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  • USC coach Lincoln Riley opens up on Year 2 expectations as Trojans gear up for Big Ten move in 2024 season

    USC coach Lincoln Riley opens up on Year 2 expectations as Trojans gear up for Big Ten move in 2024 season

    USC coach Lincoln Riley wasted no time turning around the USC football program, guiding the Trojans from missing a bowl game in 2021 to the Pac-12 Championship Game in his first season at the helm. But as he looks forward to his second season in Los Angeles, USC’s last year as a Pac-12 member before joining the Big Ten in 2024, Riley has his sights set high. 

    Appearing on the All Things Covered podcast with Bryant McFadden and Patrick Peterson, Riley was asked about his expectations heading into Year 2 and the future of this Trojans program. 

    “You can only do so much in Year 1, and I feel like we did a lot,” Riley said. “I keep telling people, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We’re not even good yet. I think we’ll have a chance to get good here pretty quick, which will be a lot of fun. I don’t want to put any limitations on what we can accomplish.” 

    Despite flipping the roster in one year, USC improved from 4-8 to 11-3 and a No. 12 postseason finish in the Ap Top 25 in Riley’s first season. Quarterback Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy as the Trojans finished with their best record since 2017. If not for an injury to Williams in the Pac-12 Championship Game loss to Utah, the Trojans might have earned a trip to the College Football Playoff. 

    “It’s gone from teaching the guys what winning looks like, what it feels like, to convincing them they can do it because they’ve been down for so long,” Riley said. “There’s a psychological hurdle that you’ve got to get over. I think now we know we can win.” 

    Riley has won 10 games or played in a New Year’s Six bowl in every season of his head-coaching career. Riley is one of only four coaches to lead a team to the College Football Playoff at least three times, along with Georgia’s…

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  • Las Vegas Raiders have ‘urgency’ at quarterback position; is draft or free agency the answer?

    Las Vegas Raiders have ‘urgency’ at quarterback position; is draft or free agency the answer?

    The AFC West boasts quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson. The Las Vegas Raiders, who are in the same division, currently have Chase Garbers as their only quarterback under contract for 2023. Raiders coach Josh McDaniels declared Tuesday the team is in the process of upgrading their quarterback room.

    “I think there’s always urgency at that position. You know, look, the goal for us eventually is to have somebody that’s going to be here for a long time. I think that, you know, you see the teams that are having success right now in our league, I would say in our conference, and specifically in our division, you know, they’re young players that were drafted by their clubs and they’re being developed there under the same continuity,” McDaniels said at the NFL combine. “We’re going to do everything we can do to evaluate every player at that position, both in the draft and free agency and try to do what we can do to improve the room. I mean, there’s certainly going to be a number of players added at that position.”

    Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, shown during a Jan. 1, 2023 game.

    The Raiders released veteran quarterback Derek Carr in February after nine seasons with the Silver and Black, which created a glaring hole at QB. Las Vegas is exploring a variety of options to fill the position.

    The Raiders were rumored to be interested in Tom Brady before the seven-time Super Bowl champion retired. Las Vegas is also currently linked to Aaron Rodgers if the four-time MVP leaves the Green Bay Packers. Then there’s always the conventional route by way of the NFL draft.

    NFL MOCK DRAFT: Who’s on the rise ahead of pre-combine workouts

    2023 DRAFT CLASS: The 10 most intriguing prospects for April

    FALCONS: Cut Marcus Mariota; ‘door open’ to take QB with No. 8 pick

    Las Vegas owns the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 draft; a prime spot to select one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft class. Although, there are multiple teams…

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  • Four-star linebacker Tylen Singleton schedules visit to Tennessee

    Four-star linebacker Tylen Singleton schedules visit to Tennessee

    The recruiting dead period ends Tuesday and the Volunteers are actively scheduling upcoming official visits for 2024 targets.

    Four-star linebacker Tylen Singleton will take his first visit to Tennessee on March 25, according to Sam Spiegelman of On3 Sports. He will also visit TCU, Ole Miss, LSU and Arkansas this spring.

    The 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker is from Many High School in Many, Louisiana.

    Singleton is the No. 60 overall prospect in the class of 2024. He ranks as the No. 7 linebacker and No. 2 player in the state of Louisiana, according to the On3 Sports consensus.

    Singleton is a two-time state champion and earned Louisiana 2A All-State honors last season. He was also named to the first-team District 3-2A team as a junior. As a sophomore in 2021, Singleton finished the season with 75 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

    More Recruiting!

