Latest news with #OleMiss
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
3 New York Giants named fantasy football 'super sleepers'
3 New York Giants named fantasy football 'super sleepers' The New York Giants made major changes to the quarterback room this offseason. After trading back into the first round of the 2025 NFL draft to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, head coach Brian Daboll made it clear that veteran free agent acquisition, Russell Wilson, would be the starter when the season began in the fall. Many believe that, even at age 36, Wilson has a chance to raise the Giants' offense to a level fans can be excited about. In fact, CBS Sports has highlighted a few players from the team's passing game that could be deep sleepers in 2025, including Wilson. Giants Russell Wilson, QBWan'Dale Robinson, WRDarius Slayton, WR Hopefully Wilson provides competent quarterback play to support this passing game, especially when it comes to Malik Nabers. But on his own, Wilson might prove to be a waiver wire option, and he has averaged at least 20.0 Fantasy points in 10 of 13 seasons in his career and only one year with fewer than 18.6 Fantasy points. Robinson had six games in 2024 with at least 13.1 PPR points, and Slayton's big-play ability might thrive with Wilson. You can draft Robinson in Round 15 based on FantasyPros, Wilson's ADP is Round 16 and Slayton is available in Round 18. Obviously, with the offense built around a superstar in the making, Malik Nabers, he wouldn't fit into the category of a fantasy sleeper. However, Nabers may be the key reason the other three made the list. After just one year, Nabers may be the most talented receiver Wilson has ever played with in his career, even after playing with George Pickens last season and spending time with D.K. Metcalf when he was with the Seattle Seahawks. With the attention of opposing defenses focused on Nabers, the other featured receivers, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, may benefit from the team bringing in Wilson to be the team's starting quarterback. If the offensive line can play like it did to start the season last year, coupled with the emergence of running back Tyrone Tracy, the offense could be a balanced, functional unit for the first time in a long time.
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Dart the Next Eli? 1 Rookie on Each NFL Team That Conjures Up a Franchise Star
Over the past quarter-century of evaluating college prospects for the NFL, I have learned one fundamental truth: there is no such thing as a sure thing. Sometimes, players with all the preferred traits struggle. And sometimes, those lacking tools surprise and become very effective pros. No one really knows who is going to be the best player from a given class until they actually prove it during NFL games. But some players seemingly drip with potential. Their future looks so bright that it's almost difficult to imagine them not enjoying success in the NFL. Those players are the focus of this article, one which links current rookies of all 32 teams to some of the biggest names in their respective franchise's history. It is admittedly presumptuous to compare unproven rookies to legends. But with a little luck, the prospects listed below could wind up being linked to them one day, as the best players for their clubs since. Arizona Cardinals: DT Walter Nolen III — Darnell Dockett The 6-foot-4, 296-pound Nolen exploded for Ole Miss a year ago, earning consensus All-American honors after finishing third in the nation with 14.5 tackles for loss. His initial explosiveness, agility and effort should make him a frequent big-play candidate in Jonathan Gannon's defense, perhaps ultimately mirroring the career of the similarly gifted Dockett, a three-time Pro Bowler who spent the entirety of his 10-year NFL career with the Cardinals. Atlanta Falcons: Edge James Pearce Jr. — Vic Beasley It seems like the Falcons have been searching for an elite pass rusher ever since Beasley led the NFL in sacks (15.5) and forced fumbles (six) back in 2016. At 6-5 and 245 pounds, Pearce is significantly longer and leaner than Beasley, but he offers similar burst, closing speed and, unfortunately, volatility. He projects as a possible 10-plus sack threat early in his career. Baltimore Ravens: Edge Mike Green — Terrell Suggs Even among the icons listed in this article, Suggs is one of a handful of true legends — a future Hall of Famer whose presence on and off the field made him one of the most popular players in Ravens history. Green needs to answer questions about his maturity, but he led the country in sacks and tackles for loss last year for a very simple reason — he is the best edge defender in this class, winning not only with burst but a powerful bull rush and clever counters. Buffalo Bills: CB Maxwell Hairston — Tre'Davious White Struggles with durability have limited White in recent years, but he was one of the NFL's elite cover corners during his rookie contract in