Latest news with #WalterCampPlayeroftheYear
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Where Miami Hurricanes stand in preseason polls, watch lists and All-America teams
The Miami Hurricanes enter the 2025 college football season with high expectations. They fell short of their ultimate goal last year despite reaching 10 wins for the first time since 2017. As a result, the Hurricanes have received their share of hype and accolades heading into the season, which for UM begins on Aug. 31 with a marquee matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium. Here's a quick look at the preseason rankings and honors given to UM and its players heading into the season. The Associated Press' preseason top 25 poll will be released at noon Monday, but other national outlets have the Hurricanes ranked in their preseason polls. Among them: USA Today coaches poll: 10 This marks the first time since 2018 that UM opens the season as a top-10 team in the coaches poll. Athlon: 10 What they're saying: 'The Hurricanes won the offseason thanks to the arrival of another standout recruiting class, along with a transfer portal haul that addressed several weaknesses. The biggest acquisition was Georgia's Carson Beck to replace No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Cam Ward at quarterback. Beck suffered a significant elbow injury in the SEC Championship Game but is on track to return for the opener. With a young receiving corps, Miami may need to lean on its offensive line and ground game to carry the team early on. Improving the defense was head coach Mario Cristobal's biggest offseason priority. New defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman directed one of the Big Ten's top defenses at Minnesota, and transfer reinforcements are coming to bolster a leaky secondary.' Lindy's Sports: 10 What they're saying: 'Can Mario Cristobal enter college football's coaching elites? Stubbing his toe against Georgia Tech and Syracuse last November were colossal mishaps that kept the Hurricanes out of the playoffs — even with the eventual No. 1 overall pick at quarterback. Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck is an ideal replacement for Cam Ward and the offense will score a ton of points with Shannon Dawson again calling the shots.' The outlet continues to say that UM's games against Notre Dame, Florida and SMU 'will show where Miami fits into the national picture' but that the Hurricanes also will 'have to avoid the toe stubbers.' Phil Steele: 14 What they're saying: 'Don't sleep on a Mario Cristobal squad as they have talent and will fight you. Last year a late loss cost them a berth in the ACC title game and a shot at the playoffs. They learned from that lesson and this time last year Carson Beck was a higher rated prospect than Cam Ward.' Nine Hurricanes players have been named to watch lists for national awards. Quarterback Carson Beck leads the way with preseason recognition for three awards: Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award (national player of the year) and Davey O'Brien Award (top quarterback). Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa is the only other UM player named to multiple watch lists, landing on both the watch lists for the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) and Wuerffel Trophy (the player who 'best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement'). The other seven to be named to watch lists: Defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, best defensive player), offensive lineman Anez Cooper (Outland Trophy), linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (Butkus Award, best linebacker), wide receiver/kick returner Keelan Marion (Paul Hornung Award, most versatile player), center James Brockermeyer (Rimington Trophy, best center), tight end Elija Lofton (Mackey Award, best tight end) and long snapper Adam Booker (Patrick Mannelly Award, best long snapper). Mauigoa and Marion are the only UM players who received preseason first-team All-America recognition. Mauigoa landed on first team by Sporting News, Walter Camp and Athlon, while also getting second-team recognition by Lindy's Sports and third team honors from Phil Steele. Marion earned preseason first-team honors as a kick returner by Sporting News, Phil Steele, Walter Camp and Athlon. Bain was a preseason second-team All-American by Sporting News, Lindy's Sports and Athlon while also being named to third team by Phil Steele. Cooper, meanwhile, was named a fourth team preseason All-American by Phil Steele.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma's John Mateer named to Walter Camp Player of the Year preseason watch list
It's watch list season in college football. With college football kicking off in less than three weeks and the Oklahoma Sooners taking the field in less than four weeks, plenty of OU players are being recognized ahead of the 2025 college football season. The biggest name on the roster has already appeared on one watch list, but was named to another on Tuesday. New starting quarterback John Mateer has been named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. The trophy is given annually to the college football player of the year, with Colorado's Travis Hunter taking home the award in 2024. Any player, regardless of position, is eligible to win the award. If Mateer were to win the Walter Camp Award, he'd be the fifth different Oklahoma player to do so. Running backs Steve Owens (1969) and Billy Sims (1978) won the Walter Camp, with quarterbacks Josh Heupel (2000) and Baker Mayfield (2017) representing OU in the current era. Mateer has received plenty of offseason hype after following new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle to Oklahoma from Washington State. Mateer has been OU's starter since the moment he signed with the Sooners, and fans hope he's in line for a big 2025 season in a familiar offense and an improved supporting cast. He broke out last year with a huge 2024, where he led the FBS in total touchdowns with 44. After a historically bad offensive performance a year ago, the Sooners hope that Mateer will be the catalyst to getting things back on track on that side of the ball. With head coach Brent Venables' defense looking primed for another good year, offensive improvement is one of the major keys to OU rebounding from a disastrous 6-7 season. