Latest news with #SECOffensivePlayeroftheYear
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Get to know Browns RB Dylan Sampson now after Quinshon Judkins arrest
Recent news has come out that Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has been arrested on domestic violence and battery charges in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The news broke on Saturday evening following initial reports of his arrest. Judkins has yet to sign his rookie contract with Cleveland. The Browns organization was caught off guard by the news, but fortunately, they have another highly touted rookie running back on the roster. Along with drafting Quinshon Judkins, the Browns also selected highly respected Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson. Selecting both of these running backs was part of a plan to reestablish the rushing attack that Cleveland has lacked in recent seasons. In 2024, Sampson had an excellent year for Tennessee, recording 1,491 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. He was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year as a result. Now, it looks like he will have every opportunity to earn the starting job if more unfortunate news about Judkins continues to emerge. Just a year ago, defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. was suspended for the first six games of the season in a similar case. If Judkins is unable to play at the start of the season, Sampson could receive a full workload in Week 1 of his NFL debut and claim the title of starting running back for the Cleveland Browns. Only veteran Jerome Ford, who has not proven himself in three seasons with the team thus far, stands between Sampson and the starting lineup until Judkins can win back the trust of the team. With training camp set to begin on July 22, this will be one of the biggest storylines surrounding the team as we inch closer to the 2025 season.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Which Alabama football players are 2026 College Football Hall of Fame nominees?
The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class could have a few more Alabama football connections. The National Football Foundation announced 79 players and nine coaches who are in the running for the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame. The announcement for the class will be made in early 2026. Advertisement Here's a look at the players nominated who have Alabama football connections: Mark Ingram: Alabama football running back Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide former running back Mark Ingram on the field prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Mark Ingram was a unanimous first-team All-American and Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner. The 2009 SEC Offensive Player of the Year had 3,261 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. Ingram was the No. 28 overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFL draft. DeMeco Ryans: Alabama football linebacker Oct. 22, 2005; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker DeMeco Ryans (35) celebrates the game ending interception in the final seconds against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Tennessee 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2005 John David Mercer DeMeco Ryans was a unanimous first-team All-American and won the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The 2005 SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 76 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and 5 sacks for the Crimson Tide before being the No. 33 overall pick of the Houston Texans in the 2006 NFL draft. Dennis Franchione: Alabama football coach 27 Dec 2001 : Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione presents the trophy during post-game celebration of the Independence Bowl game against Iowa State at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. Alabama won 14-13. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit:A two-time NAIA Coach of the Year, Dennis Franchione finished with a 17-8 record as the head coach at Alabama in 2001-02. He led the Crimson Tide to an Independence Bowl win in 2001. Franchione also had head coaching stops at TCU, Texas A&M and Texas State. Advertisement 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: Alabama football players nominated for 2026 College Football Hall of Fame
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Alabama football legends on College Football Hall of Fame ballot for 2026