Buffalo, finishing as runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017 and earning All-Pro honors in 2019 when he led the league in interceptions (six). Hairston's combine-leading 4.28-second 40-yard dash time translates to the field, where he easily keeps up with receivers and has the soft hands to punish quarterbacks for challenging him. Carolina Panthers: WR Tetairoa McMillan — Steve Smith With a deceptive gliding gait, soft hands of his own and impressive body control, McMillan's flashes are lightning bright. With all due respect to last year's top pick, Xavier Legette, McMillan was drafted at No. 8 overall to be Carolina's No. 1 target. If McMillan learns to play with the same tenacity and competitiveness that thrilled Panthers fans for years, he might be able to snatch Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and, in doing so, help Young and the Panthers shake their critics. Chicago Bears: OT Ozzy Trapilo — Kyle Long While top pick Colston Loveland warrants a shoutout, most realize that if Caleb Williams is really going to take a leap in Year 2, it will have more to do with an improved Bears' offensive line rather than Chicago's pass-catchers or playcaller. I'm not convinced that Trapilo will be a star in the NFL, but Chicago doesn't need him to be. The Bears could just use some consistency. And a star tackle wouldn't be a bad thing, either. Long is the only tackle in the modern era from Chicago to be named to the Pro Bowl. Cincinnati Bengals: G Dylan Fairchild — Max Montoya Cincinnati has dedicated a lot of draft picks and money to its skill positions and is now hoping that Fairchild can step right into a starting role as a rookie. He was overshadowed for much of his time at Georgia, and the megawatt star power in Cincinnati guarantees the same will occur with the Bengals, even if he plays well as a rookie. I like his bulk, strength, agility and mentality and think he'll prove a longtime starter, perhaps emerging as the best guard for the Bengals since Montoya, the only player at this position ever selected to the Pro Bowl from Cincinnati. Cleveland Browns: DT Mason Graham — Michael Dean Perry One could make the argument for either Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders for this spot, but the Browns have such a logjam at quarterback that no one is getting the reps they should. That won't be the case with Graham, who offers both a high floor that will virtually guarantee him a starting spot as a rookie and a high upside. Graham's quickness, balance and instincts should allow him to eat up the single-team blocks surely coming his way due to the presence of Myles Garrett. And Graham plays with the heaving-running motor that will make him a fan favorite, just as Dean Perry was in earning six Pro Bowl nods over his 10-year NFL career. Dallas Cowboys: G Tyler Booker — Larry Allen With 10 interior offensive linemen earning at least one Pro Bowl nod for Dallas since their last Super Bowl victory in 1996, few teams have enjoyed better blockers over the past 30 years than the Cowboys. Zack Martin might very well have been the best of them, with the seven-time All-Pro a shoo-in for Canton someday. Booker's size and physicality could make him an even more intimidating presence, however, and perhaps no blocker in the entire NFL bulldozed opponents more consistently than Allen. Denver Broncos: RB RJ Harvey — Terrell Davis The Broncos have enjoyed quite the stable of running backs since Davis retired in 2001, with Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, C.J. Anderson and Philip Lindsay each earning Pro Bowl nods. None, however, starred for more than a year or two, which is where I think the still-ascending Harvey can distinguish himself. I love his contact balance and desire. I see him as a potential longtime standout in Sean Payton's offense. Detroit Lions: G Tate Ratledge — Kevin Glover The Lions boast one of the NFL's better offensive lines, but going back to the last century, their play at tackle and center has been better than at guard. Glover played 12 of his 15 NFL seasons at center and each of his three Pro Bowl nods came at the pivot, but he started 26 games over the 1986–88 seasons at guard. Ratledge is a potentially dominant blocker who, with greater durability, also has the look of a long-time pillar up front. Green Bay Packers: WR Matthew Golden — Davante Adams With all due respect to the current Packers' receiving corps, no one truly stepped up to replace Davante Adams' production, leaving a massive target share potentially available for Golden to exploit. The fastest offensive player at this year's combine, Golden has the 4.29-second speed to take full advantage of Jordan Love's big arm and defenses crowding the line of scrimmage to slow Josh Jacobs. Houston Texans: OT Aireontae Ersery — Duane Brown In the 23-year history of the Houston Texans, Brown is the only offensive tackle selected by the club to ever make a Pro Bowl. I'm dating myself with this evaluation, but I remember Brown