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USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
5 Oklahoma Sooners that need to have a strong fall camp ahead of 2025
The Oklahoma Sooners had their first practice of fall camp on Thursday as they begin preparations for the 2025 college football season. It's a team that feels like they have a lot to prove, but with an improved roster, looks ready to put 2024 in the past with a bounce-back year. Oklahoma is better at some positions and has better depth to work with. Still, there are questions that Brent Venables, Ben Arbuckle, and the Oklahoma staff need to answer heading into the season. With improved depth comes better position battles. So, who are the players that need to have strong fall camps to solidify their place for the 2025 season? Let's take a look. 1. Jacob Sexton, OT Jacob Sexton is entering his fourth season with the Oklahoma Sooners after he was a four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. He's started 13 games over his first three seasons, but hasn't played a full season healthy with the Sooners. Sexton played just over 400 snaps in 2023 and then 510 snaps in 2024. After spending time at right tackle and at left guard, he's trending toward the starting left tackle spot for Oklahoma in 2025. And as much as he needs to remain healthy, Sexton needs to stabilize a left tackle spot that was a revolving door for Oklahoma last year. When he met with the media on Wednesday, he described an improved flexibility and is feleing the best he has in years. Logan Howland and Michael Fasusi will vie for reps at left tackle behind Sexton. Howland had mixed results after taking over at left tackle when Sexton was hurt in the Ole Miss game. Fasusi is a five-star signee in the 2025 recruiting class who has won over the coaches with his maturity and work ethic. If Sexton is going to have his breakout season, the time needs to be now. 2. Jacobe Johnson, CB Eli Bowen will miss the start of fall camp after suffering a lower leg injury in spring ball, leaving the door open to a starting cornerback spot. Johnson has an opportunity in front of him to take hold of a competition that will feature less experienced, though talented, cornerback options. Venables called Johnson the most athletic player on the team when he met with the media, saying he just needs to learn to play cornerback at a high level. He played 237 snaps in 2024 and started for Oklahoma in the Maine and Missouri games. The athleticism is there. If he can take that next step in his development and secure one of the starting cornerback spots, his length and athleticism would create problems for opposing offenses. 3. Peyton Bowen, S Five-star prospects will always be under a microscope. Thus is the life of being a highly-touted and highly sought-after player like safety Peyton Bowen. Bowen is expected to take over for Billy Bowman, who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL draft back in April. Bowen has shown flashes of his playmaking potential with blocked punts and a forced fumble in the 2023 Red River Showdown. Now with an opportunity for a full-time role, Bowen has to prove ready for starters' snaps to help solidify the Sooners' secondary. Oklahoma has a player in Jaydan Hardy who was a four-star prospect in the 2024 class and someone the coaching staff thinks highly of. He's a playmaker in his own right. If Bowen fails to seize the opportunity to be the starter, Hardy could eat into his snap count this month. 4. Jaren Kanak, TE The Oklahoma Sooners went into the transfer portal to add tight ends Will Huggins, Carson Kent, and John Locke to back in the winter. That was in effort to replace Bauer Sharp, who was good for Oklahoma in an offense that put way too much pressure on the former quarterback. But perhaps the most notable addition to the tight end room was former four-star athlete and converted linebacker, Jaren Kanak. Kanak couldn't quite master his responsibilities at linebacker and decided to make the switch back to the offensive side of the ball, where he starred in high school as a wildcat quarterback. The athleticism isn't in question. He's one of the best athletes on the team and has a ton of speed for a guy that's 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds. For Kanak, it's all about mastering the playbook so he can get on the field and put his athleticism to work in Ben Arbuckle's offense. And Kanak has impressed his offensive coordinator this offseason with his work. "Jaran [Kanak] has probably exceeded my early and initial expectations at tight end. That dude doesn't leave the building, and it can get annoying at times," offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle told reporters on Wednesday with a laugh. "No, he's been awesome. He has definitely deserved time playing on Saturdays. He's an unbelievable athlete." Now it's just about putting things together on the practice field to earn snaps on game day. Going into his final season in a Sooner uniform, everyone's rooting for Kanak, who was a key addition to the 2022 recruiting class after Brent Venables arrived. 5. Keontez Lewis, Zion Kearney, Elijah Thomas In their own ways, each guy has impressed this offseason. But most of the talk has been about guys like Deion Burks, Isaiah Sategna, Javonnie Gibson, or even the returning Jayden Gibson. But with both Gibsons still working their way back into the fold, there's an opportunity for Keontez Lewis, Zion Kearney, or Elijah Thomas to earn a significant role in the wide receiver rotation. All three players are at different points in their collegiate careers. Lewis is on his fourth stop after spending time at UCLA, Wisconsin, and then putting together a productive season for Southern Illinois. He's looking to parlay last year's experience at the FCS level into a breakout year against SEC competition in hopes of creating draft value for himself and helping Oklahoma win games this fall. Kearney saw limited time last year for Oklahoma's offense but showed he has the ability to create big plays in the passing game. He's a threat every time he touches the ball due to his athleticsm and quickness. He creates yards after the catch. For Kearney, Venables mentioned he just needs to find his consistency. But the talent is there. Then there's four-star prospect Elijah Thomas. Thomas was one of the big-time additions for the Sooners in the 2025 recruiting class and has already impressed starting quarterback John Mateer. Mateer mentioned Thomas at SEC media days. 'He's doing a great job,' Mateer said. 'He's an athletic freak, as you can see by his weight room times, or his weight room lifts, and his running times. And then on the field, he's picking up the offense and the game real well. It's not all the time that a freshman receiver can feel the game the way he does, but he feels the game real well.' Competition over the next month will begin to delineate the wide receiver snaps on the outside, but the Sooners feel really good about the group they have because of the work they've put in this offseason. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Sexton eyes strong start to upset favourite Mallon
Every time Kelly Mallon stands on a bowling road, she is the favourite. This has been earned through an unparalleled career in which she leads both the All-Ireland and Queen of the Roads roll of honour. Next Sunday's All-Ireland senior final is no exception. She will be expected to see off the challenge of Munster champion, Hannah Sexton, especially as the final will be played over the Keady-Tassagh road in Armagh. Some factors offer a case that Sexton can cause an upset. Sexton had to come through a much more exacting Munster campaign. Her form has been on a steady upward trajectory and she was sublime in the Munster final. She will also be totally unburdened by expectation. Unlike most Munster contestants she comes into the final with absolutely nothing to lose and more than a decent chance to upset the odds. Mallon is bidding for her 12th senior All-Ireland while Sexton is looking for her first. In the 2023 final Mallon stormed home against Geraldine Daly-Curtain in Eglish. After missing out in 2024, she is back with a renewed appetite for success this year. It's a cliché, but Sexton will absolutely have to start strongly to cause an upset. Any hesitancy in the early exchanges and she will have the task of trying to reel in the greatest woman bowler of all time. Munster intermediate champion, Páidín Stokes, is also in search of his first All-Ireland. He faces Tyrone's Gene McVeigh. Stokes may lack experience at this level, but he is not deficient in talent. He turned around the Munster final against Timmy McDonagh through sheer dent of consistent excellence. Keady-Tassagh is made for his assertive bowling. McVeigh, is arguably the highest ranked Tyrone player of all-time. He was part of a most unusual combination of Tyrone v Kerry in an All-Ireland bowling All-Ireland at Eglish in 2023. As frequently happens on the football field, Denis O'Sullivan had the last word for the Kingdom in that junior A final. McVeigh should be a tougher and more calculating competitor as a result of that loss. Eoghan McVeigh, Gene's cousin, will wear the red-hand shirt too against Shane Crowley in the u18 final. Crowley's bowling in the Munster final confirmed his status as a potential senior champion. He has explosive power, which he will be able to flaunt at Keady. If Crowley is in the zone, it is hard to see McVeigh staying with him. The girls u18 is far less clear. This pits two very hot prospects in opposition. Emma Hurley emerged from an incredibly competitive Munster cauldron, beating a highly rated Darcy O'Brien in the final. Ellie-May Carr, daughter of former world champion Eddie, beat last year's Ulster champion Lilly O'Rourke. She will also be playing over her home club road too. Laura Sexton or Jessica Hughes will become the first ever winner of a women's Junior final. Ulster's Hughes comes with strong credentials, which she will need. Sexton was astonishing in her Munster final win over Darcy O'Brien. Her bowling was impeccable and her focus and resolve were exemplary. The men's junior A final is an intriguing contest between Conor McGuigan and Patrick Stokes. Stokes is oozing talent and his bowls carry huge velocity, but neither is a guarantee of success. McGuigan has made a career of pulling off unlikely wins. The most audacious being his three bowls of odds win over David Murphy in the 2011 senior All-Ireland, over the same road as next Saturday's final. Eoghan Kelly's form in Munster will make him favourite against Emmet O'Rourke in the Boys U14 final. All-Ireland Programme, Keady-Tassagh, Co. Armagh: Saturday August 2 11am, Boy U18: Shane Crowley (Munster) v Eoghan McVeigh (Ulster). Back, Girls U18: Emma Hurley (Munster) v Ellie-May Carr (Ulster). 2pm, Junior A men: Patrick Stokes (Munster) v Conor McGuigan (Ulster). Back, Boys U14: Eoghan Kelly (Munster) v Emmet O'Rourke (Ulster) Sunday August 3 11am, Senior Ladies: Hannah Sexton (Munster) v Kelly Mallon (Ulster). Back, Junior Ladies: Laura Sexton (Munster) v Jessica Hughes (Ulster). 3pm, Intermediate Men: Páidín Stokes (Munster) v Gene McVeigh (Ulster).