Two Alabama football legends on College Football Hall of Fame ballot for 2026 A pair of Alabama football legends are under consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class. On Monday, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced the names of 79 former players and coaches who are under consideration for Hall of Fame induction. Two former Crimson Tide players are eligible for induction in the 2026 class: linebacker DeMeco Ryans and Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner, running back Mark Ingram. Mark Ingram (2008-10) Ingram was a huge contributor for Alabama's first national championship team in 17 years -- and the Crimson Tide's first under Nick Saban -- in 2009. The Flint, Michigan, high school star rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns en route to both the Heisman Trophy and SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors. In that year's SEC Championship Game against Florida, Ingram ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns to go with a 69-yard catch-and-run as the Crimson Tide dethroned the defending national champions and quarterback Tim Tebow. A month later, Ingram was the offensive MVP in the Tide's 37-21 BCS Championship Game win over Texas at the Rose Bowl, going for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his career at Alabama with 3,261 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns and single-handedly took over such games as the Crimson Tide's 20-6 win over South Carolina in 2009 when the offense had fallen into a midseason rut. Ingram rushed for 246 yards (10.3 AVG) -- primarily out of the Wildcat -- against Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks on Oct. 17 as Alabama improved to 7-0. DeMeco Ryans (2002-05) Ryans was a star linebacker at Alabama for one season under Dennis Franchione and three seasons under Mike Shula. He won the Lott IMPACT Trophy in his senior season in 2005 as part of a 10-win Alabama team that defeated Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl and had thrilling regular-season wins over Tennessee and Florida. That same year, Ryans was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and still holds the Alabama single-game record for tackles with 25. In his final season in Tuscaloosa, Ryans led defensive coordinator Joe Kines' unit with 76 tackles (9.5 for loss) and had 3.5 sacks, plus an interception and a forced fumble. Controversial former Alabama head coach under consideration for College Football Hall of Fame Speaking of Franchione, the two-year former Crimson Tide coach is one of nine former college football coaches on the ballot for Hall of Fame induction in 2026. Franchione led Alabama to a 7-5 season in his first year in 2001, including a 31-7 upset win over Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in that year's Iron Bowl. Alabama went 10-3 in Franchione's next season in 2002 before he bolted for the Texas A&M job. The announcement for the Hall of Fame class will be made in early 2026. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Legendary Cornerback Reveals Excitement for Draft Picks
The Cleveland Browns completed what we think at least for now, appears to be a successful 2025 draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, last week. The seven picks included top defensive prospect Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger as well as a pair of running backs in Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. Advertisement But it's the new running back tandem that has one former Browns defender excited. Former Cleveland cornerback Hanford Dixon showed his honest excitement during an episode of his podcast, The Hanford Dixon Show. 'I like those two running backs," Dixon said. "I mean, I really do. I really like those two guys because watching the tape on those two guys, they're very productive backs, and they can run away from you, and they also can run through you." There is reason for excitement. Judkins had 179 forced missed tackles since 2022. That's the fourth most in the FBS during that time. Last year, the Browns tied for 16th in the league in yards after first contact per carry at 1.69. Advertisement The Browns added Sampson on Day 3. He was the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Third-Team All-American. He led the SEC with 1,491 yards rushing, which is a Tennessee single-season record. Sampson's speed is thought to complement Judkins' physical style of play in a "running back by committee" situation. With the future of Nick Chubb up in question, the Browns' running back room could be in good shape for a while. Related: NFL Analyst Uses Silly Word to Describe Browns Draft Related: Browns Draft Pick Draws Historic NFL Comparison
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How DeSean Bishop bet on himself from Tennessee football walk-on to scholarship
DeSean Bishop was given a Tennessee football scholarship two years after joining the Vols as a walk-on running back and under-recruited Knoxville high school star. He could've accepted a scholarship at mid-major schools when he came out of nearby Karns High as a two-time Mr. Football winner. Instead, he bet on himself and came to UT with no promise of ever receiving a scholarship. Advertisement In January, Bishop got the good news that he was going on scholarship. But he talked candidly about it for the first time on Wednesday. 'It was a little bit of relief, that the hard work had paid off,' Bishop said. 'I'm blessed. A lot of kids in Knoxville would love to have the opportunity that I have. Not a lot of people from my city get this opportunity.' Bishop earned his scholarship by steadily climbing the depth chart over the past two seasons. Now he's competing with Peyton Lewis and Duke transfer Star Thomas for a starting job in the 2025 season. 