Latest news with #UnanimousAll-American
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff—Ronnie Lott in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 42 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at USC Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott. Position: Safety Years played at USC: 1977-1980 Career highlights: After playing a limited role as a true freshman in 1977, Lott became a starter on the Trojans' 1978 national championship team. In both 1979 and 1980, he earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors. During his senior season, Lott led the country with eight interceptions and was named a Unanimous All-American. Lott was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. After USC: The San Francisco 49ers selected Lott with the 8th overall pick in the 1981 NFL draft. He would play his first ten seasons in the league with Sam Francisco, before spending the final four years of his career with the Los Angeles Raiders and New York Jets. During his time in the NFL, Lott made 10 Pro Bowls, was named first-team All-Pro eight times, and won four Super Bowls. Lott is considered to be one of the greatest safeties in NFL history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Tuli Tuipulotu in focus
The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 49 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we look at former USC All-American defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu. Position: Defensive line Years played at USC: 2020-2022 Career highlights: Tuipulotu emerged as an immediate contributor on USC's defensive line as a true freshman in 2020. That year, he played alongside his older brother, Marlon. With Marlon off to the NFL in 2021, the younger Tuipulotu stepped up to help fill the void, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors. In 2022, however, Tuipulotu took things to an entirely new level. That season, he recorded a remarkable 13.5 sacks, the most of any player in the country. In addition, he had 46 total tackles and two forced fumbles. Tuipulotu was named a Unanimous All-American and won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, the Morris Trophy (given to the top lineman in the Pac-12 Conference, and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award. After USC: Following the 2022 season, Tuipulotu declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, where the Los Angeles Chargers selected him in the second round. It has not taken Tuipulotu long to emerge as a star at the professional level. After being named the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2023, he followed it up with an 8.5-sack campaign in 2024. Still just 22 years old, Tuipulotu appears to be one of the league's brightest young stars on the defensive line.
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens urgency grows after another glowing evaluation of Tyler Linderbaum
Ravens urgency grows after another glowing evaluation of Tyler Linderbaum Ravens may want to expediate their plans for Tyler Linderbaum's extension after yet another stellar review. It doesn't typically take long to distinguish 'special'. There's a reason why some prospects receive first-round grades and others don't. The Baltimore Ravens saw something in Tyler Linderbaum before making him the 25th player taken during the 2022 NFL Draft. Then again, everyone did. It isn't typical to discuss the Iowa Hawkeyes and revel in things they are doing on offense. Tyler changed that, for a season at least, but after shining during his final collegiate seasons, every NFL team was on notice as he declared he was ready to conquer the next level, football's highest. 2021 was the crowning jewel as he racked up a lot of hardware for the shelf. In addition to a First-Team All-Big Ten nod (his second), he won the Rimington Trophy and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors. He was also named a Unanimous All-American. No one doubted his talent would translate to the NFL, but just in case there was someone who might have, Mr. Linderbaum has certainly extinguished any concern in which he is mentioned. Consecutive Pro Bowl nods followed a spot on the 2022 Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team nods after the 2023 and 2024 Ravens seasons. Now comes the obligatory question about pay. When might an extension come? The Ravens may want to quicken their plan for Tyler Linderbaum after PFF's recent mention As seasons pass and the pages of the calendar turn, salaries get more exaggerated and expensive. Don't look now, but time has flown. Tyler Linderbaum enters year four of his rookie contract, and so far, there's been no news of an extension. By being a first-round draft choice, a fifth-year club option is baked into his deal, but the Ravens seemingly don't want to wait too long to get him squared away. As time passes and he adds to his resume, his price tag is only going to get larger. Public perception also plays a role in things sometimes, and if Pro Football Focus is right in its assessment, Tyler may be staring at a jackpot payday. PFF stacked the NFL's top 32 centers, and Tyler ranked second, behind only Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs. Mason Cameron, the writer of this one, offered his explanation. "After three seasons of excellent production at the heart of Baltimore's protection scheme, Linderbaum has proven to be one of the NFL's premier run blockers. The Ravens center is particularly adept as a zone blocker, where he has earned a 91.7 PFF run-blocking grade on zone concepts across his career, placing him in the 91st percentile at the position." Postseason accolades and being viewed as the game's second-best center are some stellar weaponry to take to the negotiating table. Neil Cornrich of NC Sports is Linderbaum's agent, and he has to be licking his chops. Eric DeCosta is one of the best in his field. There is no doubt that he'll get a deal done, but he may have a lot to think about in this case. Following Rashod Bateman's recent extension, several other Ravens need new deals of their own. Linderbaum is among that number, and now he has leverage and growing momentum. We'll see what happens during the coming months.
USA Today
05-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Hawkeye football legend Brandon Scherff elected to Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame
Former Hawkeye football legend Brandon Scherff elected to Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame The list of Iowa Hawkeyes legends that dominated inside Kinnick Stadium and across the Big Ten continues to grow as another former star joins a list of his peers being immortalized. Former Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Brandon Scherff has been elected to the Iowa Hawkeyes Class of 2025 Hall of Fame. The Iowa guard spent 2010-2014 with the Hawkeyes, and in that time, he left a huge impact on the Iowa football program. Brandon Scherff was the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2014, a two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2013 and 2014, the Outland Trophy winner in 2024, which goes to college football's best offensive lineman, and a Unanimous All-American in 2014. Following his time at Iowa, Brandon Scherff went on to be selected No. 5 overall in the 2015 NFL draft by Washington, where he spent 2015-2021. Following that, Scherff signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for $49.5 million. A model of longevity in the NFL, Scherff has appeared and started in 140 games over 10 years. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
USA Today
03-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
Broncos roster: Pat Surtain (No. 2) enters Year 5 as NFL's best cornerback
Broncos roster: Pat Surtain (No. 2) enters Year 5 as NFL's best cornerback Broncos Wire's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year cornerback Pat Surtain, No. 2. Before the Broncos: The son of former NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr., PS2 played high school football in Florida before going on to star at Alabama. He was named a Unanimous All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Crimson Tide win a national championship in 2020. Surtain (6-2, 202) left college as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation. Broncos tenure: Denver used its first pick (ninth overall) to select Surtain in the 2021 NFL draft. He has been a star since Day 1, making PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 2021 before going on to earn Pro Bowl selections each year from 2022-2024. Surtain was named a first-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2024, winning Defensive Player of the Year last fall. The 25-year-old cornerback has totaled 232 tackles, 47 pass breakups, 11 interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery through four years (66 games) with the Broncos. Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. Surtain is the team's best player, and he will enter the 2025 season ready to defend his DPOY title. Already considered the best cornerback in the NFL, PS2 is entering his prime. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