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Three Longhorns earn spots on Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list
Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list includes three Longhorns With the start of the 2025 college football season less than a month away, three Longhorns stars have found themselves on a prestigious watch list. On Monday, Arch Manning, Anthony Hill Jr., and Colin Simmons were named to the Walter Camp National Player of the Year preseason watch list. The award is given annually to the national player of the year. While the Longhorns trio will face competition, they have each shown flashes of brilliance, starting with Manning. In 10 games last year, he showed why his future is bright in Austin. The New Orleans native completed 61 of 91 passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns. His stellar play earned Manning the SEC's Co-Freshman of the Week on Sept. 16. While he thrived under center, the Longhorns got a boost from Simmons on defense. During his freshman campaign, Simmons led the team in sacks with nine. The talented edge also ranked second in tackles for a loss with 14. As Simmons made life difficult for offensive coordinators, he etched himself into the history books. He was rewarded for his stellar play with the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year Award. Simmons is the only player in program history to take home the honors. On defense, Texas also got a boost from Hill. He led the Longhorns in total tackles with 103 and tackles for a loss with 16.5. In his second year in the Forty Acres, the Texas native was a model of consistency, appearing in all 16 games. As the talented linebacker was a human highlight reel, he added three double-digit tackling performances to his resume. Although the Longhorn trio is focused on winning a national title, they will be keeping a close eye on the award. The list will be narrowed to 10 semifinalists in early November. Then, a month later, the finalists will be revealed in early December. The winner will be announced on December 12th. Regardless of who wins the award, the Longhorns are in a good position to build on their success from last year. That is partly due to the trio of Manning, Hill, and Simmons, who are in a great position to do special things during the 2025 campaign.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
BREAKING: Former Texas Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers drafted by Miami Dolphins
BREAKING: Former Texas Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers drafted by Miami Dolphins Q 🤘 With the 231st pick in the #NFLDraft, we have selected QB Quinn Ewers from @TexasFootball. — Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 26, 2025 Former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers has been drafted by the Miami Dolphins. The Southlake, TX native was taken 231st in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Ewers was the starting QB at Texas for three years, leading UT to back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian thanks injuries cost Ewers in the draft. 'His quick release, his ability to make the short to intermediate throws is uncanny. I mean, this guy throws darts. The ball comes out of his hands so effortlessly, so precise and it's literally on point every single time, right? I give him credit — he worked at his craft, too. He was a shotgun, little more of an Air Raid-type quarterback that came into the program and really worked on the nuances, the play-action pass, the RPO game, the deep-ball shots. And I we saw him grow, not only physically, but I think mentally and emotionally, he turned into a great leader for us. So somebody is going to get a really good player that may be a little undervalued because of some of some of the injuries,' Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in an appearance on Chris Simms' podcast. Ewers played in 35 games, leading the Longhorns to 27 wins. Over the past two seasons, he compiled a 21-4 record as a starter, the best two-year stretch for a Texas quarterback since Colt McCoy's 25-2 run in 2008-09. Ewers holds the longest active streak in the FBS with 26 consecutive games throwing a touchdown, the second-longest in Texas history behind McCoy's program record of 29. A semifinalist for the 2024 Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, and Davey O'Brien Award, Ewers was also a top-10 finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He earned 2023 AP All-Big 12 Second Team honors and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game. Ewers transferred to Texas from Ohio State in January 2022. To prepare for the NFL Draft, Ewers hired former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL Draft: 10 prospects who can make an immediate impact for the Eagles
