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

Twitter/X: @ericsmithling

Muck Rack: eric-smithling

February 19, 2024 | NASCAR

Watch: 'The big one' hits with eight laps to go at Daytona 500

Twenty-two cars were involved in a massive pile-up with eight laps remaining at Monday's Daytona 500 that occurred when William Byron's No. 24 Chevrolet clipped the back-right bumper of Brad Keselowki's No. 6 Ford.

February 19, 2024 | NASCAR

Watch: Chase Elliott wins first stage at Daytona 500

Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott earned the first playoff points of the NASCAR season by winning the first stage of the Daytona 500.

February 17, 2024 | Golden State Warriors

Best and worst of All-Star Saturday: Curry-Ionescu shootout sizzles, dunk contest fizzles

As fun as the competition was, more importantly, the pair laid the foundation for an event that should become a fixture at future All-Star weekends.

February 17, 2024 | NBA

Watch: Steph Curry out-shoots Sabrina Ionescu in competitive three-point contest

Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu broke new ground for what a three-point contest can look like.

February 17, 2024 | College Basketball

UConn shows why it should be NCAA Tournament favorite with dominant win over Marquette

The Huskies are firing on all cylinders.

February 17, 2024 | Los Angeles Kings

Watch: Kings defenseman's first career goal completes L.A. comeback

With the win, the Kings have 62 points and hold the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

February 17, 2024 | Houston Cougars

Watch: Houston dunk causes technical delay

Houston senior forward J'Wan Roberts' emphatic dunk against Texas was the only respite for the Longhorns on Saturday.

February 17, 2024 | Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama closes in on SEC record with blowout win over Texas A&M

Another game, another 100-point performance for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

February 17, 2024 | Texas Longhorns

Stakes raised for Steve Sarkisian at Texas after receiving massive contract extension

Sarkisian remains a feel-good story, but the stakes are higher for him after receiving a sizable raise and all of the perks that come with it.

February 15, 2024 | MLB

Potential landing spots for the top five remaining MLB free agents

Spring training is upon us, but sluggers, aces and defensive stalwarts are still plenty available in free agency.

February 15, 2024 | Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Connor Bedard to make return just six weeks after breaking jaw

Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard is returning to the ice for the first time since he broke his jaw on Jan. 5.

February 15, 2024 | College Football

The top five offseasons in college football

With coaching changes and transfer portal arrivals and departures, this year's college football offseason was as wild as any in recent memory. Here are five teams that have the most to celebrate with the frenzy in the rearview.

February 14, 2024 | Kansas City Chiefs

Watch: Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones announces 2024 plans

Kansas City Chiefs DL Chris Jones unofficially announced that he would be returning to the back-to-back defending champs for the 2024-25 NFL season.

February 12, 2024 | Kansas Jayhawks

Blowout loss to Texas Tech a concerning sign for Kansas in the NCAA Tournament

The result revealed a glaring issue for Kansas, one that could sink its NCAA Tournament hopes.

February 12, 2024 | NBA

Watch: Knicks lose on controversial foul with less than a second remaining

An excellent Knicks-Rockets game on Monday night was undone by a controversial foul call on Knicks guard Jalen Brunson with 0.3 seconds remaining.

February 12, 2024 | San Antonio Spurs

Watch: Victor Wembanyama records first 10-block game against Raptors

Victor Wembanyama has lived up to the hype during his rookie season.

February 12, 2024 | Pittsburgh Steelers

Former No. 2 overall pick cut by Steelers after two seasons

The Steelers elected to part ways with Mitch Trubisky on Monday.

February 12, 2024 | NFL

The best and worst of Super Bowl LVIII

A dynasty is born. Super Bowl LVIII lived up to the hype as the Chiefs won an overtime thriller, 25-22, in the longest game in Super Bowl history. Here is the best and worst of the big game, which gave Kansas City its third Super Bowl victory in five seasons.