Latest news with #Witten
USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2027 5-star LB praises Texas A&M DC Jay Bateman, sees Aggies as a future option
Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten's NFL career ended after the 2020 season. Since his retirement, the future Hall of Famer has been one of the top high school coaches in Texas, having coached at Liberty Christian since 2021. Like every Father's dream, Witten has been able to coach his two sons, including 2027 five-star linebacker Cooper Witten, who Texas A&M has heavily recruited. Witten is one of the best athletes in the 2027 cycle, and to no surprise, he could also play tight end at the next level due to his impressive speed and catch radius. However, he may be too solid a defender not to keep at linebacker. On Friday, KBTX reporter Tyler Shaw caught up with the younger Witten during a preseason summer scrimmage, where he praised Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, who is also one of the top linebacker coaches and developers in the country. "I like (Texas) A&M a lot. Their defensive coordinator, Jay Bateman is a great coach, great guy to talk to, etc." Witten stated. "I really think he could develop me and make me into the best player I can be." This is high praise for Bateman, who, despite losing his play-calling duties this offseason, has continued to be one of the best recruiters in the country, helping land several high-ranking 2026 prospects, including five-star defensive end Tristian Given and five-star cornerback Brandon Arrington. At linebacker, former Florida LB Scooby Williams is coming off his best collegiate season, while junior Taurean York is one his way to becoming a potential first-round pick after the 2025 season. Cooper Witten was elite on both sides of the ball during his 2024 junior season, recording 45 tackles, one sack, 5 INTs (2 return touchdowns), six pass breakups, and one safety on defense. Witten hauled in 15 receptions for 263 yards and seven touchdowns as a tight end/receiver. According to 247Sports, Cooper Witten is currently positioned as the 24th-ranked prospect in the 2027 class, the No. 1-ranked linebacker, and the 4th-ranked prospect in Texas. 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 Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys' Jason Witten named to this top-5 list alongside Kelce, Kittle, Gronkowski
If NFL teams were loaned a crystal ball for draft weekend, and that crystal ball told them the prospect they were eying with their third-round pick was guaranteed to make a Pro Bowl at some point in their career, the card couldn't be turned in fast enough. But what if that crystal ball said that third-round pick would make a staggering 11 Pro Bowls? And also set franchise records for career catches, career receiving yards, and games played, land in the league's top five for all-time receptions, be a surefire Hall of Famer, and an eventual Ring of Honor member? Talk about return on investment. Jason Witten was chosen by Eric Edholm as one of the top-five draft values for his position over the last quarter-century, and it's impossible to argue otherwise. Chosen 69th overall out of Tennessee, Witten was the fifth tight end selected in 2003. (No sign on this list of Bennie Joppru or Teyo Johnson, both taken a round earlier that year.) And Witten made an immediate impact in Dallas, missing just one game as a rookie, and that was because of a broken jaw. It would, famously, be the only game he would ever miss due to injury over his 17 NFL seasons. Consistency was Witten's trademark. He rarely put up huge numbers, though he did turn in four 1,000-yard campaigns. His 2021 season was unusually prolific: he set a new mark for tight ends with 110 catches, including one game in which he hauled 18 passes- still an NFL tight end record- and he even collected the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. As Edholm notes, "Witten's brief retirement, a tough lone season with the Raiders, and a failed stint as a Monday Night Football broadcaster might have sullied his reputation unfairly in recent years." But, he concludes, "when you combine his receiving ability, blocking prowess, leadership, and unquestioned toughness, he stacks up as one of the finest ever to play his position." Witten is ranked the fourth-best tight end value on the list, just ahead of Jimmy Graham. Ahead of Witten are George Kittle, Rob Gronkowski, and Travis Kelce- every one of whom was drafted outside the first round. Edholm also did rankings for the rest of the offensive positions, but no other Cowboys were chosen. With a high draft slot bringing added expectations, it's not surprising that first-round superstar linemen like Zack Martin and Tyron Smith missed the cut in the value conversation. But even fourth-rounder Dak Prescott was left off the quarterbacks' list in favor of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, and Brock Purdy. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
FIU baseball hit hard by departures, but coach Witten still sees hope for the upcoming season
