Author: nfltalk

  • UGA football visits best running back recruit in Georgia

    UGA football visits best running back recruit in Georgia

    The Georgia Bulldogs recently paid a visit to four-star running back recruit Andrew Beard, who is a member of the class of 2027. Beard is a local recruit for the Bulldogs and is a key target for coach Kirby Smart in the rising senior class.

    The talented running back plays high school football for Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, Georgia, which is the same high school former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff played at. Bogart is only about a 25 minute drive from Athens.

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    The 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back attended the Georgia-Alabama game during the fall. Beard is the Peach State’s top running back in his recruiting class.

    Prince Avenue Christian junior RB Andrew Beard, one of our top 20 area football players, poses for a portrait

    The Prince Avenue standout is ranked as the No. 63 player in the nation, per 247Sports. He’s the No. 6 prospect in Georgia and the No. 4 running back in the country.

    Georgia running backs coach Josh Crawford recently visited the elite running back prospect. The Bulldogs will look to host Beard on a visit soon.

    Georgia visits with Andrew Beard

    Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more college football coverage!

    This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia football visits 4-star RB recruit Andrew Beard

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  • Jeffrey Epstein files show connection with New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch

    Jeffrey Epstein files show connection with New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch

    The latest release of emails from the “Epstein Files” shows that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein connected New York Giants co-owner and chairman Steve Tisch with multiple women while exchanging messages that included personal assessments of those women, according to documents made public by the U.S. Department of Justice.

    The 2013 communications were included in a release of more than three million Epstein-related records disclosed Friday. Epstein, who died by suicide in a federal jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in August 2019, directly communicated with Tisch in the correspondence. Epstein appeared to be not only scouting women for Tisch but also facilitating introductions between women and Tisch. The two also exchanged follow-up commentary after meetings.

    In several email exchanges, Epstein and Tisch discussed whether women were “pro or civilian” or a “working girl.” Epstein sent descriptions of women’s backgrounds, appearances and personalities, and in some cases, followed up with reports on such meetings. Tisch responded to a number of those messages.

    Tisch released a statement to Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports on his appearance in the Epstein files.

    “We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy, and investments,” Tisch said. “I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”

    Fisch, a film producer responsible for the likes of “Forrest Gump” and “American History X,” took his role with the Giants in 2005. Epstein, a former banker, has faced charges of human trafficking, child sex offenses and serial rape.

    There are three primary periods of communication between Fisch and Epstein uncovered in the DOJ release.

    May 2013

    Emails show Epstein communicating with…

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  • College football third-year coach grades: Deion Sanders gets ‘C+’ at Colorado

    College football third-year coach grades: Deion Sanders gets ‘C+’ at Colorado

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    In modern college football, coaches have less time than ever to prove they are the man for the job. The pressures for instant success have only heightened with the introduction of the transfer portal, and examples like Curt Cignetti winning a national championship in Year 2 have led many to believe that turnaround jobs should take less time than ever. So after three years on the job, schools should have a good feel for a program’s direction. 

    The 2022-23 coaching carousel did not provide the landscape-shifting changes of other cycles, but it has produced plenty of hires who have already had their judgements rendered. Of the 24 FBS hires made in the cycle, a third of them never even got to Week 1 of Year 3. Seven coaches were fired after Year 2 — five of them for performance and two for off-field related issues — while former UNLV coach Barry Odom did such a good job with the Rebels he was hired away by Purdue to replace one of those coaches (Ryan Walters), who was fired after just two seasons. 

    But for the 16 coaches from the cycle who made it to at least Game 1 of the 2025 season, now is the time to render judgements and grades. The standard for these grades will shift depending on job and situation, but mostly focuses on how much high-level success has been achieved in three years and how each team has performed against its peers. And while we have grades for all 16, not all of them are going to make it to Year 4 at their current post. Among this group we have three coaches who were fired during the 2025 cycle and two others who were hired away to other jobs.  

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  • Drake Maye injury: Patriots QB expects to be ready for Super Bowl 2026

    Drake Maye injury: Patriots QB expects to be ready for Super Bowl 2026

    The New England Patriots shocked the football world by booking a spot in Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks, and the development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye is a huge reason for their success this year.

    But heading into Super Bowl LX, there is some concern about the health of his right shoulder.

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    Under league rules, both the Seahawks and the Patriots were required to list a projected injury report on Wednesday, ahead of each team’s first practices which are scheduled for Thursday. Maye appeared on New England’s projected injury report as “limited” with a right shoulder injury.

    Following New England’s win in the AFC Championship Game, Maye acknowledged some “bumps and bruises,” with many pointing to a hard tackle on a run in the third quarter from Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga.

    Maye was asked about the status of his right shoulder on Boston-area radio Tuesday, and he told WEEI that he was “feeling good” ahead of the Super Bowl.

    “I’m feeling good,” Maye said. “Going to get some extra rest. I really don’t think it was from the game, but just the build-up from throwing — this is what, including training camp, 30 weeks of straight of throwing, four days a week. It can add up. I got some extra rest, feeling good, and ready to go for the Super Bowl.”

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    We will get more information on Maye’s health in New England’s next injury report, which is due Thursday.

    Update (Friday): Maye was held out of the media-access portion of practice on Friday:

    Speaking with the media on Friday, Vrabel pointed to both the shoulder, as well as an illness, for the New England quarterback.

    “He did not practice… illness and shoulder,” Vrabel said, as broadcast via Patriots.com.

    “Again, we have had a lot of guys here over the past few months with an illness. We try to do our best for the team and prevent the spread of it.”

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  • Hall of Fame class of 2026 predictions: With Belichick, Manning out, who’s in?

    Hall of Fame class of 2026 predictions: With Belichick, Manning out, who’s in?

    While Bill Belichick and Eli Manning are reportedly not getting in, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will still be inducting several new members this summer in Canton, Ohio. 

    The only coaching finalist on the ballot this year, Belichick was competing for votes with contributor finalist Robert Kraft and senior finalists Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood. Each of those finalists needed at least 40 votes from the 50-person selection committee, who can only cast votes for three finalists. If no one receives 80% of the vote, the person with the highest percentage would receive induction.

    Manning is one of 15 modern-era finalists that also includes fellow quarterback Drew Brees, receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne, tight end Jason Witten, running back Frank Gore, guard Jahri Evans, offensive tackle Willie Anderson, guard/tackle Marshal Yanda, defensive tackle Kevin Williams, edge rusher Terrell Suggs, linebacker Luke Kuechly, safety Darren Woodson and kicker Adam Vinatieri. 

    Bill Belichick snub: Hall of Fame vows action if voters violated bylaws, including sharing deliberations

    Bryan DeArdo

    Up to five modern-era finalists can receive induction, with the entire class ranging from four to eight members. 

    So, who’s getting in? Before the class is officially unveiled on Thursday, Feb. 5, let’s break it down, starting with the most likely candidates. 

    Virtual locks: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald 

    It’s hard to fathom the voters not inducting Brees and Fitzgerald in their first years…

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  • Former Alabama Football DT Jarran Reed Still Dominating the Trenches

    Former Alabama Football DT Jarran Reed Still Dominating the Trenches

    Jarran Reed represents a side of Alabama football that often gets overlooked in a world obsessed with stars and splash plays: longevity.

    Toughness that lasts.

    Consistency that wins.

    His journey to Tuscaloosa and then to the Super Bowl is a powerful reminder that Alabama doesn’t just produce headline names, it produces professionals who survive, adapt, and thrive at the highest level.

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    At Alabama, Reed was the backbone of the defensive front. He wasn’t the guy chasing attention or highlights. He was the one doing the hard work in the trenches… taking on double teams, controlling gaps, and freeing up teammates to make plays.

    That kind of impact doesn’t always show up in box scores, but it shows up on film, in wins, and in championships. Reed played with a physical edge that defined Alabama football during his time in Tuscaloosa.

    He understood leverage.

    He understood discipline.

    And most importantly, he understood sacrifice.

