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

Ugly loss to Braves not the worst part of the day for sordid White Sox

The White Sox are at the bottom of MLB's barrel, both in terms of on-field production and basic decency.

Saturday's women's NCAA Tournament takeaways: Caitlin Clark shows all-around game in dominant win

The long-awaited tournament rematch between LSU and Iowa is officially on. Takeaways from Saturday's action in the women's NCAA Tournament.

LSU rides brilliant Flau'jae Johnson performance to second consecutive Elite Eight

Johnson was the undoubted star of the game for LSU, which says a lot considering she shares a court with senior guard Hailey Van Lith as well as senior forwards Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow.

What's at stake for each team in this year's Elite Eight

The stakes are high in the Elite Eight and that goes for everybody.

Opening Day winners and losers: Orioles shine, Giants disappoint

The 2024 MLB season kicked off in earnest on Thursday and featured dominant performances by the AL's and NL's best, a thriller in Houston and an unlikely hero in Cincinnati.

Watch: Base running error spoils Shohei Ohtani's first home Dodgers at-bat

Well, at least the Dodgers know Shohei Ohtani can hit the ball.

LeBron James breaks news of college basketball coaching hire

LeBron James broke a bit of college coaching news on social media.

Six biggest questions about the NBA's playoff picture

Here are the six most pressing questions surrounding the league as the regular season approaches its conclusion on Sunday, April 14.

Watch: Mike Trout hits first home run of 2024 MLB season off Corbin Burnes

Former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes was the Orioles' biggest offseason addition, but he had nothing on Angels' three-time MVP Mike Trout in the first game of the MLB season.

Where are they now? A look at batters in different places ahead of the MLB season

Opening Day for the 2024 MLB season is Thursday, and it will feature plenty of familiar faces in different places.

Five most compelling players remaining in women's NCAA Tournament

The women's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 tips off this weekend with no shortage of star power.

NCAA working to make sensible change to betting rules

The NCAA is hoping to put a stop to betting on player props.

Patriots wait until fourth round to draft QB in new ESPN mock draft

The Patriots draft their potential quarterback of the future in the 2024 NFL Draft 100 spots later than fans probably are expecting in draft analyst Matt Miller's most recent mock draft for ESPN.

Upset alert: How men's No. 1 seeds could lose in Sweet 16

What a difference a year makes. One season after the men's NCAA Tournament made history with no No. 1 seed advancing to the Elite Eight, all four No. 1s are a win away from advancing to the tournament's quarterfinal round.

Star DE Princely Umanmielen shares major difference between Ole Miss and Florida

It didn't take defensive end Princely Umanmielen long to realize there was a big difference between playing at Ole Miss and Florida.

Ranking which division should be featured on in-season 'Hard Knocks,' from best to worst

The in-season edition of the NFL's "Hard Knocks" HBO series just got crowded.

Huge kickoff rule change expected to increase special teams production

The NFL approved a significant rule change for special teams on Tuesday that should breathe fresh life into a decaying play.

Ugly loss to Spurs a troubling sign for Suns in closing regular-season stretch

The Suns hit a roadblock in their journey to the playoffs on Monday. Two days after blowing out the Spurs 131-106, Phoenix lost 104-102 in its second consecutive game in San Antonio. 

A healthy Paige Bueckers means UConn is a legit title contender

By leading UConn to its record-extending 30th consecutive Sweet 16 with 32 points in Monday's 72-64 win over Syracuse, guard Paige Bueckers announced the Huskies have what it takes to win a national title.

NFL attempts to alter its DNA with hip-drop tackle ban

So long to the NFL you once knew.

Shohei Ohtani's statement on former translator's betting scandal raises as many questions as it answers

On Monday, Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani addressed the media for the first time since his former translator, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired. We have just as many questions now as we had before.

Saturday's NCAA men's tournament takeaways: Gonzaga is peaking at right time, NBA Draft prospect's stock rises

Gonzaga is doing Gonzaga things again. This and other takeaways from Saturday's games in the men's NCAA Tournament.

Saturday's NCAA women's tournament takeaways: Stars shine bright on Day 2 of first round

Saturday's first round of the NCAA women's tournament featured stars galore. From Iowa's Caitlin Clark to Syracuse's Dyaisha Fair, to stellar freshmen JuJu Watkins (USC) and Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), some of the very best talent in the sport took to the court.

Arizona reaches second Sweet 16 under HC Tommy Lloyd with win over Dayton

The Arizona Wildcats are living the sweet life.