The Review Geek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
The Sandman – Season 2 Episode 12 'Death: The High Cost of Living' Recap & Review
Bonus: Episode 12 Episode 12 of The Sandman Season 2 begins with the environmental journalist, Sexton, trying to write a suicide note for Sylvie, his ex. He feels hopeless as the world is heading towards its inevitable end despite his best efforts. He is kicked out when his roommate, Billie, shows up with her girlfriend, Amelia. He goes out for a walk, and his woebegone argument is strengthened when he sees a collection of classic novels and memorabilia abandoned in a dump. As he goes through them, he trips and Death comes to his rescue. She invites him to her place to patch him up. He insists on learning the identity of his rescuer and gets creeped out when she is truthful. She explains that she takes a day off once every hundred years, spending a day as a mortal to stay in touch with humanity. Sexton tries to rush out when Hettie takes him hostage. She uses him to force Death into finding her soul for her. Death, who Sexton dubs as Didi, agrees and drags him along for her holiday on Earth. She is bubbly and enthusiastic which earns her free food and a free taxi ride, much to Sexton's shock. Next, she convinces him to go to Sylvie's regular club. They run into Billie, an annoyed Amelia and her friend, Jackie. Despite his cynical attitude, Sexton mediates between Amelia and Billie. Billie confides in Didi that Sexton is currently not in a good place and hopes he finds people who make life worth living. Sexton seems to have taken a big brother approach to Didi, who he thinks is a delusional and naive human girl, as he tries to protect her from Sylvie's thug of a friend, Theo. It seems that he doesn't approve of Sylvie and Theo for being irresponsible party animals. And in exchange, Theo and Sylvie would constantly look down upon Sexton. However, Didi insists on seeing the best in people and dances with Theo. Jackie joins Sexton, who sulks on the side. He is frustrated that no one cares that the world is ending and accidentally reveals that he is suicidal. She worries for him as she confesses to her suicidal attempt and that, despite everything, she is glad to be alive. A while later, Didi drags Sexton along for a club tour being given by Theo. It is a setup as Theo grabs her ankh necklace, locks the duo in a storage room and runs off. Didi sees a pentagon and realises that Theo summoned Death. Didi apologises for not listening to Sexton and for dragging him into the mess. He doesn't blame her and they talk about free will. She reveals that as an Endless, she doesn't have a choice. As a human, she does but she is upset that she messed up her one day of freedom. He feels bad for her and tries to come up with hilarious rescue plans. Right then, Theo barges in as the ankh doesn't work for him. He wants to bring back his girlfriend, Natalie, who died from an OD in his presence. Didi tries to comfort him but he decides to kill himself. Sexton interferes and barely misses the bullet. Theo survives and is taken away in an ambulance. The next morning comes and Didi tells Sexton that she needed to experience all that happened. They come across a jewellery stall by the river. For once, the owner charges her as she buys a pendant for Hettie. Sexton realises that he truly won't see Didi again and is sad. She declares that time goes too fast and it makes one hold onto every second. She begs for one more second but her heart stops. Hettie finds a tearful Sexton trying to bring Didi back to life. She puts the two cents that Didi had left on her eyes and takes the pendant. It does have her soul – a painting of her daughter. Before Hettie leaves, she promises Sexton that Didi will be back, 100 years later. At home, Sexton tells everything to Billie, who wonders if Didi is really Death. He thinks it would be nice if Death were a friendly face instead of pain and suffering. Amelia brings Jackie who wants to check up on him. She doesn't want to intrude but he deletes his suicidal note and offers her a cup of tea. At the end of The Sandman Season 2 Episode 12, Didi wakes up in Death's realm. She tells her Endless version that she loved mortality and doesn't want it to end. The Endless version smiles sadly as she offers Didi her hand. The Episode Review The Sandman Season 2 Episode 12 is a bittersweet epilogue that wraps up what has been a wild ride since 2022. There are tons of spin-off issues involving faes, supporting human characters, and other beings that could have led this special bonus episode but we are glad that it was Death's story. Kirby Howell-Baptiste has been perfectly cast for a fan-favourite character and she brings Death to life one last time. She is definitely main character material, dealing with dangerous challenges and slice-of-life adventures, likewise with a relaxed attitude. And who better to team her up with than Merlin- er, Colin Morgan as Sexton. His constant confusion but willingness to go with the flow that is Death is hilarious while educational. Every time the episode tries to get too didactic or contrived, there is a moment of absurdity that keeps it lighthearted and fun. This is evident when all the service providers are suddenly kind and altruistic to Death till the jewellery hawker charges her for the pendant. All in all, this special episode hits all the right notes and ends with a thoughtful message, just like all the arcs of the Netflix adaptation. Sexton is inspired by Didi and Jackie to keep going. Meanwhile, Didi aka Death reveals herself to be just like Dream and Destruction. She doesn't want her role as a reaper but she has no choice. Could we get a spin-off show on Death trying to find her successor and leave her post? Previous Episode Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes!
