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

Scott Van Pelt's frustration with Kevin Willard is misguided

ESPN's Scott Van Pelt recently took issue with former Maryland men's basketball coach Kevin Willard for his actions before leaving for the same role at Villanova. The Terrapins alum might want to thank Willard instead.

NFL's kickoff rule change nullifies main argument against tush push

The league voted to move touchbacks on kickoffs up to the 35-yard line to increase the number of kickoff returns. 

Falcons HC Raheem Morris divulges thoughts on QB Kirk Cousins' OTA plans

The Falcons benched Cousins after 14 games last season.

Sarah Strong's incredible game shows why UConn should win title

UConn women's basketball has produced staggering talent throughout the years, yet no one has had an NCAA tournament game as a freshman like forward Sarah Strong's in Monday's 78-64 Elite Eight win over USC.

SEC cellar-dwellers make play for relevancy with CBB transfer portal addition

After watching most of the rest of the SEC have all the fun this season, LSU wants in on the action.

Notre Dame star makes shocking WNBA Draft decision

On Monday, Notre Dame senior guard Olivia Miles threw a wrench into teams' 2025 WNBA Draft plans.

Watch: Mets' Pete Alonso makes the most of his first 2025 home run

When Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit his first home run of the 2025 season on Monday, he did so in style. 

Rafael Devers, Red Sox could reach quick breaking point

Rafael Devers and the Red Sox could soon reach a breaking point. If their designated hitter isn't recording hits, they'll have to find someone who will.

Brewers tie unwelcome MLB history in another blowout loss

With all the talk in recent days about Yankees bats, one significant factor in New York's torrid start went unnoticed: Brewers pitching.

Men’s Elite Eight winners, losers: Duke defense, Florida offense propel No. 1s to Final Four  

With half of the men's 2025 Final Four set, here are the day's winners and losers.

TCU guard Hailey Van Lith is NCAA Tournament’s best story

TCU guard Hailey Van Lith has been the best story of this year’s March Madness. And thanks to her remarkable performance against Notre Dame in the Sweet 16, she’ll add another chapter.

Watch: Yankees OF Aaron Judge blasts three home runs in four innings

Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge’s 2024 AL MVP defense is off to a strong start.

Nestor Cortes’ Yankees Stadium return couldn’t have gone worse

Cortes returned to Yankees Stadium on Saturday. After his nightmare outing, he might not want to come back anytime soon.

Watch: Yankees make franchise history with first-inning home-run barrage

It only took Yankees batters three pitches to give New York a 3-0 lead against the Brewers on Saturday.

Juan Soto flubs his first big moment with the Mets

Four-time All-Star right fielder Juan Soto had a chance for a storybook ending to his Mets debut. He spoiled it instead.

Orioles teammates make franchise history in Opening Day romp

Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and center fielder Cedric Mullins made franchise history in an Opening Day blowout win.

Watch: Astros prospect Cam Smith records hit in first MLB at-bat

Astros right fielder Cam Smith began his MLB career in style. On Thursday during Opening Day, Smith knocked a chopper through the gap between first and second base and into right field for his first major-league hit.

Watch: Yankees' Austin Wells makes stunning history with leadoff Opening Day HR

The Yankees began the 2025 regular season with a bang.

Colts GM's comments add fuel to team's QB controversy

Colts general manager Chris Ballard added fuel to the team's budding quarterback controversy on Wednesday when he discussed the "similarities" between 2024 Week 1 starter Anthony Richardson and 2025 free-agent signing Daniel Jones.

How NCAA revenue-sharing implementation could lead to quick Big East comeback

It might not be long until the Big East returns to its rightful place atop college basketball's hierarchy.

You may not believe what Pirates star Paul Skenes does before starts

Before taking the mound, Pirates ace Paul Skenes goes to war. On Tuesday, The Ringer's Hannah Keyser shared a profile of the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year, and one of the more fascinating tidbits came when Keyser shared Skenes' unorthodox pregame ritual.

Stanford opening gives Andrew Luck chance to quickly remake Cardinal

Once again, Stanford's fate rests on Andrew Luck's shoulders. On Tuesday, the university announced it had fired head football coach Troy Taylor one week following an ESPN report that detailed a troubling pattern of unprofessional conduct from the two-year Cardinal coach.

2,428 games to go: 10 sizzling storylines to follow for 2025 MLB season

With two games down and 2,428 to go, here's what on our radar ahead of Opening Day.

JuJu Watkins' injury is disheartening on multiple levels

When USC sophomore guard JuJu Watkins went down with an apparent knee injury against Mississippi State on Monday, she might have taken the Trojans' title hopes with her.

Surging Pacers are a sleeping Eastern Conference giant

Indiana remained hot with a wire-to-wire win over the Timberwolves on Monday night.