Latest news with #defensivelineman
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Emerging as Heavy Favorite for 2026 Four-Star DL
Texas Emerging as Heavy Favorite for 2026 Four-Star DL originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Texas Longhorns are on track to land one of the top defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class. On Wednesday, Texas received two important recruiting predictions for four-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland. On3's Steve Wilfong and Chad Simmons each entered a prediction for the Longhorns to land Cleveland with a 60% confidence level. Advertisement The Parker High School (Birmingham, AL) product is ranked the No. 8 overall prospect in Alabama and the No. 11 defensive lineman for the 2026 recruiting class, according to On3's industry ranking. Cleveland is ranked a bit higher for 247Sports as the No. 5 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 4 recruit in Alabama. In 2024, Cleveland recorded 50 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Cleveland initially committed to Alabama on Oct. 31, 2024, but his pledge lasted a little under two months. He decommitted from the Crimson Tide on Dec. 16 and has since taken official visits to Florida, Georgia, Auburn, UNC, Texas and Miami. Advertisement Earlier in the week, Inside Texas' Eric Nahlin submitted a 85% confidence level in Texas to land Cleveland as well. On3's recruiting prediction machine now shows the Longhorns as the heavy favorite in Cleveland's recruitment with a 93.8% chance of landing him. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are preparing for a big recruiting weekend over the next few days. It wouldn't come as a shock to see a couple of commitments follow shortly after. Related: Texas Longhorns Top NIL Earners in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones was named the NFL's best interior defensive lineman.
Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones was named the NFL's best interior defensive lineman. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As much as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce get their rightful praise, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones deserves to be showcased among the best players in franchise history and a cornerstone of KC's recent Super Bowl barrage. Advertisement He is one of just six players on the Chiefs active roster that has appeared in all three of Kansas City's Super Bowl victories over the past six seasons... And the only player on defense. The 6-6, 310-pounder has anchored the Chiefs' defensive line since 2016 and has already put together a historic career. Even entering his 10th NFL season, he isn't slowing down. PFF revealed their rankings for the defensive tackle position and Jones reigned supreme above all the rest, ranking first among the top 32 interior D-linemen in the NFL. "What more is there to say about Chris Jones?" the article read. "The future first-ballot Hall of Famer was once again the highest-graded interior defender in the NFL in 2024 (90.2). That makes it 88.0-plus marks in seven of his nine NFL seasons. His 1.69 PFF WAR over the past three years is by far the most among interior defenders." Advertisement The former second-round pick out of Mississippi State has enjoyed a streak of six consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and three First Team All-Pro honors entering this season. In Kansas City's last two Super Bowl wins in 2022 and 2023, Jones put together two of his best pass-rushing seasons with 15.5 and 10.5 sacks respectively. Last offseason, he signed a hefty five-year, $158 million contract that deservedly puts him among the highest-paid defensive players in football. Jones may get outshined by the likes of Mahomes and Kelce on occasion ... but the term "future first-ballot Hall of Famer" does not get thrown around lightly. Advertisement The 30-year-old won't be surrounded by too much star power outside of edge rusher George Karlaftis this season in KC, but the Chiefs still have plenty of ability to make another deep run in the playoffs with hopes of adding to Jones' already storied career. Related: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Reveals 2025 'Motivation' Related: Mahomes Comments On Kelce's 'Last Ride' with Chiefs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
