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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson dominates USA TODAY Sports' 2025 All-ACC preseason football team list
USA TODAY Sports is riding high on the Clemson Tigers ahead of the 2025 college football season. On Monday, a total of nine Clemson players were named to USA TODAY Sports' All-ACC preseason team. Moreover, Dabo Swinney was named preseason Coach of the Year while quarterback Cade Klubnik was tabbed preseason Player of the Year in the ACC. The preseason all-conference team was voted on by regional USA TODAY Sports writers who cover the 17 ACC schools. Those writers also made predictions for the 2025 ACC football season with their projected order of finish. Here's a look at the nine Clemson selections on USA TODAY Sports' All-ACC preseason football team, as well as where the Tigers landed in the network's predicted order of finish. Clemson offense lands four players on USA TODAY Sports' All-ACC preseason football team Quarterback: Cade Klubnik Wide receiver: Antonio Williams Wide receiver: Bryant Wesco Jr. (tied with Eric Rivers of Georgia Tech and Caullin Lacy of Louisville) Offensive line: Blake Miller Five Clemson Tigers garner All-ACC preseason football defensive honors Defensive line: T.J. Parker Defensive line: Peter Woods Linebacker: Wade Woodaz Linebacker: Sammy Brown Defensive back: Avieon Terrell ACC football projected order of finish, per USA TODAY Sports 1. Clemson 2. Miami 3. SMU 4. Louisville 5. Georgia Tech 6. Duke 7. Florida State 8. Pitt 9. Virginia Tech 10. N.C. State 11. Syracuse 12. North Carolina 13. Boston College 14. Virginia 15. Wake Forest 16. California 17. Stanford Clemson sweeps preseason Coach, Player of the Year awards USA TODAY Sports' preseason awards also include Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year. Coach of the Year: Dabo Swinney Player of the Year: Cade Klubnik Newcomer of the Year: Carson Beck (Miami) Clemson football schedule 2025 Clemson will open the 2025 season against the LSU Tigers at Memorial Stadium in prime time on Aug. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ABC. All times Eastern. Aug. 30: vs. LSU (7:30 p.m., ABC) Sept. 6: vs. Troy (3:30 p.m., ACC Network) Sept. 13: at Georgia Tech (12 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN) Sept. 20: vs. Syracuse Oct. 4: at North Carolina Oct. 11: at Boston College Oct. 18: vs. SMU Nov. 1: vs. Duke Nov. 8: vs. Florida State Nov. 14: at Louisville (8 p.m., ESPN) Nov. 22: vs. Furman Nov. 29: at South Carolina (12 p.m. ET, ABC or ESPN) Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions. This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson football dominates USA TODAY Sports' preseason All-ACC teams
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Astros mulling reunion with Carlos Correa; Nolan Arenado, Eugenio Suárez also in mix
The Houston Astros, fearing that power-hitting third baseman Isaac Paredes will miss the remainder of the season with his strained hamstring, are interested in bringing in one of their jilted lovers to replace him. The Astros, a high-ranking executive told USA TODAY Sports, are exploring the possibility of acquiring Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa or St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, while also remaining engaged with the Arizona Diamondbacks for All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity since trade talks are ongoing. The possibility of Correa's potential return is fascinating considering he was a homegrown product, and led the Astros to four division titles, three pennants and a World Series title. The Astros offered him a five-year, $160 million as a free agent after the 2021 season, but he departed for the Minnesota Twins. He signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract before opting out after one season. He then agreed to deals with the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets, but both contracts were voided after his physical, leading him back to Minnesota on a six-year, $200 million contract. Correa, 30, still has $103.5 million remaining on his contract through 2028 with four club options. He also has a full no-trade clause. Yet, he has told friends that he would be willing to waive his no-trade for the opportunity to return to Houston, where he and his family still reside in the offseason. The Astros surely would demand the Twins to pay a significant portion of the contract in trade talks. Arenado, 34, was on the verge of being traded to the Astros last December, but he exercised his no-trade rights and rejected it. Arenado wanted to play for a contender, telling the Cardinals he would accept a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets. He considered also waiving his rights for the Astros, but once they traded All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs, while also replacing popular All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman, he declined. Simply, he didn't believe the Astros would be a contender. He also rejected the Los Angeles Angels' overtures. "We tried to convince him that we're not rebuilding, that the window is always open with our owner," Astros GM Dana Brown told USA TODAY Sports. "We planned to compete in 2025 and beyond. He misunderstood our plan." Now that the Astros are sitting in first place in the AL West with a 61-47 record, and the Cardinals (55-54) plan to rebuild and trade veterans at the deadline, Arenado likely would now waive his no-trade clause. He still is under contract through 2027, and is owed $56 million. The cheapest acquisition financially would be Suárez, who's on the final year of his seven-year, $66 million contract. He is owed about $4.8 million for the rest of the season. Yet Suárez, who has hit 36 homers and driven in 87 runs, is also the best available position player on the market. He would be costly in the terms of parting with top prospects for a rental player. The Diamondbacks are seeking at least two or three of an organization's top prospects for Suárez in their talks with teams. The Astros really had no interest in Correa or Arenado, and had no sense of urgency until Paredes suffered a strained right hamstring July 19 running to first base. Astros manager Joe Espada called it a "pretty significant injury." Paredes is scheduled to seek a second opinion but could even need surgery that would sideline him until spring training. The Astros, who have 17 players on the injured list, have struggled without Paredes, who was hitting .259 with a team-high 19 homers and 50 RBI. They have lost 12 of their last 18 games, with five everyday position players on the injured list. While the acquisition of Suárez would be an offensive upgrade over Paredes, Correa and Arenado would be downgrades with their offensive struggles, although both are superior defensively. Correa, a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove winner at shortstop, hasn't been the same offensive force since leaving the Astros. He was a .277 hitter with an .837 OPS in his seven years in Houston, hitting a career-high 26 homers with 92 RBI in 2021. Yet, he's hitting .265 with just seven homers, 31 RBI and a .701 OPS this year in the worst full season of his career. Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, is also having the worst offensive season of his career. He's hitting .235 with 10 homers and 43 RBI, including a .295 on-base percentage, .368 slugging percentage and .664 OPS. The Cardinals, who were willing to pay $15 million of his remaining contract last December in their proposed trade, may have to pay down even more considering Arenado's season. The Astros say they don't have a sense of which direction they'll go with the third-base candidates before the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline Thursday, but insisted late Tuesday night that all three players remain as candidates. The Astros would soar past the luxury tax threshold by acquiring Correa or Arenado, but they have about $60 million coming off the books after the season. They would gladly make the tradeoff of a luxury tax penalty if it meant reaching the postseason for the ninth consecutive season with another chance of a World Series run. "The last eight years we've been going to the playoffs and making a push to win the World Series," says Astros nine-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, "and it seems like this year we have another great chance, even though we obviously have a lot of guys on the injured list. We're here to win. That's what this organization is all about. It won't accept anything less. "Really, that's what makes this place so great." Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astros' possible trade targets include Carlos Correa, Nolan Arenado
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Claressa Shields vs. Laila Ali: Where fight stands according to Ali business partner
A longtime business representative of Laila Ali says the daughter of Muhammad Ali is focused on a grudge match -- but not the one involving a potential fight against Claressa Shields. Noble, Ali's business representative, said Muhammad Ali's daughter is focused on Food Network's 'Chef Grudge Match' premiering Aug. 12. Laila Ali will host the show. 'We don't have any comment for you at this time regarding the boxing matter,'' Noble told USA TODAY Sports by text message. 'However, when Laila has something to share very soon, the public will know." Two weeks ago, Shields announced that her team has put $15 million in escrow for Ali, if Ali agrees to the fight. Ali has not publicly responded to the offer and in an interview last week with USA TODAY Sports, Shields said, "Do you want to entertain a fight or do you not?'' Ali, 47, was 24-0 with 21 knockouts before she retired from professional boxing in 2007. Khalilah Camacho Ali, one of Muhammad Ali's former wives, said, "I think Laila needs to stay in the kitchen.'' Shields, 30, is 17-0 with three knockouts. She defended her undisputed heavyweight title on July 27 with a victory over Lani Daniels by unanimous decision.
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Hulk Hogan official cause of death revealed: WWE icon died of heart attack
Hulk Hogan's official cause of death has been determined. The WWE icon died of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, according to the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports. The cause of death was noted in the cremation approval summary report. The cause of death aligns with the initial report that Hogan died after suffering cardiac arrest. In the documents, the center notes Hogan's death was a consequence of a history of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that results in an irregular and rapid heart rhythm, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hogan also had leukemia CLL, a type of cancer that affects white blood cells and bone marrow. A spokesperson for the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center said Hogan's death was certified by his primary care physician, and the medical examiner did not have a case into Hogan's death. Hogan died on July 24 at the age of 71. The Clearwater Police Department in Florida said in a statement that fire and police personnel responded to a medical call "for a cardiac arrest" at 9:51 a.m. ET in Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida, near Tampa. The wrestling star was treated by medical personnel at his home before he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said no foul play or suspicious activity was suspected. Hogan didn't make his health issues public as there had been speculation he was declining. In June, E! News reported in June Hogan had neck surgery and the procedure "has indeed been successful." Despite the circulation of rumor on social media regarding his health, longtime friend Jimmy Hart said on July 22 he was "doing phenomenal." Arguably the most popular star in wrestling history, Hogan played a major role in the sport becoming a regional fandom to a worldwide phenonmenon, becoming WWE's first major persona. He not only was successful in the ring, but his career ventured into movies and TV shows as he became a pop culture icon. He was a six-time WWE Champion and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, once in 2005 and in 2020 as part of the New World Order.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What happened to Najee Harris? Updates on Chargers RB following fireworks accident
Najee Harris was hoping for some fireworks on the field in 2025. Instead, he became a victim of them following a Fourth of July celebration. The Los Angeles Chargers running back suffered a superficial eye injury during the early morning hours on July 5 as a result of a fireworks accident, which resulted in multiple injuries and sent others to the hospital for treatment. "Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees," Harris' agent Doug Hendrickson said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports on July 10. "Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season." Harris was later placed on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list on July 17 while continuing to recover. The expectation is that the running back won't miss a lot of time, but the timeline for his return to the field remains unclear. Here is the latest on Harris. What happened to Najee Harris? Harris suffered a superficial eye injury as a result of a fireworks accident on July 5. The Chargers running back has been seeing doctors and receiving treatment at Stanford Hospital, but landed on the NFI list while still in recovery. He made his first appearance at Chargers camp on July 24, wearing a hoodie and sunglasses in an attempt to conceal the extent of his injury. It remains unclear when Harris will return to practice. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said on July 22 that he didn't know whether Harris could, or would, participate in the remainder of training camp. If Harris remained on the NFI list through the end of training camp, he would have to miss the first four games of the regular season. The former Pittsburgh Steelers running back signed with the Chargers in free agency, inking a one-year, $5.25 million deal. There is also $4 million in incentive bonuses tied to the contract, bringing the total value to $9.25 million.
