
1 49ers draft pick unsigned as rookies report to training camp
While the 49ers are ready to fully kick off camp when veterans arrive Tuesday, July 22, they still have some business to take care of, including rookie defensive lineman Alfred Collins' contract.
Entering training camp, Collins is the team's lone unsigned draft pick of their 11-player class, but following a fascinating trend around the league, he's one of 30 second-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft that have yet to put pen to paper.
Collins, 23, was a five-star recruit out of Cedar Creek High School in Cedar Creek, Texas, before committing to the University of Texas ahead of the 2020 season. In five years with the Longhorns, he appeared in 64 games, recording 141 tackles (18 for a loss), 12 passes defensed, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. He also earned All-SEC and All-American honors in 2024.
At this point, Collins isn't considered a holdout, considering he's not under contract. However, when he does eventually sign, he'll be competing for a top spot in the interior of San Francisco's defensive line along with veterans Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens and 2025 fourth-round pick C.J. West. Missing time in training camp could keep him from taking on an important role, especially early in the season.
If the 49ers are looking to get Collins locked in sooner rather than later, they should be offering more guaranteed money, as that seems to be the holdup for these second-round rookie deals. The only second-round picks from the 2025 NFL draft to sign their deals thus far are Houston Texans wide receiver and Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who both received fully guaranteed entry-level contracts earlier this offseason.
More 49ers: Second-year 49ers WR identified as a breakout candidate ahead of 2025 season

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Indianapolis Star
3 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
'You guys made it special.' Fever players not surprised Indy showed WNBA fans so much love during All-Star Weekend
INDIANAPOLIS – The Boston family group chat has been buzzing the past few days. Cleone and Algernon Boston — parents of Indiana Fever forward and WNBA All-Star Aliyah Boston — were in town for this weekend's WNBA All-Star Game. And every time Cleone saw a massive photo, advertisement or any sort of promotional material involving her daughter, she made sure to send it to the family group chat. "They loved it," Aliyah smiled. "(And) it was great having them in town for a little bit." The past week has showcased what Fever players and Indiana natives have long known: This state loves its basketball and when it comes to hosting massive sporting events, very few can do it better. The scene Saturday night was incredible with Gainbridge Fieldhouse packed to the rafters and the sold-out crowd of 16,988 fully engaged, maintaining its energy from start to finish of Team Caitlin Clark's 119-95 loss to Team Napheesa Collier. "That was special. That was really, really special," said Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, who led Team Clark with 20 points. "You guys made it special. I think everybody played a big part in making this weekend what it was supposed to be. Shout out to the city of Indianapolis for putting on a great show for everybody and hopefully the players from the W, from the other teams, enjoyed themselves." "Honestly, I'm not surprised," Boston added. "Anything that has to do with basketball and sports in general, Indy shows out and they get loud. They filled that arena tonight and let those athletes know they really support them." To Boston's point, it wasn't just the Fever players who felt the love. New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu drew raucous ovations every time she was shown during Friday's skills competition, and there were roars from the crowd with the introduction of each all-star on Saturday — including Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, who got some of the loudest cheers of the night. "The weekend has been absolutely incredible," team captain and Fever guard Caitlin Clark said. "I hope every player in this league, whether you're participating in the game tonight or were in the 3-point competition and skills competition or were just here to enjoy All-Star weekend, I hope they felt the same and felt the love from the city." The support shown this weekend in Indianapolis has become the standard for Fever fans and increasingly across the league. Asked if she's used to the new standard the league has established in terms of support and attendance, Mitchell replied simply: No. "And here's why, I see a new celebrity that day I watched on TV growing up at the game every day now. So I'm just like, what is happening?" she continued. "People want to see what women's basketball looks like at the highest level and we as the players want to provide a good product. And the idea is that you want people to keep packing this place in — but I'll never get used to it. Ever."


USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
Jimmy Johnson says Cowboys' 'Top-heavy' roster must avoid injuries in 2025
Citing a top-heavy roster, Johnson says Dallas must stay healthy to contend. Last season saw Dallas experience several obstacles, but none likely bigger than the injury bug, which most notably hit quarterback Dak Prescott last November with a hamstring injury that landed the Pro Bowl signal caller on injured reserve, leading Johnson to make his first and most obvious key for Dallas to return to its winning ways: health. "The biggest thing for the Cowboys, it's a big thing for any team, is to stay healthy,' Jimmy Johnson told 'I think it's probably more important for the Cowboys to stay healthy for a couple reasons. No. 1, they're top-heavy salary wise. And so, their 53-man roster may not be quite as talented at the bottom as some of these other teams." Entering its 66th season as a franchise, the Cowboys have not won a world title since the Johnson-built dynasty of the 1990s. The current team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 7-10 finish in 2024. The Hall of Fame offered his insight and identified the key factor that must unfold for the Cowboys to bounce back in what has become a more competitive NFC East. Dallas has committed a significant amount of money recently, primarily to Prescott ($60 million per season), All-Pro CeeDee Lamb ($34 million per season), Pro Bowler Trevon Diggs ($19.4 million per season), and star defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa ($20 million per season). Micah Parsons, who is seeking a long term extension ahead of the 2025 season awaits his turn. While the health of star talent will be a key factor, another point of emphasis regarding health that Johnson noted is the late gauntlet stretch of the team's season. Dallas, between weeks 12 and 17, will face off against six playoff teams from the previous year. All six teams (Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Vikings, Chargers, and Commanders) have playoff expectations in 2025, with some even being considered contenders, and four of them won 14 or more games the year before. Meaning all hands will need to be on deck for this historic stretch. "The other thing is, they have a very difficult stretch there toward the end of the season," Johnson added. "So, if they're not at full strength when they're playing those top teams – the second half of at the end of the season, it's going to be a problem. So, staying healthy is the No. 1 key." For seven decades, Johnson was deeply involved in the game of football, carving out a Hall of Fame career. As a player, he helped the University of Arkansas win the 1964 national championship. As a coach, he won multiple titles, including back-to-back Super Bowls, and from 2002 to 2025, helped entertain millions as part of Fox Sports' coverage of the NFL. With a new season approaching, Johnson for the first time since his youth, won't be involved in football. The legendary coach, announced his retirement from broadcasting following the 2024 NFL season and is now enjoying his post football career down in Florida and in his restaurant Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill. While Johnson might be relaxing on the water, football will never be far out of reach for the man who won a pair of world titles with the Dallas Cowboys. Johnson, who was inducted into the Cowboys' ring of honor during the 2023 season, put his mark on a franchise that was in the cellar when he was brought along in 1989 after coaching the University of Miami to a national championship. His former Arkansas teammate, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, handed him the keys with confidence to the football operations side to help steer the team back in the right direction, and just five years later, the Cowboys would lift the Lombardi trophy in back-to-back years between 1992 and 1993. Now in 2025, Jones is hoping that first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer can help the team reach that same level. While the hiring of Schottenheimer surprised many, the 51-year-old head coach, who is the son of the great Marty Schottenheimer, has Johnson's full vote of confidence ahead of the new season. "Well, I knew his dad, Marty a long time ago when I was coaching Oklahoma State," Johnson recalled. "Marty was with Cleveland and came down to visit with one our players. He ended up drafting Chris Rockins (second round, 1984). But I've known Marty for years. "Later on, Brian was working in Jacksonville. Urban Meyer had me fly down and visit with their staff about drafting players, and schedules, etc. I talked to Brian some there in Jacksonville. I think he's enthusiastic and is an outstanding coach. I think he'll do a really good job with the Cowboys." The Cowboys will begin training camp on Monday and, in less than 50 days, will kick off the Schottenheimer era on Thursday, September 4, when the team visits the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles for the 2025 NFL season opener. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!


USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
Fans, brands, players and parties: Here's what you missed at WNBA All-Star in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS — Tippy-toed kids with arms stretched over stanchions and weighed down by basketballs waited eagerly outside a hotel to catch a glimpse of their favorite players. People danced through downtown to Taylor Swift's "I'm feeling 22." A crowd gathered to shoot hoops on orange courts painted onto streets, dusty from the hum of construction all around. It was 9:30 in the morning of the WNBA All-Star Game. Caitlin Clark, larger than life in Indiana, quite literally loomed over the festivities, her image adorning high-rise buildings, posters and merchandise. The Indiana Fever guard didn't play because of an injury, but still captained the team from the sideline and made appearances throughout the weekend. The weekend. Activations galore — a Coach party, Lilly fan center with branded basketballs, Wilson pop-up with Clark selling her signature line and more. Player appearances all over town. National media descending. Three days of fan zones featuring souvenirs, swag, bounce houses, games and watch parties, culminating with fireworks after the Saturday night main event broadcasted by ABC. And, of course, the Stud Budz. Dark clouds rolled through downtown Indianapolis just hours before tipoff, but the weather cleared up in time for the game and it seemed nothing could dampen the spirits of the fans inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse. "Amazing," said Hartley Hensler, 7, who flew in from Las Vegas with her mother, Jessica, for their third WNBA All-Star Game. "And there's a lot of posters on buildings. There's a lot of A'Ja (Wilson). She's even on buses." Who's Hensler's favorite player? 'Jackie Young. See, her name is on the back," she grinned, turning around to show the back of her jersey. More: WNBA fashion, growth on display at The Collective's All-Star party with USA TODAY Studio IX The hype and celebrations of a women's sports league reaching new heights of popularity is happening parallel to contentious negotiations over the Collective Bargaining Agreement. A CBA meeting Thursday did not go well and they took the court Saturday in warm-up shirts that read, "Pay Us What You Owe Us." The players cite the league's impressive growth and trajectory while negotiating for better pay and benefits. And that growth was tangible this weekend. Sally McCracken and Debbie Heinrichs, both of Plainfield, Indiana, and Fever season ticket holders, were at their first WNBA All-Star Game since 2003 in New York City. When asked how this year's event compared, their eye widened and McCracken said, "Oh, so many more people and so much more excitement. It's amazing to see everyone get the attention they deserve. I think Caitlin has driven a lot of that, but it's not like the others weren't deserving. They've deserved it for a long time." WNBA Live, a two-day fan festival at the Indiana Convention Center, is much bigger than the previous three years it's been held. WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert said there are more than 25 brand activations across 125,000 square feet this year, a more than sixfold increase since 2022, when four brands activated in Chicago for the very first WNBA Live. Among the more than 20,000 fans who attended WNBA Live was Thomas Brown of Indianapolis and his 3-year-old daughter Zora. "I bought my baby a jersey for the first time and some shoes," Brown told USA TODAY Sports during halftime of the All-Star game. "This is her first time coming to a basketball game and I thought it was very important for her to have some role models to look up to when it comes to basketball. She's loving it so far. The atmosphere is great. It's really loud, so we had to put some earphones on her, but other than that, a lot of excitement, a lot of energy from the crowd." An announced crowd of 16,988 showed up for the All-Star Game, packing the arena's three tiers of seats and cheering while lasers, lights and music filled the air. The halftime show featured a GloRilla performance and, at the close of the third quarter, there was an aerialist hanging from the ceiling. Celebrities and big names in the sports world lined the courtside seats, including comedian Leslie Jones, six-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol and South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley. But the loudest part of the night came after the game, when the crowd voiced its solidarity with the WNBA players fighting for more equitable pay. "Pay Them! Pay Them!" Chants rose above the voice of Engelbert as she attempted to announce Napheesa Collier MVP after she led her team to a win over Team Clark. "I see a bunch of strong women who aren't going to back down and fight for what we want," Collier said after accepting her award, the crowd's chants changing to cheers. "I couldn't do it without them."