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Athleticism

All articles tagged with #athleticism

Tuchel bets on pace and flexibility as England name a sprint-focused World Cup squad
sports5 days ago

Tuchel bets on pace and flexibility as England name a sprint-focused World Cup squad

Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad emphasizes athleticism and versatility, dropping several Euro 2024 names and leaning on pacey, multi-position players (Madueke, Livramento, Spence, Quansah) alongside a bulk of Arsenal and City representatives (Rice, Saka, Guehi, O’Reilly, Stones). The 26-man group mixes experience (Kane, Henderson, Rice) with younger talents and a plan to exploit width and pace, while maintaining a reliable spine in goal (Pickford, Henderson, Trafford) and a front line of Kane, Toney and Watkins.

Bears Push Speed to the Forefront with 2026 Draft, but Will It Move the Needle?
sports1 month ago

Bears Push Speed to the Forefront with 2026 Draft, but Will It Move the Needle?

The Chicago Bears’ 2026 NFL Draft is hailed as the most athletic in the league, with picks prioritized for speed and toolsy traits across the defense and offense, reinforced by free-agent acquisitions. While the approach could boost speed and versatility under coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, analysts warn that elite athleticism alone doesn’t guarantee on-field production, leaving the impact of this draft class to be judged when the season starts in September.

49ers lean on athleticism to remake roster in 2026 draft
sports1 month ago

49ers lean on athleticism to remake roster in 2026 draft

San Francisco used eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, prioritizing athleticism, speed and mental toughness to address a slow 2025 defense and aging offense. The selections—De’Zhaun Stribling, Romello Height, Kaelon Black, Gracen Halton, Carver Willis, Ephesians Prysock, Jaden Dugger, and Enrique Cruz Jr.—were driven by a data-driven emphasis on pro-ready traits and Relative Athletic Scores, with Lynch and Shanahan hoping the versatile, high-upside players bolster multiple areas and accelerate a roster renovation.

Bears select raw, hyper-athletic DT Jordan van den Berg in Round 6
sports1 month ago

Bears select raw, hyper-athletic DT Jordan van den Berg in Round 6

Chicago Bears used the 213th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to take Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg, a 6’3”, 310-pound interior lineman with a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score who emerged as a disruptive run defender after transferring from Penn State to Georgia Tech, earning 2024 All-ACC honors and projected for upside as a raw yet high-ceiling interior defender.

Browns Bet on Taylen Green’s Athletic Upside in Round 6
sports1 month ago

Browns Bet on Taylen Green’s Athletic Upside in Round 6

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, renowned for elite athletic testing (4.36 40-yard dash, 43.5-inch vertical) and a 6-foot-6 frame, was selected by the Browns with the 182nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. His college passing numbers were modest over four years (Boise State and Arkansas), prompting questions about his NFL readiness. Cleveland is drafting him as a quarterback with potential to contribute in other offensive roles, given the team’s current QB depth behind Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel.

Eagles land versatile TE Eli Stowers at No. 54, eyeing big upside
sports1 month ago

Eagles land versatile TE Eli Stowers at No. 54, eyeing big upside

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers with the 54th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A former high school quarterback who transitioned to tight end in college, Stowers posted increasing receiving production across New Mexico State and Vanderbilt (2023: 35-366-2; 2024: 49-638-5; 2025: 62-769-4) and demonstrated elite athleticism at the NFL Combine (4.51-second 40, 45.5-inch vertical, 11'3" broad jump). At 6'4", 239 pounds he profiles as a big-receiver weapon who will need to improve blocking to become a complete tight end, with time to develop behind Dallas Goedert in 2026.

