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

Fred Warner extension shows linebackers are undervalued in today's NFL

The San Francisco 49ers have struck gold with their latest contract extension.

Watch: Scottie Scheffler's eagle gives him lead at 2025 PGA Championship

World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler raced atop the leaderboard at the 2025 PGA Championship with an incredible eagle on the 14th hole.

Watch: Fever guard Caitin Clark bookends first half of 2025 season debut with three-pointers

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark bookended a strong first half in the Fever's 2025 season opener against the Chicago Sky with a pair of threes, helping give Indiana a 45-32 halftime lead.

Incredible Natasha Cloud debut shows why Liberty can repeat in 2025

New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud wasted no time leaving her mark on her new team. 

Watch: Aces center A'ja Wilson sets tone for MVP defense with strong first quarter versus Liberty

The reigning WNBA MVP doesn't appear interested in relinquishing her crown. On Saturday, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson picked up where she left off during her 2024 MVP season.

Watch: Jets stay alive in Stanley Cup playoffs with help from Stars defenseman

The Winnipeg Jets stayed alive in the playoffs, and they received help from an unlikely source.

Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL schedule analysis

The Atlanta Falcons, along with the rest of the NFL, have known for months who they'll play during the 2025 regular season, and on Wednesday, they found out when.  

Watch: Capitals goalie Logan Thompson makes save of the Stanley Cup playoffs

Logan Thompson delivered during the first period of Game 5.

Unheralded golfers in prime position to make names for themselves following PGA Championship first round

None of the players at or near the top of the leaderboard are household names.

Watch: Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo 'ejects' umpires during incredible meltdown

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo got the most out of his ejection Wednesday.

Highlighting AFC South blockbuster games of 2025 season

The NFL released its complete schedule for the 2025 season on Wednesday. Here is the blockbuster game (and another intriguing matchup) for every team in the AFC South.

Highlighting NFC South blockbuster games of 2025 season

The NFL released its complete schedule for the 2025 season on Wednesday. Here is the blockbuster game (and another intriguing matchup) for every team in the NFC South.

Three burning questions for 2025 Buccaneers

Here are three questions facing the defending NFC South champs as they look to evolve from the kings of a weak division into legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Five storylines to watch during WNBA opening weekend

The 2025 WNBA regular season tips off this weekend. Here are five storylines we're watching during the opening slate of games.

Why Vikings could benefit from historic 2025 international slate

The NFL might have done the Minnesota Vikings a huge favor with their unprecedented 2025 regular season schedule.

Packers set to face defending champion Eagles, dreaded tush push on 'MNF'

After spending the offseason trying to ban the tush push, the Green Bay Packers now know when they must defend against it.

Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Hurricanes, Oilers move closer to punching conference finals tickets

The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs continued on Monday with a pair of Game 4s. Here are takeaways from the two games as the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers each moved one win away from advancing to their respective conference finals.

Watch: Oilers start quick in Game 4 vs. Golden Knights

The Edmonton Oilers quickly washed out the taste of Game 3's stunning loss to the Vegas Golden Knights by taking an early 1-0 lead on Monday.

Tigers still look like AL's best team in win over Red Sox

It's only May, but the Detroit Tigers are already making a statement.

Watch: Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov breaks scoreless tie in Game 3 vs. Capitals

The Carolina Hurricanes struck first in a pivotal Game 3 of the East semifinals against the Washington Capitals.

Celtics rediscover their groove in Game 3 win over Knicks

On Saturday, the defending NBA champions got back into their second-round series against the New York Knicks with a 115-93 win.

Watch: Eagles WR A.J. Brown gives commencement address at Ole Miss

The three-time Pro Bowl wideout played at Ole Miss from 2016-18.