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Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
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ACC Football 2025 All-Conference Team
ACC Football 2025 All-Conference Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 All-ACC Team is led by 16 selections from Clemson, with Miami (15), SMU (14), and Duke (12) headlining the next tier of teams with the most picks on the all-conference squad. Advertisement With the release of the Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Magazine, it's time to take a look at the best of the best and honor the top players in the league with a release of first, second, third and fourth all-conference teams for '25. An important note on the all-conference teams: These are based on how players will perform in 2025. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2025 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year. Also, team strength does not play a role in selections. These are the best individual players at each position in the league for '25. ACC 2025 Preview: Predictions | Coach Ranks | 136 | Toughest Schedules Related: College Football's 2025 All-America Team ACC Football 2025 All-Conference Team Clemson QB Cade Klubnik© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images First-Team Offense QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson RB Isaac Brown, Louisville RB Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech All-Purpose Desmond Reid, Pitt WR Antonio Williams, Clemson WR Bryant Wesco Jr., Clemson WR Chris Bell, Louisville WR Caullin Lacy, Louisville TE Justin Joly, NC State C Pete Nygra, Louisville OL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami OL Blake Miller, Clemson OL Brian Parker II, Duke OL PJ Williams, SMU Advertisement Related: ACC Predictions for 2025 First-Team Defense Clemson DL TJ ParkerBob Donnan-Imagn Images DL T.J. Parker, Clemson DL Peter Woods, Clemson DL Rueben Bain, Jr., Miami DL Darrell Jackson, Florida State DL Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech LB Kyle Efford, Georgia Tech LB Kyle Louis, Pitt LB Wade Woodaz, Clemson LB Rasheem Biles, Pitt CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson CB Chandler Rivers, Duke S Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU S Terry Moore, Duke S Ahmaad Moses, SMU First-Team Specialists K Collin Rogers, SMU P Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse KR Keelan Marion, Miami PR Jacob De Jesus, California Second-Team Offense Wake Forest RB Demond ClaiborneNeville E. Guard-Imagn Images QB Carson Beck, Miami RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest RB Mark Fletcher, Miami All-Purpose Hollywood Smothers, NC State WR Malik Rutherford, Georgia Tech WR Jordan Hudson, SMU WR Duce Robinson, Florida State WR Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech TE RJ Maryland, SMU C Luke Petitbon, Florida State OL Jude Bowry, Boston College OL Lyndon Cooper, Pitt OL Tomas Rimac, Virginia Tech OL Jacarrius Peak, NC State OL Logan Parr, SMU Advertisement Related: Ranking All 136 College Football Teams for 2025 Second-Team Defense Miami DL Akheem MesidorReinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports DL Akheem Mesidor, Miami DL Wesley Williams, Duke DL James Williams, Florida State DL Brandon Cleveland, NC State DL Jimmy Scott, Pitt LB Stanquan Clark, Louisville LB Sean Brown, NC State LB Sammy Brown, Clemson LB Cade Uluave, California CB Jeremiah Wilson, Florida State CB Rashad Battle, Pitt CB OJ Frederique Jr., Miami S Khalil Barnes, Clemson S Nick Andersen, Wake Forest S Duce Chestnut, Syracuse Second-Team Specialists K Nolan Hauser, Clemson P Kade Reynolds, Duke KR Cam Ross, Virginia PR Desmond Reid, Pitt Third-Team Offense SMU QB Kevin Jennings© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images QB Kevin Jennings, SMU RB Gideon Davidson, Clemson RB Duke Watson, Louisville RB Yasin Willis, Syracuse RB Turbo Richard, Boston College WR CJ Daniels, Miami WR Kenny Johnson, Pitt WR Noah Rogers, NC State WR Darrell Gill Jr., Syracuse All-Purpose Jaylin Lucas, Florida State TE Elija Lofton, Miami C James Brockermeyer, Miami OL Micah Pettus, Florida State OL Walker Parks, Clemson OL Logan Taylor, Boston College OL Anez Cooper, Miami OL Daniel King, North Carolina OL Anthony Carter Jr., NC State OL Brady Wilson, Virginia Advertisement Related: Ranking the ACC Coaches for 2025 Third-Team Defense DL Will Heldt, Clemson DL David Blay, Miami DL Pryce Yates, North Carolina DL DeMonte Capehart, Clemson DL Cameron Robertson, SMU LB Wesley Bissainthe, Miami LB Tre Freeman, Duke LB Dylan Hazen, Wake Forest LB Daveon Crouch, Boston College LB Kam Robinson, Virginia CB Amari Jackson, Boston College CB Ahmari Harvey, Georgia Tech CB Collin Wright, Stanford CB Thaddeus Dixon, North Carolina S Shyheim Brown, Florida State S KP Price, Boston College