Latest news with #JoeMooreAward
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can Alabama football OL win Joe Moore Award? Four questions after 2025 SEC media days
Talking season commenced from Atlanta on July 16 with Kalen DeBoer, Tim Keenan III, Deontae Lawson and Kadyn Proctor each sharing expectations for what Alabama football could do in 2025. With SEC media days complete for the Crimson Tide, and fall camp approaching quickly, which storylines remain? Here are four Alabama football questions that emerged from SEC media days. Once Alabama football names QB starter, how long of a leash will he have? Whenever DeBoer was asked about the Alabama quarterback battle, he exuded confidence. He proved to be extremely complimentary of Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, sharing how each has grown heading into fall. Despite the inexperience of the room, and despite the lack of game reps, DeBoer is assured that Alabama has always had its next leader of the Crimson Tide offense, not turning to the NCAA transfer portal to secure a rental for the 2025 season. And as he spoke about the battle, DeBoer seemed to give an indication about what would happen once a starting quarterback is officially named. 'That's where consistency, continuity, them being comfortable with Ryan Grubb, Nick Sheridan, Mitch Dahlen, senior analyst on our staff, myself. Them knowing that we believe in you,' DeBoer said. 'Just be you, go out there and don't try to do too much. Just go execute what you're supposed to.' DeBoer and his Alabama staff will obviously show trust in whoever is named the starter. But could this statement indicate that the Crimson Tide won't be too quick to pull the trigger if its starting quarterback struggles out of the gate? Time will tell. Can Alabama have a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line? When Keenan committed to Alabama, he knew he would be challenged up front. The defensive lineman feels the exact same way heading into Year 5 against the Crimson Tide's offensive line. 'Going against guys like those guys, they're hard workers, they're strong, fast,' Keenan said. 'It's something to see.' When Kadyn Proctor, the consistent 2026 NFL mock draft first-round pick, talks about his upcoming season with the Crimson Tide offensive line, it's never in the context of what he can personally do. It's always about the collective. And the unit's sights are set high. 'The Joe Moore Award is definitely something that we want to win,' Proctor said. 'That's really not personal. That's all of us. I want to see the whole offensive line succeed.' Since the award's inception in 2015, given to the best offensive line in college football, Alabama has won twice: 2015 and 2020. If the Crimson Tide wins in 2025, it would be the first team to win it three times. Can the group of Proctor, Wilkin Formby, Jaeden Roberts, Parker Brailsford and, likely, either Geno VanDeMark and Kam Dewberry be the group to make history? Can Alabama defense bring pressure? DeBoer has high expectations for his defense as a whole. But he wants a level of pressure up front to match Alabama's ball-hawk reputation in the secondary. It's not just pressure from blitzes or from more players at the line of scrimmage either. It's pressure solely brought from athleticism. And DeBoer feels he has the pieces to do it. 'I think guys like LT Overton jump out with me,' DeBoer said. 'LT was there a lot last year. Those are the next steps you want to take. Not just he, but a lot of guys finishing the plays. LT has it in him, the skillset. He has those instincts. Continues to hone in on taking it to the next level.' To develop that pressure, Keenan said it comes down to players trusting their coaching, to 'do what we know to do' from Alabama defensive line coach Freddie Roach. '(Roach is) going to get on your tail, now. Ain't no slacking, but it's all about the love,' Keenan said. 'He wants you to have that generational wealth. He wants you to be the best player ever and be that dominant force.' Does Alabama have a special teams problem? DeBoer has answers for both Alabama's offense and defense heading into the 2025 season. When it comes to special teams, the Crimson Tide coach did not sugarcoat things. 'That's the tricky one,' DeBoer said. Alabama is tasked with replacing its kicker, punter and long snapper from the 2024 team. While Conor Talty, Alabama's kickoff man from 2024, is set to slide into replace Graham Nicholson, DeBoer said he still has questions about who will replace James Burnip, 'the best punter I have ever had.' Heading into fall, Alabama will have true freshman Alex Asparuhov, who spent the spring rehabbing an injury, and Colorado School of Mines transfer Blake Doud battling for the starting punting job. Special teams consistency could be a main storyline that could make or break Alabama in 2025. Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@ or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Four Alabama football questions after 2025 SEC media days
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Brian Kelly reveals why LSU football should feel confident about its new offensive line
There's a lot to like about LSU football entering the 2025 college football season, but the Tigers have questions on the offensive line. LSU lost four starters from its 2024 unit. All four were NFL Draft picks and multiyear starters for LSU. It was the core of the unit that was named a finalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2023. The biggest loss is left tackle Will Campbell, a three-year starter picked No. 4 overall by the New England Patriots. It's hard to replace one talented offensive lineman in the SEC. It's even harder to replace four in one offseason, but that's the challenge facing LSU. Brian Kelly is confident the Tigers have the group to do it. LSU added Braelin Moore and Josh Thompson in the transfer portal while maintaining its young core full of blue-chip players. "We have been grooming some players for their chance and their opportunity. You remember I started Emory and Will as true freshmen in the SEC, and they held their own. We think we've gone a step further that we don't have to start a true freshman this coming year, but guys that we've developed," Kelly said. Kelly cited DJ Chester as the lone returning starter. Chester played center in 2024, but is likely to play guard in 2025. LSU will benefit from Chester's versatility, which gives the Tigers added depth. LSU is expected to start Tyree Adams and Weston Davis at the tackle spots. Both have minimal experience, but were among the best tackles in their class coming out of high school. LSU didn't press for offensive tackles in the transfer portal, signaling the Tigers' confidence in Adams and Davis. Moore and Thompson are expected to claim starting roles on the interior. "I'm bullish on our offensive line. I think we're going to be able to produce the kind of things necessary to be a championship team," Kelly said.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Brett Neilon in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 62 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at former USC All-American center Brett Neilon. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 2017-2022 Career highlights: After redshirting in 2017 and serving as a backup offensive lineman in 2018, Neilon took over as the Trojans' starting center in 2019. He would not relinquish that role for the next four years. Taking advantage of his extra COVID year of eligibility in 2022, Neilon was named a first-team All-American, and was part of a USC unit that was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the top offensive line in the country. Perhaps the moment that Neilon is best known for came during that 2022 season on the road at Oregon State. With the Trojans trailing 14-10 late in the game, USC faced a fourth and six from its own 43 yard line. Quarterback Caleb Williams took off in pursuit of the first down, but was stopped short of the line to gain. However, salvation arrived in an unlikely form in Neilon, who came out of nowhere to push Williams past the line to gain for a first down. The Trojans would go on to score the game-winning touchdown and prevail with a 17-14 victory. The play subsequently earned the nickname, "Neilon Nudge", a play on the famous "Bush Push" 17 years prior. After USC: Sadly, a lower leg injury in the 2022 Pac-12 Championship Game ended Neilon's USC career prematurely. After not being selected in the 2023 NFL draft, he attended rookie minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs last year, but did not make the team. Neilon currently works as a business analyst at Buena Vista Management, per his Linkedin page.