'I ain't gonna lie. I can't even say that I did (expect to be competing to start as a redshirt sophomore),' Bishop said. 'That was especially (true) because of being hurt (in 2023 and 2024) and you've got a lot of good guys in front of you – guys with more stars (in recruit ratings) and stuff like that. Advertisement 'But I just trusted in God, and it deepened my faith. If he didn't think I could handle what's ahead of me this year, then he wouldn't have put me in it.' DeSean Bishop pushed higher-rated backs into transfer portal Bishop took a redshirt in 2023 after suffering a preseason injury. In 2024, he outplayed scholarship players with higher recruit ratings to earn the backup spot behind Dylan Sampson, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Bishop rushed for 455 yards and three TDs, missing three games due to injury. And Lewis rushed for 339 yards and three TDs. Their ascension, in part, pushed running backs Cam Seldon and Khalifa Keith into the transfer portal. Advertisement With UT's Orange and White Spring Game on Saturday, it appears Bishop and Lewis are the co-starters at running back. Thomas is in the mix after transferring to UT in January and learning the finer points of the playbook in spring practice. Bishop earned his scholarship, but he intends to keep his underdog edge. 'I know there's an opportunity to be that guy,' Bishop said. 'I feel like I'm embracing that. I feel like I've worked to deserve that spot, but I'm not going to get complacent. I'm living in the moment, and I know I'll reap the benefits when the season comes around.' Running backs coach De'Rail Sims said Bishop is playing like the record-breaking back he was in high school but still working like a walk-on. Advertisement 'You don't just have that production (in high school) if you're not a really good player,' Sims said. 'He always has that chip on his shoulder. He always has a point to prove. But he carries himself where he's not arrogant. He has confidence, but he's still humble.' Bishop ignored advice, choosing Tennessee over scholarships elsewhere Bishop was committed to Coastal Carolina for his entire 2022 senior season. He hoped for a scholarship offer from a Power Four conference school that never came. Bishop had eye-popping stats. He rushed for 8,347 yards and 102 touchdowns in his career at Karns. That ranked second and third, respectively, in Tennessee high school history. Advertisement But college coaches questioned his skill, speed and long-term potential. He was rated a three-star recruit and the No. 36 player in the state of Tennessee by 247Sports Composite. Two weeks before signing day, he decommitted from Coastal Carolina and ultimately announced he'd enroll at Tennessee as a preferred walk-on. 'I feel like people were trying to persuade me to go to Coastal (Carolina) and stay there,' Bishop said. 'But there was something in me that always thought I was bigger than that, and that's not taking anything away from Coastal. But I've always thought I could play at this level. 'And I feel like I've been doubted ever since I came here. And people are still doubting me, but it doesn't really bother me.' Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop (25) during a game between Tennessee and Chattanooga, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. 'Now it's time to perform' Granted, Tennessee coaches knew Bishop wasn't a typical walk-on. And, presumably, he received some financial assistance for his name, image and likeness from a collective associated with UT athletes. Advertisement But a scholarship changes Bishop's status on the roster, even if he doesn't dwell on it. 'Obviously, it helps financially. Scholarship or not, I've been proving myself every day and I feel like I've got to earn it every day,' Bishop said. 'I keep remembering (as motivation), 'They just now put you on (scholarship).' 'So I've got to keep going. It's the next step. I earned a scholarship, now it's time to perform.' Where Bishop factors into Tennessee backfield in 2025 Last season, Tennessee featured Sampson, who broke the program's single-season rushing record. Bishop and Lewis took turns as Sampson's sidekick, but rarely in the same game. Advertisement However, the backfield may expand from a duo to a trio in the 2025 season. Bishop and Lewis were already in a close competition. Thomas is a veteran running back and an all-purpose producer with more than 2,500 yards from scrimmage and 22 TDs in his Division I college career, which spans from New Mexico State to Duke. DAVID SANDERS: Why 5-star freshman's success matters to Vols, Glen Elarbee Freshman running backs Daune Morris and Justin Baker also debuted in spring practice as early enrollees. That backfield battle will play out in the fall. But Bishop undoubtedly will be in the mix, which is quite a feat for a former walk-on. Advertisement 'I look around, and it's just crazy that I'm here with an opportunity to start for the Tennessee Volunteers (in) my home city,' Bishop said. 'In high school, I never thought of this at all. I never would think that it would turn out this way, so I'm very blessed to be where I'm at now.' Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How DeSean Bishop went from Tennessee football walk-on to scholarship
