Latest news with #Scouting
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2026 draft scouting first look: Alabama defensive lineman L.T. Overton
LT Overton is a player who is a little more familiar from an NFL draft perspective than most collegians. That's because Overton was often projected to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, which resulted in a more scouting-centric eye towards his play for the Crimson Tide during the last college season. Overton is an interesting prospect. At this point in his career, which began at Texas A&M before moving to Alabama in 2024, he appears to be more of a talent in search of a position than an easily defined prospect. Some of that owes to his size. Advertisement At a listed 6-foot-5 and 283 pounds, which each seemingly legit, Overton is a little too tall and light to be a full-time interior player, but too big and tight-hipped to play as a full-time DE in most schemes--Alabama's included. As a result, the Crimson Tide deployed him all over the place. Their game against Georgia last September is a great example. In just the first half of the game, Overton lined up at 8 different spots on the line, from a shaded nose to playing over the flexed TE in the slot. As was the case in several other games I watched (Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina), Overton was at his best playing the 4i/5T role and attacking the guard. His best attribute is his length. Overton has long arms even for a 6-5 guy; his wingspan could wind up being the longest in the draft class. He's got power in the shoulders and hands that can really set up inside moves--swats, pulls, rips and swims. Overton is also good at using a long first step to win leverage against taller blockers, which serves him well when playing outside the offensive tackle. Overton has some twitch for his size, but he's never going to win with quickness. His tight hips really show when he has to change direction, and it also leads to issues in corraling tackles in space. Some Alabama fans have been very harsh on Overton's inability to finish what he starts, and that criticism isn't without some merit. That needs to be his biggest point of emphasis during the 2025 college season. Advertisement Out in space, Overton is athletic enough and aware enough to be effective in short drops. He can destroy the blocking and/or timing in a tunnel screen or quick slant--ask LSU. While not sudden, Overton does have decent speed once he's moving, though the body control to gather or change direction is still not an asset. He fights hard and can be violently unpleasant to block with his length and strength. Overton's usage in the Alabama defense will be important to watch this coming season in regards to his 2026 NFL Draft potential. Does he continue to be a more supplementary versatile piece, or will the Crimson Tide ensconce him at one primary position and ask him to thrive in a more defined role? As such, Overton is a player with a very wide potential draft range entering the college season. This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: L.T. Overton: 2026 NFL Draft scouting first look at the Alabama DL
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Brighton move for Greek teenager Kostoulas
So, with Brighton having agreed a deal with Olympiakos for 18-year-old forward Charalampos Kostoulas, we want your do you make of the signing? Has your scouting department unearthed another gem? And where do you see the youngster's place in Fabian Hurzeler's squad?Let us know here
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Craig Button on Wild's offseason, prospects, what to do with Marco Rossi: ‘Be careful about trading skill'
When it comes to potentially trading Marco Rossi, Craig Button has a warning for the Minnesota Wild: 'Be careful about trading skill.' Button, the former NHL general manager and current TSN director of scouting, said there should be plenty of value for Rossi if the Wild do take him to market. He lauded Rossi's potential to grow into a 'really good player in the National Hockey League' despite losing some development time due to the pandemic and a COVID-19-related heart condition. Rossi is coming off a 24-goal, 60-point performance and is a restricted free agent. Advertisement 'Scotty Bowman said to me, 'This is a pretty skilled player. Those guys aren't easy to find,'' Button said on the latest Fellowship of the Rink podcast. Whether Rossi is traded will likely be decided around next month's NHL Draft, if he and the Wild are unable to come to terms. But Button brought up a personal anecdote about how a team he worked for — the then-Minnesota North Stars — made a mistake in trading skill (defenseman Larry Murphy) in 1990. 'Larry Murphy was with our team in training camp,' Button recalled. 'He's like, 'I'm going to get traded.' I'm like, 'No, you're not getting traded. You are too good.' He goes, 'No, no, I don't think the manager likes me.'' Bobby Clarke had taken over as North Stars general manager that summer. That fall, Clarke traded Murphy and Peter Taglianetti to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Chris Dahlquist and Jim Johnson. Murphy would win back-to-back Cups with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Three weeks after the trade, all the North Star scouts, including Button, were on a call trying to find a skilled defenseman. 