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  • BYU football receives commitment from long snapper Cannon Skidmore

    BYU football receives commitment from long snapper Cannon Skidmore

    BYU football received a commitment from long snapper Cannon Skidmore | Ben B. Braun, Deseret News

    Long snapper Cannon Skidmore announced his commitment to BYU on Saturday evening.

    Skidmore, from Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona, was offered by special teams coordinator Kelly Poppinga on June 16.

    The 6-foot-2, 205-pound long snapper announced his commitment on Twitter, writing “HOME!”

    Washington, San Diego State and Air Force were among the teams that offered Skidmore. He’s the ninth player to commit to BYU’s 2024 class.

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  • Vikings’ 2022 draft class will get an opportunity to prove critics wrong

    Vikings’ 2022 draft class will get an opportunity to prove critics wrong

    Vikings rookies will report to training camp on Sunday, July 23rd bringing with them the anticipation that the six-player class will make contributions as rookies.

    It’s more likely that coach Kevin O’Connell’s focus will be on the 2022 class, which was criticized by many who said general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first draft fell flat.

    In a one-year sample size that assessment is correct.

    Safety Lewis Cine only played in three games, and was on the field for two defensive snaps, before suffering a gruesome season-ending leg injury against the Saints. Second-round right guard Ed Ingram was the only of the Vikings’ 10 picks to play and start all 17 games. Ingram’s struggles were well documented but at least he saw significant time.

    Second-round cornerback Andrew Booth Jr., and fourth-round corner Akayleb Evans were limited to six and 10 games, respectively, in large part because of injuries, and third-round linebacker Brian Asamoah II made no starts in 16 games and played only 119 defensive snaps.

    The rest of the class included defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo and running back Ty Chandler (fifth round); offensive lineman Vederian Lowe and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (sixth round); and tight end Nick Muse (seventh round). Otomewo got 89 defensive snaps, while Nailor led the final four picks on offense with 57.

    The lack of playing time and production caused many to question Adofo-Mensah, but all 10 picks remain on the roster and all will have an opportunity to change the opinion about the 2022 draft in the coming weeks.

    Ingram will be expected to have taken a significant step, while Booth and Evans are both going to get a chance to see significant playing time in a secondary that has only one sure starting cornerback (free agent addition Byron Murphy Jr.). Evans suffered multiple concussions last season and Booth has battled injury issues since college — the reason he dropped in the draft.

    Asamoah spent last season behind veterans Eric Kendricks and Jordan…

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  • 2023 Pac-12 Media Day schedule, times: When coaches, teams will speak during event in Las Vegas

    2023 Pac-12 Media Day schedule, times: When coaches, teams will speak during event in Las Vegas

    Getty Images

    Heading into Friday’s Pac-12 Media Day, the long-term future of the conference remains uncertain amid ongoing media rights negotiations. But the conference won’t be announcing a new media rights deal at Pac-12 Media Day because, well, there is no deal to announce.

    That won’t be the only thing missing in the first Pac-12 Media Day held in Las Vegas. Deion Sanders, who took over at Colorado following a successful three-year run at Jackson State, would have been one of the main attractions (along with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, who is one of USC’s two player representatives at the event) but Coach Prime will not be in attendance due to a scheduled medical procedure. Colorado defensive coordinator Charles Kelly will take Sanders’ place at the event.

    This will also be the final Pac-12 Media Day for UCLA and USC, who depart for the Big Ten in 2024.

    However, the league is deep with potential contenders and star power. Among the big names who will be in the spotlight for Pac-12 Media Day are Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, Utah quarterback Cam Rising, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Colorado defensive back Travis Hunter. Ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2022, Hunter is also expected to play some receiver for the Buffaloes after following Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado.

    Below is a look at the complete schedule and list of participants for this year’s Pac-12 Media Day event. All times ET. 

    Friday’s Pac-12 Media Day schedule

    Utah…

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  • NFL running back controversy: Team grades on 7 biggest veteran RB deals since Ezekiel Elliott contract

    NFL running back controversy: Team grades on 7 biggest veteran RB deals since Ezekiel Elliott contract

    In case you haven’t noticed, veteran NFL running backs have seen better days.

    Perhaps the most alarming news pertains to the three franchise-tagged running backs, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard. None received a long-term extension by Monday’s deadline as the market is still feeling the effects of three bad deals handed out to Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley and Le’Veon Bell in recent years. 

    There’s no denying it may not be wise to pay a running back. They are uber-talented, but expendable, coupled with a short shelf life. However, with the recent uproar around the state of the running back it’s also worth noting how recent backs are turning the tide on an ugly history of veteran contracts at the position.

    Here I grade the last seven veteran running backs to sign a contract worth at least $10 million annually since the Elliott deal in 2019. The grades are from the perspective of the team to give out the contract.

    2021: Nick Chubb (Browns)

    3 years$36.6 million$20 million guaranteed

    Grade: A-

    Chubb has shown no signs of slowing down in two seasons since signing his deal. He finished third in…

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  • Oklahoma 2024 OL target Eugene Brooks sets commitment date

    Oklahoma 2024 OL target Eugene Brooks sets commitment date

    The Oklahoma Sooners are having a nice month of July. They’ve picked up three commitments thus far and could earn another pledge on Friday with No. 1 running back Taylor Tatum making his decision.

    With recruiting heating up for Brent Venables and his staff, another target is looking to make his decision before the end of July. That is 2024 offensive lineman Eugene Brooks. Brooks is a four-star prospect according to Rivals and ranks as the No. 12 guard in the country.

    Brooks is planning on making his decision on Tuesday, July 25. And it all comes down to Oklahoma and Texas.

    Brooks started his career at Las Vegas Desert Pines, the same school that produced Oklahoma’s Jovantae Barnes. Las Vegas is an area the Sooners have recruited very well with DeMarco Murray opening the door to talented prospects in the area.

    Brooks will finish his career at Sierra Canyon in California and ranks as the No. 31 prospect in the state.

    While Texas is still involved, each of the three major recruiting sites are predicting a win for the Oklahoma Sooners on this front.

    “I was there my sophomore year,” Brooks told 247Sports Greg Biggins. “I really like coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh and DeMarco Murray and connected really well with the whole staff there.

    “I know some of the players on the team already, and they’re all excited about the direction the program is going in now. I see a lot of opportunity there, and just like with Texas, I have a great comfort level on campus.”

    It’s a Red River Showdown for the talented offensive line target. At the moment, the Sooners have just one offensive lineman committed in the 2024 recruiting cycle, Isaiah Autry. Though they took a big class in the 2023 cycle, and we’ve yet to see the 2022 guys take the field, you can never have enough good linemen.

    They’ve been trending in a positive direction for…

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  • Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes offers advice to rookies entering training camp

    Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes offers advice to rookies entering training camp

    The Kansas City Chiefs opened training camp on Tuesday, welcoming back staff members, quarterbacks, injured players, and their rookie class. They won’t begin public practices until Sunday, but the Missouri Western State University campus in St. Joseph, Missouri was bustling with media, who were anxious to hear from team captain and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

    Mahomes said he would be at camp before the veteran’s date during his ESPY Awards speech last week, so it wasn’t a surprise. The eagerness to return to work in preparation for the new season includes growing chemistry with his new rookie teammates.

    Mahomes spoke with reporters on Tuesday about his advice for the new talent class ready to start their NFL journey.

     “I told those guys ‘make sure you’re ready for it.’ I mean, obviously, St. Joe’s is an amazing spot to have camp, and we come out here and have a lot of fun, but you have to be ready to work,” Mahomes said. I told them, ‘If you can get through Andy Reid’s training camp, then you’re going to be able to get through an NFL season.’ I think they must have that mindset, and they got a taste of it during OTA’s and minicamp. But they’re really going to see what it’s like during training camp and they know that if they do it the right way, they have as good of a chance as anybody to win the Super Bowl.”

    Mahomes will have some new blood with him on the offensive side of the ball, including wide receiver Rashee Rice and offensive tackle Wanya Morris, who were selected in the 2023 NFL draft. There is also undrafted running back Deneric Prince, who will be looking to raise his stock and make the 53-man roster after impressing in OTAs.

    More News!