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Collin Sexton breaks silence after trade to Hornets
The post Collin Sexton breaks silence after trade to Hornets appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Charlotte Hornets scored big when they acquired Collin Sexton from the Utah Jazz. Even without securing the talents of Chris Paul, the Hornets aren't complaining. Consequently, Sexton is ecstatic about this new opportunity and has expressed as much, according to Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer. 'Super grateful for the opportunity. Ready to come in and help build the culture and be a leader right away,' Sexton said. 'I feel like the last couple of weeks practicing and stuff, it's been a lot of fun but also getting used to the guys.' Last year, Sexton finished his third season with the Jazz. Altogether, he averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 assists per game. Sexton is entering a team full of young talent, including Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and LaMelo Ball. He is in attendance in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League and emphasized the importance of supporting the newcomers. 'That is something that we've talked about,' he said. 'We want as many guys here to support the younger guys. As you can see, we've had an excellent turnout.' Additionally, Sexton discussed creating a family atmosphere with the Hornets. 'Whether it's on the court, off the court, whether you have questions about basketball, about life, we all are here, and it's a brotherhood,' Sexton said. 'We've got to pick up one another, and when someone is down, be there to encourage them when they need it.' In addition to leadership, Sexton is a stellar scorer and playmaker. He can drive to the basket and can finish consistently. Furthermore, Sexton can get the best out of his players with added assist totals this past year. Meanwhile, the Hornets are coming off a 19-63 season. They aim to ignite a spark for this band of young guns. Sexton is expected to deliver in that realm. Related: Hornets' Kon Knueppel exits Summer League game with head injury Related: Charlotte Hornets 2025 NBA free agency grades for every signing
Extra.ie
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Call for end to ‘unfair' inheritance tax laws for childless people
A campaign has been launched to end discrimination against people without children in inheritance tax. Parents can leave up to €400,000 to children before tax kicks in, but the threshold is €40,000 in bequests to anyone else. End Discrimination in Inheritance Tax for Childless Citizens (EDIT) said childless people and members of the LGBTQI community are being unfairly isolated because of laws that have not been updated since same-sex marriage legislation was introduced in 2015. Inheritance Tax: Pic: Getty Images EDIT spokesman James Sexton said: 'If a parent passes a property on to a son or daughter, the inheritance tax threshold kicks in on a building valued at €400,000. However, if a childless couple or single person passes a property on to a niece or nephew, the inheritance tax kicks in at €40,000.' He said existing tax law is blatantly discriminatory against couples who, through no fault of their own, have been unable to have children. Mr Sexton added: 'This is grossly unfair. Me and my wife and others, are facing a situation whereby, when the time comes to pass on the property to a niece and a nephew, because of the €40,000 tax threshold, the respective niece will, in all likelihood, have to sell the property because they won't be able to afford the tax bill. inheritance tax. Pic: Getty Images 'This scenario is resulting in very upsetting situations whereby if a house has been in the family name for 100 years or more, the sale of the property will end the family link with the respective property and association with that particular location.' He added that heterosexual people are not the only ones affected by this 'outdated and unfair' tax measure. The inheritance tax law is thought to affect more than one million people and, in particular, members of the LGBTQI community. Speaking to Gay Community News recently, Mr Sexton said: 'This is unconstitutional, inequitable and discriminatory. This needs to change. Our equal status legislation is meant to prevent discrimination on the grounds of family status.' Independent TD Michael Collins. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said: 'We've raised this issue in the Dáil numerous times. It's an awful situation. Individuals who inherit a property from a childless uncle or aunt are facing an exorbitant tax bill, with the result that most are left with no option but to sell, and for everyone involved except the taxman, this can be heartbreaking, costly, and ultimately can end the family connection with a location. 'It seems people in Government aren't listening or don't care. We [Independent Ireland] have raised this in the Dáil numerous times, and we aim to introduce a Bill to address this matter in advance of the budget. It's one we're working on already. 'For a working person with no children, or members of the gay community, this affects so many people. There has to be a fair understanding by the Government. This mightn't happen overnight, but the Government needs to do something to address this issue that affects so many people.' EDIT has made two presentations in Leinster House before TDs and senators this year. The organisation has also highlighted the matter with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. A Department of Finance spokesman said: 'The department cannot comment in advance on any tax matters that might be the subject of budget decisions.' The rules governing farm land inheritance tax were recently relaxed to avoid farms being carved up to pay the tax bill. However, the change led to a surge in the price of farmland as people invested in it to avoid inheritance tax bills for their children.