    Tennessee makes top-11 for 5-star tight end Davon Mitchell

    4-star quarterback Jake Merklinger schedules visit to Tennessee

    No. 1 running back Jerrick Gibson schedules visit to Tennessee

    Tennessee offers 2025 tight end Ethan Barbour

    Tennessee makes top-12 for wide receiver Zion Ragins

    Follow us @VolsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Tennessee news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Zach McKinnell on Twitter @zachmckinnell 

    Story originally appeared on Vols Wire

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  • Ranking every QB to throw a pass during 2022 NFL season: Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes headlines list of 82

    Ranking every QB to throw a pass during 2022 NFL season: Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes headlines list of 82

    Quarterbacks get all the attention in the NFL, so it’s fitting the league made history in 2022 by trotting out a record number of signal-callers. Not a single non-strike season, in fact, featured more starting QBs, with more than 20 different teams using multiple starting QBs throughout the year. But how did each and every of them fare?

    We’re so glad you asked. To put a bow on the 2022 campaign, we ranked every single QB to throw at least one pass during the season, including playoffs. Those 82 QBs are separated into seven different tiers below: 

    ‘Franchise’ elite

    Patrick Mahomes
    USATSI
    Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)Jalen Hurts (Eagles)Joe Burrow (Bengals)Josh Allen (Bills)Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)Justin Herbert (Chargers)

    These guys are the real deal, through and through, and they all proved it in 2022. It’s not a coincidence that two of them are among the highest-paid in the game, and three more are eligible for lucrative deals this offseason. Mahomes sets the near-unachievable standard for contemporary quarterbacking, and his seamless crunch-time production as the MVP and Super Bowl MVP confirmed he reigns supreme. Hurts truly looks fit to rival the other young stars for the foreseeable future, however, after his breakout as a confident dual threat. Burrow matches Hurts’ poise as a prototypical pocket artist, and both Lawrence and Herbert teased the same power in their first playoff appearances. Allen is the biggest wild card, possessing Mahomes-like athleticism but failing to secure a top-three spot — or deep playoff run — thanks in part to a reckless style.

    Overachievers

    Geno Smith
    Getty Images

    7. Geno Smith (Seahawks)
    8. Jared Goff (Lions)
    9….

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  • Mike Norvell talks recruiting against Deion Sanders as Florida State legend eyes elite talent in Florida

    Mike Norvell talks recruiting against Deion Sanders as Florida State legend eyes elite talent in Florida

    Deion Sanders isn’t a stranger to the state of Florida. The first-year Colorado Buffaloes coach starred at Florida State from 1985-88, and then went on to a stellar career as a defensive back and kick returner in the NFL. Now a high-profile head coach at the Power Five level, Sanders is recruiting against his alma mater in the Sunshine State for some of the best athletes in the country.

    Sanders, a native of Fort Myers, Florida, signed three high school prospects and four transfer players during the 2023 recruiting cycle. Most notably, at Jackson State last year, he signed 2022 No. 1 overall prospect Travis Hunter over the Seminoles. Hunter has since followed Sanders to Boulder after Sanders accepted the position at Colorado.

    Simply put, current Florida State coach Mike Norvell is directly competing with a Florida State legend to land local players despite the fact that “Coach Prime” is recruiting from way outside of the Rocky Mountain region. He hauled in 11 high school prospects during the 2023 recruiting cycle, and another transfer from the University of Miami. 

    Norvell appeared on the “All Things Covered” podcast with Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden, and he said that he feels like his sales pitch resonates with local talent.

    “We know that is one school with one coach who is trying to get into Florida and get the best that we have,” Norvell said. “One of the things that I’ve been really proud of and excited about is just the type of players that we are able to keep in this state. It was a big point of emphasis this last year. I thought we were able to do a great job with that in the guys we were able to keep home and, obviously, the guys who we were able to bring into the program.”

    Six of Florida State’s eight commits in the…

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  • NFL draft replacements for 5 of the Steelers top free agents

    NFL draft replacements for 5 of the Steelers top free agents

    NFL free agency starts in just over two weeks and the NFL draft is just a month after that. We’ve already talked about some potential free agents to replace the top Pittsburgh Steelers free agents but now let’s look at a draft prospect to replace each of the team’s top free agents while avoiding the guys in the first round.

    CB Cameron Sutton

    Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

    CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

    If the Steelers cannot re-sign Cameron Sutton, landing Forbes in the second round would give them a new versatile corner who can work inside and outside with excellent ball skills.

