MLB Makes Bryce Harper Announcement After Injury Update

MLB Makes Bryce Harper Announcement After Injury Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As it stands, Philadelphia Phillies fans likely won't have to worry about first baseman Bryce Harper suffering an injury setback in the All-Star Game.
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Harper, a two-time NL MVP, just keeps getting bad news. First, the Phillies reversed their decision to have Harper travel with them to Miami; instead, the eight-time All-Star remained in Philadelphia while recovering from a right wrist problem.
If that wasn't enough, Major League Baseball announced on Monday that Harper ranks fourth among NL first basemen in All-Star voting. Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Freddie Freeman had 1,136,389 votes as of Monday afternoon, by far the most among NL first basemen.
Harper had 276,647 votes, narrowly trailing Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Bush's 286,931 votes. New York Mets star Pete Alonso (895,900) has a considerable lead over both players.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce HarperJohn E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
That's not to say Harper necessarily deserves an All-Star nod. Harper hit the IL batting .258 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, and a .814 OPS over 253 at-bats. He's posted 1.5 bWAR for the second-place Phillies, who trail the Mets by two games in the NL East.
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It's nonetheless surprising that Haper doesn't have more votes, though, especially given his name and reputation. He's certainly more recognizable than Busch, a third-year first baseman hitting .265 with 11 home runs, 39 RBI, and a .861 OPS for the NL Central-leading Cubs.
No Phillies player ranked higher than third at their position. However, each team must have one representative, and ace Zack Wheeler (7-2, 2.76 ERA) appears on track to earn his third All-Star selection.
Wheeler is already worth 3.0 bWAR, and he's recorded a brilliant 110-19 K-BB ratio in 88 innings.
Related: Phillies Share Bryce Harper Injury Update Amid Trade Rumors
Related: Cubs Share Kyle Tucker Injury Update After $600 Million Contract Rumors
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Big Ten Football 2025 Predictions

Big Ten Football 2025 Predictions originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Big Ten has won back-to-back national championships with Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in '24. Another title to this conference wouldn't be a surprise in '25, especially with Penn State loaded with its best team potentially under coach James Franklin, and the Buckeyes not lacking for talent despite a significant turnover in personnel. The Wolverines should rebound in coach Sherrone Moore's second season, while Oregon is poised for a quick reload thanks to coach Dan Lanning's ability to stockpile talent. Advertisement Matching last year's success will be a challenge for Indiana, but coach Curt Cignetti's team should remain a factor in the playoff mix. Illinois returns one of the most-experienced squads in the nation and a run at the program's first playoff trip is within reach. The Big Ten has plenty of depth in the middle of the league, with USC, Iowa, Nebraska, and Washington all providing intrigue. How does Athlon Sports project Big Ten for 2025? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all 18 teams in Big Ten for this fall: ORDER NOW: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Guide Big Ten Football 2025 Predictions Penn State quarterback Drew Allar© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images Big Ten Championship: Penn State over Ohio State 1. Penn State Could Penn State be the third consecutive Big Ten team to win the national championship? It's certainly not now or never for coach James Franklin's squad, but after keeping key players away from the NFL Draft and addressing a few of the team's weaknesses through the transfer portal, all of the pieces are in place for the Nittany Lions to win the Big Ten and play for the title in January. Advertisement Penn State led the Big Ten in yards per play (conference-only snaps), but coordinator Andy Kotelnicki must to get this group to another level in '25 to win the conference title. Quarterback Drew Allar was solid (3,327 yards and 24 TDs), but if the senior can take another step forward and improve across the board in his overall play, this offense will be even more prolific. A revamped receiving corps featuring three transfers - Trebor Pena (Syracuse), Devonte Ross (Troy), and Kyron Hudson (USC) - gives Allar a much-needed set of playmakers on the outside. Tight end Tyler Warren will be missed, but sophomore Luke Reynolds is a rising star. Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen form the nation's top backfield, while the offensive line could arguably be the best in college football in '25. The arrival of Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator is just another reason why Penn State won college football's offseason. Knowles is one of - if not the No. 1 - defensive signal-caller in the nation. And even though the Nittany Lions held teams to 16.5 points a game last year, this unit could be even better with Knowles in charge. Up front, defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton is the next star pass rusher and fills the void left by Abdul Carter to the NFL. Tony Rojas and North Carolina transfer Amare Campbell headline the second level, and the secondary brings back two of the best in the Big Ten with cornerback A.J. Harris and safety Zakee Wheatley. Related: Projecting College Football's Top 25 Teams for 2025 2. Ohio State After a history-making run to the national championship in the first 12-team playoff field, Ohio State hopes to raise the bar even higher in 2025. Coach Ryan Day's team aims to become only the third program (Alabama 2011-12 and Georgia 2022-23) to go back-to-back since the start of the BCS era in 1998. However, In order for the Buckeyes to get back to No. 1, Day's team must navigate some significant personnel turnover on both sides of the ball. Advertisement The quarterback battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz will resume in fall practice, with Sayin favored to take the first snap. The former five-star prospect is short on experience but should be among the Big Ten's top quarterbacks by the end of '25. Although Brian Hartline is slated to handle play-calling duties instead of Day, don't expect the overall performance of this unit to change. The Buckeyes still have the nation's No. 1 receiving corps with Jeremiah Smith back on the outside, with Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate rounding out the key contributors. Also, Purdue transfer tight end Max Klare should make an instant impact. The offensive line was hit hard by a couple of key injuries last season but remained a strength into the playoff run. With three starters back, along with a couple of transfers, this unit is among the best in the nation. Similar to the offense, Ohio State's defense lost a good chunk of talent. However, this group still has plenty of talent waiting in the wings. Three starters are back, but arguably the biggest change is at coordinator. Jim Knowles departed Columbus to call plays at Penn State, with long-time NFL assistant Matt Patricia taking over as the new coordinator. Depth up front is a concern, but linebacker Sonny Styles is back, and safety Caleb Downs is the top returning defensive player in college football. 3. Oregon Oregon coach Dan LanningBen Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Ducks earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff after a perfect regular season (13-0) and Big Ten title. But coach Dan Lanning's team was dominated by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, putting a damper on an otherwise memorable season in Eugene. Lanning and his staff have several holes to fill, but Oregon should still remain a factor in the Big Ten title race. Advertisement UCLA transfer Dante Moore is ready to take control of the Ducks' high-powered offense after learning behind Dillon Gabriel last year. Moore played in five games in '24, completing seven of eight passes for 49 yards. The former five-star prospect has a few dynamic playmakers at his disposal, including Tulane running back transfer Makhi Hughes, true freshman receiver Dakorien Moore, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq. A revamped offensive line is arguably Lanning's biggest concern. Transfers Isaiah World (Nevada), Emmanuel Pregnon (USC), and Alex Harkey (Texas State) are expected to ease the transition on a unit losing four starters. The theme of new faces needing to step up continues on defense. Oregon returns four starters on this side of the ball and must replace several key cogs, including lineman Derrick Harmon, cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa. However, the cupboard isn't empty on this side of the ball. Matayo Uiagalelei (12.5 TFL in '24) is one of the Big Ten's top returning edge players, with linebacker Bryce Boettcher back to ease the transition on the second level. The secondary is arguably Lanning's biggest concern, but a couple of portal additions - especially Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman - should help this unit reload. Related: Ranking the Big Ten Coaches for 2025 4. Michigan Michigan had arguably one of the best finishes by a college football team in the 2024 season. The Wolverines were 5-5 in mid-November but rallied for three consecutive victories, including a win over rival Ohio State and a bowl upset against Alabama. Also, coach Sherrone Moore secured the future of the program by flipping five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU. After a transition season, Michigan is poised to rebound back into contention for a playoff spot in '25. Advertisement High expectations surround Underwood in '25, but the true freshman won't have to win games on his own. Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes form a standout duo at running back, and there's optimism for an offensive line returning three starters and added depth through the transfer portal. It's no secret Underwood's development and overall play will decide just how high this team climbs in the Big Ten. However, in order for Underwood to reach his potential under new play-caller Chip Lindsey, Michigan's receiving corps needs to step up. Indiana transfer Donaven McCulley was a key addition from the portal, while Semaj Morgan and Fredrick Moore top the list of key returners from '24. Despite losing standouts in lineman Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Josaiah Stewart, along with a couple of contributors in the secondary, Michigan's defense shouldn't miss a beat in '25. Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann form a strong second level, while Derrick Moore returns to anchor the trenches. Safety Rod Moore is expected to return after missing all of '24 due to a knee injury. Sorting out the right combination in the secondary is a key fall priority for coordinator Wink Martindale. Related: Big Ten Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 5. Indiana Indiana defensive lineman Mikail KamaraIndiana's Mikail Kamara (6) eyes Michigan's Davis Warren (16) during the Indiana versus Michigan football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 9, 2024. Credit: Rich Janzaruk The Hoosiers were the biggest surprise in college football last season. In coach Curt Cignetti's first year, Indiana won 11 games and earned a trip to the playoff. Exceeding expectations in '25 won't be easy, but the Hoosiers have plenty of staying power. Advertisement Even though Indiana won't sneak up on the rest of the Big Ten this season, Cignetti's work in the portal should keep this offense near the top of the conference. California transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza is a solid fit for Cignetti's attack, with fellow portal additions in offensive linemen Pat Coogan (Notre Dame) and Kahlil Benson (Colorado) and running back Roman Hemby (Maryland) providing support. Receiver Elijah Sarratt (18.1 yards a catch in '24) should push for All-America honors. The Hoosiers return three of the nation's top defensive players in lineman Mikail Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher, and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds off a unit that allowed only 15.6 points a game in '24. Coordinator Bryant Haines has holes to fill at every level, but the return of that trio of players, along with a handful of transfer additions to shore up the secondary, should be enough for Indiana to prevent a major drop in defensive production. 6. Illinois Not only did Illinois improve its win total by five (5-7 to 10-3) from 2023 to '24, the program's 10 victories last season were the first in a year since '01. With 16 starters back and one of the most experienced teams in the nation, coach Bret Bielema's program is poised for a run at a spot in the College Football Playoff. Advertisement As expected from a Bielema-coached team, the Fighting Illini are strong in the trenches. All five starters are back from '24, including standout left tackle JC Davis. Aidan Laughery, Kaden Feagin, and Ca'Lil Valentine form a standout trio in the backfield and should have no trouble finding lanes behind one of the Big Ten's top lines. Quarterback Luke Altmyer's play took a step forward last season from '23. The senior ranks among the Big Ten's top signal-callers after averaging 230.9 total yards in conference games last season. Replacing receivers Pat Bryant (54 catches) and Zakhari Franklin (55) is the top priority for coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. If the line reloads behind Wisconsin transfers Curt Neal and James Thompson, this defense should rank among the best in the conference. Edge rusher Gabe Jacas (13 TFL in '24) is back to create havoc off the edge, with the secondary anchored by All-America candidate Xavier Scott. After holding conference opponents to 21.7 points a game last season, this unit should be even stingier in '25. Related: Big Ten Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 7. USC USC WR Makai LemonKirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports Since going 11-3 in his USC debut in 2022, Lincoln Riley is only 15-11 over the last two years. The Trojans needed a victory over rival UCLA on Nov. 23 just to ensure bowl eligibility in their Big Ten debut last season. However, Riley's team wasn't that far off from something better. Of USC's six losses - including games to Michigan, Penn State, and Washington - five came by seven points or less. Advertisement The pieces are in place for Riley's team to return to the top 25 this fall. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is settled into the No. 1 role after taking over the job late in the '24 campaign. The receiving tandem of Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane will make Maiava's job easier, while junior college transfer Waymond Jordan, Bryan Jackson, and portal addition Eli Sanders (New Mexico) provide plenty of pop on the ground. For this unit to take off, better play is needed up front. Left tackle Elijah Paige is a rising star, while transfers J'Onre Reed and DJ Wingfield will help to solidify the interior. Coordinator D'Anton Lynn made a big-time impact in his first season with the Trojans in '24. After this unit allowed 34.4 points a contest in '23, USC held opponents to 24.1 a game last year. Another step forward is within reach if the secondary is solidified. However, Lynn and Riley have assembled a solid front that includes linebacker Eric Gentry and linemen Keeshawn Silver, Anthony Lucas and touted true freshman Jahkeem Stewart. Related: Projecting College Football's Top 25 Teams for 2025 8. Iowa The Hawkeyes continued to be a model of consistency under coach Kirk Ferentz with an 8-5 overall record and 6-3 mark in Big Ten play last season. The schedule is tough in '25 with games at Iowa State, Wisconsin, USC, and Nebraska, along with home dates versus Oregon, Penn State, and Indiana. However, even with a handful of personnel questions, Iowa will be in the mix again to win at least eight (or even more) games. Advertisement In his first season as coordinator, Tim Lester guided Iowa's offense to an average of 27.7 points a game - up from 15.4 in '23. Despite losing standout running back Kaleb Johnson, optimism is high for this unit to take a step forward. South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski is a massive addition at quarterback and has the potential to rank among the Big Ten's top signal-callers. Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson form a solid replacement tandem for Johnson at running back and should have no trouble finding open lanes behind a standout offensive line anchored by center Logan Jones. For this offense to take off behind Gronowski, Iowa needs more playmakers to emerge at receiver. The Hawkeyes lost a handful of key pieces - linebackers Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins, defensive backs Sebastian Castro, Jermari Harris, Quinn Schulte, and lineman Yahya Black and Deontae Craig - but expect coordinator Phil Parker to keep this unit near the top of the conference. 9. Nebraska Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Nebraska's 7-6 record in 2024 was the program's first winning mark since '16. Coach Matt Rhule's program is trending in the right direction and another step forward - potentially to a top-25 finish - is within reach this year. Advertisement The biggest reason for optimism in Lincoln is the return of sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola and a chance to develop for a full year under play-caller Dana Holgorsen. Raiola is poised to claim a place among the Big Ten's top quarterbacks this season and will have additional help in the receiving corps with the arrival of Nyziah Hunter (California) and Dane Key (Kentucky) from the portal. Two other transfers - Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame) and Elijah Pritchett (Alabama) - should claim starting spots up front and add to a promising group of players in the trenches. Rhule's defense features a bit of transition. John Butler was promoted to coordinator after Tony White departed to Florida State. Butler inherits four returning starters (all in the secondary) and plenty of turnover up front. Although the line and linebacker unit are navigating personnel changes, this unit should still emerge as a strength. Butler has plenty of intriguing pieces to work with here, including transfer linebacker Marques Watson-Trent (Georgia Southern) and former five-star prospect Williams Nwaneri arriving from Missouri to compete for snaps up front. Linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. is another breakout candidate at the second level. Related: Ranking the Big Ten Coaches for 2025 10. Washington Considering the massive personnel turnover and coaching change from Kalen DeBoer to Jedd Fisch last offseason, it was no surprise 2025 was a rebuilding year for Washington. However, even in a transition season, it's a good sign for Fisch and this program that the Huskies still managed to win six games in their Big Ten debut. Advertisement The outlook for '25 and beyond is bright for Fisch with rising star quarterback Demond Williams at the controls. The Arizona native threw for 944 yards and eight touchdowns and ran for 282 yards and two scores over limited snaps (and two starts) in 13 appearances. A revamped offensive line is the biggest concern for Fisch, but the rest of this unit is in great shape with the return of running back Jonah Coleman and receiver Denzel Boston. New defensive coordinator Ryan Walters has a busy offseason ahead with one starter returning off a unit that held opponents to 23.8 points per contest in '24. Cornerback Tacario Davis (from Arizona) was one of the top defensive transfers in the portal and a key cog in Walters' efforts to reload on the back end. More transfers in the form of linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah (Washington State) and linemen Anterio Thompson (Western Michigan) and Simote Pepa (Utah) should help the front reload. 