as a highly athletic but very raw blocker and a surprising first-round selection out of Virginia Tech. Ersery slipped to the second round but offers a similar blend of size and agility. I think he's going to become a rock up front for Houston. Indianapolis Colts: Edge JT Tuimoloau — Dwight Freeney I think the Colts' top pick in 2024, fellow edge defender Laiatu Latu, is on the verge of a breakout season. Tuimoloau, though, may boast an even higher upside. Tuimoloau isn't as explosive off the ball, but he has an impressive combination of length and strength, which allows him to manhandle would-be blockers, and he has a knack for making big plays at critical moments. Neither seems likely to challenge Freeney's seven seasons of 10-plus sacks over their respective careers, but don't be surprised if both emerge as longtime starters and fan favorites for their steady, tough play. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR/CB Travis Hunter — Jalen Ramsey Ramsey is the only defensive back ever drafted by the Jaguars to have been named a Pro Bowler multiple times. At the risk of venturing into hyperbole, Hunter is even more athletic and instinctive. His ability to play both sides of the ball is unprecedented, and I believe he'll ultimately be viewed as one of the greatest players in this franchise's history. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Josh Simmons — Willie Roaf For Saints fans, it might seem darn near sacrilegious to list Roaf with the Chiefs, given that he was drafted by New Orleans and earned Pro Bowl honors in seven of his nine seasons in the Bayou. Roaf was just as effective in his final four years in Kansas City, however, earning Pro Bowl nods after each of those seasons, as well. Simmons is the polar opposite of Roaf in style, winning with sheer agility rather than ballast and power. But he, too, looks like a potential annual all-star candidate. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Jack Bech — Tim Brown It might take Bech a bit to develop a rapport with Geno Smith, as the latter typically likes to wait until his receivers are open before throwing it to them. Bech lacks the elite suddenness to leave cornerbacks flailing and "always be open," but he plays big and has excellent body control, consistently winning on 50-50 balls. The Browns have been searching for a true No. 1 for decades and Bech has the ball skills and mentality to win big in Vegas. Los Angeles Chargers: RB Omarion Hampton — LaDainian Tomlinson With all due respect to Pro Bowlers Melvin Gordon and Ryan Mathews, you'll have to go back to Tomlinson to find a bell-cow back for the Chargers so perfectly suited to his team's offense as Hampton is with Jim Harbaugh. The six-foot, 221-pounder offers the size and power to carry the load as a masher inside, but he's also a legitimate breakaway threat. Hampton has All-Pro upside and could be the centerpiece of the ground-oriented attack that pushes the Chargers from playoff participant to true Super Bowl contender. Los Angeles Rams: TE Terrance Ferguson — Ernie Conwell The Rams' current starting tight end — Tyler Higbee — is statistically the best in franchise history, and Ferguson would go a long way in legitimizing the 46th overall selection by pushing him for playing time as a rookie. Conwell offered similarly sure hands down the seam and was a better blocker. The Rams have never had a tight end voted to the Pro Bowl, but Ferguson flashes that kind of upside. Miami Dolphins: DT Kenneth Grant — Tim Bowens The NFL has become much more pass-oriented since Bowens earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors for the Dolphins back in 1994. But the 6-4, 325-pounder was a rock up and down the defensive line for Miami over 11 seasons, starting 155 games and twice earning Pro Bowl nods, despite "only" registering 22 sacks over that span. The similarly built and durable Grant also has the look of a longtime franchise pillar. Minnesota Vikings: G Donovan Jackson — Steve Hutchinson Hutchinson may have been drafted by Seattle, but four of his seven career Pro Bowl nods came at left guard for the Vikings. Jackson's agility and proven positional versatility could make him a longtime foundational piece in Minnesota, as well. New England Patriots: OT Will Campbell — Matt Light The same concerns about arm length that dogged Campbell throughout much of the pre-draft process pushed the 6-4, 305-pound Light into the second round back in 2001. Light became a cornerstone at left tackle for the Patriots, however, earning three Pro Bowl nods during his 11-year career, all of which were in New England. Like Light, Campbell is agile, technically sound and highly dependable. New Orleans Saints: QB Tyler Shough — Drew Brees The legendary Brees and iconic Archie Manning are the only two Pro Bowl quarterbacks in the 59-year history of this franchise. At his best, Shough shows that kind of talent, boasting the live arm, smarts and leadership skills to start as a rookie and ultimately lead this club back