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

Disastrous debut doesn't spark confidence for Bill Belichick's North Carolina tenure

Bill Belichick's start as North Carolina Tar Heels head coach couldn't have gone any worse.

NFL 2025 bold predictions: Jaxson Dart’s rise, Kevin Stefanski’s fall and Super Bowl surprises

Week 1 kicks off Thursday night with the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys (8:20 ET, NBC).

Five CFB Week 2 questions: Alabama's 2007 redux, emerging Group of Five CFP candidate and more

With a loaded Week 1 officially in the books, we're turning the page. Here are five questions we have that Week 2 will help us answer.

Florida State's rollercoaster ride continues with stunning upset over No. 8 Alabama

Who needs an amusement park when Florida State football exists?

Analyst blasts Steve Sarkisian's handling of Arch Manning in Texas' Week 1 loss to Ohio State

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is under fire following an underwhelming start to the Arch Manning Era.  

Tulane makes early statement as best Group of Five team with convincing power conference win

There's a new leader in the clubhouse for the Group of Five's spot in the College Football Playoff.

CFB Week 1 winners, losers: Defense vaults LSU into title conversation, Lee Corso exits on high note

Top-10 showdowns, upsets and a send-off for the ages, Week 1 of the 2025 college football season had a little bit of everything.

Ohio State vs. Texas: Five reasons Buckeyes will beat Longhorns in Week 1 showdown

It's one of the biggest Week 1 games in college football history.  On Saturday, the Associated Press preseason No. 1 Texas Longhorns and No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes will meet in Columbus (Fox, noon ET).

Unexpected release continues Patriots youth movement

When considering the organization's moves over the past two offseasons, the move neatly fits with the Patriots' overall youth movement.

Micah Parsons trade winners, losers: Packers fleece Cowboys for All-Pro

The unthinkable happened. On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys traded edge-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, and there's a lot to unpack.

Predicting the standings for each NFL division

With the NFL season about to kick off, there's no better time to look ahead and predict how the division standings will shake out by season's end. 

No. 9 LSU's recent Week 1 misery adds stakes to opening showdown at No. 4 Clemson

No team in college football needs a win in Week 1 more than the LSU Tigers.

All-Pro's extension another massive win for AFC North front office

The Baltimore Ravens continue to take care of their own.

The Big Five: Most improved NFL teams this offseason

With initial 53-man rosters set, this week we examine five teams who improved the most during the offseason.

Predicting which NFL teams will make in-season QB changes and when

We peer into our crystal ball and predict when New Orleans — and four other teams — will make a move.

Five UDFAs to watch as NFL teams finalize initial 53-man rosters

Across the NFL, teams whittled their rosters down to 53 players on Tuesday. As always, there were plenty of surprises, including among undrafted free agents. With initial rosters set, here are five 2025 undrafted free agents to keep an eye on this season. 

Saints cuts an indictment of team's NFL Draft process

Plenty of explanations exist for why the New Orleans Saints have fallen to become one of the NFL's worst teams, but chief among them is a troubling trend of NFL Draft ineptitude.

Week 1 mid-major games to watch: Boise State, Tulane look to build CFP foundation

If power conference showdowns aren't enough to satiate your demand for football, we've got you covered with a look at 10 mid-major games worth your attention in a stacked undercard.

Cal Raleigh reaches another milestone with HR against Padres

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh has done it again. For the 50th time, to be exact.

Phillies' Jordan Romano's season goes from bad to worse in loss to Mets

The nightmare keeps getting worse for Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jordan Romano.

Rookie pitcher's emergence a promising sign for Yankees' future

Cam Schlittler continues being a ray of light for the New York Yankees. The rookie starter threw another gem on Monday in a 10-5 win over the Washington Nationals, giving the Yankees reason for optimism amid an up-and-down 2025 season.

Trey Hendrickson's revised contract offers Bengals temporary relief

The contract saga between Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals is finally over. At least until the next offseason. On Monday, the Bengals and their disgruntled star defensive end agreed to a revised 2025 contract, which will pay Hendrickson an additional $14 million from the initial $16M he was owed this season.

Key injury puts Texans' C.J. Stroud under more pressure in 2025

As good as Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been early in his NFL career, he'll need to be even better in 2025.

Why Tyler Shough should win razor-thin Saints QB competition

With the gap razor-thin between rookie Tyler Shough and second-year pro Spencer Rattler, the Saints should roll the dice and start Shough in Week 1.