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

Major Saints injury update puts spotlight on former first-round pick

It's time for Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning to live up to his draft status. On Thursday, it was revealed that Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk will miss the 2024 season due to a knee injury.

Paul Finebaum names potential doomsday scenario for Alabama

On Thursday, Paul Finebaum pinpointed an "end of the world" scenario for Alabama ahead of the 2024 season.

Top MLB division races heading into season's second half

The second half of the MLB season begins on Friday. With roughly 65 regular games remaining per team, attention is turning toward the postseason. Here are three division races that should be the most fun to watch over the next two-and-a-half months.

Brian Kelly, LSU nab third five-star 2025 recruit

Before the 2024 season begins, LSU head coach Brian Kelly has already solidified the Tigers' core for the next few years.

Piece of C.J. Stroud trivia a potentially promising omen for 2024 Texans

On Wednesday, the Texans became the first team to fully report to training camp this season, and there's good reason to believe they'll be the last team standing.

We should leave Skip Bayless in the past

The Skip Bayless era at Fox Sports 1 is mercifully nearing its end. With his antics wearing thin, hopefully, he'll no longer pollute our airwaves.

Notable first- and second-round pairings at the 2024 Open Championship

The 2024 Open Championship tees off on Thursday at Royal Troon. Before the first round, here's a look at five notable groupings that should be on your radar.

Winners and losers from the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby

Teoscar Hernandez became the first Dodgers player to win the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night.

Five non-Paul Skenes storylines to watch at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game

Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes is the main attraction at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, but he isn't the only star worthy of our attention. Here are five other storylines to watch for on Tuesday night:

Watch: Juan Soto, Aaron Judge hit back-to-back home runs vs. Orioles

Juan Soto and Aaron Judge may have just woke up the Yankees.

Ludvig Aberg, Rory McIlroy among Open contenders with strong showings at Scottish Open

Ludvig Aberg and Rory McIlroy were among the leading contenders at next week's British Open to have strong showings during the third round of the Genesis Scottish Open.

Barbora Krejcikova's women's Wimbledon title continues run of improbable winners

The run of improbable women's Wimbledon champions continued on Saturday.

Watch: Incredible rally aids Jasmine Paolini in Wimbledon finals second set

Italy's Jasmine Paolini flipped the women's Wimbledon final on its head.

Paul Skenes makes final case to start All-Star Game with unbelievable outing against Brewers

Pirates rookie pitcher Paul Skenes had his best major league start on Thursday, delivering a final statement for why he needs to be the NL's starting pitcher in next Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Projecting three future Hall of Famers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Here are three Tampa Bay Buccaneers who should eventually receive football immortality.

Projecting three future Hall of Famers for the New Orleans Saints

Here are three New Orleans Saints who should eventually receive football immortality.

NFL fifth-year options: Who's trending up and down entering 2024 season

For some 2022 first-round NFL Draft picks, the upcoming 2024 season is particularly important. While a select few should already be locks to have their fifth-year options picked up, others need big seasons for their teams to commit to a fifth year before the May 2025 deadline.

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese continue ROTY tug-of-war with dual outstanding performances

Both players have been as good as fans could have hoped they'd be entering the league. 

Why Dejounte Murray might be exactly who the Pelicans need

The Pelicans formally introduced guard Dejounte Murray on Tuesday, and the eight-year NBA veteran sounded right at home in his introductory news conference in the Big Easy.

Projecting three future Hall of Famers for the Carolina Panthers

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2023 will officially be inducted on Aug. 3. With less than a month until the annual event in Canton, Ohio, we're examining which players — past and present — on the league's 32 teams we think will one day receive a similar honor. Here are three Panthers who should eventually receive football immortality:

Daniil Medvedev's upset of Jannik Sinner only the start of daunting path to first Wimbledon title

Daniil Medvedev slayed one dragon in his pursuit of a first Wimbledon championship on Tuesday. Can he down two more?

Grizzlies' Zach Edey gets off to a promising start in Summer League debut

Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey made his presence felt in his first NBA Summer League action.

Watch: Incredible sequence gives Elly De La Cruz Reds' stolen base record

Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz set a remarkable franchise record against the Rockies on Monday.

The numbers that show Dan Hurley's contract extension is the biggest bargain in sports

UConn head coach Dan Hurley agreed to a six-year, $50M extension on Monday, a generous deal for the Huskies. Considered by most the best current men's college basketball coach, here are some numbers that show why his lucrative contract could be the biggest bargain in sports.

Yankees rookie Ben Rice makes franchise history against Red Sox

The Yankees broke out of their slump against the Red Sox on Saturday, and rookie first baseman Ben Rice played the starring role.