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

Houston-Gonzaga set for collision course after dominant first-round wins

Midwest Region No. 1 seed Houston and No. 8 seed Gonzaga looked like potential Final Four teams in its first-round romps on Thursday, but only one will make it to the NCAA Tournament's second weekend.

No. 9 seed Creighton looks like potential bracket-buster following Round of 64 win

No. 9 Creighton made a massive statement in Thursday's emphatic NCAA Tournament opening round 89-75 win over No. 8 Louisville.

Massive Arkansas injury update might seal Razorbacks' NCAA Tournament fate

Arkansas has an uphill climb to make it past the first round of March Madness.

Eye-popping Jalen Milroe 40-yard dash time could boost NFL Draft stock

Despite his limitations as a passer, Milroe showed at Alabama's pro day that he has game-changing speed.

Lions' proposed rule change would be a major benefit for NFL defenses

For years, the NFL has adopted rules primarily aimed at benefitting offenses. This offseason, the Lions have proposed an amendment that could level the playing field.

Vikings' J.J. McCarthy decision pushes Aaron Rodgers one step closer to retirement

For someone as purportedly enlightened as Rodgers, he should listen to what the universe is telling him.

Watch: Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani blasts first home run of season in Tokyo Series

On Wednesday, MLB's best player picked up where he left off during his 2024 MVP season.

Astros pitcher reaches significant milestone in return from multiyear injury absence

On Tuesday, Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. hit a significant milestone in his recovery from a two-year absence as he returned to the mound for the first time in 868 days.

Mel Kiper Jr.'s most recent mock draft could spur Saints draft debate

Could the Saints do something during the 2025 NFL Draft that they haven't done in generations?

Pistons show they have made incredible progress with blowout win vs. Pelicans

Detroit's been one of the league's best stories in 2024-25, and on Monday, it reminded the NBA how far it's come.

Alabama forward’s injury update a positive sign for team’s NCAA Tournament outlook

On Monday, Alabama received a dose of good news ahead of its 2025 NCAA Tournament run.

Watch: Chelsea Gray’s half-court three sets tone for Rose's Unrivaled title win

Rose guard Chelsea Gray set the tone for her team’s inaugural Unrivaled championship with a buzzer-beating half-court three off the front rim at the end of the third quarter.

West Virginia governor's NCAA Tournament complaints hold no water

Spare us the histrionics. It's a tired act we've seen before.

This could be No. 2 Houston's year to win men's NCAA Tournament

After years of falling short on the big stage, Houston has its best chance of winning the men's NCAA Tournament.

Auburn slumping at wrong time after SEC Tournament exit

Auburn has picked a bad time to play its worst basketball. 

Watch: SC State's gaffe sends Norfolk State to men's NCAA Tournament

An excruciating South Carolina State mental error allowed Norfolk State to clinch the Mid-Eastern American Conference (MEAC)'s NCAA Tournament auto-bid on Saturday.

Son of legendary HC boosts profile after clinching first NCAA Tournament appearance

The son of a legendary former men's basketball coach put his name on the map on Saturday as his team clinched the second NCAA Tournament bid in program history.

Texas should be NCAA Tournament-bound after 2OT win over No. 14 Texas A&M

Texas might have punched its ticket to next week's NCAA Tournament with a rousing 94-89 double overtime win over No. 14 Texas A&M in the second round of the SEC Tournament on Thursday.

Texans offensive line in worse shape after offseason acquisitions

Houston has a problem. And it's getting worse. The Texans had one of the league's worst offensive lines in 2024, and the unit has gotten weaker since the start of free agency.

Duke should use caution after Cooper Flagg's injury in ACC tourney quarterfinals

Duke has bigger problems than trailing Georgia Tech at halftime in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

NFL insider reveals 'ridiculous' Bengals asking price holding up potential Trey Hendrickson trade

The Bengals are going nowhere in their trade discussions centered around 2025 NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson.

SWAC chaos produces wildest moment of men's conference tournaments

Down goes No. 1. The SWAC delivered chaos on Wednesday when conference tournament No. 1 seed Southern (20-12, 15-3 in SWAC) lost in the quarterfinals to Grambling (12-21, 7-11 in SWAC), 65-62 in overtime.

'Joker' could help push Broncos offense to new heights in 2025

The veteran is exactly the kind of weapon Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, entering his second season, needs to accelerate his development.

Losing-record NEC program punches improbable NCAA Tournament bid

After enduring an ugly 13-17 regular season, it only makes sense that Saint Francis (PA) won the Northeast Conference championship in hideous fashion.