Latest news with #ShrineBowl
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
"He is 1000% on of top quarterbacks": Coach Kenny Dillingham makes bold claim about Arizona's Sam Leavitt
Image Source: Getty Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State head coach, has been outspoken about what QB Sam Leavitt brings to the table, saying 'He is 1000% on of top quarterbacks' due to Sam Leavitt's excellent freshman season. That sort of endorsement makes Sam Leavitt one of the primary names to be on the lookout for during the 2025 college football season. Sam Leavitt's breakout season and college football quarterback stats Arizona State's great pass would be ready for Sam Leavitt. At this point, just transfer from Mich State to throwing 2,885 yards 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions at Mich State transfer Quarterback last season at Arizona State, his accuracy, composure in the pocket, and ability to escape extended plays led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearance as Arizona State re-entered the national spotlight. — SammyLev (@SammyLev) L by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo eavitt's success has transcended beyond simply raw stats, as his chemistry with premier pass catchers like receiver Jordyn Tyson, as well as his ability to decipher defenses, has been critical. Even without star running back Cam Skattebo in the picture, expectations for Sam Leavitt and the program's first national-championship run remain high after another eye-opening skill set and leadership performance. Kenny Dillingham's praise and leadership of Sam Leavitt's potential It's not just stats that have Coach Kenny Dillingham raving about Leavitt, in particular his work ethic and competitiveness. Dillingham praised Leavitt as a champion when it comes to work ethic, pointing out his play-making ability, both in rhythm and off schedule, and noting that he scrambles a lot like Jake Plummer did here, while at ASU. This versatility gives opposing defenses yet another dual threat they will have to worry about when facing Leavitt. Also Read: What makes Shrine Bowl experience unforgettable for Bryer Finley and his Seaman teammates Dillingham has played a key role in getting the best out of Leavitt and establishing a winning culture at Arizona State. Dillingham is trying to set the tone back by publicly putting Leavitt on a pedestal as one of the better quarterbacks in the country, which raises the bar for Sam Leavitt and shows the Sun Devils mean business to start the new season with Leavitt commanding their ships. Leavitt is supposed to be the one who brings everyone with him, but his faith and confidence in Leavitt leap across the team. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
What makes Shrine Bowl experience unforgettable for Bryer Finley and his Seaman teammates
Image Source: KSHAA Covered To Bryer Finley and his Seaman High School Vikings teammates, the 52nd annual Shrine Bowl means more than just another football game. Throughout the journey, the wide receiver, quarterback Max Huston, and defensive lineman Kaden Jordan discovered that their week-long trip to Dodge City would alter their perspective on what truly matters in sports. These young men, who are under the tutelage of coach Jared Swafford, are feeling the deep change of playing for something more than themselves as they ready to take the field Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium. Bryer Finley and teammates discover deeper purpose through Shriners Hospital connections The Shrine Bowl is a game that began in 1974, pitting the best high school football players in Kansas and generating funds and awareness for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The event this year is having 17 children that are in the hospital, as they will be honoured in the game, which has made the event created a background of emotions, which Seaman High School Vikings representatives have greatly touched. Shrine Bowl Spotlight, June 16th, 2025 The Hospital Experience Day was an eye-opener to Bryer Finley and his teammates at Seaman High School Vikings. In their visit at Ottawa University, the East squad invited young patients to their training sessions where they shared meals and made memorable moments together. Finley, this season a United Kansas Conference Offensive Player of the Year, put it this way: The experience showed him the light on the true mission of the bowl. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Kaden Jordan, the experience has been rewarding since he has had the chance to interact with some pretty cool kids and help them out. Coach Jared Swafford is new to the Shrine Bowl assistant coach roster, and he stated how goosebump-inducing it was to coach his players one final time as the representative of his community and families. Max Huston and Kaden Jordan showcase Seaman High School Vikings' championship culture The trio's participation reflects the strong football culture established at Seaman High School Vikings under Swafford's leadership. Max Huston's selection as the East squad's rotating quarterback demonstrates his ability to adapt quickly to new systems, a skill that should serve him well at Coffeyville Community College. His decision to attend Coffeyville was influenced by the immediate starting opportunity available. Kaden Jordan's commitment to Hutchinson Community College represents his confidence in one of Kansas's premier junior college programs. The defensive lineman praised Hutchinson's coaching staff and program reputation during his recruitment process. Bryer Finley remains undecided between football and baseball for his collegiate career, though his versatility and work ethic make him an attractive prospect for any program. The game will also feature Washburn Rural High School's Caden Estrada, adding another Shawnee County representative to the East roster. Estrada has signed with Emporia State University for the upcoming fall season. Also Read: 'He's had two bad years': Paul Finebaum questions future of prominent CFB coach The 52 nd Shrine Bowl is set to take centre stage at 7.00 PM Saturday at the Memorial Stadium in Dodge City as fans can watch these skilled players in action and also help children who are in need. The game will be streamed on the official site of the Kansas High School Activities Association so that supporters from all states can watch the game and rejoice at the good cause that makes this event so unique. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
New York Post
05-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Giants ‘would not leave Shedeur alone' at Shrine Bowl before things imploded: Shawne Merriman
While Shedeur Sanders may have fallen wildly far in the NFL draft, interest in him from quarterback-needy teams at the top of the draft wasn't always a question mark. The East-West Shrine Bowl took place at the end of January — and some of the draft's top picks were still enamored with Sanders at that point in time. 'I talked to [Giants head coach] Brian Daboll and I also talked to the GM there (Joe Schoen), and I can tell you, between the Giants and the Titans, they would not leave Shedeur alone,' former NFL All-Pro Shawne Merriman said on Monday's 'Up & Adams' podcast with Kay Adams. 5 Kay Adams was joined by former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman for Monday's episode of her podcast, 'The Up & Adams Show.' Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams Merriman is the founder and CEO of Lights Out Sports TV, which had the media rights to the Shrine Bowl's practices. Merriman said that the interest in the polarizing quarterback prospect was so heavy that he was 'almost tripping over their digital people with cameras because they were in our way. They were trying to get as close as they were to Shedeur, so I knew they were very high on Shedeur.' 5 Shawne Merriman is pictured while speaking on Sirius XM at Super Bowl LIX. Getty Images for SiriusXM 5 Shawne Merriman played eight seasons in the NFL, including six with the Chargers. Getty Images While he was blown away by the interest the Giants and Titans were showing in Sanders, clearly something went awry between then and the draft. 'I don't know what happened from the East-West Shrine Bowl and to the draft,' Merriman said. 'But whatever happened, caused everybody to slip or look past or not want to draft Shedeur. Because I can tell you right now that everybody was there to see him even though he wasn't practicing … the Giants — speaking of Brian Daboll and the GM there — and the Titans were very high on him and that was supposed to be their pick, so I'm not sure what happened at that point.' The Shrine Bowl is an annual game bringing together college football stars to compete in front of NFL scouts and, although he was invited and attended to meet with teams, Sanders elected not to actually play. 5 Giants coach Brian Daboll Thomas Salus-Imagn Images 5 Shedeur Sanders fell all the way to the fifth round of the NFL Draft. Cris Tiller / USA TODAY NETWORK Merriman believes that this, paired with his lack of participation at the combine and his reported poor meetings, could have been the difference in him being drafted first or third overall, compared to 144th — where he wound up being selected. In a Giants meeting specifically, Sanders reportedly failed to identify errors in a mock playbook the team used in the pre-draft interview process. That led to the quarterback being 'pissed,' and Big Blue not appreciating his mistake nor his reaction afterward. 'I don't know exactly because I'm not in those meetings, but I can tell you that they wanted to draft Shedeur at that time — the Titans or the Giants,' Merriman said. 'He was going there 100 percent just based on what I've seen and just the conversations that were happening [at the Shrine Bowl], so I know that he was supposed to go to one of those two teams in the first round.'