'We were going through the players — this guy, that guy — and (chief scout Dennis Patterson) said, 'You know, we traded a pretty good one a few weeks ago.' The call ended. We traded for Derian Hatcher. Wasn't a great fit. It wasn't until we got (Sergei) Zubov that we finally replaced Larry Murphy. 'Yeah, five and a half years later.' Enjoyed latest @FOTRshow with @CraigJButton. Lot of #mnwild talk, from offseason needs to Marco Rossi market to expectations for Yurov, Jiricek, Ohgren. Plus how Zeev Buium reminds him of Scott NiedermayerYouTube: — Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) May 26, 2025 Button had a lot of great insight on the Wild during his appearance on the podcast. Here are some of the highlights: On where Wild sits among contenders in West: 'I don't think there's any question this is a team on the rise. I think it goes back to patience and understanding. Bill Guerin came in and looked at the situation, evaluated it for a period of time, waited to make some changes. The most difficult thing he had to do was buy out Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. With it came a real albatross. The buyout money really hindered the Wild from winning — the ability to spend. Advertisement 'But what it allowed them to do is put some players in position that maybe they wouldn't have had they been signing free agents and trading for players. That's allowed the team and younger players to get a lot better. 'They've drafted so well. They've got difference makers in the net. They've got difference makers on the blueline. They've got difference makers up front. Now, with a load of cap space coming available, (Guerin) has got a great opportunity to add to the team. You're going to fill in some areas and add in some areas and bolster and strengthen. That's the opportunity now for Bill Guerin. 'To me, now it's where Billy will be judged on. How do you take it to the next level?' On areas Wild should address this summer: 'They can bolster some of their forward group. One thing I noticed is when (Joel) Eriksson Ek was out, (Kirill) Kaprizov was out, who did they have to roll out on the power play? They tried. But there was a real falloff there. They've got to build some strength in that middle area between the top players and the next group of players so that you don't fall off so much. 'I also believe they need to find a goaltender. I'm not so sure right now that (Jesper) Wallstedt is ready to give (Filip) Gustavsson what he needs. Maybe Jesper doesn't want to hear that. But Gustavsson is still young and I don't think another young goalie trying to find his way is the answer for the Wild. … I like what Brad Treliving did in bringing Anthony Stolarz in for Joe Woll. That's the type of move.' On Zeev Buium, who won a gold medal with Team USA at the World Championship: 'Buium is going to be a star, I have no doubt. He reminds me a lot of Scott Niedermayer, the way he plays. Is he going to get 90 points? I don't think he'll be a 90-point guy. But he's going to be somebody that's so efficient in his game, the puck always gets to the right place. He's a great skater, has got a great mind, speed, understanding of the game. When he gets those reps, he's going to become a big-minute player. He's done it. I've watched him play since he was 15 years old. When you watch somebody have that type of success and command the game and control the game for that long, now it's a matter of, 'OK, let's watch him do it.' Advertisement 'Someone asked me about Lane Hutson last summer and Montreal. I said, 'I've yet to see a level that Lane Hutson didn't master.' And I feel the same way about Buium. The exact same way. We know Lane Hutson, he got my first-place vote for the Calder Trophy. Zeev has got that Scott Niedermayer-esque ability to control the game — whatever you ask him to do. There's not a lot of fanfare to it. Not a lot of flash. But he's just incredibly productive. And he's a winner. You need those types of guys.' On what David Jiricek can be at the NHL level: 'He was drafted high, but he's not going to be a top-pair defenseman. He's just not going to be. So accept who you are. Accept what he is. And go on from there. A bottom-pair defenseman. A right shot, No. 5 defenseman on the right side. Stop worrying about offense. 'They've got to be realistic about the potential, and teams make mistakes in that regard. They over-project the players, and then they say, 'Oh, he's not there.' Was it his fault or your fault? 'Come to the realization that what he is may not be what you thought he was, then you evaluate. He's always been a competitor. He's got size, he can play physical. Embrace it and stop thinking about being the sixth overall pick. He is what he is. To me, young players on entry-level contracts, that's very valuable. Go try to be a Brandon Carlo or Erik Cernak.' What to expect from Danila Yurov: 'He's skilled. He's smart. He's got some weight and size to him. It's not easy to play in the KHL. The game is elite but slower. The game is more methodical. But for a young player trying to understand that grind, the timing for Yurov to come over now is good. 'John Hynes is going to push the pace. You've got to be quick. I think he can do that. The other benefit for Yurov is you've got Kaprizov right there with him. Don't ever underestimate the importance of having somebody who is an absolute star and is willing to do everything to help a young player. That's invaluable. 