Latest news with #DefensivePlayeroftheWeek
USA Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan's Rayshaun Benny, overlooked DT, ready to dominate 2025 defense
Many have perhaps underestimated the impending 2025 Michigan football defense due to having lost players such as defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, as well as edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, and cornerback Will Johnson to the NFL. But there's another potential star on defense that isn't getting talked about -- at least not by most. Yet, there are high expectations for fifth-year defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny entering the 2025 season. Benny is expected to lead the seemingly deep group, but he isn't getting the national attention that his predecessors had. Yet, he's considered to be the best returning Big Ten defensive tackle, according to PFF. ESPN put together its list of the best college players at their positions in order to preview the 2026 NFL draft, and the only Wolverine who made the list was Rod Moore. Yet, the worldwide leader even acknowledged it didn't really know what to do with Benny. Player outside of the top five to watch: Rayshaun Benny, Michigan. Another year, another Wolverines defensive lineman to watch. The 6-4, 296-pound Benny will be tasked with replacing first-rounder Mason Graham. The fifth-year senior had only 1.5 sacks last season as a rotational player but has breakout potential. He ended the season playing his best ball, sharing Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping Michigan upset Ohio State. Benny was a standout reserve in 2023, the national championship season, before he broke his leg in the Rose Bowl against Alabama. The other players on ESPN's list include a player from Clemson, three from the SEC (Alabama, Georgia, and Florida), and one from Penn State. Of course, time will tell whether or not Benny proves the pundits wrong, but at least ESPN is questioning whether or not it made a mistake not putting him on the list.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Previewing the 2025 Season for Penn State OL Mylachi Williams with his player profile
Previewing the 2025 Season for Penn State OL Mylachi Williams with his player profile Going into the 2025 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will examine each player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover the player's background, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season. Mylachi Williams returns for his second season as a Nittany Lion after redshirting in 2024. Despite not seeing the field, Williams was named the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week four times and showed flashes during practice throughout the offseason. Here's a breakdown of Williams heading into next season. Preseason Player Profile Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Height: 6-3 Weight: 250 lb Class in 2025: Redshirt freshman Recruiting Rankings Class of 2024: 3-star by 247Sports and ESPN, 4-star by On3 and Rivals, No. 24 edge rusher per 247Sports Williams earned interest from Georgia, USC, Notre Dame, Michigan and others during his recruitment process. Depth Chart Overview Williams didn't see any playing time in 2024 but may earn his first snaps in 2025, likely coming in garbage time. With Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zuriah Fisher, Max Granville and Jaylen Harvey projected to lock down spots in the two-deep, Williams will likely battle for a role as a third-stringer in the fall.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Florida football players Shemar James, Trikweze Bridges sign NFL rookie contracts
Former Florida football players Shemar James, Trikweze Bridges sign NFL rookie contracts Former Florida football linebacker Shemar James and defensive back Trikweze Bridges have signed rookie contracts after being selected in the 2025 NFL draft. James was selected in the fifth round (No. 152 overall) by the Dallas Cowboys. He has signed a four-year rookie deal worth $4.62 million, including a $423,436 signing bonus, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC. A reliable presence at inside linebacker over three seasons with the Gators, James finished with 64 total tackles, two sacks and an interception last season. He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors after dominating the LSU Tigers with a season-high 11 tackles, two sacks and an interception. The Mobile, Alabama, native ended his college career with 166 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and a reputation as one of the SEC's most instinctive defenders. Bridges was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round (No. 256 overall) and has also signed a four-year rookie contract, the team announced. While financial details were not disclosed, his deal is expected to be worth around $4.3 million. A transfer from Oregon, Bridges quickly established himself as a leader in Florida's secondary last season, starting the final seven games and leading the team in tackles (70). He added two interceptions, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles in his lone season in Gainesville. With multiple former Gators signing professional contracts, head coach Billy Napier and his staff continue to prove they can prepare talent for the next level. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Fox News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Five things to watch for in Week 6 of the 2025 UFL season
The St. Louis Battlehawks have work to do. Head coach Anthony Becht said at the start of the year that he believed the Battlehawks built a roster that could win the 2025 UFL Championship Game, which takes place on June 14 in front of his team's hometown fans in St. Louis. [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League] If the playoffs started today, however, the Battlehawks would miss out and be watching from home. "We've got a huge game next week against a divisional opponent," Becht said. "And I'm just asking everyone to bring a friend." The contest Becht is referring to is the opening game of Week 6, with the Battlehawks hosting the Arlington Renegades in an all-important XFL Conference tilt on Friday night (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). It's a crucial matchup, with both teams sitting at 3-2 on the season and fighting for the second playoff spot in the division. The Renegades won the previous head-to-head matchup earlier this year, a 30-15 victory in Arlington in Week 4. Elsewhere, the Memphis Showboats (1-4) travel to face the Houston Roughnecks (2-3) on Saturday (noon ET). Closing out the week, the Michigan Panthers (3-2) host the DC Defenders (4-1) at Ford Field on Sunday (noon ET), followed by the San Antonio Brahmas (1-4) traveling to face the Birmingham Stallions (3-2) at Protective Stadium (4 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Here's a closer look at five things to watch for in Week 6: One of the main reasons for Arlington's continued success on defense this season is Harris' sharp play. The USC product and Los Angeles native just earned UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, finishing with two picks and six combined tackles in a late-game loss to the Defenders last week. Through five weeks, Harris leads the league in interceptions (three), pass breakups (11) and forced fumbles (two). "He's continually coming up with big plays," head coach Bob Stoops said about Harris. "And he plays multiple positions … so he understands all the positions. He's really a bright player, on top of being a skilled player." One of the top runners in spring football, Memphis brought Hills back to shore up the team's depth at running back. Williams finished with 277 rushing yards and five touchdowns in eight games for the Panthers in 2024. The year prior, Hills led the legacy USFL in rushing with 679 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing for current Memphis offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone as a part of the now defunct New Orleans Breakers organization. The Showboats also activated receiver Daewood Davis from IR. An All-UFL selection in 2024 who finished with 41 receptions for 446 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Davis signed with the NFL's Carolina Panthers after the 2024 UFL season but was released due to injury. The Renegades also executed a trade this week, sending linebacker Storey Jackson to the Brahmas for defensive end Ikenna Enechukwu. Kellen Mond could be holding a clipboard for the Brahmas when they travel to Birmingham this weekend. An ineffective Mond was replaced in the second half by Jarrett Guarantano in San Antonio's home-opening loss to the Roughnecks in Week 5. However, Brahmas head coach Payton Pardee indicated that the quarterback switch could be permanent, as he declined to name a starter for this weekend's game. "I believe in all three quarterbacks we have," Pardee said. "I think they're all very talented. They all have unique skill sets, so I feel very confident in the players that we have in that room, but that's going to be something that we evaluate this week in practice." In five starts, Mond has completed 56.8% of his passes for 597 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Guarantano finished 6-of-15 for 29 yards in his first action of the season last week. Houston defeated Memphis by one point, 18-17, on the road in Week 3 — the team's first victory of the season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. This week, the Showboats get a shot at revenge when they travel to face the Roughnecks in Houston. Starting for the first time this season, Memphis QB Dresser Winn earned Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 5, completing 17 of his 29 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 overtime win over Birmingham. Winn gets an opportunity to see if he can play efficient football for a second straight week against a Houston defense holding opponents to 14.3 points per game over the past three weeks, with the Roughnecks winning two of those. On the other side, Houston QB Jalan McClendon continues to play solid football. Since taking over as the team's starter, he has completed 70% of his passes for 407 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. McClendon has also rushed for 34 yards and a score. The UFL announced this week that it handed down a one-game suspension without pay to Nacua after a video emerged showing him striking a Battlehawks fan in an altercation after the Panthers' Week 5 road game in St. Louis. Nacua, who agreed to participate in community service, will miss this weekend's away game against the Defenders. Nacua is the older brother of Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua. His other brother, Kai Nacua, plays in the UFL as a safety for Michigan. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox Sports
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Five things to watch for in Week 6 of the 2025 UFL season
The St. Louis Battlehawks have work to do. Head coach Anthony Becht said at the start of the year that he believed the Battlehawks built a roster that could win the 2025 UFL Championship Game, which takes place on June 14 in front of his team's hometown fans in St. Louis. [MORE: What is the UFL? Everything to know about the 2025 United Football League ] If the playoffs started today, however, the Battlehawks would miss out and be watching from home. "We've got a huge game next week against a divisional opponent," Becht said. "And I'm just asking everyone to bring a friend." The contest Becht is referring to is the opening game of Week 6, with the Battlehawks hosting the Arlington Renegades in an all-important XFL Conference tilt on Friday night (8 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). It's a crucial matchup, with both teams sitting at 3-2 on the season and fighting for the second playoff spot in the division. The Renegades won the previous head-to-head matchup earlier this year, a 30-15 victory in Arlington in Week 4. Elsewhere, the Memphis Showboats (1-4) travel to face the Houston Roughnecks (2-3) on Saturday (noon ET). Closing out the week, the Michigan Panthers (3-2) host the DC Defenders (4-1) at Ford Field on Sunday (noon ET), followed by the San Antonio Brahmas (1-4) traveling to face the Birmingham Stallions (3-2) at Protective Stadium (4 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app). Here's a closer look at five things to watch for in Week 6: 1. Renegades CB Ajene Harris leads league in interceptions One of the main reasons for Arlington's continued success on defense this season is Harris' sharp play. The USC product and Los Angeles native just earned UFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, finishing with two picks and six combined tackles in a late-game loss to the Defenders last week. Through five weeks, Harris leads the league in interceptions (three), pass breakups (11) and forced fumbles (two). "He's continually coming up with big plays," head coach Bob Stoops said about Harris. "And he plays multiple positions … so he understands all the positions. He's really a bright player, on top of being a skilled player." 2. RB Wes Hills returns to UFL with Showboats One of the top runners in spring football, Memphis brought Hills back to shore up the team's depth at running back. Williams finished with 277 rushing yards and five touchdowns in eight games for the Panthers in 2024. The year prior, Hills led the legacy USFL in rushing with 679 yards and 10 touchdowns while playing for current Memphis offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone as a part of the now defunct New Orleans Breakers organization. The Showboats also activated receiver Daewood Davis from IR. An All-UFL selection in 2024 who finished with 41 receptions for 446 receiving yards and five touchdowns, Davis signed with the NFL's Carolina Panthers after the 2024 UFL season but was released due to injury. The Renegades also executed a trade this week, sending linebacker Storey Jackson to the Brahmas for defensive end Ikenna Enechukwu. Kellen Mond could be holding a clipboard for the Brahmas when they travel to Birmingham this weekend. An ineffective Mond was replaced in the second half by Jarrett Guarantano in San Antonio's home-opening loss to the Roughnecks in Week 5. However, Brahmas head coach Payton Pardee indicated that the quarterback switch could be permanent, as he declined to name a starter for this weekend's game. "I believe in all three quarterbacks we have," Pardee said. "I think they're all very talented. They all have unique skill sets, so I feel very confident in the players that we have in that room, but that's going to be something that we evaluate this week in practice." In five starts, Mond has completed 56.8% of his passes for 597 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Guarantano finished 6-of-15 for 29 yards in his first action of the season last week. 4. Roughnecks host Showboats in rematch Houston defeated Memphis by one point, 18-17, on the road in Week 3 — the team's first victory of the season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. This week, the Showboats get a shot at revenge when they travel to face the Roughnecks in Houston. Starting for the first time this season, Memphis QB Dresser Winn earned Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 5, completing 17 of his 29 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 overtime win over Birmingham. Winn gets an opportunity to see if he can play efficient football for a second straight week against a Houston defense holding opponents to 14.3 points per game over the past three weeks, with the Roughnecks winning two of those. On the other side, Houston QB Jalan McClendon continues to play solid football. Since taking over as the team's starter, he has completed 70% of his passes for 407 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. McClendon has also rushed for 34 yards and a score. 5. Panthers WR Samson Nacua suspended one game for altercation with fan The UFL announced this week that it handed down a one-game suspension without pay to Nacua after a video emerged showing him striking a Battlehawks fan in an altercation after the Panthers' Week 5 road game in St. Louis. Nacua, who agreed to participate in community service, will miss this weekend's away game against the Defenders. Nacua is the older brother of Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua. His other brother, Kai Nacua, plays in the UFL as a safety for Michigan. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
