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

Twitter/X: @ericsmithling

Muck Rack: eric-smithling

December 15, 2024 | College Football

Top 10 CFB bowl trophies: Pop-Tarts Bowl's 2024 upgrade sets it apart

The Pop-Tarts Bowl unveiled its glorious 2024 trophy on Sunday, making us wonder where it ranks among the best trophies handed out during bowl season.

December 15, 2024 | NFL

Week 15 worst QB performances: Tua Tagovailoa clunker sinks Dolphins' playoff hopes

Five NFL quarterbacks put themselves on Santa's naughty list with rotten weekends. From Tua Tagovailoa crushing Miami's postseason dreams to the ship sailing on Will Levis as an NFL starter, here are Sunday's worst quarterback performances.

December 15, 2024 | NFL

Inexplicable clock stoppage nearly costs Commanders in squeaker over Saints

An officiating blunder nearly had disastrous consequences for the Commanders in their 20-19 win over the Saints.

December 14, 2024

Tennessee women make remarkable basketball history in blowout win

Tennessee women's basketball made history on Saturday.

December 14, 2024 | Las Vegas Raiders

Maxx Crosby's future with Raiders in question after major injury update

Raiders edge-rusher Maxx Crosby's season is over, and so, too, might be his time in Las Vegas.

December 14, 2024 | NBA

Warriors to add Nets guard amid LeBron James rumors

It's not the trade Golden State Warriors fans have been hoping for, but it will do for now.

December 14, 2024 | College Basketball

No. 17 Texas A&M makes statement with gritty win against No. 11 Purdue

No. 17 Texas A&M made a statement with its gritty win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse over No. 11 Purdue: When it plays defense the way it did on Saturday, it can beat anyone in the country.

December 14, 2024 | Auburn Tigers

Auburn forward proves why he's Wooden Award favorite in blowout win over Ohio State

Auburn forward Johni Broome is taking the drama out of the Wooden Award race.

December 14, 2024 | College Football

Hugh Freeze's transfer portal splash a positive sign for Auburn in 2025

Hugh Freeze scored arguably his biggest win as Auburn head coach on Saturday.

December 12, 2024 | Dallas Cowboys

Latest Forbes valuation shows why the Cowboys will never change

Jerry Jones might be the only person happy with the Cowboys this year. Based on Forbes' list of 2024's most valuable sports teams, the longtime Cowboys owner has no incentive to fix team.

December 12, 2024 | College Football

CFB transfer portal winners, losers: Ex-Cal QB should have several options

The 2025 transfer portal was flooded with recruits when it opened on Monday. While some players should have several decent options to choose from, others might be less satisfied their demand.

December 12, 2024 | Colorado Buffaloes

AP CFB Player of the Year award could be start of big weekend for Travis Hunter

Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter is going to need a bigger shelf.

December 11, 2024 | MLB

Red Sox keep up in AL East arms race with trade for White Sox ace

Boston couldn't let New York be the only AL East team to improve its pitching staff.

December 11, 2024 | North Carolina Tar Heels

NFL teams must answer for Bill Belichick snub as legend heads to college ranks

How can so many teams have had a coaching vacancy the past two years and not one hire the greatest coach in league history?

December 11, 2024 | College Football

Darian Mensah's transfer decision continues college football's democratization

Duke? A destination program in college football? Anything is possible in the transfer portal era.

December 10, 2024 | Texas Rangers

Could Rangers' latest signing close the door on Max Scherzer's return?

The Rangers wouldn't let starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi leave, but it might have cost them Max Scherzer. On Tuesday, Texas and Eovaldi agreed to a three-year, $75M contract.

December 10, 2024 | Mississippi Rebels

Lane Kiffin hits nail on the head with scathing CFB criticism

Never one to mince words, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin tore into college football's end-of-season schedule on Tuesday. Unlike on most other occasions, this time, Kiffin had a salient point.

December 10, 2024 | South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina keeps talented defensive freshman with lucrative NIL deal

On Tuesday, South Carolina locked in one of the key members of its outstanding defensive line with a lucrative name, image and likeness (NIL) deal.

December 9, 2024 | NFL

Watch: Chaotic punt sequence dooms Cowboys on 'MNF'

Dallas appeared to have made a game-altering (in its favor) play in its 27-20 loss to Cincinnati after blocking Bengals punter Ryan Rehkow's kick with under two minutes left and the game tied at 20.

December 9, 2024 | NFL

'MNF' takeaways: Bengals get help from unlikely source in wild ending vs. Cowboys

On paper, Monday night's game between two losing teams, the Bengals (5-8) and Cowboys (5-8), didn't seem like it would be all that memorable. But an inexplicable Cowboys mental error ensured their 27-20 loss wouldn't be forgotten in Dallas for some time.