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USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
James Franklin named to coach of the year watch list
A post shared by Penn State Football (@pennstatefball) Penn State head coach James Franklin is gearing up for a season that many expect to be the best season of the College Football Playoff era. High expectations with a stacked roster returning from a deep playoff run have surrounded Franklin's program this offseason, and the national preseason polls may soon show just what the expectations are for the Nittany Lions. Not surprisingly, Franklin has landed on a preseason watch list for coach of the year amid the offseason hype train. Franklin was one of the coaches named to this year's watch list for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl committee. A total of 26 head coaches are named to the list. To be eligible for the award, a coach must be in at least the second year with his current program and have an APR score with the program above the national average of 969. Franklin is one of five Big Ten coaches named to the watch list. Other Big Ten coaches appearing on the list include Bret Bielema of Illinois, Curt Cignetti of Indiana, Ryan Day of Ohio State, and Dan Lanning of Oregon. Former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno is one of two coaches to win multiple Bobby Dodd Awards. Paterno won the award in the 1981 and 2005 seasons. Bill Snyder of Kansas State later become the second two-time winner with the award in 1998 and 2012. Paterno is the only Dodd Coach of the Year in Penn State program history. Last year's winner of the Dodd Coach of the Year was Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame. The last Big Ten coach to win the award was Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern in 2020. Other notable winners have included Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Brian Kelly at Notre Dame, Kirk Ferentz of Iowa, Nick Saban of Alabama, and Dabo Swinney of Clemson. You can see the full watch list for this year's Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award in the official announcement. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads
Newsweek
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
NY Giants Star Issued Jaxson Dart an NFL Reality Check
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Since Jaxson Dart hasn't suited up for his first NFL game yet, the rookie can't claim his first "welcome to the league" moment. However, with a handful of minicamp practices in the bag, the rookie quarterback can say he's quickly getting a reality check, and it's all thanks to the two-time Pro Bowler, Brian Burns. "I don't think I've had, like, my full experience of kind of seeing that, but I've had a little experience with Brian Burns chasing me," Dart said, according to GiantsWire, discussing the speed of the game at the NFL level. "He had a read option play and just, you know, his ability to come back and chase me down was kind of crazy." Jaxson Dart #2 of the Mississippi Rebels celebrates after being Penn State Nittany Lions during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Jaxson Dart #2 of the Mississippi Rebels celebrates after being Penn State Nittany Lions during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Atlanta, player in Dart's position would truly enter the big league and expect the game to be at the same speed as the college level, but it's clearly not taking long for Dart to find out just how much of a difference there is. Burns is a good test for a young guy like Dart. After collecting three seasons of NCAA experience at Florida State, the linebacker entered the NFL as the 16th overall pick in the 2019 Draft. He spent all but one of his first six seasons playing for the Carolina Panthers. In Carolina, Burns played 80 games with 67 of those matchups as a starter. He registered nearly 250 tackles and produced 46 sacks over that time. During the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons, Burns was voted into the league's Pro Bowl game. During the 2023 season, which served as his final in Carolina, Burns picked up 50 tackles and eight sacks. Carolina wanted Burns on the franchise tag. They ended up trading him to the Giants eight days after tagging him. New York rewarded Burns with a five-year deal. After getting paid the big bucks, the veteran appeared in 17 games in 2024. He racked up another 8.5 sacks and 71 tackles. The Giants hope that Burns can continue to keep up his high level of play on game days and in practice, where he's challenging a youngster like Dart. Following a four-season run in the NCAA, which included one season with USC and the rest at Ole Miss, Dart enters the New York market with expectations of eventually taking over as the franchise quarterback of the Giants. Since Dart trails two seasoned veterans on the depth chart, offseason practices and the preseason will be critical to his development this year. Although the Giants are still building to reach contender status in the NFC, they have plenty of solid veterans around to help Dart in his early development. Burns' NFL reality check will be one valuable lesson as New York prepares for the final phase of minicamp and training camp soon.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