    That brand of selfless football isn’t accidental. It’s taught. It’s demanded. And at Alabama, it’s perfected. Reed bought into the standard when he transferred from East Mississippi Community College to Tuscaloosa. He showed up by doing his job snap after snap, play after play, regardless of recognition. That mindset is exactly why Alabama defensive linemen have translated so seamlessly to the NFL over the years.

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    The league has rewarded Reed for that approach.

    Year after year, he has carved out a career built on reliability, toughness, and trust.

    Coaches value players like Reed because they know exactly what they’re getting every Sunday. He understands assignments. He studies film. He plays with discipline and intent. Those traits don’t fade with time, they age well. And they’re the same traits Alabama has instilled in its players for decades.

    Now, Reed is headed…

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  • Bills receiver Keon Coleman gets support from new coach Joe Brady after criticism by team owner Terry Pegula

    Bills receiver Keon Coleman gets support from new coach Joe Brady after criticism by team owner Terry Pegula

    Buffalo Bills receiver Keon Coleman has a supporter in Joe Brady, and the team’s new head coach made sure to advocate for the second-year wideout during his introductory press conference on Thursday.

    “Keon Coleman is going to be on our football team,” Brady told reporters, including WKBW’s Matthew Bové.

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    Brady’s definitive statement came a week after Coleman’s place on the roster appeared to be in question following remarks by team owner Terry Pegula during a press conference explaining the firing of head coach Sean McDermott.

    [Get more Bills news: Buffalo team feed]

    In addition to announcing McDermott’s dismissal, the Bills also promoted general manager Brandon Beane to president of football operations. That raised eyebrows among fans and media following the Bills, as Beane’s roster construction was arguably as responsible — if not more so — for the team’s failure to get to the Super Bowl during the past seven seasons.

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    Pegula defended Beane, choosing to single out Coleman as an example of the general manager being a “team player” who drafted a player that coaches wanted more than the front office’s talent evaluators may have.

    “The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon. I’m not saying Brandon wouldn’t have drafted him, but he wasn’t his next choice,” Pegula said, via Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein.

    “That was Brandon being a team player and taking advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player,” he added. “He’s taken, for some reason, heat about it and not saying a word about it, But I’m here to tell you the true story.”

    One of the primary criticisms against Beane is that he didn’t add an impact receiver to the offense for quarterback Josh Allen. Selecting Coleman in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft was an attempt to remedy that.

    The 6-foot-4, 210-pound receiver was a big target, one who caught 11 touchdowns in 2023 for Florida State). Though Coleman averaged 54 catches in his final two college seasons, he didn’t…

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  • College football transfer portal: Auburn’s Alex Golesh comments on tampering

    College football transfer portal: Auburn’s Alex Golesh comments on tampering

    New Auburn football coach Alex Golesh said there are no differences in SEC recruiting compared to his previous Group of Five stop, South Florida, when you consider transfer portal tampering shenanigans.

    “(Tampering’s) been going on for a really long time, this portal era amplified it in every imaginable way,” Golesh said. “There eventually needs to be guardrails on this thing. I think we all want to know the rules in which you can operate in … the truth is, right now, there aren’t any, so you operate ethically with what you feel like is right.

    “Is it right to call a kid that’s on somebody else’s roster to go get them? It’s not. I think in a lot of way, what goes around comes around. I’m a strong believer in the football gods finding you at some point. Generally, they’ll find you at the end of a game or on fourth-and-1. You’ve got to do things the right way.”

    Auburn’s transfer class ranks 13th nationally per 247Sports with 39 signees, including 13 of his former players from USF. Quarterback Byrum Brown is the biggest splash, rated as the ninth-best quarterback after throwing for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns along with 1,008 yards rushing and 14 scores.

    Clemson coach Dabo Swinney recently ripped the Band-Aid off by after exposing conversations Ole Miss and Rebels coach Pete Golding engaged in with LLuke Ferrelli.

    Duke and former Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah reached a settlement in their saga, which included the university trying to block his intention of entering the portal en route to signing with Miami.

    There was the Demond Williams situation, too, after the Washington quarterback signed with the Huskies for the 2026 season before attempting to get out of that executed agreement and land elsewhere.

    Rules…

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