'That's another player that can come in and really help your team, and he doesn't have to be the front-line guy. It might not be until January or February where he starts to really show it, but that 4-5-6-7 group of forwards, that's the type of player you want to get.' Advertisement On who he's more excited about: Liam Ohgren, Riley Heidt or Hunter Haight? 'I think Liam Ohgren will be a really good third-line winger. Full stop. You need third-line wingers. Go watch those teams in Tampa Bay winning Cups. You want Blake Coleman on your team? Darn right you do. They traded a first-round pick and Nolan Foote for him. All he did was help them win two Stanley Cups. To me, that's Liam Ohgren. He's a big, hard, heavy, competitive, determined player. He's smart. I want Liam Ohgren on my team. He was captain of his age group in Sweden. He's won. He's a real key player when it gets hard and heavy.' (Top photo of Marco Rossi: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Kirkcudbright Scout undergoing brain tumour treatment receives Unsung Hero Award
Hazel Dempster was one of just 20 young Scots from across the UK chosen to receive the accolade from Chief Scout Dwayne Fields. A Kirkcudbright Scout who is being treated for a brain tumour has received one of the movement's top awards. Hazel Dempster was chosen to receive an Unsung Hero Award from Chief Scout Dwayne Fields at the organisation's home in London's Gilwell Park. She was one of just 20 young Scouts chosen out of 475,000 Scouts from across the UK to receive the award, which recognises acts of outstanding bravery and selflessness. She said: 'I'm surprised and proud at receiving Dwayne's heroes award. It was great to meet him and talk with him.' The citation for Hazel's nomination read: 'Hazel is an amazing young person, a fantastic young leader who takes time to engage the quieter Scouts and includes everybody helping them to do their best. 'Hazel has been receiving treatment in recent years for a brain tumour, going through chemotherapy and now a newer form of treatment, but through this, she continues to carry on with Scouts and making a difference to other young people. She doesn't let her treatment stop her. 'She enjoys helping out, comes up with creative ways to help make Scouting as enjoyable as possible for the Scouts whilst also gaining leadership and teamwork skills. 'She also regularly takes it upon herself to fundraise for the Kirkcudbright Scout group, baking to raise donations, taking part in larger bake sales as well as helping at fundraising stalls.' The Unsung Heroes Award is a coveted personal achievement which recognises the amazing skills and endeavours of young people across the Scouts community – from Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and people in the Scout Network. The winners were nominated by Scout volunteers for their outstanding bravery and leadership in the community, showing skills and qualities which are learned by being part of the Scouts and subsequently taken through life. Winners were chosen by an experienced panel of Scout Ambassadors led by the Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields. He said: 'A huge congratulations to the winners of this remarkable award for acts of courage and selflessness in the community. Being part of the Scouts provides young people with skills they take with them through life, and the stories of these young people represent the highest form of Scouting values. 'I want to thank you for your dedication and celebrate what is a truly outstanding achievement.'
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles host Syracuse running back on a local visit
The Philadelphia Eagles are conducting more work on running backs in the upcoming NFL Draft. According to his Instagram story, Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen visited the NovaCare Complex this week on a pre-draft visit. Allen is a Millville, New Jersey native, so this qualifies as a local visit. LeQuint Allen's Scouting Report via Lance Zierlein: Advertisement Allen is a versatile back with adequate size and speed. He's decisive and gets what he can on most carries but lacks burst, imagination and contact force to create on his own. He's a reliable pass-catching option with natural hands and an ability to run routes and find yards after the catch. His pass-protection willingness and execution stands out against others in this class. Allen's ability to cover kicks and return punts adds to his value as a potential Day 3 pick who could compete for a role as a third-down option. Philadelphia hosted Texas RB Jaydon Blue on a top-30 visit last month, so they're clearly interested in adding more talent to their backfield. The Eagles extended Saquon Barkley this offseason and have newly signed A.J. Dillon and second-year player Will Shipley behind him. Kenneth Gainwell was the team's primary pass-catching back on third downs last season. With Gainwell leaving for Pittsburgh in free agency, Allen's versatile skill set could help fill those snaps. Allen posted 2,085 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns over his final two seasons at Syracuse. This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles host Syracuse RB LeQuint Allen on local visit
