Yardbarker

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans. You can find him on Twitter/X and Threads at @ericsmithling and at Bluesky at @ericsmithling.bsky.social.

EXPERTISE:

NFL, College Football, NBA, Men's and Women's College Basketball, NHL

Jimbo Fisher's no good, very bad 2022 is already impacting Texas A&M's recruiting

Texas A&M is looking a lot like the Titanic. It might not be long before more jump ship.

Frank Reich's fortune turned when Andrew Luck abruptly retired

Quarterback has been a black hole for the Colts since Luck's retirement and ultimately tanked Reich's tenure in Indy.

Is Colts HC Frank Reich's seat getting hot after loss to New England?

The Indianapolis Colts' ugly start could lead to the end of Frank Reich's tenure as head coach.

Josh McDaniels is blowing his second chance as an NFL head coach

McDaniels hasn't evolved, and it's leading to the devolution of the Las Vegas Raiders.

How the Jets are winning despite QB Zach Wilson

The New York Jets are 6-3 and a half-game out of first in the AFC East. Imagine what they could do with a quarterback.

Will the best quarterback of the 2021 draft class please stand up?

Believe it or not: Justin Fields may be the best QB drafted in the first round of the 2021 draft.

Top Heisman candidates flounder in Week 10

This weekend wasn't great for college football's Heisman Trophy contenders.

Tiger bait: No. 10 LSU beats No. 6 Alabama 32-31 on two-point conversion in OT

Alabama looked vulnerable multiple times this season and LSU entered the game feeling as good as any team in football.

Tennessee may have played itself out of the CFP after loss to Georgia

Tennessee needs help to make the playoff. It will be hard to find volunteers.

Watch: The perfect distillation of Iowa football in one play

No matter how many points Iowa scores, it's refreshing to know some things never change.

Warriors to be without four-fifths of starting lineup Friday against Pelicans

Steve Kerr is playing the long game as the Golden State Warriors announced Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins are all out for Friday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

ESPN NFL analyst Marcus Spears gives passionate plea to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 ESPN's "First Take" tackled this Sunday's Los Angeles Rams-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game and analyst Marcus Spears gave a passionate defense of his position that the game is much more of a must-win for Tampa Bay than Los Angeles.

LSU recruiting scores major win over Alabama, Ohio State in landing QB Colin Hurley

The four-star recruit is the third-ranked QB in the Class of 2025, per 247 Sports.

No. 10 LSU has pieces to pull off a huge upset against No. 6 Alabama

LSU is hitting its stride at the right time and appears to have figured things out on both sides of the football.

Mel Kiper takes stock of Hendon Hooker's NFL draft placement

Hooker has been one of the best stories in college football this season as he's led the Tennessee Volunteers to an 8-0 record.

Latest troubling news on Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas

Saints head coach Dennis Allen has announced the latest news on wide receiver Michael Thomas.

Simulation theory: Texas may have the best shot at winning the Big 12

Advanced statistics suggest that the Texas Longhorns aren't as much of a long shot at winning the Big 12 as one might think. 

Dark-horse QB could shake up Heisman Trophy race

It seems like two finalists for the Heisman are givens, but what about the other two spots?

NBA to stream all 15 games for free day before Election Day

The NBA is pushing its fans to vote on Nov. 8 with all 30 teams in action the night before Election Day, which is a collective off-day.

Jerry Jones criticized for Halloween costume

 The National Federation of the Blind criticized Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones over his Halloween costume this year in which he dressed as a blind NFL referee.

Historic Tennessee-Georgia game sets record for regular-season CFB ticket prices

Saturday's game will mark the first time that teams ranked No. 1 in the AP (Georgia) and College Football Playoff poll (Tennessee) play each other. 

Kansas head basketball coach Bill Self suspended for start of the season

Kansas will begin its national title defense without head coach Bill Self. The school announced self-imposed sanctions in the wake of findings from an FBI investigation on corruption within the sport.

Why the College Football Playoff may already be down to seven contenders

College football is known for producing wild moments. A team emerging from outside the top seven would be the wildest of all.

Pelicans looking like clear winner of Anthony Davis deal

The Lakers did win a title in the bubble with Davis, but the Pelicans sure seem to be in great position thanks to the trade.

Nets fans, media blast team over head coaching decision

Brooklyn Nets fans made their feelings known when it was reported that the team was close to hiring Ime Udoka as its next head coach. For an organization already dealing with a face of the franchise promoting anti-Semitic content, the latest unforced error is a bridge too far.