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

Watch: SC State's gaffe sends Norfolk State to men's NCAA Tournament

An excruciating South Carolina State mental error allowed Norfolk State to clinch the Mid-Eastern American Conference (MEAC)'s NCAA Tournament auto-bid on Saturday.

Son of legendary HC boosts profile after clinching first NCAA Tournament appearance

The son of a legendary former men's basketball coach put his name on the map on Saturday as his team clinched the second NCAA Tournament bid in program history.

Texas should be NCAA Tournament-bound after 2OT win over No. 14 Texas A&M

Texas might have punched its ticket to next week's NCAA Tournament with a rousing 94-89 double overtime win over No. 14 Texas A&M in the second round of the SEC Tournament on Thursday.

Texans offensive line in worse shape after offseason acquisitions

Houston has a problem. And it's getting worse. The Texans had one of the league's worst offensive lines in 2024, and the unit has gotten weaker since the start of free agency.

Duke should use caution after Cooper Flagg's injury in ACC tourney quarterfinals

Duke has bigger problems than trailing Georgia Tech at halftime in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

NFL insider reveals 'ridiculous' Bengals asking price holding up potential Trey Hendrickson trade

The Bengals are going nowhere in their trade discussions centered around 2025 NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson.

SWAC chaos produces wildest moment of men's conference tournaments

Down goes No. 1. The SWAC delivered chaos on Wednesday when conference tournament No. 1 seed Southern (20-12, 15-3 in SWAC) lost in the quarterfinals to Grambling (12-21, 7-11 in SWAC), 65-62 in overtime.

'Joker' could help push Broncos offense to new heights in 2025

The veteran is exactly the kind of weapon Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, entering his second season, needs to accelerate his development.

Losing-record NEC program punches improbable NCAA Tournament bid

After enduring an ugly 13-17 regular season, it only makes sense that Saint Francis (PA) won the Northeast Conference championship in hideous fashion.

Saints could be one of NFL's most fascinating 2025 experiments

How much does coaching matter? The 2025 Saints will provide an answer.

Expected Colts QB signing runs counter to 2025 offseason objective

While the Colts were widely expected to add competition for quarterback Anthony Richardson during free agency, this probably isn't what fans had in mind.

Jonathan Allen signing gives Vikings an identity for 2025

With uncertainty at quarterback, the Vikings are building a sure thing on defense. 

Wofford becomes the first Cinderella of this year's March Madness

We may have just found this year's Cinderella.

Tua Tagovailoa's health even more important after Dolphins agree to add former bust as backup

The Dolphins are once again banking their future on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's health.

Browns land potential Deshaun Watson replacement in proposed Eagles trade

Based on how poorly Watson played in 2024, this new addition could be the Browns' starting quarterback this season.

Winners, losers of Monday's NFL free agency: Commanders a big winner with looming trade

The NFL's legal tampering period opened on Monday with no shortage of contract agreements.

Takeaways from Lakers-Celtics: LeBron James injury puts hitch in Lakers' title hopes

The NBA's greatest rivalry was renewed on Saturday when the Celtics hosted the Lakers, but the game seems to have long-term effects for Los Angeles. 

SIU-Edwardsville punches first men's March Madness ticket

On Saturday, SIU-Edwardsville became the first team to punch its ticket to the men's NCAA Tournament, defeating favorite Southeast Missouri in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament final, 69-48.

Saints' Derek Carr move could do more harm than good

The Saints got significant cap relief on Saturday when they restructured quarterback Derek Carr's contract.

Braves could be without prized free-agent addition for start of season

The Braves could be without their prized 2025 free-agent acquisition to start the regular season.

Watch: No. 6 St. John's buzzer-beater caps wild finish at No. 20 Marquette

Considering how this storybook season has gone so far in Queens, it would be a shock if St. John's didn't go on a deep NCAA Tournament run.

Cowboys WR critical of team on way to free agency

He played in 10 games in 2024 and had career lows in receptions (26) and receiving yards (259).

Jaguars' latest move makes WR Brian Thomas Jr. even more important to offense

Coen and Gladstone's job this offseason is to get more players like Thomas in the building who can lead Jacksonville back to the playoffs.

Deshaun Watson's contract restructure gives Browns room to find 2025 QB

Watson was arguably the NFL's worst starting quarterback in 2024.

Five potential trade destinations for Seahawks WR DK Metcalf

The Seahawks should have a robust trade market for wide receiver DK Metcalf, who requested out of Seattle on Wednesday.