Rich Witten is not frustrated … just saddened. Of the 40 baseball players on FIU's roster for the 2025 season, 26 have left the team either because of the transfer portal or because they are out of eligibility. That's the fifth-highest turnover rate in the nation. So far, the biggest names to leave for other schools are first baseman Brylan West, who signed with Miami; and starting pitcher Owen Puk (West Virginia). West and Puk are going to programs who advanced to the recently completed super regionals. West hit .338 this year with 12 homers and a .979 OPS. Puk went 4-1 with a 4.91 ERA. But it's more than just their statistics. 'It's impossible to not be fazed by the relationships you are losing,' Witten said. 'I think that's what gets lost the most in this era of college athletics. 'That's not to say that I won't have relationships with a lot of players (in the transfer era), but I do think it gets lost in the transactional state of our game. 'I don't know that it frustrates me. It makes me sad more than anything.' In addition to West and Puk, several others Panthers players had eligibility remaining but opted to enter the transfer portal, including: starting pitchers Easton Marks and Logan Runde; closer Juan Villarreal; pitcher and former Marlins 18th-round draft pick Tristan Dietrich; FIU leader in batting average Javier Crespo; and middle infielder and ex-Astros fourth-round draft pick Alex Ulloa. Witten said what is being lost in this era is significant. 'I still have regular contact with the college coaches I played for who were role models of mine and mentors,' Witten said. 'That's why I got into [coaching] because of how big of an impact they had on my life. 'That's how the first decade of my coaching career started – having great relationships [with the players] for the rest of our lives.' Some of the other players FIU lost from its 2025 roster are players such as left fielder Kishon Frett, who is out of eligibility. Frett hit 20 homers this past season — which ranks fourth in FIU history — and he is hopeful of landing with an MLB organization, either in next month's draft or as a free agent. 'He is deserving of an opportunity to play pro baseball,' Witten said of Frett. 'He has his best baseball ahead of him.' As for the young players still on FIU's roster, Witten pointed to outfielder Cole Cleveland, who hit .291 this year with 13 steals in 14 attempts and an .889 OPS; reliever Bryce Turner (2-0, 3.47 ERA in 18 appearances); catcher Marc Hersh (.313 batting average in 18 games); and outfielder Andrew Ildefonso (.304 batting average and an .890 OPS in 50 games). 'We are really excited about these young and talented guys we have,' Witten said. 'Our baseball program continues to move in the right direction like it has in the last three years. We have signed and are continuing to recruit young men who are really excited about FIU baseball. 'There are still a lot of young men who care about forging relationships and doing things the right way.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Witten, son of Dallas Cowboys legend, to camp at Notre Dame
The son of an NFL legend will have a chance to shine at Notre Dame's Irish Invasion event this weekend. Top Fighting Irish target Cooper Witten will be at the program's signature recruiting event along with a bevy of other top prospects who have been on ND's radar. Advertisement The Class of 2027 five-star linebacker from Liberty Christian (Argyle, TX) grew up watching his father, Jason, excel in a likely Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. After retirement, Witten became the head coach at Liberty Christian, where Cooper and his older brother CJ attend. He led the program to back to back state championships in 2023 and 2024. The 6-foot and 3-inch, 210-pound younger Witten earned an offer from Clemson Wednesday after showcasing his skills at the Dabo Swinney football camp. Witten moves with ease and has run a 10.91-second 100 meters. His elite closing speed and football instincts make him one of the premiere defenders in his class. His offer list includes heavy hitters outside of Notre Dame, including Alabama, Michigan, Texas and his father's alma mater, Tennessee. In his sophomore season, he had 45 tackles, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and seven receiving scores on offense. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Advertisement Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Cooper Witten, son of Dallas Cowboys legend, to camp at Notre Dame
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cooper Witten, son of Dallas Cowboys legend, to camp at Notre Dame
Cooper Witten, son of Dallas Cowboys legend, to camp at Notre Dame The son of an NFL legend will have a chance to shine at Notre Dame's Irish Invasion event this weekend. Top Fighting Irish target Cooper Witten will be at the program's signature recruiting event along with a bevy of other top prospects who have been on ND's radar. The Class of 2027 five-star linebacker from Liberty Christian (Argyle, TX) grew up watching his father, Jason, excel in a likely Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders. After retirement, Witten became the head coach at Liberty Christian, where Cooper and his older brother CJ attend. He led the program to back to back state championships in 2023 and 2024. The 6-foot and 3-inch, 210-pound younger Witten earned an offer from Clemson Wednesday after showcasing his skills at the Dabo Swinney football camp. Witten moves with ease and has run a 10.91-second 100 meters. His elite closing speed and football instincts make him one of the premiere defenders in his class. His offer list includes heavy hitters outside of Notre Dame, including Alabama, Michigan, Texas and his father's alma mater, Tennessee. In his sophomore season, he had 45 tackles, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and seven receiving scores on offense. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave
