Latest news with #ESPNrankings
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6 hours ago
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Commanders' breakout star reaches top 5 in ESPN rankings
The post Commanders' breakout star reaches top 5 in ESPN rankings appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Washington Commanders have a trio of players among the NFL's best in quarterback Jayden Daniels, receiver Terry McLaurin, and lineman Laremy Tunsil. But they also have a surprise, making it four in that group, with their breakout star reaching the top five in ESPN's rankings. Advertisement Among the top off-ball linebackers in the NFL, Frankie Luvu earned the No. 5 spot, according to Fred Warner, Roquan Smith, Zack Baun, and Nick Bolton slotted in front of Luvu. Commanders LB Frankie Luvu gets high praise Luvu, a product of Washington State, signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He spent three years in New York before moving on to the Panthers in 2021. Luvu became a full-time starter in 2022. He totaled 125 tackles in 2023. Last year, Luvu signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Commanders. And his first year turned heads across the NFL, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Advertisement 'Luvu's first year as a Commander vaulted him into the top-10 conversation,' Fowler said. 'He received a few votes last year but was largely a nonfactor in the voting. But this year, he appeared in the top five of many ballots. While some evaluators believe No. 5 is rich for Luvu, he earned the votes. And this is a composite ranking.' One veteran NFL defensive coach said Luvu is a difference-maker. 'I have so much respect for him — he's been one of the best tone-setters in the NFL,' a veteran NFL defensive coach said. 'His production over the last three years is as good as anyone.' Another NFL defensive coach said Luvu brings many talents to the field. Advertisement 'Versatile, playmaking in the run game, the pass game, and with pass rush,' an NFL coordinator said. 'His play style is all over the tape.' Luvu said last year that his career might have been even better if he had been with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn the whole time, according to 'I wish I was playing for Dan Quinn my whole seven years in the league,' Luvu said. 'Dude is just a solid, solid coach: a solid, solid person, father. A mentor, every category that you think a 'G' should be at, he always says that, 'Be a G,' that's DQ. The moment he hopped on the phone with me and started chatting and telling me he can't wait for me to get to Washington. The dude is just amazing. All energy, high-energy dude, but it's real energy, there's nothing fake about it. The dude is legit.' Related: Commanders' Terry McLaurin 'disappointed' by lack of contract extension talks Related: Commanders set to retire legendary Hall of Fame WR's number in 2025
Yahoo
7 hours ago
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49ers' TE Earns High Mark in ESPN Elite Rankings
49ers' TE Earns High Mark in ESPN Elite Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the San Francisco 49ers attempt to right the ship after a massively disappointing 2024 campaign that saw a 6-11 record and no playoff appearance, one piece to the solution is tight end George Kittle. Advertisement While the offense sputtered last year, the six-time Pro Bowler wasn't part of the problem. He's got four 1,000-yard seasons in his eight-year career, and two of those were in 2023 and 2024. He's not slowing down; he might be getting better. Now, Kittle takes his spot near the top of ESPN's top 10 tight ends in the NFL ahead of the 2025 season. A survey of NFL coaches, scouts and executives by Jeremy Fowler compiled the list. After taking the No. 2 spot last season behind Travis Kelce, he's in the same position this year, but behind the young phenom Brock Bowers in Las Vegas. Advertisement "Kittle is aging well. He's coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with a combined 14 touchdowns during that two-year span. Fifty of his 78 catches last season went for a first down," Fowler wrote. "His premier blocking remains unmatched, and he's still tough to bring down, leading all tight ends with 14.2 yards per catch. Kittle and quarterback BrockPurdy signed massive contract extensions in tandem this offseason, so they have several years to build upon their chemistry. Kittle caught 83% of Purdy's targets last year." While it sounds weird to say that Kittle could be better, that's what one scout said in his evaluation of the 49ers tight end. "He's shown that when he's healthy, he's the most complete player at the position," an AFC scout said. "Durability is the only thing that's really affected that. He embodies San Francisco's culture, and that's why they keep paying him." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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ESPN Ranks Top 25 Teams Ahead Of 2025 College Football Season
