Latest news with #AllSEC
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five Missouri football players who have All-SEC defense potential in 2025 season
There's a preseason case to be made that Missouri football defensive coordinator Corey Batoon has the strongest tools at his disposal among the play callers in Columbia. Mizzou players are less than a month away from reporting for preseason camp. The Tigers, in recent seasons, have reported to campus in Columbia on the final weekend of July. The first game on Faurot Field — Aug. 28 versus Central Arkansas — is less than 60 days away. Advertisement Talking season will be in full swing in the middle of this month, with Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz set to appear at SEC Media Days on July 17 in Atlanta. One of the major talking points could be the anticipated collective quality of the pieces Mizzou has assembled for its defense in 2025. While it's popular, here are five Missouri football players on the defensive side of the ball who we think have the best chance to have All-SEC-caliber seasons. More: Missouri football only has 1 defensive commit in Class of 2026. Why that soon should change Daylan Carnell, safety COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 09: Safety Daylan Carnell #13 of the Missouri Tigers celebrates after a fumble by the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by) With 43 games under his belt in the black and gold, nobody on the Mizzou defense is more experienced than Carnell. Advertisement He's emerged as a bit of an everything-man for Missouri — and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time — with 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, four picks, 20 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and nine quarterback pressures across his career at the 'Star' safety spot, which essentially operates as a hybrid between the front and the secondary. Don't be surprised to see Carnell's final year in Columbia bring around some significant NFL chatter. He was named to Phil Steele's preseason All-SEC third-team, but the ceiling may be even higher for the projected mainstay on the MU defense. Jalen Catalon, safety By all indications, Catalon was no friend of the offense in spring camp. Catalon was named a second-team All-American at UNLV last season by College Football Network, a return to the top of the sport after a Freshman All-American campaign at Arkansas in 2020. Advertisement You won't find many players with bigger numbers than Catalon, who is entering his seventh season in the sport. He has 272 career tackles, 10 interceptions and has forced five fumbles during his time in the sport. That included five picks last season in Las Vegas, and a 99-tackle year over 10 games as a redshirt freshman at Arkansas in 2020. Catalon made Phil Steele's preseason All-SEC second-team list. In a safety room that loses three players who either started or played significant snaps last season, he should have a major role. Damon Wilson II, defensive end Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns fumbles the ball as he is hit by Damon Wilson II #10 of the Georgia Bulldogs Another one of Mizzou's marquee transfer-portal additions of the offseason, Wilson will play a role that should allow him to have a high impact early and often as a Tiger. Advertisement The Georgia transfer figures as the Tigers' next premier edge rusher. He fits the physical profile, standing 6 foot 4, 250 pounds, to take over for Denver Broncos-bound Johnny Walker Jr. at the boundary defensive end spot, which is where MU generates the bulk of its havoc plays. In 26 total appearances for UGA, including a couple starts, Wilson has six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Chris McClellan, defensive tackle Oct 19, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Auburn Tigers tight end Rivaldo Fairweather (13) is tackled by Missouri Tigers defensive tackle Chris McClellan (7) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images McClellan is the clear leader on the interior of Mizzou's defensive line after a standout first campaign in Columbia. There's certainly still another step for the 6-4, 323-pound senior to take, though. Advertisement The Tulsa, Oklahoma, product was productive last season, producing 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Tack on that there is going to be some inexperience around McClellan, and his role gets even more important. The Tigers will need to rely on some in-house development to round out their DT rotation at some point, but McClellan should lead the squad in snaps up front. He's a good base to build around, rated as a fourth-team preseason All-SEC pick in Phil Steele's estimation. If McClellan can build on a solid 2024, he's certainly in All-SEC consideration. More: Meet 'massive' Chris McClellan, Missouri football's potentially pivotal new defensive tackle Advertisement Josiah Trotter, linebacker West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Josiah Trotter (40) intercepts a pass during a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the West Virginia Mountaineers at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. Trotter was named a freshman All-American by the FWAA and The Athletic and was the Big 12's Defensive Freshman of the Year last season at West Virginia. He had 92 tackles, including four for loss, and recorded a pick and two PBUs. He's likely to line up as a middle linebacker for the Tigers, with returning starter Triston Newson the incumbent weakside linebacker. Both Newson and Trotter were third-team preseason All-SEC picks by Phil Steele. More: 5 Missouri football players who are All-SEC candidates on offense in 2025 season His father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr., is a Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer. His older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., helped the Eagles to the Super Bowl last season. Advertisement Big shoes, and a potentially big-time addition for the Tigers. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 5 Missouri football players who have All-SEC potential on defense
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oklahoma Sooners boast plethora of Preseason All-SEC players in latest prediction piece from major publication