ESPN letting ‘SportsCenter' anchor Stan Verrett go after 25 years
A longtime 'SportsCenter' anchor is departing the Worldwide Leader. Stan Verrett is leaving ESPN later this summer after 25 years with the network, according to a report from Front Office Sports. ESPN is reportedly not planning to renew his contract. 'We're grateful for Stan's many contributions and all he has brought to SportsCenter over the years,' ESPN exec Dave Roberts told FOS in a statement. 'We thank him and wish him continued success.' Verrett took to social media on Wednesday after news broke of his departure. ESPN anchor Stan Verrett during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Washington Huskies and the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 31, 2017. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images 'My life is in Los Angeles is now,' Verrett wrote on X. 'Nothing but gratitude for 25 years of living a dream at ESPN. I'm not retiring. Really excited about the future and some incredible opportunities. Stay tuned.' Verrett has worked for the company since 2000 and served as the 1 a.m. ET 'SportsCenter' host since 2009. He worked alongside longtime co-host Neil Everett in ESPN's Los Angeles studio for roughly 14 years before the latter stepped away from the network in June 2023. Stan Verrett attends the 21st Annual Emmys Golf Classic Tournament to benefit the Television Academy Foundation's Education Programs held at Riviera Country Club on October 25, 2021 in Pacific Palisades, California. Getty Images In March, ESPN announced it would be moving the Los Angeles edition of 'SportsCenter' to its headquarters in Bristol, Conn. On Monday night, Verrett and Linda Cohn co-hosted the last episode in LA and got a special guest appearance from Everett.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Texas QB Arch Manning Receives Head-Turning 2026 NFL Draft Prediction
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entering the 2025 college football season, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is going to be one of the most talked about and watch players in the nation. Being the nephew of NFL legends Peyton Manning and Eli Manning put him on the map originally. Now, he has shown a skill-set that many believe could lead to him being a future No. 1 overall pick. Despite all of the hype that he has received, Manning is completely unproven on a college football field. He played a relief role for Quinn Ewers last season and got some valuable playing time, but he has not been a full-time starter yet. Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Arizona State Sun Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns warms up prior to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Arizona State Sun Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo byThroughout the course of the 2024 season, Manning completed 67.8 percent of his pass attempts for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also recorded 108 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Read more: Shedeur Sanders' True Feelings About Browns Rookie Dillon Gabriel Revealed Following the 2025 season, Manning will have the option of leaving Texas and entering the 2026 NFL draft. Some don't think he will exercise that option, but if he has a huge year and could be the No. 1 pick, he might just consider it. Should that happen, a new surprising prediction has been made. CBS Sports has predicted that Manning will not be the No. 1 overall pick if he chooses to enter the 2026 draft. In fact, he doesn't have Manning in the top three. They have projected Manning to be the No. 4 overall pick by the New York Jets. "Arch Manning follows in the footsteps of his uncle (Eli Manning) by playing in the Big Apple," they wrote. "Manning replaces 2025 starter Justin Fields for the Jets, who hope Manning turns out much better than the last quarterback they took in the top five (Zach Wilson in 2021)." Read more: Steelers' Will Howard Gets Honest About Possible Aaron Rodgers Signing Landing with the Jets would be an interesting fit. New York signed Justin Fields during free agency this offseason to a two-year, $40 million contract. Manning would be able to come in and potentially even sit for a year before taking over as the face of the franchise. Or, he could join the Jets and instantly prove that he's the better quarterback over Fields and take the keys to the offense immediately. All of this is complete speculation. No one knows how the 2025 college football season will go for Manning with the Longhorns or whether he will enter the draft next offseason. Only time will tell, but Manning and his future will be a huge talking point over the next year. For more NFL and college football news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Post
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Cam Skattebo on winning traits he will bring to Giants