ESPN Ranks Top 25 Teams Ahead Of 2025 College Football Season originally appeared on The Spun. Believe it or not, we're roughly a month away from the start of the 2025 college football season. Fans will get to watch five matchups during Week 0, which includes a showdown between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland. One week later, fans will be treated to a loaded slate that's headlined by a potential playoff preview between Texas and Ohio State. With the 2025 season almost here, ESPN's Mark Schlabach has unveiled his top 25 rankings for the fall. Interestingly enough, he has Penn State ranked No. 1 in the country. "After finally turning the corner under coach James Franklin in 2024, the Nittany Lions look loaded for bear this coming season. With Allar, Allen and Singleton returning, Penn State should have one of the most balanced offenses in the FBS, especially if Allar takes the next step as a downfield passer. Adding Pena, Ross and Hudson was critical; Penn State's receivers didn't have a reception in a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in a CFP semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Pena, a slot receiver, had 84 catches for 941 yards with nine scores in 2024," Schlabach wrote. "Ross was one of the top receivers in the portal after hauling in 76 passes for 1,043 yards with 11 scores last season. Penn State's most important offseason addition might be new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who helped guide Ohio State to a CFP national title last season. He's the highest-paid coordinator in the FBS at $3.1 million per season." Clemson, Texas, George and Ohio State rounded out the top five for Schlabach, which isn't exactly a huge surprise. Here's the top 25: Penn State Clemson Texas Georgia Ohio State LSU Notre Dame Oregon Alabama BYU Illinois Arizona State South Carolina Iowa State SMU Texas Tech Indiana Kansas State Florida Michigan Miami Louisville Texas A&M Ole Miss Oklahoma It's only a matter of time before ESPN shakes up its rankings for the 2025 season. Until then, Penn State is apparently the team to beat this Ranks Top 25 Teams Ahead Of 2025 College Football Season first appeared on The Spun on Jul 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
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Ravens Place 2 Tight Ends in Top 10 ESPN Position Rankings
Ravens Place 2 Tight Ends in Top 10 ESPN Position Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baltimore Ravens are ridiculous at tight end. It's not rare for a team to boast a great tight end on the roster that's an integral part of the team's offense. That's the whole point of this list. Advertisement But ... to have two at the same time? That's where the Ravens are right now with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Baltimore is the only team to place two tight ends on Jeremy Fowler's list of ESPN's top 10 tight ends in the NFL ahead of the 2025 season. What's more, the list was compiled by surveying NFL coaches, scouts and executives - the people who know the most about it. 6. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens "Andrews held up in the voting despite declines in yards and catches per game compared to previous years. But he was highly efficient when Lamar Jackson looked his way," Fowler wrote. "Andrews produced a 140.9 passer rating for his quarterback on 69 targets, with 55 catches for 673 yards, 11 touchdowns and 1 interception. The crucial end zone drop on a game-tying 2-point attempt late in the AFC divisional round loss to Buffalo is unfortunate, but doesn't define his game." Advertisement 8. Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens "Cracking the top eight as a TE2 is an impressive feat for Likely. But his profile in Baltimore is growing," Fowler wrote. "He averaged 8.2 yards per target, ranking high within this tight end pool. His 4.3 yards of separation per route is also among the best for his position. Likely is a 2026 free agent, and though Baltimore has interest in re-signing him, he would have a fruitful open market waiting for him. Likely had 13 red zone targets, the most for any NFL tight end who isn't the primary starter. He turned those targets into eight catches for 56 yards and five scores." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
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$68 million Packers star makes massive leap in ESPN rankings
The post $68 million Packers star makes massive leap in ESPN rankings appeared first on ClutchPoints. McThe Green Bay Packers could make a sneaky deal this summer. And it could come from the weapons currently used by Jordan Love, who needs to step up this year. Also, a $68 million Packers' star made a massive leap in the ESPN safety rankings. Advertisement McKinney ranked at No. 10 in the 2024 version of this ESPN ranking, but he made a gigantic jump to No. 3 for the upcoming season, according to 'McKinney is one of four safeties to appear on every ballot in his career and trailed only Hamilton in first-place votes this year,' Jeremy Fowler wrote. Last season, McKinney totaled eight interceptions, nearly matching his previous career total of nine over his first four NFL campaigns. He earned his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while finishing eighth in the defensive player of the year voting. He also tied his career high with 11 passes defended. Packers safety Xavier McKinney standing out McKinney brings all of the good safety traits to the table, according to an NFL personnel evaluator. Advertisement 'Multidimensional traits, high football IQ, range over the top with the ability to play man coverage over slot receivers,' the evaluator said. 'Has the playmaking element to his game.' An NFL coordinator added, 'Whoo, that guy's a player. One of the first safeties that can do it all.' McKinney is only 25 years old and figures to solidify the Packers back end again in 2025. He said he's going full tilt into the new season, trying to help his defensive teammates soar, according to 'That next step I think is to have one of the best defenses in the league,' McKinney said. 'That's what we're aiming for. We're trying to be a defense that always creates turnovers, that plays with a level of intensity where the offense can't match us, and I think we got the guys to do that. Advertisement 'It's going to be fun. I'm not going to let off the gas for nothing or nobody,' he said. 'That same intensity, that same energy, it's going to stay the same.' Related: Packers rumors: ESPN eyes potential late offseason move to bolster roster Related: 2 of Aaron Rodgers' favorite Packers targets reunite at Wimbledon
