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

New Orleans adds QB with strong ties to the Saints already

The New Orleans Saints bolstered their QB room by adding QB Jake Haener with the 25th pick (127th overall) of the fourth round. He should feel right at home.

Eagles add third Georgia defender in 2023 NFL Draft

Georgia fielded an elite defense the past two seasons, and it makes sense why NFL teams would want to poach its stars.

Reassessing NBA championship favorites with conference semifinals underway

Per OddsChecker, there's a clear favorite to win it all, and it isn't the top remaining seed in the playoffs.

Five teams that improved most through the first three rounds of NFL Draft

Here are five teams that made the most of their picks and look much better because of it.

Saints draft Notre Dame all-time sack leader 40th overall

A significant weakness in 2022-23 is turning into a potential strength for the New Orleans Saints in the upcoming season. The Saints drafted Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame's all-time sack leader, with the 40th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after losing Marcus Davenport in free agency earlier this offseason.

Potential top-five pick drops out of first round of NFL Draft

The situation grew more and more uncomfortable every time network draft coverage turned to footage of him in the draftees' lounge awaiting a call that never came.

Saints 2023 first-round pick showed resiliency in path to NFL

New Orleans filled its biggest need by selecting defensive tackle Bryan Bresee -- a player who's shown unbelievable resiliency in his journey to becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick.

Atlanta Falcons leave holes open with selection of Bijan Robinson

For as talented as new Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson might be, the Atlanta Falcons' selection of him with the eighth pick in the draft was something of a puzzler.

Panthers select Alabama QB Bryce Young first overall in 2023 NFL Draft

Bryce Young's elite playmaking ability ended up being too much for Carolina to overlook. On Thursday, the Panthers selected Young first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

LSU building super team with huge transfer portal addition

The defending champs — despite already being a threat to repeat in 2024 — got a lot better on Thursday, and the target on their back got a lot bigger, too.

Hits and misses: Revisiting the 2020 NFL Draft

Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum once said that it takes three years to truly evaluate a draft. In that context, it's a perfect time to revisit the 2020 first round. Yardbarker's Michael Gallagher and Eric Smithling (break it down.

Clippers reveal extent of Kawhi Leonard injury following first-round exit

The day after Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs, it announced star forward Kawhi Leonard tore the meniscus in his right knee. 

Insider reveals Green Bay's plan with its first-round pick

A new era of Green Bay football is upon us but according to the latest round of draft rumors, it could begin by looking a lot like the last one.

End of an error: Wolves' Rudy Gobert gamble flames out in first-round loss

During a season where the Wolves front office went all-in on being a champion contender, the lackluster playoff showing should mark the end of a failed experiment.

Trae Young's heroics lead to Hawks' Game 5 comeback

Atlanta came back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 119-117 after Trae Young hit a three with 1.8 seconds remaining to extend the series to a sixth game.

Falcons GM addresses upcoming NFL Draft, the 'most uncertain' of his tenure

If you have no clue what's going to happen during the upcoming NFL Draft, you aren't alone. Neither does Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot.

Will Alabama make run at former Notre Dame QB in transfer portal?

Earlier this offseason, the Tide hired former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees for the same position. If Nick Saban is unsatisfied with the program's current options at QB, pursuing one who's familiar with Rees's offense isn't the worst idea in the world.

SEC considering drastic proposal to curb field-storming

The SEC will soon vote on a motion that it hopes will drastically deter schools from allowing fans to storm the field after huge wins.

Why the Jets won the Aaron Rodgers trade

The Jets finally acquired Aaron Rodgers on Monday and they didn't have to wreck their future. 

Which 2023 NFL Draft prospects could be the next Brock Purdy?

Purdy's success can serve as inspiration for all of the QBs not viewed on the same level as this year's top prospects.

Legendary coach changes phone number after lip readers figure out his old one

St. John's head coach Rick Pitino shared a humorous anecdote following his attendance of the Knicks' Game 4 win over the Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon.

Are Cardinals 'borderline desperate' to make move during draft?

Among the potential surprises at this year's NFL Draft, Arizona staying put at third overall would rank as one of the biggest.

Alabama RB's stock rising in 2023 NFL Draft

ESPN's Todd McShay served some draft-week tea on Monday and among many intriguing nuggets was a blurb on the rising stock of Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Colorado football breaks ice on the Deion Sanders era

Colorado's football program has been under a block of ice for two decades but Sanders has quickly unthawed it.

Watch: LSU WR records incredible one-handed catch in spring game

"Wide Receiver U" is back in session. College football spring games are, more than anything, a litmus test for where players and units stand heading into the summer.