S Zechariah Poyser, Miami Third-Team Specialists K John Love, Virginia Tech P Daniel Sparks, Virginia KR Samuel Singleton Jr., Florida State PR Tucker Holloway, Virginia Tech Fourth-Team Offense Georgia Tech QB Haynes KingVasha Hunt-Imagn Images QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech RB Xavier Brown, Virginia RB Jaquez Moore, Duke RB Terion Stewart, Virginia Tech RB Davion Gause, North Carolina WR Trell Harris, Virginia WR T.J. Moore, Clemson WR Lewis Bond, Boston College WR Que'Sean Brown, Duke WR Kobe Paysour, North Carolina TE Sam Roush, Stanford C Addison Nichols, SMU OL Joe Fusile, Georgia Tech OL Da'Metrius Weatherspoon, Syracuse OL McKale Boley, Virginia OL Matt Craycraft, Duke OL Fa'alili Fa'amoe, Wake Forest OL Justin Pickett, Duke OL BJ Williams, Pitt Fourth-Team Defense DL Isaiah Smith, SMU DL Sean FitzSimmons, Pitt DL Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke DL Aidan Keanaaina, California DL Ben Bell, Virginia Tech DL Clev Lubin, Louisville LB Elijah Herring, Florida State LB Caden Fordham, NC State LB Alexander Kilgore, SMU LB TJ Quinn, Louisville LB Caleb Woodson, Virginia Tech CB Davaughn Patterson, Wake Forest CB Deuce Harmon, SMU CB Xavier Lucas, Miami S Antonio Clary, Virginia S Javon McIntyre, Pitt S Carter Davis, Boston College Fourth-Team Specialists K Emmet Kenney, Stanford P Marshall Nichols, Georgia Tech KR Chris Johnson, SMU PR Que'Sean Brown, Duke Advertisement Related: ACC Football 2025 Predictions Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 Related: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Magazine Available Now This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What this year's NFL Draft trends will tell us about the 2026 rankings
What this year's NFL Draft trends will tell us about the 2026 rankings © Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images NFL Draft trends are used in our rankings to help shape our decisions. Here is a position-by-position breakdown of thoughts and how trends in this draft, based on recent research by NFL Draft guide The Beast, could impact the 2026 class and beyond. Advertisement MORE GORNEY: Recruiting Rumor Mill CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker QUARTERBACKS Key points: None of the top-20 quarterbacks have a hand smaller than nine inches. Only one (Dillon Gabriel) is under 6-foot tall. Hand size is super important with quarterbacks and nine inches is the going rate right now. It's actually Miami's Cam Ward – the expected No. 1 pick – who has the smallest hands among the top QBs in this draft. Advertisement Of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class, all of them have equal or bigger hands than nine inches except for USC commit Jonas Williams. That's a little surprising since he's 6-foot-3 so we wonder if that's a mismeasurement that we will have to review at the Rivals Five-Star this summer. Over the years, height has become less important and mobility has become more crucial in our rankings. But not everybody is Bryce Young, either, and so while a QB can be under 6-foot and still thrive, this draft is proving it's more difficult. RUNNING BACKS © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Among the top-10 running backs in this year's draft, the average size is right around 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds. Eleven of the top 12 running backs are under 6-foot. Derrick Henry is a unicorn and a total exception to this rule as is Braelon Allen at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds. Odds are if a running back is anywhere near that big, he's going to be too slow for the NFL. Advertisement And that brings us to 40-yard dash times among running backs. Seven of the top 10 (Boise State's Ashton Jeanty doesn't have a verified time from the combine or his pro day) ran in the 4.4s or better. The slowest in the top 10 was Iowa's Kaleb Johnson at 4.57. There are some taller running backs high on our rankings list but No. 1 Ezavier Crowell at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds is right in the sweet spot. Jonaz Walton and USC commit Deshonne Redeaux might be undervalued. WIDE RECEIVERS © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images There does not seem to be a lot of rhyme or reason among this group that will drastically influence our rankings. Advertisement Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan is the top receiver at 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds but he has a slower 40-time at 4.53 seconds. The next four receivers on the list are no taller than 6-foot in Texas' Matthew Golden, Missouri's Luther Burden. Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka and Iowa State's Jaylin Noel. All the top receivers have a wingspan of 76.5 inches or higher with McMillan leading the way at just over 78. Does that tell us shifty slot receivers should be more valued than taller, prettier receivers like Cederian Morgan and Chris Henry, Jr.? That's a really tough call because of their playmaking ability, catch radius and mismatch problems but maybe just falling in love with that length is a miscalculation on our part. TIGHT ENDS Tight end is going to be a major challenge for us because none of the top-26 tight ends in the draft class reach 6-foot-6. Yet, five of our top six and seven of our top nine tight ends are 6-foot-6. Advertisement This is a phenomenal tight end class at the high school level so maybe they will buck the trend but this only reinforces the belief that maybe Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei standout Mark Bowman has an argument for No. 1 at the position. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Bowman is only an inch taller and five pounds lighter than Brock Bowers. OFFENSIVE TACKLES © Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images There are certain trends that aren't necessarily favorable for five-stars Jackson Cantwell, Immanuel Iheanacho and Felix Ojo but all three are so talented and so dominant and project so high that maybe they can actually buck these draft numbers. Advertisement LSU's Will Campbell is just under 6-foot-6. Purdue's Armand Membou is just over 6-foot-4. Ohio State's Josh Simmons and Oregon's Josh Conerly are under 6-foot-5 and Ohio State's Donovan Jackson is under 6-foot-4 and still listed at tackle. Among the top 10, only three weigh in the 330s and all the others are 319 or less. Wingspan – more than height – seems the most crucial among offensive tackles. Surprisingly, Campbell has the shortest arms among the top-40 offensive tackles but is such a technician he could still be No. 1 off the board but nearly everyone else is well into the 80-plus range. INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMEN © Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Advertisement There has always been this perception that offensive tackles were taller and longer and interior offensive linemen were shorter, heavier and had shorter arms. But this year at least, that could nor be further from the truth. To be a projected high NFL Draft pick on the offensive line, the ideal height and weight is 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds for an offensive tackle and 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds for an interior player. Yes, an inside guy on average weighs less than an offensive tackle at the same height. That is extraordinary and also telling when we look at our offensive line rankings. Only two offensive tackles among the top 10 have wingspans longer than 83 inches. Among interior players, three are at 84 inches or bigger including the top two in Alabama's Tyler Booker and Texas' Kevin Banks. This is some high-level nerding out on offensive line measurements but also incredibly telling when it comes to height, weight and wingspan especially. EDGE RUSHERS © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Advertisement We have used the edge rusher position for longer, lighter defensive ends who could also drop back and play in space essentially as a big linebacker but that's not necessarily how this draft class is seen at the position. The average weight of the top-10 edge rushers in this draft class is nearly 258 pounds. So weight shouldn't necessarily be a factor in our edge rushing rankings as much as length. Six-foot-three or taller is crucial here as Georgia's Jalon Walker is the only exception at the highest end and length is most important as nine out of the top 10 edge rushers have 79-inch or better wingspans with the majority of them in the 80s. What doesn't seem so important? Running the 40-yard dash. Five of the top 10 including the top two in Walker and Penn State's Abdul Carter skipped it. DEFENSIVE TACKLES © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Advertisement If the NFL Draft trends for defensive tackles hold up, I like where we stand with our defensive tackle rankings as space eaters are out and taller gap shooters are in. Of the top 10, all but one are at least 6-foot-3 and they're right around 300 pounds as only three – Michigan's Kenneth Grant, Texas' Alfred Collins and Ohio State's Tyleik Williams – hover at 330. From a recruiting perspective, Michigan could be dramatically helped by this draft with future defensive tackles as Mason Graham is expected to be the first DT taken but Grant shouldn't be too far behind. And don't worry about the 40 – five of them, including Graham – don't have a verified time. Our top defensive tackle and only five-star at the position – Richard Anderson – is heavier but he carries it well and moves phenomenally well for his size. LINEBACKERS Just like at edge rusher, throw out height at linebacker and worry more about wingspan. Of the top-10 linebackers in the draft, only one is taller than 