Oklahoma Sooners boast plethora of Preseason All-SEC players in latest prediction piece from major publication originally appeared on A to Z Sports. In their first year in the SEC last year, the Oklahoma Sooners had just four players finish their inaugural season on the All-SEC team, and only one on the First-Team All-SEC. Advertisement However, optimism is much higher heading into 2025, and that's evidenced by this latest prediction piece from Athlon Sports. The Sooners double their first count, sending eight total players onto the All-SEC team, according to Athlon's All-SEC prediction piece. Three players earned First-Team All-SEC nominations: running back Jaydn Ott, wide receiver Deion Burks, and pass rusher R Mason Thomas. Thomas would be Oklahoma's first pass rusher to earn an All-Conference nomination since Obo Okoronkwo in 2017, while Ott would be the first Sooners' rusher since Joe Mixon in 2016. Defensive tackle Gracen Halton finished on the Second-Team All-SEC, joining Florida's duo of Tyreak Sapp and Caleb Banks. Halton tied with Banks in pressures and sacks last season at 29 and four, respectively. Three more Sooners finished on the Third-Team All-SEC: defensive tackle Damonic Williams, linebacker Kip Lewis, and cornerback Eli Bowen. Bowen proved to be a shutdown cornerback for the Sooners as a freshman last season, while Lewis is set to be the leader of the defense in his WILL linebacker role. Advertisement Rounding out Oklahoma's nominations is Eli Bowen's older brother, Peyton, who was named a Fourth-Team nod. Peyton Bowen has yet to step fully into a starting role while behind Billy Bowman Jr. and Robert Spears-Jennings, but is set to be the starter opposite of RSJ and let his talent shine through. It's a bit jarring to not see John Mateer on this list, who lost out on any spot to Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier, LaNorris Sellers, and DJ Lagway. Did they get it right? Should any more Sooners have been nominated? For my money, I expect David Stone, Derek Simmons, and PJ Adebawore to put themselves in these talks by the time the season ends. Related: Oklahoma Sooners general manager Jim Nagy's dismissal of star rankings in recruiting is a risky gamble View the original article to see embedded media. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
NBA prospect Collin Murray-Boyles' reaction after Raptors select him goes viral
Collin Murray-Boyles' dreams of becoming an NBA player were realized on Wednesday night, but his reaction to hearing his name being called at the draft left fans puzzled. The Toronto Raptors selected Murray-Boyles with the No. 9 pick out of South Carolina. The broadcast panned to Murray-Boyles appearing to shake his head and utter an expletive under his breath as he heard that the Raptors selected him. "F---," he appeared to mutter as he stood up at his table. It was either out of shock of the realization that he was turning pro or that it was the team that selected him. Regardless, the NBA world noticed Murray-Boyles reaction and he was asked about it afterward. "Just disbelief," he said, via CBS Sports. "What I said was not a bad thing by any means. Thankful." Even the Raptors made a social media post about it. Murray-Boyles played two seasons with the Gamecocks and made the All-SEC Freshman in his first season and was All-SEC in his second season. He led the conference with a 58.6 field goal percentage in 2024-25. He averaged 16.8 points per game. Toronto could use some offensive firepower after finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference. The team will bring back R.J. Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl and Gradey Dick next year. Add Murray-Boyles to the mix, and the Raptors may be in contention for the postseason once again. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Vols' Zakai Zeigler sues for fifth year of eligibility, citing NIL pay
May 21 - Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler is suing the NCAA for another year of eligibility, claiming he could lose up to $4 million in NIL money if he isn't allowed to play in 2025-26. Zeigler's lawsuit requests a preliminary injunction allowing him to play a fifth season and arguing he will suffer irreparable harm without immediate relief, with schools currently finalizing rosters and settling NIL deals. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Zeigler's lawsuit challenges the NCAA's redshirt rule in which players are allowed to play a fifth year if they sit out a year of competition. Zeigler played four consecutive seasons for the Volunteers from 2021-22 through 2024-25. He argues that he should get be allowed a fifth year of eligibility and its earning potential instead of being punished for not taking a redshirt year, per the News Sentinel. "All NCAA athletes should be eligible to compete and earn NIL compensation during each year of the five-year window -- not just those selected to redshirt," the court filings state. Zeigler filed his suit in the Eastern District of Tennessee. In it, he claims he could make between $2 million and $4 million in name, image and likeness money in 2025-26 after making $500,000 in 2024-25. The lawsuit calls a fifth year "the most lucrative year of the eligibility window for the vast majority of athletes." Zeigler set the Tennessee career records for assists (747) and steals (251). The three-time All-SEC pick and two-time league defensive player of the year averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 138 career games (83 starts). He graduated this month from Tenneseee and plans to pursue a graduate degree. --Field Level Media
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
WNBA star Rickea Jackson supports James Pearce Jr. as Falcons trade up to pick him in 2025 NFL Draft
Now that's a hard launch. Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson and former Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. appeared to make their relationship public during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Jackson and Pearce were together when the Falcons traded up to select Pearce in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick, and ESPN cameras captured the moment virtually as they celebrated at a draft party in Charlotte, N.C. 3 Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson and James Pearce Jr. at a party in Charlotte, N.C. when the Falcons traded up to select him in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24. X/ESPN Jackson, 24, was sitting alongside Pearce, 21, and rubbing his leg as he learned of his NFL dreams becoming reality after three seasons at Tennessee. The Sparks star also attended the school from 2022-24, playing two seasons for the Lady Volunteers. There was speculation on social media that Jackson and Pearce were dating, but the athletes have yet to address the matter publicly — until now. Many fans said they were shocked while reacting to the news on X. 'Is that Rickea??' one fan wrote. 'Fell to my knees when I saw Rickea Jackson sitting next to James Pearce Jr on draft night,' another added. 3 Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. AP Others said they couldn't wait to see Jackson on the sidelines in Atlanta. As a junior, Pearce recorded 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks for Tennessee. He was named First-Team All SEC in 2023 and 2024. Jackson played for the Lady Vols after three seasons at Mississippi State. 3 Rickea Jackson of the Los Angeles Sparks handles the ball during the game on September 17, 2024. NBAE via Getty Images She earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors this past season, and will begin her sophomore campaign when the Sparks open the 2025 WNBA season against the Golden State Valkyries — the league's newest expansion team — on May 17.
