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

Bryce Young should be Panthers' starting QB next season

The Panthers owe it to themselves and Young to give him the keys to the offense in 2025.

Week 13 worst QB performances: Kirk Cousins' leash is getting short

From Kirk Cousins' nightmare to Kyler Murray's fourth-quarter meltdown, let's dig into Week 13's most disastrous quarterback performances.

Watch: Arch Manning's TD run gives Texas road lead vs. Texas A&M

Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning broke a scoreless tie against Texas A&M in a game with massive SEC implications.

LaNorris Sellers' performance vs. Clemson gives South Carolina reason for optimism

South Carolina ended its regular season on a high note. Thanks to sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers' outstanding performance, the Gamecocks might just be getting started.

Watch: Vanderbilt returns opening kickoff for touchdown against Tennessee

Vanderbilt wasted no time putting Tennessee on the ropes.

Andrew Luck hiring could be exactly what Stanford needs

A day after its regular season ended, Stanford scored its most significant win of 2024.

Watch: Remarkable Haynes King effort propels Georgia Tech to surprising three-score lead against Georgia

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King ruled in the first half against Georgia. 

Mike Gundy tests Oklahoma State's loyalty with no-show in regular-season finale

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy recently shared that he has no interest in retiring, but should the Cowboys even want him back? 

NFL Black Friday takeaways: Chiefs might be luckier than good this season

Kansas City's win is the type that make people think cosmic forces are at play.

Watch: Travis Hunter bolsters Heisman candidacy with interception in Colorado regular-season finale

Colorado cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter is doing all he can to wrap up the Heisman Trophy.

After Matt Eberflus firing, why one name should be at top of Bears' head-coaching wish list

While two former Caleb Williams coaches are already being floated as potential candidates for the Bears' next head coach, here's why another likely contender must be at the top of their list.

Watch: Brutal Tulane turnover leads to major swing in AAC finale

Tulane might have fumbled its chance to make the College Football Playoff.

Five hottest CFB seats: Why two power conference coaches might soon join Mack Brown

Mack Brown became the highest-profile head coach to be fired this season when North Carolina announced on Tuesday that the 2005 national champion at Texas won't return for the 2025 season.

'MNF' takeaways: Aggressive John Harbaugh pays off for Ravens

Brothers Jim and John Harbaugh met for the first time since Super Bowl XLVII on "Monday Night Football." John Harbaugh's Ravens won, 30-23, improving his record to 3-0 against his younger brother.

Watch: Two Lamar Jackson second-quarter TDs give Ravens 'MNF' lead

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's two second-quarter touchdowns gave Baltimore a 14-10 halftime lead on the road against the Chargers.

Watch: Celtics tie NBA record with 12 threes in second quarter vs. Clippers

The Celtics matched NBA history on Monday night. Boston made 16 threes in the first half against the Clippers, including 12 in the second quarter to tie an NBA record for most made threes in a single quarter.

Potential 2025 destinations for Justin Fields: Why Steelers, two  AFC contenders make sense 

Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Justin Fields could be one of the more interesting players to watch during 2025 free agency.

UConn MBB suffers surprising first loss of the season

UConn dropped its first game since February on Monday, losing to Memphis in the quarterfinals of the Maui Invitational.

Week 12 worst QB performances: Backups flub starting opportunities

From backups making their first 2024 starts to former Offensive Rookies of the Year, no one was safe from bad quarterback play on Sunday. Here are the five worst from Week 12.