6-foot-3. Wingspan of 77.5 inches is the ideal size with Alabama's Jihaad Campbell right at 80. Advertisement This brings us to a really important consideration moving forward at a position that has lost some of its luster in the draft. USC commit Xavier Griffin and four-star Talanoa Ili are 6-foot-4 right now. There are plenty of others pushing 6-foot-3. Are these edge rushers in the future and are we just falling in love with looks over what the NFL seems to want at the LB position? CORNERBACKS © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images For the second-straight year, there are no 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 cornerbacks among the top of the group. What keeps me up at night is how do we turn down elite players such as Ohio State's Devin Sanchez, who measured 6-foot-2 there, or 6-foot-4 Dijon Lee Jr. even if the overwhelming trend is toward shorter cornerbacks who hover right around 200 pounds? Advertisement Sanchez and Lee were the top two corners in the 2025 Rivals250. In 2026, 6-foot-3 Havon Finney Jr., is a five-star and 6-foot-2 Brandon Lockhart and 6-foot-3 Jorden Edmonds are definitely under consideration. It's a really tough but important call to make during future rankings cycles. Also crucial is to run in the 4.4 range or lower. Colorado's Travis Hunter and Michigan's Will Johnson didn't test in that event but Texas' Jahdae Barron, Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston and Kansas State's Jacob Parrish all went sub-4.4. SAFETIES © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images There seems to be a massive misconception between height and length at safety – and what the NFL really wants. Because among the top-10 safeties, only South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori at 6-foot-3 is taller than 6-foot-1.5. In fact, seven of the top-10 safeties are 6-foot or shorter. Length is important at the highest end but in the back half of that top 10, it doesn't seem to really matter. We have always viewed many of the highest-end safeties as these long, rangy, tall defensive backs who could cover ground. That is still super important but NFL teams seemingly more and more want instincts, bulldogs and guys who can cover ground while also being on the shorter side.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Yankees fan-favorite starter already suffers elbow strain
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Milwaukee Brewers' gamble on former Yankees starter Nestor Cortes took a sharp turn this weekend, as the 30-year-old southpaw was placed on the injured list with an elbow flexor strain—a nagging issue that first surfaced late last season and has now reared its head again. Advertisement Unfortunately for Cortes, this is déjà vu in the worst possible way. An Injury That Should've Been Addressed Sooner Cortes dealt with this very injury toward the tail end of the 2024 season with the Yankees but pushed through the discomfort to appear in the postseason. That decision came back to bite the Yankees in the worst way when Cortes, clearly not himself, served up a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman in Game 1 of the World Series—an outing where his velocity dipped and his command fell apart. Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports In hindsight, he never should've been on the mound. Now, just a few weeks into the 2025 season, Cortes is back on the shelf and the Brewers are left picking up the pieces. The lefty got lit up in his first start of the year, coincidentally against the Yankees, giving up eight earned runs and five home runs in just two innings. It was a tough pill to swallow for both Cortes and Milwaukee, who expected him to be a reliable middle-of-the-rotation piece. A Glimpse of Vintage Cortes… Before the Setback Ironically, just as hope started to creep back in, Cortes put together a vintage outing against the Cincinnati Reds, tossing six scoreless innings and striking out six batters. It was the kind of performance that reminded fans of his 2022 All-Star form. The pitch movement was crisp, the sequencing was effective, and his confidence was noticeably higher. Advertisement But it didn't last. Shortly after that outing, the Brewers shut him down, citing discomfort in his throwing elbow. A flexor strain can be a tricky injury—often lingering, sometimes even a precursor to more serious issues like UCL damage. For a pitcher whose success relies more on deception and command than overpowering stuff, losing even a few ticks off his fastball can spell trouble. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Long Road Back The timetable for Cortes' return isn't yet clear, and flexor strains don't always follow a predictable healing path. He'll need time, rest, and perhaps a reevaluation of his mechanics to ensure this doesn't become a season-long battle. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Yankees—who traded Cortes to Milwaukee this offseason in exchange for closer Devin Williams—look like they made the right call. The move felt cold at the time, especially since Cortes was one of the more likable personalities in the clubhouse and a fan favorite. But his injury history and declining metrics toward the end of last season raised red flags. With Williams already in the fold and Cortes sidelined once again, the early returns suggest the Yankees may have jumped ship at the perfect time. Related Headlines