    Chiefs Check-in: Rookies, quarterbacks have reported to training camp

    Chiefs HC Andy Reid unsure if DT Chris Jones will report to training camp

    LOOK: Chiefs rookies, QBs arrive in St. Joseph for training camp

    Story originally appeared on Chiefs Wire

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  • Big Ten Media Days 2023: Coaches, players set for two-day event in Indianapolis

    Big Ten Media Days 2023: Coaches, players set for two-day event in Indianapolis

    Big Ten Media Days is set to kick off July 26. The two-day event will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the conference title game in December. Players and coaches from all 14 schools are scheduled to meet with the media and discuss the upcoming season. 

    Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti is set to speak first at the event. He took over the position after former commissioner Kevin Warren departed for a job with the Chicago Bears earlier this year. The conference is entering the final year with its current lineup before welcoming UCLA and USC to the fold next summer.

    Among the big names participating in the event are Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Michigan running back Blake Corum, Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen. 

    Here’s a complete list of the speaking schedule over two days, as well as the players who will be in attendance.

    All times Eastern

    Tuesday, July 26

    Illinois (11 a.m.) —  Coach Bret Bielema | DL Jer’zhan Newton, DL Keith Randolph Jr., WR Isaiah Williams

    Iowa (11:15 a.m.) — Coach Kirk Ferentz | DB Cooper DeJean, TE Luke Lachey, DL Noah Shannon

    Michigan State (11:30 a.m.) — Coach Mel Tucker | OG J.D. Duplain, LB Cal Haladay, WR Tre Mosley

    Northwestern (11:45 a.m.) — Coach David Braun | LB Bryce Gallagher, DB Rod Heard ll, WR Bryce Kirtz

    Ohio State (12 p.m.) — Coach Ryan Day | WR Marvin Harrison Jr., TE Cade Stover, DE JT Tuimolau

    Penn State (12:15 p.m.) — Coach James Franklin | S Keaton Ellis, OL Olumuyiwa Fashanu, DE Adisa Isaac

    Rutgers (12:30 p.m.) — Coach Greg Schiano | LB Deion Jennings, TE Johnny Langan, DL Aaron Lewis

    Wednesday, July 27

    Indiana (11 a.m.) — Coach Tom Allen | LB Aaron Casey, RB/RS Jaylin Lucas, DB Noah Pierre

    Maryland…

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  • DeAndre Hopkins to join Titans: How three-time All-Pro WR will affect Tennessee’s offense, plus fantasy impact

    DeAndre Hopkins to join Titans: How three-time All-Pro WR will affect Tennessee’s offense, plus fantasy impact

    After a protracted courtship, the Tennessee Titans are expected to sign All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones confirmed. The two-year contract will pay him $26 million in 2023 and 2024, including as much as $15 million during the first season, according to NFL Media.

    Hopkins can earn up to $3 million in incentives each season, with up to $1 million in bonuses available based on his total number of receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

    SportsLine’s Stephen Oh projected the impact of the signing, and it significantly raised Tennessee’s chances of winning the AFC South and making the playoffs.

    Before7.946.5%20.9%31.2%1.2%0.4%w/ DeAndre Hopkins8.348.8%25.8%37.7%1.9%0.7%Difference0.42.4%4.9%6.5%0.7%0.3%

    It’s easy to see why. Prior to this signing, Tennessee had one of the league’s least-threatening pass-catching corps. The Titans’ expected starting wide receivers were 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks and fourth-year former undrafted free agent Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on the outside, and 2022 fifth-rounder Kyle Philips in the slot. Now, Hopkins will likely slot in across from Burks while Westbrook-Ikhine goes back to playing a role as a situational deep threat. 

    Hopkins has primarily been an outside receiver for the majority of his career, but it’s worth noting that last year marked one of his highest rates of slot usage, so it is possible that the Titans use him that way as well. (Alignment stats below via Pro Football Focus.)

    2013 Texans52812281.0%18.7%2014 Texans39917469.3%30.2%2015 Texans62611184.7%15.0%2016 Texans57016177.9%22.0%2017 Texans5309984.0%15.7%2018 Texans58814480.3%19.7%2019 Texans45227262.3%37.5%2020 Cardinals5956889.6%10.2%2021 Cardinals2925185.1%14.9%2022 Cardinals28210672.7%27.3%

    As he’s gotten older, Hopkins has played more of a role as a short- and medium-depth…

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