Each year, the top four candidates for the Heisman Trophy get to visit Manhattan in advance of the announcement. This year, Cam Skattebo was fifth on the list. Thus, no trip back in mid-December to the big city. Advertisement 7 Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo blows a kiss toward fans after Texas' 39-31 in double overtime win in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Jan. 1, 2025. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'I wasn't too bummed about the Heisman situation,'' Skattebo said. 'Those were great players. But I'm going to New York now for a long time, so let's do it.'' Yes, Skattebo will be spending plenty of time in the New York area — more specifically, across the Hudson River, in East Rutherford, N.J. Advertisement The bruising, bullish running back was selected by the Giants on Saturday in the fourth round of the NFL Draft and he brings a definite dimension to how he runs the football. 'Physical, downhill, get to the end zone back,'' Skattebo said. 'I love to score touchdowns. That's what I do.'' It was no secret the Giants wanted to add to a running back room that featured Tyrone Tracy Jr., veteran Devin Singletary and not much else. 7 Tyrone Tracy Jr. (left) and Devin Singletary leave the field after the the Giants' 20-13 loss to the Eagles last season. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Advertisement The middle rounds is where general manager Joe Schoen points to as prime real estate to get a running back. Skattebo broke out for Arizona State in 2024, rushing for a school-record 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns and amassing 2,316 all-purpose yards. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. At 5-foot-9 ¹/₂ and 219 pounds he does not possess blazing speed — 4.65 in the 40-yard dash — and most likely will not run away from NFL defensive backs. Advertisement 7 Cam Skattebo is tackled by Texas linebacker Colin Simmons during the fourth quarter of Arizona State's loss to Texas in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1, 2025. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'Yeah, I wouldn't consider myself not that player, but I can do it if I need to,'' Skattebo said. 'I play my brand of football, and I continue to do that, and that's what's given me success.'' In the college game, the lack of top-end speed did not matter much, as Skattebo simply broke tackles or ran through defenders. He has a compact body with tree-trunk legs and scouts say he plays more like a linebacker than a running back. Instead of shying away from contact, he relishes it. 7 Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo watches as running back prospects run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on March 1, 2025. AP 'You can go back, watch some film from back in the day,'' Skattebo said. 'It's always been a very physical game for me. Since the age of six years old, I've been doing the same thing. Throughout my life I've stuck with the path that I've put myself on, and it's working out. I'm going to continue to do that because that's what is bringing me success.'' This pick comes one year after the Giants selected Tracy in the fifth round. Advertisement That proved to be excellent value, as Tracy finished second among all NFL rookies with 839 rushing yards. Now the Giants have a 1-2 punch with Tracy and Skattebo. 7 Cam Skattebo celebrates after rushing for a touchdown during Arizona State's loss to Texas in the Peach Bowl. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images What happens with Singletary remains to be seen. Advertisement The 27-year old started only five games in 2024 and was limited to only 113 rushing attempts and 437 yards. He is scheduled to count $6.25 million on the salary cap and is signed through 2026. Having a fifth-round pick and a fourth-round pick in the backfield is Schoen's preferred way to build an offense. 7 Ashton Jeanty (left) and Cam Skattebo look on during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 1, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Getty Images Advertisement The previous Giants regime selected Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in 2018 and, despite periods of excellence mixed in with injuries, Barkley after six years could not come to contract terms with the Giants, signed with the Eagles, rushed for 2,005 yards in the regular season and won a Super Bowl. Skattebo, after running for 170 yards and scoring three touchdowns in a 45-19 victory over Iowa State to win the Big 12 Conference championship game, declared 'Nobody respects the fact that I'm the best running back in the country. If people want to disrespect that, I am going to keep going and I am going to keep proving people wrong.' He was the eighth running back taken in this draft. Advertisement Wearing a Giants hat and surrounded by family and friends, Skattebo bowed his head and cried when he heard his name announced as the 105th overall pick. 7 Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. AP He received no major program offers coming out of high school in California and starred at Sacramento State before raising his NFL stock at Arizona State. 'It kind of shows more of the path of how people have doubted me a little bit, and now that the Giants believe in me, I'm going to believe in them and what they've got and what we have as a team, and I'm going to try to go win a championship,'' Skattebo said. 'I'm ready to give it everything I've got. I can't wait to be there. It's going to be awesome.''