Indy Standouts: 10 Combine Performances That Could Shape the 2026 NFL Draft
sports2 months ago

Indy Standouts: 10 Combine Performances That Could Shape the 2026 NFL Draft

At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, 300+ prospects showcased their athleticism, with 10 players notably boosting their stock: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles (4.46 40, 43.5" vertical), Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers (45.5" vertical, 4.51 40, 11'3" broad), Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. (4.33 40, 39" vertical, 10'8" broad), edge Malachi Lawrence (4.52 40, 40" vert, 10'10" broad), S Jalon Kilgore (4.40 40, 37" vertical, 10'10" broad), Texas Tech edge David Bailey (4.5/40, top speed ~22.9 mph, 14.5 sacks in 2022), LB Jacob Rodriguez (4.57 40, 38.5" vert), WR Chris Brazzell II (6'4", 198 lbs, 4.37 40), T Max Iheanachor (4.91 40, heavy measurables), and S Dillon Thieneman (4.35 40, 41" vert). The results help shape draft stock as teams weigh speed, length and burst against on-field production.

Speed takes over Day 4 as Sadiq leads a blistering 2026 NFL Combine
sports2 months ago

Speed takes over Day 4 as Sadiq leads a blistering 2026 NFL Combine

Day 4 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine showcased elite speed across the board, led by Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq’s 4.39-second 40, with the defensive groups posting record speeds (defensive line 4.87, linebackers 4.55, defensive backs 4.44) and tight ends posting the fastest average among the offense. Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt) posted a 45.5-inch vertical, a 4.51 40 and an 11-foot-3 broad jump; Kadyn Proctor discussed aiming for 350-355 pounds; Lorenzo Styles Jr. led a sub-4.4 safety group (Styles 4.27, Spears-Jennings 4.32, Stukes 4.33, Thieneman 4.35). Thieneman’s 4.35 and other fast times boosted first-round chatter, while Connor Lew shared a beach-snapping origin story and Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling highlighted yoga’s benefits for injury prevention and mobility.

Saquon Barkley Named Madden NFL 26 Cover Athlete
sports11 months ago

Saquon Barkley Named Madden NFL 26 Cover Athlete

Saquon Barkley, the Eagles running back, will be featured on the cover of Madden NFL 26 and has been named to the Madden 99 Club, marking a historic achievement for an Eagles offensive player. His remarkable season, highlighted by a record-breaking 2,504 rushing yards and a signature reverse hurdle play, has earned him widespread recognition and celebrates his athletic prowess.

Cooper Flagg: Rising Star Dominates Headlines and Courts
sports1 year ago

Cooper Flagg: Rising Star Dominates Headlines and Courts

Cooper Flagg, a 6'9" wing player for the Duke Blue Devils, is emerging as the top pick for the NBA Draft, showcasing his athleticism and maturity on the court. Despite a challenging game against Kansas, where he struggled in the first half, Flagg demonstrated resilience and potential in the second half, drawing comparisons to players like Aaron Gordon and Scottie Pippen. NBA teams are eyeing him as a franchise-transforming talent, similar to the excitement surrounding Victor Wembanyama in previous drafts.

Tristan Wirfs: The Rise of NFL's Elite Offensive Linemen
sports1 year ago

Tristan Wirfs: The Rise of NFL's Elite Offensive Linemen

The article explores the evolution of NFL offensive linemen into some of the league's most athletic players, highlighting their increased involvement in complex plays and their ability to perform agile, powerful maneuvers. It discusses how modern training techniques and a focus on athleticism have transformed these traditionally large players into versatile athletes capable of matching the speed and agility of smaller players. Examples include players like Cesar Ruiz and Tristan Wirfs, who demonstrate remarkable speed and agility, challenging traditional perceptions of offensive linemen.

"2024 NFL Combine: Standout Edge Rushers and Future Fantasy Football Stars"
sports2 years ago

"2024 NFL Combine: Standout Edge Rushers and Future Fantasy Football Stars"

The NFL Combine showcased standout performances from edge rusher prospects, with Dallas Turner impressing with his measurements and on-field drills, while players like Laiatu Latu, Chop Robinson, and Darius Robinson also made strong showings. However, Bralen Trice struggled in drills but displayed toughness by pushing through an injury, and Jalyx Hunt's athleticism and performance suggest a rise in his draft stock.