A former five-star recruit and No. 13 prospect coming out of high school, Dixon had 46 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2024 for Toledo after transferring from West Virginia, where he spent three seasons. The former safety turned linebacker is 6-2, 233 pounds, and is from Oak Park, Michigan. DB Maxen Hook – Toledo #37 A former teammate of star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Hook was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2024, his third straight season earning the honor. He was the third Toledo Rocket to make an All-MAC team in four seasons. Hook could be this year's Reed Blankenship after accepting an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl and finishing 24th in the nation with 8.92 tackles per game. Hook finished his career with 356 tackles, seven interceptions, and 22 passes defended in 52 games. DB Brandon Johnson – Oregon #35 Named All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2024, Johnson played in 14 games for the Ducks, logging 45 tackles, five pass breakups, and 4.5 tackles for loss. Johnson played three seasons at Duke before transferring to Oregon. RB Montrell Johnson Jr. – Florida #34 Johnson, a 5-foot-11-inch, 216-pound running back, wrapped up an impressive college career with over 3,000 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. Known for his powerful running style, big-play ability, and reliable hands out of the backfield, Johnson became a solid running back for the Gators after transferring from Louisiana. A former Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and an East-West Shrine Bowl participant, Johnson made an impact everywhere he played. DB B.J. Mayes – Texas A&M #49 At 6-1 and 195 pounds, Mayes is a versatile nickel corner with the size and speed to play on the outside. Mayes played one season at Texas A&M and led the team with four interceptions in 2024, which ranked fourth in the SEC. Before his time with the Aggies, he spent two seasons at Incarnate Word and one at UAB. WR Taylor Morin – Wake Forest #45 Morin is Wake Forest's all-time leading pass catcher after logging 2,974 yards throughout his career and finished second all-time in school history in receptions (227) and fourth in touchdowns (21). Morin was a 2024 All-ACC Honorable Mention after picking up a team-high 64 catches and 756 yards. Morin has also been used as a punt returner, finishing second in program history in career punt return yards (809). OL Hollin Pierce – Rutgers #63 The 6-8, 341-pound Trenton, New Jersey native was Rutgers' first offensive lineman to earn All-America status since Anthony Davis in 2009. He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 after starting 13 games at left tackle. RB ShunDerrick Powell – Central Arkansas #39 Powell rushed for over 4,000 yards in his collegiate career with 42 total touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard games in 2024. The two-time FCS All-American is a three-down running back and potential special-teams standout.
CBS News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Eagles undrafted free agent tracker: Here's who Philadelphia added so far after 2025 NFL draft
Eagles' first-round draft pick, Jihaad Campbell, talks about the excitement of playing for Philly Eagles' first-round draft pick, Jihaad Campbell, talks about the excitement of playing for Philly Eagles' first-round draft pick, Jihaad Campbell, talks about the excitement of playing for Philly The Philadelphia Eagles made 10 picks in the 2025 NFL draft over the weekend, including eight on Day 3, when the team added several defensive players after losing multiple key pieces in free agency. But the offseason is far from over for general manager Howie Roseman and the rest of Philadelphia's front office. Now, the team is adding undrafted free agents who weren't picked in the NFL draft for a chance to compete for a roster spot this offseason. Roseman and the Eagles have found success in the undrafted free agency market with additions like running back Corey Clement and safety Reed Blankenship in recent years. Here's a list of Philadelphia's undrafted free agents: Who did the Eagles sign as undrafted free agents? Rutgers OT Holin Pierce The Eagles signed Rutgers University offensive tackle Hollin Pierce as an undrafted free agent, according to 247sports. Pierce is a Trenton, New Jersey, native and was a two-time All-Big Ten selection at Rutgers. Florida RB Montrell Johnson Jr. CBS Sports reports the Eagles signed Florida running back Montrell Johnson Jr. after an impressive career in Gainesville. Johnson rushed for 3,089 yards in his college career and 33 touchdowns. He spent his freshman year at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Central Arkansas RB ShunDerrick Powell The Eagles added another running back in the undrafted free agent market by signing Central Arkansas' ShunDerrick Powell. Powell rushed for more than 4,000 yards and nearly 40 touchdowns in four years playing in the FCS. Toledo S Maxen Hook Quinyon Mitchell's college teammate is joining the Birds as an undrafted free agent. The team is adding Toledo safety Maxen Hook, who earned All-MAC honors for the fourth time last season. He had 108 tackles and two interceptions. Toledo LB Lance Dixon Hook isn't the only Toledo player the team is adding in the undrafted free agent market. The Eagles signed Rockets linebacker Lance Dixon as an undrafted free agent. He spent the 2024 season with Toledo after stints at Penn State and West Virginia. Oregon S Brandon Johnson Oregon safety Brandon Johnson is signing with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent, according to the Oregonian. He played in 14 games last season for the Ducks and had 45 total tackles and one interception. Texas A&M CB BJ Mayes Texas A&M cornerback BJ Mayes will join the Birds as an undrafted free agent. He had a team-high four interceptions last season, which ranked fourth in the SEC.
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Florida football running back Montrell Johnson Jr. signs with Philadelphia Eagles
Former Florida football running back Montrell Johnson Jr. signs with Philadelphia Eagles Former Florida Gators football running back Montrell Johnson Jr. is getting his NFL opportunity. According to a report by CBS Sports college football reporter Matt Zenitz, Johnson has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL draft. Johnson, a 5-foot-11-inch, 216-pound running back, wrapped up an impressive college career with over 3,000 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. Known for his powerful running style, big-play ability and reliable hands out of the backfield, Johnson became a solid running back for the Gators after transferring from Louisiana. A former Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and an East-West Shrine Bowl participant, Johnson made an impact everywhere he played. During the 2024 season, Johnson played in 10 games and had 593 rushing yards (5.9 yards per carry), six rushing touchdowns and 13 catches for 64 yards. Johnson delivered in key moments last season, rushing for 107 yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels, breaking loose for 106 yards and a 71-yard touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes and posting 99 rushing yards with a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles, a performance that pushed him past the 3,000-yard mark for his college career. Before Florida, Johnson starred at Louisiana, rushing for 838 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman. In Gainesville, he rushed for 841 yards and 817 yards in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively. Across his college career, he averaged over five yards per carry and posted 11 games with at least 100 rushing yards. With his proven ability to contribute both as a rusher and receiver, Johnson projects as a versatile addition to Philadelphia's loaded backfield led by Saquon Barkley. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
26-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M should pursue former roster member and James Madison transfer guard
Texas A&M should pursue former roster member and James Madison transfer guard Texas A&M's 2024-2025 season ended on Saturday after the Aggies fell to 5-seed Michigan in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, ending the careers of eight players, including all-time leading scorer Wade Taylor IV, and reliable forwards Henry Coleman III and Andersson Garcia leave the program in much better shape than when they arrived. Head coach Buzz Williams and his staff will face the toughest challenge this offseason: rebuilding the roster through the transfer portal. During both games in the NCAA Tournament, junior forward Pharrel Payne was an absolute star, scoring 25 points in the win over Yale and 26 points in Saturday's loss against the Wolverines. While he has yet to make an official announcement, Payne is expected to return next season paired with fellow forward Solomon Washington, representing the only key contributors on the roster. As the entry numbers continue to grow, a familiar name re-entered the transfer portal this week, as former four-star guard Bryce Lindsay, who was on the Aggies roster for one season, transferred to James Madison last offseason and completely revamped his game, upping his scoring average to 13.3 points per game while shooting 40% from 3-point range. Texas A&M desperately needs dependable 3-point shooters, and, knowing his skill set, Williams Shoot has already called the incoming sophomore to gauge his interest. During his only season with James Madison, Lindsay was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