to the playoffs. New York Giants: QB Jaxson Dart — Eli Manning The plan in New York seems to be to let veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston duke it out for the starting role and allow Dart time to sharpen his skills. That approach paid off with Manning, who sat behind Kurt Warner before starting seven games (losing six of them) as a rookie. Dart appears to have the mental toughness to handle the glare of the New York media, and he certainly possesses the physical traits as well. New York Jets: TE Mason Taylor — Mickey Shuler Perhaps some of the reason why the Jets have struggled developing a young quarterback in recent years is their lack of a "security blanket" at tight end. Taylor has some of the surest hands of any pass-catcher in this class, providing an immediate boost to a franchise that hasn't produced a Pro Bowler at TE since Mickey Shuler … in 1988. Philadelphia Eagles: LB Jihaad Campbell — Jeremiah Trotter Until free agent addition Zack Baun earned All-Pro honors and Super Bowl glory in his first season in Philadelphia (earning a contract extension), no Eagles' off-ball linebacker had been named a Pro Bowler until Trotter, whose son is now on the roster. Campbell needs time to develop, but his speed in coverage and experience as a pass rusher could make him quite the weapon. Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Kaleb Johnson — Le'Veon Bell Like the Denver Broncos, the Steelers have forged a quality rushing attack for years despite no one since Bell emerging as a year-to-year staple. Johnson was a bit of a one-year wonder, himself, at Iowa, but I love his combination of vision, cutback speed and determination. I'm not so sure that the Steelers will run their offense through Johnson the way they did Bell in 2017 (when he led the NFL with 406 total touches), but I believe he can be a longtime bell-cow if given the opportunity. San Francisco 49ers: DT Alfred Collins — Bryant Young Given the dominance of San Francisco's defensive line over the past quarter-century, it might surprise you to learn that the 49ers haven't produced a defensive tackle with more than one Pro Bowl to their credit since Young was honored after the 2001 and 2002 campaigns. Young was big and powerful, but also surprisingly agile and a very instinctive defender. Collins is still figuring things out, but his physical traits are like something generated on AI. If the 49ers hit on him, they truly will have struck gold. Seattle Seahawks: QB Jalen Milroe — Russell Wilson No one is suggesting that Milroe outduels Sam Darnold for the starting role as a rookie the way that a precocious Wilson beat out Matt Flynn. But the point of this article is to highlight the rookie for each team offering the highest upside, and given the rocket arm and legs that I felt warranted a comparison to former No. 1 overall selection Michael Vick, Milroe's ceiling is as high as any player from this class, regardless of position. Milroe has, in fact, turned heads during the offseason with his dedication and improved accuracy, but the Seahawks recognize that he's a developmental prospect … for now. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Benjamin Morrison — Ronde Barber The Bucs are certainly hoping that Morrison will one day be linked with Barber, a ballhawk whose durability might have been even more impressive than his awareness of the ball in flight. Barber played all 16 of his NFL seasons in Tampa Bay, missing a total of one game due to injury over his final 14 years. Morrison is an instinctive and technically-sound cornerback who just needs a return to health to remind everyone that stars, like Barber (selected 66th overall back in 1997), can be found outside the first round. Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward — Steve McNair It goes without saying that as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, the Titans are expecting Ward to become a star and perhaps someday guide this team back to the Super Bowl, in much the same way that the late McNair did for this franchise. Ward isn't the bulldozing runner McNair was, but he's fantastically slippery in the pocket and possesses both the downfield vision and deep ball accuracy to light a fire under a dormant fan base. Washington Commanders: OT Josh Conerly Jr. – Trent Williams From a size and physical standpoint, Conerly has a long way to go before he should be mentioned in the same sentence as Williams, a future Hall of Famer. But they are similarly explosive athletes whose jobs are all the more complicated because of the quarterbacks they are tasked with protecting. Mobile quarterbacks (like Jayden Daniels or former Washington standout Robert Griffin III) put a lot of pressure on blockers to adjust on the fly, but Conerly has the light feet to excel, as Williams did in Washington and since in San Francisco. Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports. He has been covering the NFL Draft for more than 25 years, with work at FOX, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Yahoo, and among others. He also works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Follow him on Twitter @RobRang. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
