Latest news with #InternationalPlayerPathwayProgram
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU Adds First Female Position Coach in Program History
The culture shift at Ohio-based HBCU Central State University is real-and it's happening fast. New head coach Tony Carter, a former NFL cornerback and Florida State standout, continues to stack a coaching staff that's as diverse as it is talented. His latest move? Making history by hiring Ashley Cornwell as the first female position coach in Central State football history. A Trailblazer With Serious Credentials Cornwell isn't here to check a box-she's here to coach. Her résumé is as legit as anyone on the field. She started her career at the University of Wisconsin, working across offense, defense, and special teams. While there, she helped recruit talent that produced six NFL draft picks and six more free-agent signees. Nearly all of them are still playing in the league. From there, Cornwell broke barriers at Bucknell. In 2024, she became the first female coach in Bucknell football history. She started as an Assistant Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Analyst. By August, she was promoted to Interim Tight Ends Coach and In-Game Management Coordinator. Before her most recent stop at Bucknell, she was the Offensive Line Coach at Oberlin College. But her impact stretches far beyond the college game. For two years, Cornwell coached in the NFL International Player Pathway Program, helping produce one draft pick (Travis Clayton) and five more players who made NFL rosters as undrafted free agents. NFL Ties and a Coaching Mindset Cornwell has also completed Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowships with the Titans, Buccaneers, and Commanders. She's been selected for elite coaching programs, including the NFL/NCAA Coaching Academy and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Academy. When she's not coaching, she's teaching-literally. Cornwell has presented at national coaching conventions like the AFCA and the NCMFC, sharing her expertise in pass protection and run game philosophy. Carter's Vision for HBCU Central State Her hire fits perfectly with Tony Carter's bold vision for Central State's HBCU football program. His staff already features Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes as wide receivers coach and former Michigan linebacker Mike McCray coaching the linebackers. With a new staff, new energy, and a new standard, Central State University's HBCU football program isn't just looking to compete. It's looking to make history. The post HBCU Adds First Female Position Coach in Program History appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
One player on the Ravens roster bubble at each defensive position following OTAs
One player on the Ravens roster bubble at each defensive position following OTAs With Ravens' OTAs over and all three phases of the off-season workout program complete, we're looking at one player on the roster bubble at each defensive position. Baltimore is loaded on the offensive side of the football, and GM Eric DeCosta knowingly chose to restock the defense with the organization's first two NFL draft picks. The Ravens are cruising through the off-season workout program and have a looming two-day mandatory mini-camp scheduled before the team takes a five-week break before returning for the mid-July training camp. Baltimore's two top sack artists return on defense, but the edge rusher position will host the toughest position battles, just ahead of third cornerback and safety. There are a couple of positions with competitions scheduled, and we're taking an early look at one player on the roster bubble at each defensive position. DT-C.J. Okoye Okoye, a Nigerian native, first joined the Chargers as part of the International Player Pathway Program. He had a sack in his first organized football game in the preseason. He'll compete in a position group that includes Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones, John Jenkins, and Jayson Jones. DE-Adedayo Odeleye The 6'5″, 265-pound Nigerian-born prospect was part of the 2022 NFL International Player Pathway program with the Texans before spending this season on the Baltimore practice squad. Nicknamed "Dayo," he began playing American football at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. Edge Rusher -- David Ojabo Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh are the unquestioned starters, but the Ravens are hoping second-round pick Mike Green can assume a role from Day 1. Ojabo will battle Adisa Isaac, Tavius Robinson, and rookie Mike Green for snaps. Things can only go up for Ojabo after he played in 13 games last season. He has four sacks in his first three seasons, and it's now or never for the former Michigan pass rusher. A 2024 third-round pick, Adisa Isaac