Yahoo
27-03-2025
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Padres give All-Star hurler rest from throwing due to arm fatigue
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The San Diego Padres have taken former All-Star Yu Darvish off the mound in Spring Training. Padres: Yu Darvish dealing with arm fatigue According to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Tribune, Darvish is dealing with inflammation in his right elbow (h/t Rotowire). The Japanese talent's infirmity took him out of contention to start on Opening Day. Darvish also sat out of his scheduled start on Tuesday. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Padres may have to wait to get Darvish back The Padres need the 38-year-old in order to maximize their chances of winning the 2025 World Series. He serves as their No. 3 option in the rotation. As of now, Darvish is considered day-to-day with the ailment. Despite sitting out on Tuesday, he did play catch — a sign that the injury may not keep him out for an elongated stretch. Advertisement Darvish was limited to only 16 starts in 2024 due to neck, hip, and elbow soreness. He'll look to fully reduce inflammation in his throwing elbow before taking the mound again. This will likely end Darvish's Grapefruit League action. More must-reads:
Yahoo
19-03-2025
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Vikings O-Line Rental Lands Generous New Deal Elsewhere
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images This offseason has been one about building in the trenches for the Minnesota Vikings. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has spent a substantial amount of money on both the offensive and defensive lines. After signing Christian Darrisaw to a contract extension last season, Kevin O'Connell has his offensive bookends set. The guard position needed an upgrade and Will Fries provided that. There was some though that Cam Robinson may be of interest to Minnesota, but moving inside for less money never made sense. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Robinson filled in admirably for Darrisaw after his season-ending injury against the Detroit Lions. It was always most likely he would find greener pastures elsewhere though. Cam Robinson leaves Minnesota Vikings for Houston Although plenty of free agents are already off the board, it was former Minnesota Vikings tackle Cam Robinson who was called the best one still available. Unfortunately for any suitors waiting in the weeds, the Houston Texans have scooped him up to protect C.J. Stroud. Last season Robinson was in the final year of a three-year pact he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. When Darrisaw went down Minnesota came calling. Robinson stepped in and helped to anchor Sam Darnold's blindside. Advertisement Related: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Signings – 2025 Between Jacksonville and Minnesota, Robinson started all 17 games last season. 10 of his starts came with the Vikings. Unfortunately his 64 pressures allowed were the most by an offensive tackle. Robinson owns a 75.8 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus dating back to 2022. The upcoming season will be Robinson's ninth in the NFL. Houston is just his third NFL team after Jacksonville drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Robinson will turn 30 years old this year. MN Vikings near-complete O-line overhaul It was never expected that Robinson would return for Minnesota. He was just filling in for Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill has long cemented the right tackle spot. After Garrett Bradbury was released, and Ed Ingram was traded, the Minnesota Vikings have turned over virtually their entire offensive line. Advertisement Only Blake Brandel remains from the starting options last year. He will look to elevate his game learning from Fries and operating next to Kelly. With J.J. McCarthy taking the reigns under center, Minnesota is hoping a strong step forward up front can provide a better avenue towards success. Related: MN Vikings Insider Names Two Veteran QBs to Watch Robinson heading to the Texans continues a relative pipeline of Vikings that have Houston connections. Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman both joined Minnesota last year while Danielle Hunter went south. More must-reads:
