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

2024 NFL Draft all-underrated team: 10 prospects who are better than you think

The 2024 NFL Draft is ripe with quality players flying under the radar, or at least at a lower altitude than they should. With exactly three weeks until the Bears officially kick off the draft, here are 10 underrated prospects in this year's class you need to know.

Women's Final Four burning questions: Where is South Carolina most vulnerable?

The women's NCAA Tournament's Final Four features a pair of games, UConn-Iowa and NC State-South Carolina, with several intriguing matchups and storylines. Here are four questions whose answers will determine which teams advance to Sunday's national championship game.

Fox Sports unveils unnecessary college basketball tournament for 2025

Are you ready for some meaningless postseason college basketball? If so, Fox Sports has the product just for you.

Bears HC's comments could hint at team's draft plans

The Bears, who are widely expected to select quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, also have the ninth selection in the first round.

Angel Reese's decision gives 2024 WNBA draft class even more star power

Angel Reese is going pro. On Wednesday, the 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year announced she's declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Texans become legitimate Super Bowl contenders with addition of Stefon Diggs

The Texans are in the process of completing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory.

Watch: Phillies 1B Bryce Harper breaks slump with two HRs vs. Reds

Harper broke out of his hitless slump to begin the 2024 season in a major way on Tuesday night. Following an 0-for-11 start in Philadelphia's first three games, Harper hit two home runs in his first two at-bats against the Reds.

LSU-Iowa was most-watched women's college basketball game ever

If you watched Iowa's 94-87 win over LSU in the Elite Eight on Monday night, you weren't alone.  Per ESPN, an astounding 12.3 million people tuned into the second regional final in Albany, N.Y., breaking the record for most viewers of a women's basketball game in television history.

Five more records Caitlin Clark could break in the Final Four

Believe it or not, Iowa's Caitlin Clark still has records to break.

Monday's women's takeaways: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers shine in wins

Monday night delivered. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins all put on a show in the regional finals, setting up an excellent Final Four matchup.

Sensational Caitlin Clark propels Iowa to Final Four with win over LSU

The second round goes to the Hawkeyes. Iowa avenged last year's national title game loss to LSU with a 94-87 win in the Elite Eight on Monday night. The Hawkeyes advance to their second consecutive Final Four and third in program history.

Watch: Caitlin Clark sets D-I record for most made-threes in explosive third quarter

Caitlin Clark's illustrious college career continues to become even more incredible.

Watch: Iowa's Caitlin Clark sets record in high-scoring first quarter vs. LSU

Another game, another record broken.In a fast-paced first quarter, Clark broke the record for most threes made in D-I women's NCAA Tournament history when she made her 62nd all-time.

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.