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

Five potential landing spots for Bryce Young to resurrect his NFL career

After only 18 NFL starts, it's far too early for the rest of the league to give up on the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

NFC South rookie grades: How has each team's top pick fared?

After three weeks of the regular season, several rookies are already making their mark in the NFL. Here's an evaluation of each NFC South team's top draft pick, accompanied by a grade based on how they've fared.

Watch: Bills' Damar Hamlin records first career interception on 'MNF'

Nearly two years after going into cardiac arrest on the field during a "Monday Night Football" game between the Bengals and Bills, Hamlin picked off Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence as part of a first-half demolition.

Oklahoma HC Brent Venables makes right call with QB decision

Oklahoma freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins is in a tough spot entering his first collegiate start. That doesn't mean Sooners head coach Brent Venables erred in making a change.

'MNF' takeaways: Jayden Daniels arrives with historic game vs. Bengals

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels won the battle between former LSU Heisman winners against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Pac-12 must get creative to solve its numbers problem

The conference's future is again in doubt two weeks after appearing to rise from the ashes with four commitments from Mountain West programs Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State and Fresno State on Sept. 12.

Group of Five CFB power rankings: Which conference has the advantage entering Week 5?

With Group of Five members battling for one automatic College Football Playoff bid, overall conference strength could be a crucial tiebreaker.

NFL Week 3's worst QB performances: Pair of NFC South QBs spoil incredible 2024 starts

Life happens fast for NFL quarterbacks. For these five, Sunday couldn't end soon enough.

Watch: Nightmarish Jalen Hurts start continues with second turnover against Saints

It's been a rough beginning for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts against the Saints.

Watch: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier throws perfect TD pass against upset-minded UCLA

LSU's offense is doing all it can. If only the defense would catch up.

Watch: Michigan takes early lead vs. USC with long TD run

Michigan is defending the Big House early.

CFB Week 4 winners and losers: Tennessee, Utah record statement wins

Who ruled Week 4 in college football and who wishes they had a do-over? Winners and losers from another action-packed Saturday.

Watch: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik's long TD run vs. NC State keeps Tigers rolling

Klubnik's scamper was the longest run by a Clemson quarterback since Trevor Lawrence's 67-yard touchdown run in 2019.

WNBA playoff preview: Eight players who will define the 2024 postseason

The 2024 WNBA playoffs tip off on Sunday with four games. Here are eight players to watch ahead of one of the most anticipated postseasons in league history.

Saints QB Derek Carr's fine shows NFL's hypocrisy knows no bounds

We're throwing a flag on this one. On Thursday, Pro Football Talk reported the NFL fined Derek Carr $14,000 for his touchdown celebration following a 1-yard QB sneak in a 44-19 romp over the Cowboys in Week 2.

Eagles DC Vic Fangio addresses edge-rusher Bryce Huff's role in Week 3 vs. Saints

Huff signed a three-year, $51.1 million contract in the offseason and has two quarterback pressures in two games.

Undefeated no more: Predicting which eight perfect CFB teams will lose in Week 5

After Week 4, 26 undefeated teams remain in FBS.  With a pair of undefeated games in Week 5, those numbers are guaranteed to drop this weekend. But the losers of Illinois-Penn State and Georgia-Alabama won't be the only ones disappointed on Saturday.

Cowboys All-Pro misses practice ahead of pivotal Week 3 game vs. Ravens

The Cowboys have more than the Ravens to worry about in Week 3.

Bold three-team trade proposal sends former Super Bowl champion to Dolphins

Chase Daniel shared a bold three-team trade proposal on Wednesday that could solve the Dolphins' QB crisis.

Will Patriots keep the road underdog trend going on 'TNF' versus rival Jets?

Road underdogs had plenty of bite in Week 2. It's a trend the Patriots (1-1) hope to continue as they enter "Thursday Night Football" a 6.5-point underdog to the division-rival Jets (1-1).

Braves' late-game collapse against Reds continues team's downward spiral

The Braves let one slip away against the Reds on Tuesday night, putting their playoff lives in peril. 

Unexpected Big Ten team is a dark-horse College Football Playoff contender

The Indiana Hoosiers could shake up the College Football Playoff this season. On Saturday, Indiana improved to 5-0 under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti for the first time since 1967.

Tennessee passing player payments onto fans with absurd ticketing policy

It's estimated that colleges will be able to spend up to $22 million on athletes, and Tennessee's squeeze on its fans is meant to ease its financial obligation.

Watch: Jalen Hurts turns into Superman on Eagles TD drive

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts turned into Superman on Philadelphia's second-quarter scoring drive against the Falcons on "Monday Night Football."