Player Notes
Why did former Utah offensive lineman Paul Maile transfer to BYU, and where will he play? ·
Once University of Utah graduate transfer Paul Maile gets more settled in at BYU and earns a starting spot on the Cougars’ offensive line, he says he and his teammates have to come up with a name for their group.No, it won’t be the O-Block — that’s the name that Utah’s offensive line gave itself when Maile was there, and it should remain there, the sixth-year super senior said last week.“I just needed ...
Utah defensive line aiming for ‘Sack Lake City’ return ·
“Sack Lake City” has been on the decline as of late for Utah football.After totaling 40 sacks in 2017, 32 in 2018 and 26 in 2019, Utah saw a dip to 13 sacks in 2021 and 15 sacks last season.Though the sack slowdown didn’t get in the way of the Utes winning back-to-back Pac-12 titles, Utah is looking to get more pressure on the quarterback this season as the Utes try for a Pac-12 three-peat.“I feel ...
UNLV’s Tiger Shanks working to make his game as strong as his name ·
Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023UNLV’s Tiger Shanks already has one of the undisputed coolest names in all of college football.His name ranks up there with wide receiver Decoldest Crawford of Louisiana Tech and defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama, who like Shanks are regular members of the lists of catchiest names in college football by Athlon Sports and other outlets.Now Shanks, a junior offensive ...
UMass football team making strides during preseason ·
Staff WriterPublished 8/11/2023 7:03:36 PMAs the UMass football team gets closer to its first game against New Mexico State on Aug. 26, the team is looking sharper in practice.It is still practice, after all, and it’s hard to know how the Minutemen will shape up against any of their opponents. But so far, the coaching staff seems pleased with where everybody is at two weeks into the season, including ...
Vols getting their energy boost from a most unlikely position ·
by David PaschallThe energy source on a football roster often can be a dynamic quarterback, a punishing running back, a speedy receiver or a menacing linebacker.A right guard?It's an unlikely position from which to provide an emotional punch, but Tennessee senior Javontez Spraggins appears to be doing just that. The constantly amped up 6-foot-3, 325-pounder from East St. Louis, Illinois, has started ...
TCU Notebook: Key transfer arrives, running back battle update ·
AUGUST 12, 2023 12:51 PMThe TCU Horned Frogs are approaching the midway point of training camp after wrapping up practice No. 9 on Saturday.The biggest news from practice was the arrival of transfer receiver Dylan Wright. The former Minnesota receiver was finally cleared academically Friday and able to take the practice field.Wright was a top-100 recruit in the Class of 2019 out of Mesquite. He signed ...
LOOK: Stanford's tight ends bring back"nerd nation" look ·
A movement that has been relatively forgotten around the country but was a major storyline back in 2013 was the "Nerd Nation" movement Stanford players created.Shane Skov, Tyler Gaffney and A.J. Tarpley donned the black bulky glasses with tape on the bridge after a victory over Oregon. When asked if they were referencing a movie, the players explained that they were more so embracing what it meant ...
Nick Canepa: Aztecs left twisting as conference realignment swirls ·
AUG. 12, 2023 3:34 PMSez Me …What’s going to happen to San Diego State athletics is a revolving enigma, a whirling mystery Vitamixed into a filthy, slimy frappe, inside a maelstrom, placed on a lazy Susan for everyone to enjoy at a vortex table.Dizzying.Will the spinning wheel stop on big money or the joker?The Aztecs are involved in a wild, greedy game of musical chairs and they can’t find a seat. ...
Rice Owls football: Defense dominates offense in first scrimmage ·
Defense was the prevailing force Saturday on the Rice practice field. Chalk up a victory for the unit, which dominated the offense in the Owls’ first scrimmage of camp.Lineman De’Braylon Carroll and end Coleman Coco were at the forefront.“Every time I looked up, they were playing on the offensive line of scrimmage,” said coach Mike Bloomgren, starting his sixth season as Rice head coach.It is not as ...
Purdue football outside linebacker breakdown: Youth and experience ·
Lafayette Journal & CourierWEST LAFAYETTE — Quarterbacks beware.What Ryan Walters did with outside linebackers at Illinois had quarterbacks under duress and made the Illini one of the best defenses in college football.Purdue football defensive coordinator Kevin Kane was along for the ride and now has been handed the keys to doing the same with the Boilermakers, using Walters' influence to hopefully ...
Recent Stories
2025 Draft: Previewing edge prospects
The edge rusher is a premier position in the a modern version of pro football always seeking ways to encourage more passing.
The importance of franchise passers like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert, and Jalen ...
2025 Draft: ILBs seek relevance, respect
Over the past few draft cycles, there has been a lack of a bonafide, blue-chip prospect at the interior linebacker position. In recent memory, we have heard differing opinions on who is the top linebacker and what is his value in a draft.
The position of inside ...
Bet on future DBs—they can cover
As part of our series on football’s defensive back scene, the Hall of Football consulted our ever-evolving database of ~17,000 active college and high school players to evaluate the position's future, looking at the horizon at least six years down the road—approximately ...
2025 Draft: DBs have a tough act to follow
The 2024 cornerback class was one of the deepest in recent memory, with elite talent at the top of the class and unprecedented depth that followed. While it will be tough for the 2025 class to replicate that amount of talent, there are potential stars at the ...
Heisman Trophy odds: keeping track
The Heisman Trophy picture is constantly changing, and BetOnline.ag tracks those changes to create the best odds at any given time.
It has been about half a year since they first posted odds on who may win the coveted Heisman.
Check the changes and reasons ...
Seeking nuggets in pile of rookie DBs
Whether it be too little talent or too many rule changes favoring wide-open passing attacks, NFL secondaries no longer impact the game as they once did.
Newcomers from the 2024 Draft are not likely to fix the first part of that issue. Only three DBs went in the ...
History of mystery behind decline of RBs
We began this series on running backs with a warning:
“Mama, don’t let your babies grow up to be … running backs. Not anymore. Not unless something changes.”
Apparently, mama listened or already knew. My concern over the demise of this once heralded position ...
Diving into Hall of Football database
Now that we have settled into the Hall of Football (HallofFootball.substack.com), here is our first dive into the massive database that has been at the heart of NFL Draft Scout for more than 25 years.
Led by our player savant, Brian “Hitman” Hitterman, we gather ...
2025 NFL Draft: Running amok?
After coming off of a slim running back class in 2024, the 2025 draft includes more runners than usual as potential first or second-round picks. Optimistically there could be as many as seven good enough to go in the first two rounds. Realistically, there could ...
2025 Draft: Travis Hunter, a twofer?
It’s no secret Travis Hunter is the most dynamic and versatile player in college football. It’s not just that he plays both cornerback and wide receiver but that he plays both positions at a very high level.
Hunter has become a trailblazer in college football ...
2025 Draft: Does James Pearce have Edge as No. 1?
Overview
Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee is regarded as the top edge rusher in the SEC heading into the 2024 season. He is also projected as the top edge rusher for the 2025 draft, with many viewing him as the No. 1 overall pick.
Teams and scouts ...
My backstory to EA's CFB relaunch
In the mid-1980s, I sat down with Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins and his programmers to create the underlying rating system for Madden Football.
That rating system is essentially the same as the one that drives EA’s College Football 25, the latest in ...