On and Off the Field, Jaxson Dart is Already Fitting in with the Giants' QBs
It took no time for Jaxson Dart to become one of the guys in the New York Giants' quarterbacks room. The first-round draft pick from Ole Miss is drawing rave reviews for his work on and off the football field — and his competitive approach and cool confidence have helped him easily get along with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito. The four often have dinner together and hang out away from the facility. DeVito also dropped the news that practice videos aren't all they watch together. The two also occasionally tune into "Love Island," the popular Peacock reality dating series. "I can't say we do it every night, but from time to time — if we get an off day," a smiling DeVito said Wednesday after the Giants wrapped up minicamp. "Yeah, we watch it, we talk about it." Not only that, the two have tossed around the idea of someday being contestants. "Me and Jaxson might go on 'Love Island,'" DeVito said. "We've talked about it. So, you really don't know what's about to happen." That could also be said of the Giants' quarterback situation as they head into training camp. Wilson is the certain starter, but the spots behind him on the depth chart are up for grabs, and Dart will be given every chance to earn that No. 2 role. "They've had this blueprint, and they've done it with different quarterbacks — and you've seen them succeed at the highest level, so I trust them," Dart said. "For me, I'm just trying to be the most coachable player that I can. I want to play well in the offense. I want to be able to manage it and operate it at the highest level. I know that they definitely do have a plan. I'm just trying to take it day by day, and I'm not looking for results immediately. "I'm a process-driven person, so I'm just taking it day by day, rep by rep." Coach Brian Daboll and the Giants loved what they saw from Dart when they evaluated him before the draft. So much so that general manager Joe Schoen traded back into the first round to take the Utah native with the 25th overall pick. Daboll has spoken about having a plan for Dart through the offseason and into training camp, and so far the rookie has done an "excellent" job, according to the coach. "He's fit right in with those guys," Daboll said. "He's smart, he's aggressive with the football, which I like. And then the true test will be once we start and there's live hitting and preseason games and things like that. But he's progressed since he's been here to where he is now. He's made good improvement." Wilson has taken the majority of the snaps with the starters, but Dart has been in for a few plays with the starting offense, while primarily working with the second and third teams. "It's good to get him in with the ones," Daboll said. "There's usually a level of anxiety at times for young players when they get thrown into the mix. It's not exactly planned in terms of, 'He's getting rep (No.) 3.' Sometimes we'll just say, 'Get in there.' Then he's calling plays in front of veterans that have done it at a high level. I think that's important." Dart, who broke Eli Manning's school record for yards passing at Ole Miss, said he was "swimming" a bit during his first few days in the NFL. But he has enjoyed having a lot of information thrown at him to see how much — and how quickly — he can absorb. "I feel like I've made tremendous strides, especially from my first day to now, just being able to understand the pictures of the offense and whatnot," Dart said. "Obviously, I have to dive into a lot more, but I'm definitely just trying to take it to the next level over the summer. Really just lock in, hone in on as much as I can throughout this time, so that way when I get back for training camp, I'm on an even better level than I'm now." And he can always turn to Wilson, Winston or DeVito — during commercial breaks, of course. "Any time that I see them after practices sitting in the meeting room, I try to just sit down and listen," Dart said. "In the meeting rooms, trying to listen and then if I have questions on the field, I've got three great guys to talk to and ask for advice from. So, I'm constantly searching for that. I don't have any pride about myself going over to ask questions and I know that I definitely don't know everything. "So I definitely want to pick those guys' brains because they've done it at the highest level and even won a Super Bowl." Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Giants QB Tommy DeVito reveals 'Love Island' fandom with Jaxson Dart