11. Minnesota Minnesota running back Darius TaylorMatt Krohn-Imagn Images Coach PJ Fleck has quietly guided Minnesota to at least eight victories in three out of the last four seasons. Approaching double-digit victories in 2025 will be a challenge with the personnel turnover facing this team. However, Fleck's team has five winnable Big Ten home games and plays a favorable road contest at Northwestern. Advertisement Max Brosmer had a solid one-and-done season with the Golden Gophers and left big shoes to fill under center. Redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey gained valuable experience in three games last season and has the inside track to the starting job. How Lindsey develops will determine just how high Minnesota can climb in the standings. However, with the passing game in transition, Fleck and coordinator Greg Harbaugh can lean on a heavy dose of running back Darius Taylor if a line breaking in three new starters can jell early in the '25 campaign. The Golden Gophers are also navigating transition on defense with five returning starters. Safety Koi Perich is back after a standout freshman season (five interceptions), while expectations are high for sophomore Jaxon Howard to deliver a breakout year off the edge. New coordinator Danny Collins is stepping into a good situation after this group held teams to 5.1 yards a play in Big Ten action last season. Although new faces must emerge at every level, Collins has enough back to expect this unit to pick up where it left off. Related: Big Ten Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 12. Wisconsin After going 57-18 with a playoff trip at Cincinnati, Luke Fickell was considered one of the top hires prior to the 2023 season. But success has been hard to come by in two years with the Badgers. Since taking over, Fickell is 13-13 overall and recorded a 5-7 mark last season - the program's first losing year since '01. Advertisement If Wisconsin is going to overcome a brutal schedule and exceed expectations, an offense that averaged only 22.6 points a game in '24 needs to get on track under new coordinator Jeff Grimes. A return to more of a run-focused attack should be in order under Grimes, but there are plenty of question marks here. Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr. steps into the starting quarterback job, while Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones will battle for the top spot in the backfield. The outlook is more promising at receiver, and along the offensive line with three starters back, including tackle Riley Mahlman. The Badgers held Big Ten opponents to 23.1 points a game and 5.4 yards a play last season. Those numbers weren't bad, but Fickell's group struggled to stop the run (17th in the Big Ten). The staff landed a handful of transfers to boost the defensive line and get tougher in the trenches for '25. How the pieces fit and the overall play of the line remain a concern, but the secondary should be among the best in the conference with four returning starters. 13. Rutgers The Scarlet Knights are coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2011-12. Coach Greg Schiano's team has enough winnable games to get bowl eligible once again, but the schedule is not easy with matchups in conference play versus Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon. With a harder schedule, exceeding last year's seven wins will be a huge challenge. Advertisement Standout running back Kyle Monangai (1,279 rushing yards in '24) will be missed, but the ground game may not miss a beat with Antwan Raymond and Florida Atlantic transfer CJ Campbell powering the backfield. This unit could offset any drop in production by the ground game with continued development from quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who threw for 2,696 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Transfer DT Sheffield fortifies a receiving corps also returning Ian Strong and KJ Duff. Tackle Hollin Pierce is a big loss, but the Scarlet Knights also have plenty of experience to lean on in the trenches. Considering injuries hit Rutgers' defense hard last year, it's no surprise this group allowed 6.3 yards a snap in Big Ten play and 26.6 points a contest. Only two starters are back, but Schiano bolstered the front and secondary with a couple of portal additions expected to make an impact right away. Linebacker Dariel Djabome is a rising star on the second level. Related: Big Ten Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 14. Michigan State Michigan State coach Jonathan SmithNick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK As coach Jonathan Smith showed during his stint at Oregon State, the former quarterback isn't into quick rebuilds. The Beavers went 9-22 in his first three years but posted 25 victories in the following three seasons. The Spartans should improve in Smith's second year after a 5-7 debut. However, a big step forward in the standings is likely another offseason (or two) away. Advertisement For Michigan State to challenge for a bowl trip (or more), the offense must generate more production after averaging only 19.3 points a game in '24. Quarterback Aidan Chiles (2,415 yards and 13 TDs) is back, along with rising star receiver Nick Marsh (15.8 yards per catch). Smith's work in the transfer portal should help this unit take a step forward. Joining Marsh at receiver is an intriguing pair from the portal in Chrishon McCray (Kent State) and Omari Kelly (Middle Tennessee). Help is also on the way at running back (Elijah Tau-Tolliver from Sacramento State), along with a couple of additions to boost a struggling offensive line. The Spartans lost a couple of key pieces on defense, but coordinator Joe Rossi still has experience returning at every level. The returning personnel provides a solid foundation for this unit, while transfers in cornerback Josh Eaton (Texas State), defensive lineman Grady Kelly (Florida State), and edge David Santiago (Air Force) should make an instant impact in their first year in East Lansing. Michigan State gave up 5.8 yards a snap in Big Ten games last season, so Rossi's group has plenty of room to improve. 15. UCLA After a 1-5 start, UCLA showed steady improvement last year in coach DeShaun Foster's debut. The Bruins won four out of their final six contests, including upsets over Nebraska and Iowa. Improving on last season's 5-7 mark will be a challenge with a tough schedule, but Foster has established a solid foundation for '25 and beyond. Advertisement The biggest reason for optimism for Foster is the arrival of Tennessee transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Although Iamaleava didn't quite live up to high expectations in Knoxville last year, the sophomore isn't lacking for talent. New coordinator Tino Sunseri is tasked with getting the most out of Iamaleava in a quarterback-friendly offense. Adding to Sunseri's challenge is the loss of four out of the team's top five statistical receiving options, along with a revamped line. California transfer Jaivian Thomas is joined by Jalen Berger in the backfield. After a slow start last season, UCLA's defense settled in under coordinator Ikaika Malloe and held four out of its last five opponents to 20 or less points. Maintaining that level of play won't be easy in '25, as the Bruins lost standout linebacker Carson Schwesinger and hit the transfer portal hard for help in a revamped secondary. A veteran front anchored by seniors Keanu Williams, Devin Aupiu, and Siale Taupaki should be the early strength of this unit. Related: Ranking the Big Ten Coaches for 2025 16. Northwestern Northwestern was unable to build on the momentum from an 8-5 record in coach David Braun's interim stint in '23. The Wildcats stumbled to 4-8 overall and won just two games in Big Ten play last fall. However, even though Northwestern has a long way to climb to finish in the top half of the conference, this team has reasons for optimism entering '25. Advertisement Arguably the biggest reason for hope this fall for the Wildcats is the arrival of SMU transfer Preston Stone at quarterback. A leg injury suffered at the end of the '23 season clearly bothered Stone at the start of last year before he lost the starting job with the Mustangs. However, with a full offseason to recover once again, Stone should have a rebound year in Evanston. Braun also landed FCS standout Griffin Wilde (South Dakota State) to bolster the receiving corps. Running back Cam Porter returns to anchor the ground attack, while three starters are back in the trenches. After limiting Big Ten foes to 5.1 yards a play in 2023, Northwestern's defense took a step back last season by allowing 5.9 a snap. Navigating turnover at linebacker and in the secondary is Braun's biggest concern here. However, the line should be a strength with Aidan Hubbard, Carmine Bastone, and Najee Story leading the way. 17. Maryland Maryland coach Mike Locksley© Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Maryland's streak of consecutive bowl trips and winning seasons ended at three with a 4-8 mark last year. The Terrapins posted one victory (USC) in Big Ten play and seven out of the eight conference losses came by 14 or more points. Advertisement If coach Mike Locksley is going to get this program back on track, it starts with finding answers to several preseason question marks on offense. UCLA transfer quarterback Justyn Martin has the edge in experience, but it will be tough to keep touted true freshman Malik Washington on the sidelines. Major improvement is needed up front to repair a struggling offensive line. Even though the Terrapins lost their top three statistical receiving options and leading rusher, Locksley and new coordinator Pep Hamilton still have talent to work with at the skill spots. New coordinator Ted Monachino inherits a defense that allowed 36.1 points in Big Ten play last fall and returns only one starter. In addition to generating more stops in '25, Monachino must find ways to spark a lackluster pass rush and clean up some of the mistakes in the secondary (41 plays of 20-plus yards allowed). 