saw action in four games and played 32 defensive snaps, as his NFL debut was delayed by a hamstring issue, which sidelined him for the Ravens' first two games. Tavius Robinson has improved dramatically, and the former Ole Miss pass rusher had 3.5 sacks and 12 QB hits in a reserve role last season. LB-William Kwenkeu Kwenkeu is the only player signed to a reserve/futures deal who saw regular-season game action in 2024, as he was elevated twice and played 33 special-teams snaps (vs. Eagles and Giants). Roquan Smith is the unquestioned leader of the Ravens' defense, but he'll need a running back at the linebacker spot. With Malik Harrison and Chris Board departing in free agency, John Harbaugh confirmed that Trenton Simpson would be first up in the battle at linebacker. Simpson was productive over Baltimore's first 11 games, logging 65 tackles (34 solo), but he was a liability in the passing game. Simpson was entirely out of the Ravens' inside-linebacker rotation following the Week 14 bye, and he was limited to special teams during Baltimore's two-game postseason run. Simpson finished the 2024 regular season with 73 tackles (40 solo), including 1.5 sacks, four pass defenses, and one fumble recovery across 17 games. He'll battle special-teams standout Jacob Hummel and fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan. CB-Jalyn Armour-Davisa Armour-Davis is entering a crucial time in his career. With the Ravens' cornerback position stacked with young talent, the former Alabama defensive back is getting reps at safety. Before the NFL draft and free agency, Baltimore had four cornerbacks on the roster. Since then, the Ravens have added Chidobe Awuzie, Bilal Kone (rookie), and Robert Longerbeam (rookie). T.J. Tampa is in a similar boat after missing most of his rookie season to various injuries. Armour-Davis will enter year four needing a strong training camp. S-Keondre Jackson/Desmond Igbinosun Baltimore likes to employ a third safety in their base defense, allowing Kyle Hamilton to be a Swiss army knife in Zach Orr's versatile scheme. Ar'Darius Washington fit that role until he suffered a torn Achilles during a recent workout. Beau Brade and Sanoussi Kane will battle for that role. Kane is a thumper who also stood out on defense in the preseason. According to Pro Football Focus, he did not allow a single reception on 30 coverage snaps, produced a coverage grade of 73.4, and recorded a forced incompletion and a tackle for loss. Last summer, Brade made the Ravens' 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie free agent after starring at River Hill High School and the University of Maryland. In the games he appeared in, Brade was mainly relegated to special teams roles and only saw the field on defense late in the fourth quarter of games where victory was well in hand. Braden recorded just three total tackles, including just one solo, and played 207 snaps on special teams compared to just 11 on defense. He was inactive for both playoff games.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Saints make it official, process former All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk's retirement
Last Monday, the New Orleans Saints officially processed Derek Carr's retirement, bringing his NFL career to a close. One week later, they did the same with former All-Pro right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, per the daily transactions wire. We knew this was coming, but now there's no taking it back. Ramczyk won't wear No. 71 again, but its new owner Kelvin Banks Jr. ought to do it twin retirements leave the Saints with two vacancies on their 90-man offseason roster; they currently have 44 players under contract offensively, with 37 of them on defense, and four specialists (plus Irish kicker Charlie Smyth, who has an exemption as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program). How they'll address those two openings is anyone's guess, but we have some ideas. The team has recently met with free agents like wide receiver Gabe Davis, defensive tackle Jonathan Bullard, and cornerback Asante Samuel about the salary cap? This year, the Saints are carrying a total of $76.9 million in dead money from contracts with players no longer on the team -- $13.4 million of which accounts for Carr, and just over $11 million of which is from Ramczyk. In 2026, those numbers go up to $36.6 million for Carr and $11.9 million for Ramczyk, for a total of $48.6 million in dead money on next year's books. That's after Ramczyk agreed to lower this year's salary to the minimum with Carr forfeiting $30 million to facilitate their retirements. The Saints did get a small $1.255 million cap credit for Ramczyk retiring, just like they did for Carr, but most of those savings were wiped out by lesser contracts in the $1.03 million neighborhood replacing them above the top-51 luck to Ramczyk in retirement. Whether he's planning to take up coaching the next generation of linemen or go home to Wisconsin and log a lot of hours in his deer stand, he can do it knowing he achieved a career as a player that anyone would be proud article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL retirement news: Saints process Ryan Ramczyk's papers