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Breaking down Ravens' 2025 NFL draft class: Best pick, head-scratching pick, best value
Breaking down Ravens' 2025 NFL draft class: Best pick, head-scratching pick, best value We're taking a closer look at the Baltimore Ravens' 2025 NFL draft class with the best pick, sleeper, head-scratching pick, and more. The Baltimore Ravens added 11 draft picks to their roster in this year's NFL draft, landing Malaki Starks near the end of Round 1 to cap things off. Overall, the consensus for Eric DeCosta centered on draft value and landing prospects who can develop into starters regardless of the round in which they were selected. Of course, we won't know the actual impact of this year's class until these players hit the field and have time to develop, but on paper, it does look like DeCosta maintained and created another Super Bowl window. With the rookie minicamp having concluded, we're looking at this 2025 class, where we highlight the best pick, sleeper, head-scratching pick, and more. Best pick - Malaki Starks Starks played three seasons for the Bulldogs, recording 197 total tackles, 17 pass deflections, and six interceptions in his collegiate career. In the 2024 season, he had 77 total tackles, four for loss, and one interception. He was an All-American in 2023. Best value - Mike Green A projected top 20 pick slid down the board to Round 2, pick 59. Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green called it a 'blessing in disguise' that he ended up with the Baltimore Ravens, an organization with a rich defensive tradition. Green, who led the FBS last year with 17 sacks to go along with 23 tackles for loss while starring for Marshall, was widely considered one of the top pass rushers in the draft. Sleeper pick - LaJohntay Wester While he could struggle to earn snaps on offense, the Ravens addressed their most under-the-radar need in return specialist LaJohntay Wester. The Ravens struggled in punt return last season, ranking 16th with a 9.7-yard average and using four different players. Wester is a speedy returner who averaged 12.2 yards on punts last season at Colorado, including a 76-yard touchdown. At the Shrine Bowl, his acceleration was clocked at 6.2 yards per second squared, making him the second-fastest on offense since the Shrine Bowl partnered with Zebra Sports. Wester has a connection with Baltimore, playing under Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart at Florida Atlantic. Head-scratching pick -Carson Vinson Baltimore selected offensive tackle Carson Vinson out of Alabama A&M in the fifth round, after they had already selected another developmental offensive lineman in Emery Jones Jr. Offensive line depth has been a concern, and the Ravens went with Vinson, who played at the FCS level and competed against lesser competition. His Senior Bowl tape is solid, but Baltiomre could have potentially added another defender. position group to watch - Kicker Head coach John Harbaugh said the call at kicker will be 'football decision', but The Ravens' brass has been adamant in recent months in saying they'd follow the lead of the NFL's investigation before deciding on the future of kicker Justin Tucker, who 16 Baltimore-area massage therapists have accused of inappropriate sexual conduct as part of an investigation by The Baltimore Banner. Baltimore used a sixth-round pick on Arizona's Tyler Loop, the first kicker drafted in the organization's 30-year history.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Commanders land multiple selections in ESPN's top 100 picks of the draft
Commanders land multiple selections in ESPN's top 100 picks of the draft I'm a big fan of Ole Miss CB Trey Amos, day 1 starter in a press scheme. Leads CFB with 9 passes defended, great zone IQ, competitive run defender — James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) November 12, 2024 The 2025 NFL draft is over, and the reactions and opinions of every pick are in! ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller released his top-100 picks of the NFL draft, and Washington made the list with multiple selections. Even with only 5 picks in the draft, Adam Peters and the Commanders made the most of each selection, and hit on value and talent. Here's a look at where Washington landed on Matt Miller's top-100 picks. #12 Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss (Round: 2 Pick: 61) Draft experts from every outlet were shocked to see that Trey Amos fell to pick 61 after being mocked in the late first round. Washington hit the lottery in the 2nd round, and might have their franchise outside corner for years to come now. Matt Miller ranked the Trey Amos steal as the 12th best pick in the draft, after ranking Amos as the 31st best prospect in the draft. I had Amos as a Round 1 possibility to the Commanders in my final mock draft because of their need for a physical press cornerback. Instead, they were able to get him at the end of Round 2. Amos' ability to win at the line of scrimmage and be physical will allow him to shine opposite Marshon Lattimore. Trey Amos is a perfect fit for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr's defense with his elite press-man skills, and excellent reaction burst in zone coverage with his 4.43 40-yard dash speed. The newest Commander in the secondary uses his long arms to break passes up at the catch point, and will fit in perfectly with Mike Sainristil and Marshon Lattimore. #100 Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona (Round:7 Pick: 245) Washington needed to revamp the running game this season, and they may have found a gem in Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the 7th round. The Commanders were linked to Croskey-Merritt throughout the draft process, and hosted him on a top-30 visit as well. Jacory missed out on almost all of his final season due to the NCAA ruling him ineligible, but he stuck with the team, attended meetings, and supported his teammates even after learning that he wouldn't play the rest of the season. He also made the most of a late invite to the Shrine Bowl where he ended up winning MVP of the All-Star game. Matt Miller had Jacory Croskey-Merritt as his 227th overall prospect, making him a great value pick at 245, and the 100th best pick of the draft. There's room for Croskey-Merritt to get onto the field early as a special teams return man and third-down back. The scheme fit and need in Washington for a pass-catching threat make this a fun pick. He plays with excellent vision, a quickness to make sudden cuts, and makes defenders miss in the open field. Washington needs fresh legs and a boost in the run game, and Croskey-Merritt is ready to bring it in the backfield next season.