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Eagles legend Lane Johnson earns the ultimate compliment from an offensive line expert
Eagles legend Lane Johnson earns the ultimate compliment from an offensive line expert Lane Johnson's greatness has again been put into legendary perspective. Often, Philadelphia Eagles fans and the media members shy away from certain phrases. 'Sure thing' is, no doubt, one of them. How can anyone ever be sure of anything, right? Players may not be ready for the bright lights. Unexpected injuries may occur that derail a career. Guys that we may not expect much from can excel. Still, that being said, though no one admitted it at the time, Lane Johnson kind of felt like a sure thing. He was drafted by Howie Roseman, but Lane was one of the few silver linings from Chip Kelly's era as head coach. He was taken during the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft with the fourth overall pick. Lane was drafted to do what he has done for more than a dozen seasons. Philly asked him to help anchor the offensive line. There were hiccups along the way, but he has more than given the Birds the proper return on their investment. Recently, he was given an elite compliment by one of the most trusted voices when it comes to elite NFL trench play. Lane Johnson's greatness is recognized with the most elite compliment possible They say, when you're good at something, never do it for free. Okay, it was actually the late, great Heath Ledger who said that as The Joker in The Dark Knight movie. You get the idea, though. Sometimes, wisdom can be found in the utterings of a cartoon character. Brandon Thorn has been featured on Bleacher Report, Establish the Run, and at the OL Masterminds Summit. He votes on the Joe Moore Award every season, an honor given to college football's top offensive lineman. He's also the creator of the Trench Warfare newsletter, where he breaks down the intricacies of elite line play. Recently, he offered his opinion on Lane Johnson's brilliance. It's hard to imagine 65 receiving a more elite compliment. Well, he's right. Who's going to argue with that logic? Like a fine wine, Lane Johnson has gotten better with age. The latter stages of his legendary run far exceed what he did early... And, he was damn good early. 6 Pro Bowls... Two First-Team All-Pro nods... Three Second-Team All-Pro nods... And, the most recent Second-Team mention felt like a snub. He should have been voted back to the First Team. Lane is a two-time Super Bowl champion, one of two who are walking the planet. Each season only adds to his Hall-of-Fame resume. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported recently that Lane hopes to play beyond the 2025-26 NFL season, and why wouldn't he? His play is still elite. Is he the greatest right tackle of all time? Here's a vote cast in his favor because, from here, it appears the only thing someone can do is equal his brilliance. He has made it impossible to be better.
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jordan Mailata has high praise for Eagles trio of rookie offensive linemen
Jordan Mailata has high praise for Eagles trio of rookie offensive linemen Jordan Mailata has developed into the best left tackle in the NFL and the Eagles star is already impressed by the teams trio of rookie offensive linemen this spring. The Eagles have the best offensive line in the NFL, and during April's NFL draft, Howie Roseman added three more intriguing prospects to the depth chart. In all, Philadelphia has 14 legit candidates to make the 53-man roster, and that includes three offensive linemen selected over the three-day weekend. Jordan Mailata has developed into the best left tackle in the NFL, and the Eagles' star is already impressed by the team's trio of rookie offensive linemen this spring. Mailata discussed both sixth-round pick Myles Hinton from Michigan and sixth-round pick Cameron Williams from Texas with Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia. 'The effort, the grind,' Mailata said this spring. 'A couple days we had to get on them a little bit. I got on them a little bit. Now we're into the second week together. Man, just the effort they put into the drills. When they make a mistake, they correct the next day. 'That is showing that someone is coachable. It's not just the physical side. It's can they learn from their mistakes and can they apply it the next day when we're doing that drill? Myles and Cam are doing a great job.' Kendall was drafted in the fifth round after starting 36 games at the center position during his career at Boston College and was named first team All-ACC in 2024. Hinton, 23, is 6-7 and 325 pounds and played both left tackle and right tackle at Michigan and Stanford. The 6-foot-5, 335-pound Williams, a true junior, projects as an NFL tackle. He started 16 games for the Longhorns and played in 37 games, serving as an anchor of an offensive line that was a Joe Moore Award finalist in 2024. Williams was projected as the 28th best player available in the NFL draft, per initial ESPN rankings, and was slotted at No. 28 in the early mock draft by ESPN's Field Yates. ESPN's Matt Miller ranked Williams as his No. 3 overall tackle in the draft, while ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him 7th at the position.