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jordan Mailata Ranked NFL's Best Tackle as Eagles' Dominance Reaches New Peak
Jordan Mailata Ranked NFL's Best Tackle as Eagles' Dominance Reaches New Peak originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Eagles have built their championship foundation from the trenches, and their dominance was showcased when left tackle Jordan Mailata was recognized as the NFL's premier offensive lineman heading into 2025 according to Pro Football Focus rankings. Advertisement PFF's evaluation of the league's top 32 offensive tackles for the 2025 season placed Mailata at No. 1, surpassing San Francisco's Trent Williams. The former Australian rugby star's ascension represents validation of Philadelphia's development system and the exceptional coaching of Jeff Stoutland, who transformed Mailata into one of his most important success stories. Mailata's journey from the rugby pitches of Bankstown, Sydney, to the NFL's summit remains remarkable. Born in Australia, he played rugby league for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs before pursuing NFL dreams through the International Player Pathway Program. His 6-foot-8, 365-pound frame caught the Eagles' attention, but Stoutland's masterful development turned potential into elite production. Under Stoutland's wing, Mailata became the most complete offensive tackle in football. As PFF analyst Zoltan Buday noted, "Only two offensive tackles earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 90.0, and only two earned PFF run-blocking grades above 90.0. Philadelphia's left tackle was the only one to achieve both feats." His 95.2 overall PFF grade led all offensive tackles. Mailata's excellence pairs with teammate Lane Johnson (No. 5 ranking) to give Philadelphia the NFL's best tackle tandem. This duo anchored the line that enabled Saquon Barkley's historic 2,500-yard rushing season (regular season and postseason), showcasing how Stoutland's systematic approach creates cohesive units that maximize collective performance. Advertisement At 28, Mailata earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024. Despite his PFF dominance, he was surprisingly omitted from the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections, suggesting 2025 could bring overdue recognition. In a league where pass rush continues evolving, having elite protection on both edges becomes increasingly valuable. Jordan Mailata's recognition validates his remarkable journey from Bankstown rugby fields to American football's pinnacle, serving as the crown jewel in Jeff Stoutland's impressive coaching legacy while anchoring Philadelphia's championship aspirations. Related: Eagles Sound Off On 'Crazy' Fans Expectations for Another Super Bowl Related: Eagles Ex First-Rounder Projected as 'X-Factor' in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
3 Seahawks UDFAs who can make the roster: offense
3 Seahawks UDFAs who can make the roster: offense The Seattle Seahawks originally agreed to terms with 17 undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL draft. Since then, general manager John Schneider actually waived two of them following unimpressive showings at rookie minicamp. Just five of the 17 UDFAs were on the offensive side of the ball. With a small sample size to consider, we've identified three who possess the best chance to compete for a roster spot. Amari Kight, OT, Central Florida Amari Kight is an interesting prospect. He originally committed to Alabama as a four-star recruit. After failing to earn consistent playing time, he entered the transfer portal and wound up at Central Florida. Kight impressed at the Hula Bowl, and has an opportunity to contend for a role as a reserve swing tackle. Federico Maranges*, IOL, Florida Atlantic Federico Maranges probably won't make the Seahawks' 53-man roster, but we're accepting a cop-out here. The Seahawks are bringing Maranges in as part of the league's International Player Pathway Program. That means he can join the practice squad without actually taking up a roster spot. Schneider will take advantage of that benefit to keep a developmental player around. Marshall Lang, TE, Northwestern Marshall Lang is undersized at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds. The Seahawks will attempt to utilize him in a hybrid h-back role. There's a lot of competition for spots, for Lang will attempt to compete for a spot on Klint Kubiak's new-look offense.
