Latest news with #ShemarTurner
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears agree to terms with second-rounder Ozzy Trapilo
It took a while to get the ball rolling, but the 2025 second-round picks are starting to sign with their NFL teams. According to multiple reports, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo has agreed to terms with the Bears. He joins Shemar Turner in getting his four-year rookie deal done in Chicago. Wide receiver Luther Burden was the other Bears second-rounder this year and he remains unsigned. Albert Breer of reports that Trapilo, who was the 56th overall pick, got the first two years of the contract fully guaranteed along with 72 percent of the third season. The size of the guarantees in second-round pacts became the holdup after the top two picks in the round had their deals fully guaranteed. Trapilo started at right tackle for Boston College the last two years and also had experience playing on the left side of the line.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Bears' Second-Round Pick Getting Rave Reviews From Teammates
Chicago Bears' Second-Round Pick Getting Rave Reviews From Teammates originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Sometimes, it's better to spend less time discussing who hasn't arrived or never showed up and more time talking about who's already and those who never left. The Chicago Bears rookie getting the most attention is first-round pick Colston Loveland, and with good reason. He's a plus athlete with an incredibly high ceiling, and he also hasn't been seen much during training camp or offseason workouts because he is recovering from a Type V AC joint injury in his right shoulder. Naturally, his presence and potential impact on an exciting Bears offense is creating conversation. In all of the talk about Loveland, Bears fans might be neglecting a rookie who is shaping up to be a potential standout in 2025 and beyond. The Bears selected DT Shemar Turner in the second round with the 62nd overall pick out of Texas A&M. Turner is showing flashes and his teammates are taking notice. "He has all the tools," Bears third-year DT Gervon Dexter Sr. said of Turner. "He's very athletic, very talented. So getting another guy like that, I'll be able to grow with and see him, you know what I mean? Read some of the stuff that he want to do as well." Dexter is only 23 years old, just a year older than Turner, but he's had solid experience in his first two years in the NFL. Dexter has already played in 32 pro games and is expected to make a serious leap next season alongside veteran leader Grady Jarrett. When you also include veteran Andrew Billings, the Bears seemingly have solid depth on the DT and Turner won't have a ton of pressure on him to make an immediate impact. As a second-round pick, there's going to be some expectations that Turner shows fans and the front office that he will be ready to take Jarrett's spot down the road, but he doesn't need to be elite from Day 1. This is a good problem for the Bears to have and it's yet another layer for Bears fans to be excited. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas A&M defensive lineman ranked in USA TODAY College Wire Top 50 players in 2025
As one of the anchors of the Texas A&M football program's defensive line, Cashius Howell was named as the No. 46 player on USA TODAY's College Wire Top 50 for the 2025 season. The junior from Kansas City, Missouri, recorded 40 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, eight pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble in 2024. Howell's string of incredible performances, standing by the side of future National League Football players like Shemar Turner, Nic Scourton, and Shemar Stewart, instantly made him one of the most important players to retain in the offseason for head coach Mike Elko's Aggie defense. Advertisement Here is what College Sports Wire's managing editor and lead writer, Tyler Nettuno analyzed about Howell's game in the official release on Thursday: "Howell has good size for an edge player, and it allowed him to thrive in the JACK role at Texas A&M last season. He finished second on the team in sacks while sharing the field with a pair of future NFL edge rushers, and he showed off his versatility in pass coverage with seven passes defended and his lone interception. He should become one of the SEC's premier pass-rushing threats in 2025." Before he arrived in Aggieland, Howell was an anchor for the Bowling Green defensive line from 2021 to 2023. He recorded 56 total tackles (27 solo tackles), 13.0 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks in 30 appearances for the Falcons. Howell also earned Third Team All-MAC honors in 2023 for leading the league with 9.5 sacks, which was tied for 16th nationally. Following his stint with the Falcons, he transferred to Texas A&M and immediately made his presence felt on the gridiron in Bryan-College Station, Texas. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound wrecking ball wreaked havoc and caused nightmares for opposing offensive lines last season. Now, with a plethora of talented former Aggies departing, Howell will be called upon to help lead this defensive unit heading into its second year under Elko. Advertisement Not only will his contributions be integral to Texas A&M's success, but his as well. Among the breakdown of what he brings to the table this season, Nettuno also discussed his prospects and where Howell could end up hearing his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft. "Howell enters the season drawing largely mid-round (late Day 2 or early Day 3) draft interest heading into the season, but he has the opportunity to boost his stock quite a bit as he enters the spotlight this fall. If Howell can show he's more than just a threat off the edge on passing downs, he has the chance to sneak into the second or even possibly first round." Time will tell if Howell can propel himself to becoming a first-round draft pick next year. For now, he will need to focus on honing his craft and preparing to lead the Aggies through the challenges of the SEC. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M DL Cashius Howell makes USA TODAY College Wire Top 50 list
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears rookies love the energy from Ben Johnson and his coaching staff
The excitement surrounding first-year Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has been palpable among fans over the last few months. The energy he has brought has come through even during press conferences and interviews, which has many people hopeful of a quick turnaround up at Halas Hall. Now, the players are experiencing that same energy and excitement during practices. After Day 1 of Bears rookie mini-camp, a few of the team's top draft picks spoke with the media and shared their thoughts about Johnson and his coaching staff now that they're beginning to get in work. First-round pick Colston Loveland didn't shy away from how much he's enjoying playing for Johnson. "I'm a big fan,' said Loveland. 'I love his spirit, his energy. He's super determined. He's ready to go. He's ready to take this thing to the top. I've seen him getting on people's butts. [He's] fired up too. I'm loving how he coaches. It's early, but I'm excited to play for him.' Advertisement The tight end's comments are even more notable when you consider Loveland is not yet able to practice in full due to his recovery from shoulder surgery. But even in a limited role, he can feel the energy exuding from the head coach. The same goes for second-round tackle Ozzy Trapilo, who is vying for a starting spot on the offensive line. "He has really good energy,' Trapilo said. 'I think all the guys are excited to be here. Great energy on the practice field. It was really good today.' Fellow second-round pick Shemar Turner echoed Trapilo while playing on the opposite line. "I love the coaches; I love their energy and the way they go about things," Turner said. "The vibe is always good here. I love everything they've got going." Energy was the word of the day, and it's important to establish that early, especially with a group of young rookies who are just getting started. Wide receiver Luther Burden, another second-round selection, noticed it as well. "It was great energy," Burden said. "First day, everybody got their first-day jitters out, and everybody should feel comfortable to go back and correct stuff and get back ready for tomorrow." Burden, however, made sure to note he didn't have that nervous energy. "I didn't have any jitters. I've been ready for this." The rookies have a long way to go, and in Loveland's case, he still needs to fully get back on the field. But these young players are already buying into what Johnson and his staff are selling, which is important when setting a new culture as a first-time head coach. It sounds like the players are just as excited as the fans. This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears rookies love the energy from Ben Johnson and his coaching staff
New York Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Bears rookie minicamp: What we learned from Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, Ozzy Trapilo
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner declined a golf cart ride to the practice field on Friday at the start of rookie minicamp. For his first practice as an NFL player, he wanted to walk and soak it in. 'Dream come true, finally getting to do what I've been wanting to do for my whole life,' he said. 'I get to do this every day now.' Advertisement For Turner, the rest of the 2025 draft class, 10 undrafted rookies and 23 rookie minicamp tryout players, Friday marked the first time they'd wear an NFL uniform. It was also coach Ben Johnson's first practice in front of the media, and our first chance to see top-10 pick Colston Loveland on the field — albeit, in a limited fashion. Here's what we learned on Day 1 of Bears rookie minicamp. As expected, Loveland didn't do much in practice. He underwent shoulder surgery in January. 'A priority for us is getting him back healthy because the sooner he gets healthy, then we get the full-speed reps and that's where it really all comes together,' Johnson said. 'It's more mental and we're going to take full opportunity with the time we have with him, call it six weeks in terms of getting him up to speed with not only what the veterans know mentally but how much can we walk through with him on the side to speed up the learning process.' Sitting and watching wasn't easy for Loveland with his fellow rookies at work on Fields 3 and 4 at Halas Hall. 'Just take it slow,' he said. But Loveland is physically active. 'I'm working out; I'm running,' he said. 'I'm doing everything except like the weight is not as heavy, obviously. We're taking that day by day. Stacking bricks and getting better.' It didn't take long for receiver Luther Burden III to make a noteworthy play during a Bears practice. He made a catch at his feet. 'Yeah, I caught it,' Burden confirmed. 'Yeah, that was my first catch. … It felt amazing. I'm super excited to go catch some more. A lot more.' With Burden, the early storylines didn't change. He's happy to be a member of the Bears. Lions receiver Jameson Williams, a teammate and friend from East St. Louis High School, endorsed Johnson and his offense. 'He told me I'm gonna love it,' Burden said. 'So … let's go.' Advertisement But he's still angry that he fell to the Bears at No. 39. 'That's staying with me forever,' Burden said. 'Everybody who passed up on me gotta pay.' When Ozzy Trapilo had his sights set on the NFL, he knew it'd be important to show he could play multiple positions. So at Boston College, while starting at right tackle the past two seasons, he'd still find a way to get reps in on the left side. 'You have to be versatile. That's the quickest way to get on the field,' he said. 'So after practice, even though I was a right tackle the last two years in college, working left, making sure that it's still smooth, that it still feels good. Especially after the season, I was working even more left than right just because (I was) catching up for lost time.' It's early — as early as it gets in the NFL practice calendar — but Trapilo is going to get some snaps on both sides, as evidenced by his first practice as a Bear. Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy! — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 9, 2025 He said there weren't any notable obstacles to flipping over to the left side. 'In a way, if you're more used to playing right tackle at speed and you're still consistent with left, you feel good at left, it's almost easier when you're learning new technique because you don't get into that flow state,' he said. 'You know your habits are all coming back, you're hyper-focused on every movement because it's not as natural. So in a way it feels smoother, it feels easier to adapt to this new coaching style, new techniques and all of the above.' Trapilo's top trait in college was being a technician, which can be tough at his size (6-foot-8). Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar will teach some new techniques, but Trapilo said everything is minor. Even if he's not in pads, he could get himself in good position over the next month in the left tackle conversation. Advertisement 'He's exactly what we thought he was going to be,' Johnson said. 'He's super smart. We had a meeting (Thursday) night with them. Meeting this morning with them. And he's able to apply those concepts to the field immediately, so he's very advanced in that regard. Technique, fundamentals, he takes those seriously, something we talked about this morning as a team, transferring the little things that Coach Roushar, (assistant offensive line) coach (Kyle) DeVan are talking about in that meeting room and being able to apply them immediately. It's really impressive for a young guy.' For someone who is as outwardly excited as anyone to practice football in May, is it going to be tough for Turner to not hit anyone for a few months? 'No, sir,' he said, laughing. Get used to the Bears' second-round defensive linemen being all smiles. After talking about his dream job, and soaking it in that this is what he gets to do every day, Turner went through some of the things he's focused on this weekend. 'Hand placement, feet, making sure I'm keeping my feet in the ground so I can get all my power, utilize everything, coming out of my hips,' he said. 'Just getting back to the basics that was overlooked.' .@TheShemarTurner gettin' coached up 😤 — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 9, 2025 As expected, Turner said he will play wherever the coaches line him up, whether that's at defensive end or defensive tackle. 'Whatever they want me at, shoot, I'm gonna play it and I'm gonna be successful,' he said. The Bears signed two rookies who play defensive end — Xavier Carlton and Jereme Robinson — likely allowing Turner to focus on his natural interior position during minicamp. He said the team wants him to stay in the 290-295-pound range. From our limited time with Turner, it seems he's exactly what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would want. What does Allen's defense ask for out of its defensive linemen? Advertisement 'Get lined up and win,' Turner said with that constant smile. 'Play ball, let's go.' If you're a Bears fan looking at rookie jerseys, don't buy Burden's No. 87 quite yet. That could change after training camp when the roster looks different. Asked why he chose No. 87, Burden said, 'All the good numbers were gone.' He wore No. 3 at Missouri. That's retired for Bronko Nagurski. Loveland, though, likes his new No. 84 after wearing No. 18 at Michigan. 'I feel 80s are always a good number for a tight end,' Loveland said. 'No. 84, I was like, 'Yeah, let's do it.'' (Photo of Ozzy Trapilo, left: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