    DT Larry Ogunjobi

    Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

    DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

    DeOgunjobi was a great surprise last season but if his asking price is too high, he could be gone. Benton is a huge run-stuffer who is everything the Steelers need as an inside/outside defensive lineman.

    LB Devin Bush

    Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

    LB Jack Campbell, Iowa

    Campbell is the anthesis of what Devin Bush is as a linebacker. Campbell is a smart player, rarely out of position and plays with violence and strong fundamentals.

     

    S Terrell Edmunds

    Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

    S Jammie Robinson, Florida State

    The Steelers have Terrell Edmunds and Damontae Kazee both hitting free agency. If either of them leaves, Robinson is a great replacement. Robinson is a high-energy guy who can work in any of the three safety roles Pittsburgh likes to employ.

    FB Derek Watt

    FB Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State

    The Steelers overpaid for Derek Watt once but they might not again. Luepke is a more athletic, versatile and productive fullback with legitimate running back and receiver skills.

    Story originally appeared on Steelers Wire

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  • Patrick Mahomes, ex-Chiefs defend Eric Bieniemy after LeSean McCoy’s criticisms; new Commanders OC responds

    Patrick Mahomes, ex-Chiefs defend Eric Bieniemy after LeSean McCoy’s criticisms; new Commanders OC responds

    LeSean McCoy might soon be dubbed “shade” instead of “Shady” after his latest criticism, this time targeting his former offensive coordinator in Kansas City. The ex-Kansas City Chiefs running back commented on Eric Bieniemy and did not hold back. McCoy was asked about Bieniemy becoming the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator and was critical of what he brings to the table, saying Bieniemy’s success was thanks to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

    “What’s his value? What makes him a good offensive coordinator?” McCoy asked (via FS1). “The problem is, a lot of these people that go on social media, ‘He should be the guy for the job,’ they haven’t played there. I’ve been in the rooms where he’s coaching and he has nothing to do with the pass game at all. When the plays are designed, that’s Andy Reid.”

    He doubled down, saying there is nothing that makes Bieniemy special. 

    “When you talk about offensive coordinators, I can tell you what makes Brian Daboll with the Giants a very good coordinator,” McCoy continued. “I can tell you about Andy Reid or Doug Pederson. But Eric Bieniemy, what makes him good? When we watch the film of practices and we correct the wide receivers, the running backs, the quarterbacks, he doesn’t talk in there. Andy Reid talks in there.”

    Bieniemy didn’t seem to be bothered by what McCoy said after his introductory press conference with the Commanders on Thursday.

    “LeSean McCoy is a future Hall of Fame runner. Everybody is entitled to their own position,” Bieniemy said, via ESPN. “When it’s all said and done with, I think that’s all I have to say. He’s entitled to his own opinion. That’s life.

    “It does not impact me in any way. Everything outside these walls has no impact on Eric Bieniemy moving forward.” 

    Current and former Chiefs players have come out defending Bieniemy, including Patrick Mahomes and K.C.’s all-time leading rusher Jamaal Charles. 

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  • Corey Raymond coaching entire Florida defensive back corps in 2023

    Corey Raymond coaching entire Florida defensive back corps in 2023

    Following the departure of former Florida safeties coach and defensive coordinator Patrick Toney, cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond is getting a promotion of sorts.

    Raymond will coach the entire Florida secondary in 2023, according to a Gators Online report. The Gators have reportedly landed on former Southern Miss defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong to take over Toney’s playcalling role, but it’s Raymond who will take over the safeties room – a room that he helped build.

    Several of Florida’s biggest signings in the Billy Napier era have seen Raymond as the lead recruiter, including five-star IMG Academy safety Kamari Wilson and incoming freshman four-star safety Dijon Johnson. He knows the position room well and should manage the increased workload just fine. Raymond is considered among the nation’s elite position coaches and has a knack for developing NFL talent.

    It won’t be easy for Raymond in Year 1, though. He has to replace both Trey Dean III and Rashad Torrence II’s production next season. Losing two starters is always tough, but Florida also lost some depth to the transfer portal. Wilson is ready to step into a starting role, but Raymond might have to lean on some of Florida’s young talent this season.

    Napier could add someone to help Raymond before finalizing his staff, but this move seems like it addresses the team’s needs.

    More Football!

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    Florida reaching out more to Gator greats, Emmitt Smith opens up

    Florida planning significant upgrade to football stadium

    Gators losing third coaching assistant to NFL

    Gators tight ends coach William Peagler also headed to NFL

    Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

    Story originally appeared on Gators Wire

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