18. Purdue The Ryan Walters era at Purdue ended after a disastrous 1-11 record in '24. New coach Barry Odom is one of the offseason's top hires after a 19-8 run at UNLV from 2023-24. But the former Missouri linebacker faces a steep rebuild in West Lafayette and progress could be hard to find in '25. Advertisement The strength of Purdue's offense is at running back with the return of Devin Mockobee and the arrival of Virginia Tech transfer Malachi Thomas. Outside of that duo, question marks litter the depth chart. Quarterback Ryan Browne transferred from Purdue to North Carolina in the spring but opted to return to West Lafayette. He's the frontrunner to start, but the offensive line and receiving corps are virtually revamped with several transfers expected to step into key roles at both positions. The rebuilding process continues on defense. Purdue returns zero starters and lost its top 14 tacklers from '24. Odom's background on defense should help speed up the improvement process on this side of the ball, but the Boilermakers allowed 39.9 points a game last season, so this unit has a long way to go against a difficult schedule. Related: Big Ten Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025 Related: Ranking the Big Ten's College Football Coaches for 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Kalen DeBoer Plays the Nick Saban Trump Card To Land Elite 5-Star Edge

Kalen DeBoer Plays the Nick Saban Trump Card To Land Elite 5-Star Edge originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Alabama Crimson Tide and head coach Kalen DeBoer have already assembled an impressive 2026 recruiting class, which features a total of seven commitments and ranks No. 10 in the nation, per On3. Advertisement They continue to make strong pushes as well, and on Friday, are hosting EDGE Anthony Jones out of Mobile, Alabama, for an official visit. It's his 10th total (nine unofficial) with the program. It's clear that DeBoer is pulling out all the stops, too, because while on his visit, Jones posted a photo featuring legendary Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban while also writing "The next recruit." It's no surprise to see this kind of tactic being used, though, as On3 Industry Rankings places Jones as a five-star recruit, the No. 3 EDGE, the No. 2 player in Alabama and the No. 19 player in the nation. Advertisement Last year for St. Paul's Episcopal, he proved to be extremely dominant and worthy of that rating, as he was named a MaxPreps Junior All-American after finishing the season with 84 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 16 sacks. However, it also means that Alabama will have to fight with several other big programs for his commitment. Jones has also taken official visits with Auburn (May 16), Miami (May 30), Texas A&M (June 6) and Oregon (June 13). Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoerMatt Pendleton-Imagn Images Bringing in someone like Saban, who, in his 17 years with the Crimson Tide, helped achieve a 206-29 record and helped win six national championships, is a good way to show serious interest. Advertisement Now, it remains to be seen if things pay off, as the On3 recruiting prediction machine currently gives Alabama and DeBoer the best chances (31.1%) at landing Jones, while Auburn is second (25%) and Texas A&M is in third (9.8%). Related: Big Ten Football 2025 Predictions This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier Lead Early WNBA All-Star Game Fan-Voting

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has an early lead in the fan voting for next month's WNBA All-Star Game, the league announced Friday. The second-year guard received 515,993 votes. Clark was followed by Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, who garnered 484,758 votes. There were three other Indiana players in the top 10 with Aliyah Boston third, Kelsey Mitchell seventh and Lexie Hull ninth. This year's game will be played in Indiana on July 19. Three-time league MVP A'ja Wilson of Las Vegas and Breanna Stewart of the defending-champion New York Liberty were fourth and fifth in the balloting, respectively. The two were the captains for the All-Star Game in 2022 and 2023. Sabrina Ionescu, Stewart's teammate, was eighth, while rookies Paige Bueckers of Dallas, in sixth, and Kiki Iriafen of Washington, in 10th, rounded out the top 10. Bueckers was the first-overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, out of UConn. Fan voting ends on June 28 and accounts for 50% of the overall vote. Current players and a media panel each account for 25%. The top four guards and six frontcourt players with the best overall score between the three groups are honored as starters for the All-Star Game. The league's coaches choose the 12 reserve players. The vote totals matter beyond any bragging rights they give a player, as the two starters who receive the most fan votes will be the captains of the game and choose their All-Star teams, with the results announced on July 8. This year's contest will have the traditional format of two teams playing against each other. Last season was a matchup of the USA Olympic team playing against an All-Star team. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Caitlin Clark Napheesa Collier Women's National Basketball Association recommended Get more from Women's National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more