2025 NFL Draft: 10 prospects who can make an immediate impact for the Eagles With the draft now hours away, we're looking at ten prospects who can make an immediate impact for the Philadelphia Eagles Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft kicks off just days from now as the Eagles and 31 other teams prepare to retool and reshape their rosters. Eagles GM Howie Roseman is a master manipulator of draft capital and never shy about trading up or down the board. Philadelphia enters the draft process with plenty of pressing needs and a retooled roster that will need to replace six key defense contributors. There are plenty of storylines to monitor heading into the selection process, including whether the Eagles draft for value or need and which position upgrade is the most urgent. With the draft fast approaching, we're looking at ten prospects who can immediately impact Philadelphia. WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami (FL) He makes up for what Restrepo lacks in high-end athletic tools and size with short-area quickness and body control, evidenced by his 99th-percentile PFF receiving grade versus single coverage. He would be the perfect complement in the slot to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith out wide. James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Pearce led Tennessee in sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (13), and quarterback hurries (10), while adding a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2024. Pearce earned first-team All-SEC honors and was a semifinalist for the Bednarik, Lombardi, and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards. He also earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2023, when he had 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hurries, an interception return for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles. T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina Sanders is a 6-5, 275-pound defensive lineman who can play on the edge or in the defense's interior. Sanders spent four years in the Gamecock program, appearing in 39 games over four seasons with 16 career starts. Sanders logged 109 tackles with 17.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks and turned pro after earning All-America and All-SEC honors. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami Arroyo averaged nearly 17 yards per catch in 2024 and is elite after the catch. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama The 6'3", 235-pounder Campbell has sideline-to-sideline speed and impressive coverage skills. He also flourished as a quality pass rusher—he registered five sacks in 2024. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia The 2nd team All-American led the team with 77 tackles. Mykel Williams, ED, Georgia Williams was a second-team All-SEC selection during the 2024 college football season. Williams racked up 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks in 40 games. Walter Nolen, DI, Mississippi The 6-foot-3, 305-pound dynamo led the Ole Miss defense in 2024, logging 48 tackles (career-high), two pass deflections (career-high), one fumble recovery, and 6.5 sacks (career-high). Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia During the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Walker was measured in at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds in Indianapolis with an armspan of 79⅞ inches -- the reach length scouts want in rushers. By comparison, Ole Miss All-American Walter Nolen's armspan, at 6-foot-3¾ and 296 pounds, was measured at 78⅝ inches. Walker was the Butkus Award winner as the nation's best linebacker this past season as he led the Bulldogs' defense in tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (6.5), with three of those sacks coming against Texas. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan The junior and projected first-round draft selection leaves Ann Arbor tied for second in receiving touchdowns (11), third in receptions (117), and third in receiving yards (1,466) among all tight ends in program history. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall Green spent the last two seasons at Marshall after transferring from Virginia following his freshman season. While at Marshall, Green played in 26 games and recorded 127 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 21.5 sacks. He also added two passes defensed, one fumble recovery, and four forced fumbles in his two seasons. Last season, as a redshirt sophomore, Green led the FBS in sacks (17.0), tackles for loss (22.5), sack yardage (144), and tackles by a defensive lineman (84). His 17 sacks established a new Sun Belt Conference record. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan Philadelphia drafted a cornerback in Round 1 last spring. After watching Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Isaiah Rodgers, and Avonte Maddox all depart, the Eagles could look to move up if Johnson starts to fall. Johnson has strong ball skills (nine career interceptions, including two pick-sixes in just six games last season) to pair with his great 6-foot-2 size. Will Campbell, OL, LSU Campbell is an athletic marvel who can play multiple positions, something the Eagles covet. During Campbell's 37 games at LSU, he allowed only 45 pressures and only three sacks, with one coming in his first game and one coming in his last game. Campbell was awarded LSU's coveted No. 7 this year, which is given by the coaching staff each season to the player deemed the team's best playmaker (because of NCAA rules, Campbell wore No. 66 with a No. 7 patch on his jersey).
