All articles tagged with #college football
Former NFL quarterback Browning Nagle, the Jets’ 1991 first‑round pick who started 13 of 16 games in 1992, has died at 57 after a battle with colon cancer. A Fiesta Bowl MVP with Louisville, Nagle also spent time with the Colts and Falcons and later played Arena Football; teammates recalled his infectious laugh and leadership.
The NFL announced 16 invitees for Day 1 of the 2026 draft, with Ohio State supplying five attendees and the Big Ten leading with six prospects overall; Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza won’t attend, while Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the lone signal-caller expected on Night 1. The group features players like Rueben Bain Jr., Makai Lemon, Jeremiyah Love, Kadyn Proctor, Carnell Tate and others from LSU, USC, Notre Dame, Auburn and more.
Veteran ESPN play-by-play announcer Mark Jones is leaving the network after 36 years, a move reported by The Athletic; ESPN issued thanks but did not publicly confirm the departure, and Jones’s final ESPN game is Sunday’s Celtics vs. Magic, with his next steps unclear.
Green Bay, without a first-round pick, highlights six Day 2 interior offensive-line prospects—Gennings Dunker (Iowa), Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M), Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon), Jake Slaughter (Florida), Connor Lew (Auburn) and Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech)—a mix of guard/center talents with size, starting experience, and variability that could add interior depth or even early help depending on development and fit.
The NFL announced 16 prospects will attend the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, including five Ohio State players (Caleb Downs, Kayden McDonald, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Carnell Tate); Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza will not attend. The full list features David Bailey (Texas Tech), Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), Mansoor Delane (LSU), Downs (Ohio State), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Colton Hood (Tennessee), Makai Lemon (USC), Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama), Arvell Reese (Ohio State), Ty Simpson (Alabama), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State).
A Bleeding Green Nation writer ranks 19 wide receivers for the 2026 NFL Draft, organizing them into tiers and round projections with a clear emphasis on Eagles’ needs and scheme fit; it highlights top targets like Carnell Tate (Tier 1) and Makai Lemon (Tier 2), along with other intriguing prospects (Tyson, Concepcion, Cooper Jr., Boston, Bernard, Bell, Branch, etc.), and notes medical/competition concerns that could affect draft position. The core takeaway is to evaluate by tier and fit rather than fixating on exact order.
The SEC announced the schedule for its 2026 Football Kickoff Media Days, set for July 20-23 in Tampa at the Tampa Marriott Water Street and JW Marriott, marking the first time Tampa/Florida hosts the event. Regions is a sponsor, SEC Network will televise the four-day event, and the schools listed alphabetically by day include Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee on Mon; Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt on Tue; Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M on Wed; and Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State, and Texas on Thu. A more detailed daily schedule and TV information will be released in early July.
With the draft three weeks away, this roundup surveys mocks that go beyond the first 32 picks, focusing on Philadelphia’s potential paths: a first-round tight end (Kenyon Sadiq) in one scenario, Day 2-3 options like EDGE Derrick Moore, safety Zakee Wheatley, and OT Dametrious Crownover, plus speculative trades (Ioane, Faulk) to move up or shore up other spots, illustrating a chaotic, multi-path approach to upgrading Philly’s roster after a busy free‑agency period.
Bleeding Green Nation projects Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the Las Vegas Raiders’ No. 1 pick in their 2026 mock draft, arguing Mendoza’s blend of accuracy, athleticism, and college success makes him the best fit to reset a franchise starved for a confident signal-caller. The piece notes Las Vegas’ offseason turnover, new coordinator Klint Kubiak, and a broader push to upgrade the offense, O-line, and receiving corps, while the defense is being reshaped with signings like Nakobe Dean and Kwity Paye. It also weighs Mendoza’s fit versus other options (with a humorous aside about Tom Brady) and invites readers to vote in the community mock draft.
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, regarded as a top player, alleges Miami tampered with him after the Cotton Bowl, drawing scrutiny on Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal and turning discussion toward recruiting and a potential rematch in next season’s national-title race.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith said a college program tried to lure him into the transfer portal after the Cotton Bowl, but he stayed with Ohio State for a third season. A Miami native with 162 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns across two seasons, Smith had 87 catches, 1,243 yards and 12 TDs last year and helped OSU win a national title as a true freshman in 2024. OSU opens the 2026 season vs Ball State on Sept. 5 and hosts Texas in Austin on Sept. 12 as Smith pursues another 1,000-yard season before potentially turning pro.
Clemson’s spring game showcased budding talent: Gordon Sellars drew nine catches (eight targets in the first half) including a one‑handed TD, while Gideon Davidson ran for 80 yards on nine carries. The Orange squad also flashed depth on offense behind a promising young group, and the defense impressed with a front four (Heldt, Lawson, Burley, Strong) that recorded multiple sacks as Clemson heads into the fall with encouraging pieces.
Nebraska's Red-White Spring Game finished 22-17 as true freshman Jamal Rule starred with 121 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, boosting his case to be the lead back this fall. Anthony Colandrea showed mobility and the ability to extend plays, while Jahsear Whittington made an impact on defense. Rhule praised the energy, tempo, and the collective progress, noted the offensive line and receivers' blocking, and outlined a six-week period of training to get players healthy and dialed in for summer, with several injury and roster notes included.
Pro Football Focus labeled four Steelers-connected 2026 NFL Draft prospects—Drew Allar, Zachariah Branch, CJ Allen, and Tacario Davis—as 'buyer beware,' citing concerns such as Allar's big-game shortcomings and injury, Branch's heavy reliance on after-catch/short-area work, Allen's suspect coverage and undersized frame with limited testing, and Davis's inconsistent production despite elite size and speed; with 12 Steelers picks, Pittsburgh could pursue development paths for these players, including a potential rookie-year sit behind Aaron Rodgers and learning under coach Mike McCarthy.
Anthony Colandrea solidified himself as Nebraska’s No. 1 quarterback with quick processing and a strong downfield arm, though a late cross-body throw produced an interception; TJ Lateef and Daniel Kaelin offered depth behind him. True freshman Jamal Rule shined at running back with 121 yards on 10 carries and a TD, while Conor Booth added 87 yards and a TD to bolster the backups. Special teams went 4-for-4 on field goals, Archie Wilson pinned punts well, but kickoff returns and one muffed opening kickoff highlighted areas to improve. Attendance was 27,188, the lowest spring-game turnout since 2000, with questions about the early date and other factors as Rhule focuses on a tougher fall slate.