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

Auburn reportedly hiring Hugh Freeze, passing on promoting Cadillac Williams

Auburn is closing in on Hugh Freeze as its next head coach, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. After Lane Kiffin ignored the team's advances, the reported decision to go with Freeze shows how far Auburn has fallen.

No. 1 North Carolina's loss to unranked Iowa State not as surprising as it looks

The season is young, but the Tar Heels are developing bad habits that could prevent them from getting where they ultimately want to go.

Do The Wave: Tulane a win away from New Year's Six game with win over Cincinnati

 The Wave is making a comeback. No, not that one (although, it can come along for the ride). It's the Green Wave that's making the biggest comeback following a two-win 2021 season.

Scoreless tie for USMNT bad for fans, great for team

For the first time in World Cup history, a U.S. soccer match ended in a 0-0 draw. 

USA's chances of reaching round of 16 greatly increase with shocking Iran-Wales result

After a stunning 2-0 Iran victory over Wales on Friday, the U.S. is in a great position to reach the round of 16.

This play shows the NFL still doesn't know what a catch is

The most consequential play of Thursday night’s Patriots-Vikings game didn’t count. 

That you, LeBron? Viral tweet shows L.A. Lakers star's lookalike in World Cup match

In addition to being a future Hall of Fame basketball player, James also has his own production company with business partner Maverick Carter called SpringHill Company and, apparently, has a blossoming soccer career.

Recent news shows Ole Miss has even less reason to worry about losing Lane Kiffin

While the issue appears to be dead and buried, until Auburn lands on a new coach, concerns will remain in Oxford over Kiffin's future. The Ole Miss faithful may be able to breathe a sigh of relief after an announcement from the school's biggest NIL collective. 

Watch: CeeDee Lamb makes one-handed catch, nearly comes down with another

Pass interference was called on Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes, but even that wasn't enough to prevent Lamb from coming down with the slick one-handed catch. On Turkey Day, Lamb feasted. 

Report: Jerry Jones photographed at protest against desegregation, responds

The Washington Post published a story on Wednesday on Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that included a photograph of him at a protest against desegregation while in high school at Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.

The Jets have (butt) fumbled the QB position brutally over the past 10 years

This week marked the anniversary of a seminal play in football history, one in which everyone remembers where they were the day it happened. Ever since Mark Sanchez ran into an offensive lineman's rear and fumbled the ball, the Jets' quarterbacks have been the butt of the NFL.

Marilyn Monroe's outfit from Joe DiMaggio wedding expected to go for an eye-popping sum

Bidding opened Wednesday on an item for people wanting a piece of pop culture and sports history.

Why the College Football Playoff committee got LSU-USC right

LSU crept to fifth in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, a bit of a surprise after the Associated Press propelled USC past the Tigers in its latest poll.

'Hard Knocks' continue for Cardinals after Mexico City incident

After scrubbing the latest controversy from the in-season edition of HBO's "Hard Knocks," Arizona doesn't appear to want viewers to see the worst parts of its season to forget. If that's the case, there won't be a show at all.

Darrelle Revis is a surefire Hall of Famer, but will he make it in Year 1?

Revis was seen as the best cornerback in football for years and constantly drew the toughest assignments from offenses. When the class of 2023 finalists are announced, will Revis be standing on an island or with his peers in the Hall of Fame?

Report shows stark difference between Justin Fields, Zach Wilson

Wilson, under fire for refusing to take accountability after an atrocious performance in Week 11, is looking even worst after a new report highlighted the difference in how the Jets QB and fellow 2021 draftee Justin Fields handled adversity.

Former Panthers HC Matt Rhule opens up about what went wrong in Carolina

Rhule flamed out in the pros, and his comments aren't going to make his tenure look much better in hindsight. He still has plenty to offer a college program, and he's going to remind anyone who will listen. 

Lane Kiffin trolls reporter after rumor spreads over coaching future

A brush fire ignited on Twitter Monday night when journalist Jon Sokoloff tweeted that Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was resigning from his current job and taking the open position at Auburn.

Two schools emerge as possible landing spots for Deion Sanders

Two new potential suitors have emerged for Sanders as his name continues to provide intrigue amid college football's coaching carousel. 

'Let's go Joe!': Jets receive flak for sticking with Zach Wilson

The calls are growing louder for the New York Jets to put Joe Flacco in at quarterback over Zach Wilson after the young QB's errors.

Watch: Timothy Weah gives USMNT early lead on first U.S. World Cup goal since 2014

The goal came 36 minutes into the match on an assist from Christian Pulisic and gave the USA a 1-0 lead in its opening match of the 2022 World Cup.

Just for kicks: Taylor Heinicke's shoe collection grows with every win

The decision to stick with Heinicke means he will have plenty more opportunities to add to his growing shoe collection. Heinicke is 4-1 in five starts in 2022.

Bad weekend for New York football: Giants', Jets' playoff hopes in doubt

The Giants' and Jets' paths to the postseason just got a lot harder. If both fail to make the playoffs, we'll look back to this past weekend as the beginning of the end.

Dan Orlovsky examines embarrassing play that demonstrates Zach Wilson's struggles

As the dust settles from the New York Jets' loss to the New England Patriots, it's even clearer how much the Jets -- and QB Zach Wilson in particular -- struggled.

Watch: After halftime, Denver hits buzzer beater to end first half

Luka Doncic made what appeared to be a three-pointer at the buzzer leading to halftime of Dallas' game against Denver. The two teams went to the locker room believing the Mavericks held a 59-52 lead. When officials reviewed the play, however, they found Doncic stepped out of bounds, nullifying the shot and resulting in a turnover with two seconds left in the first half.