Giants QB Tommy DeVito reveals 'Love Island' fandom with Jaxson Dart Show Caption Hide Caption Watch: Giants brass confident Jaxson Dart can handle NY market The Giants traded back into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart with the 25th pick acquired from Houston. The New York Giants enter the 2025 NFL season with a much different quarterback room than a season ago. Free agent signees Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson as well as first-round draft pick Jaxson Dart give the franchise plenty of options for a starter entering a crucial season for coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. There's one returning player at quarterback for the franchise: Tommy DeVito. The third-year quarterback started two games last season after earning folk hero status in 2023 with three wins in six starts. DeVito's getting to know the new faces at the position and already has a way to bond with the rookie Dart. All it took was the latest season of the reality television series "Love Island." "Me and Jaxson might go on 'Love Island,'" DeVito said. "We've talked about it so we really don't know what's about to happen." He clarified how often the two watch the show as minicamp wraps up this week in East Rutherford, New Jersey. "I can't say we [watch] it every night," DeVito said. "But from time to time, if we get an off day, we watch it and talk about it." Tommy DeVito and Jaxson Dart have talked about going on Love Island together 🤣 — Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) June 18, 2025 DeVito made his first start as a rookie against the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. New York won three in a row with him at quarterback with victories over the Commanders, Patriots and Packers. He dropped his last two starts to the Saints and Eagles to go 3-3 as a rookie. In 2024, he lost his two starts against the Buccaneers and Ravens. The Giants traded up and into Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft to secure Dart. A three-year starter at Ole Miss, Dart led the country in quarterback rating (180.7) and led the SEC in completion percentage (69.3%) and passing yards (4,279). Schoen and Daboll both say the team plans to bring Dart along slowly to give him time to learn the offense. "These NFL offenses are hard to grasp and pick up and then be able to go out and execute," Schoen said in May. "So the ability for him to learn and sit behind two consummate pros already will be beneficial for him." Giants QB depth chart There's still time for the hierarchy at quarterback to settle in ahead of the Giants' Week 1 matchup against the Commanders. Here's how things look at the end of minicamp:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Ole Miss basketball coach Chris Beard studied Tom Brady in offseason
OXFORD — Ole Miss basketball coach Chris Beard completed some self-assigned homework over the offseason. Beard said in a press conference on June 17 that he picks one person to study after his team's season ends. It's an open-ended task. The only requirement is his subject must be a winner. Advertisement "It doesn't always have to happen in the form of basketball," Beard said. "It doesn't always have to be athletic minded. I just try to study successful people and try to learn what makes them tick." Tom Brady certainly fits the bill. Beard chose to study Brady's career and mentality in the offseason. Brady won seven Super Bowls in his 23-year NFL career and retired in 2023 as the all-time leader in Super Bowl victories. Much of Beard's study came from podcasts. He searched for longform interviews where Brady spoke in an unfiltered manner. "What he did in football kind of speaks for himself," Beard said. "In retirement this past year or so he's pretty vocal and does an interview from time to time. Always really interested in the guy who will really talk and not all the fluff. One of the cool things about today's word, all these podcasts and stuff, these winners and elite people will talk more free than they used to back in the day." Advertisement Beard said he may have shaken Brady's hand briefly at one event or another, but he's not had a meaningful conversation with the New England Patriots legend who was the No. 199 pick in the 2000 NFL Draft out of Michigan. Beard admires the relentlessness Brady played with. "He's kind of the ultimate chip-on-your-shoulder guy," Beard said. "Wasn't supposed to play in college, ends up being the best player. Wasn't supposed to be a draft pick, ends up being the best player." Beard doesn't just internalize the information. The true value comes from boiling down what makes Brady tick and passing it along to his players such as junior forward Augusto Cassia. "Ultimately I get it down to the CliffsNotes version and try to get that information to the players," Beard said. "I don't expect Gusto to spend all the time that I spend on those projects. But if I can get him the bottom line and five minutes of information that it took me four months to gather, that's kind of one of my responsibilities as a coach." Advertisement Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@ or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss basketball coach Chris Beard studies Tom Brady
