Latest news with #AllAmerican
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Rookie Cornerback Already Improving in Minicamp
Chiefs Rookie Cornerback Already Improving in Minicamp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs were in the bottom half of the league in passing yards allowed this past season, so they went into the 2025 NFL Draft looking to improve their secondary. Advertisement And that is exactly what they did. The reigning AFC champions selected Cal cornerback Nohl Williams with the 85th overall pick in the third round of the draft. He was reportedly having some struggles in OTAs, but has shown flashes in mandatory minicamp. In team drills, Williams showed his athleticism by jumping up and making an impressive interception, which should give him some confidence after OTAs. In his final season at Cal, Williams led all of college football in interceptions with seven, one of which he was able to take all the way back to the house. He also racked up nine pass deflections and 52 total tackles, both of which were able to help him be named All-American. Advertisement Behind Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs did not have a lot of cornerback depth, so drafting a ball-hawk like Williams could be exactly what the team needed. His ability to snag interceptions and defend passes will complement McDuffie's ability to tackle at the corner spot very well. Williams is not currently listed as a starter on the team's depth chart, but could earn a lot of opportunities in his first season. The Chiefs fell short in the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles this past season, so Williams and the rest of the team's defense will be looking to help lead the team back to the playoffs to redeem themselves. Related: Chiefs Not Shutting Door On Rookie Starting Week 1 Related: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Reveals Concern Level Over Travis Kelce In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg draws comparison to LeBron James by former NBA champion
Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is a highly-touted prospect entering the 2025 NBA draft, and the National College Player of the Year recently earned a comparison to LeBron James. Flagg led Duke to the Final Four, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks on 38.5% shooting from 3-point range. He became the 22nd player in program history to be named a consensus first-team All-American. Advertisement The 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to the likes of Grant Hill, Kawhi Leonard and Jayson Tatum. Former 12-year NBA veteran and champion Brian Scalabrine, speaking Tuesday on the "Dan Patrick Show," said Flagg reminds him of James based on how he processes the game mentally. Scalabrine revealed that he previously spent time training Flagg when he was entering high school in Maine. He was impressed with how quickly he was able to add new skill sets to his game at such a young age and how he still has that trait now, as he is on the verge of entering the NBA. I think it is LeBron James without having to be 260 pounds and a freight train. Cooper Flagg is a supercomputer. Everything you tell him, within 24 hours, he figured it out. The next time you tell him something else, (he figures it out). ... I've been around a lot of players. I've been around Hall of Fame players, I've never met someone who can just pick up things at such a high rate. When people talk about NBA players (not making it), a lot of it has to do with their computer and processor. He just processes on a rate that I've never seen before, so I'm only assuming that it's like LeBron James. Flagg established himself as the overwhelming favorite to be the No. 1 pick because of his size, athleticism and ability to affect games on both ends of the court. Former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski even called him the best freshman to ever play with the Blue Devils. Advertisement The 6-foot-8 forward is expected to join the Dallas Mavericks on June 25 after reportedly meeting with the organization this week. He isn't expected to work out with any other teams, likely after receiving word that the team would select him with the first pick. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said last month that he believes the team is an excellent situation for Flagg, with their mixture of established veterans and up-and-coming players. He believes Flagg will be able to step in and make an immediate contribution. After trading away cornerstone Luka Dončić, the Mavericks hope Flagg can step in and be their long-term solution. Should Flagg indeed hear his name called first, the ACC Freshman of the Year will become the sixth Blue Devil to be selected as the top pick. This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Cooper Flagg: Projected No. 1 pick draws LeBron comp. by NBA champion
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Seven Georgia Bulldogs named as preseason All-Americans
The Georgia Bulldogs are expected to have several standout players this year. Sportswriter Phil Steele named seven Georgia players to his 2025 Preseason All-American teams, with each of the four teams featuring at least one Bulldog. Punter Brett Thorson and cornerback Daylen Everette made the first team. Linebacker CJ Allen and long snapper Beau Gardner earned spots on the second team. The third team included safety KJ Bolden and defensive tackle Christen Miller and kicker Peyton Woodring made the fourth team. Advertisement Thorson averaged 47.6 yards per punt, ranking seventh in the country. As a result, he was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award. Everette underwent a sports hernia surgery that sidelined him for the spring game, but he is expected to be fully healthy by the time the season starts. In 2024, he led all Georgia Bulldogs with three interceptions. Four players on Georgia's defense were selected, further highlighting the confidence media outlets like Steele and ESPN Greg McElroy have in Georgia's defense and coach Kirby Smart. Additionally, three UGA specialists made the team. The Dawgs should have an excellent special teams unit again in 2025. However, no players from Georgia's offense made any of the All-America teams. Georgia is transitioning from Carson Beck to either redshirt junior Gunner Stockton or redshirt freshman Ryan Puglisi at quarterback, while the Georgia running game aims to improve after finishing second to last in the SEC in rushing yards per game last season. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 7 Georgia Bulldogs make preseason All-America team


Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Record-breaking college athlete dead at 28 after being rushed to hospital last week
A former University of Alabama track star and collegiate record holder has died after suffering from cardiac arrest. Eliud Kipsang, a native of Kenya, had the cardiac episode on June 6 and was rushed to a hospital in Washington state. He passed away on June 10 at the age of 28 after spending multiple days in the ICU. A GoFundMe has been set up for Kipsang to be repatriated to his home country. At the time of publishing, $8,000 of the $30,000 goal has been raised. 'We are heartbroken by the passing of Eliud Kipsang, one of the most gifted athletes ever to wear crimson and white,' Alabama coach Dan Waters said in a statement. 'His impact on our program extended far beyond records and championships; he was a beloved teammate, a brother to so many and a dear friend to me, personally. 'On behalf of the entire Alabama family, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. The running community has lost a remarkable soul.' Kipsang was the former collegiate record holder in the 1500m - completing the race in 3:33.74, which is currently one of the five fastest in NCAA history. To this day, Kipsang still holds three school records for the fastest indoor mile, outdoor 1500m, and indoor distance medley relay. He's also top-five for the indoor 3000m and top-10 for the outdoor 800m and 5000m. In 2021, Kipsang was named SEC Runner of the Year in his sophomore season. His freshman year, he won the conference 1500m title and came runner-up in the 800m. A two-time All-American, Kipsang also led the Crimson Tide to a fourth SEC cross-country title in 2022. After graduating, Kipsang signed a professional running contract with Adidas Pro.


Reuters
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Wings rookie Paige Bueckers puts up 35 in return to action
June 12 - Dallas rookie standout Paige Bueckers returned from a four-game absence on Wednesday and put up a career-high 35 points in the Wings' 93-80 road loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Bueckers missed three games due to a concussion and another because of an illness. She came back to make 13 of 19 shots from the floor, including 5 of 7 from 3-point range, while adding six rebounds and four assists. Her 22 first-half points topped her previous high for a game, 21. Bueckers was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft after being a college star at UConn, where she was a three-time first-team All-American and also won one national championship (2025) and one national player of the year honor (2021). She was averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds in six games for Dallas before getting hurt. Before Wednesday, Bueckers last played on May 29 when the Wings lost 97-92 to the Chicago Sky. She had 15 points, eight assists, five rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots. Dallas has a 1-10 record, which ranks last in the 13-team league. --Field Level Media