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

No ordinary Bubba: Micah Parsons' newest move harkens back to 1970s

Former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger offered high praise of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons over the weekend, saying the rising defensive star reminds him of Al "Bubba" Baker.

LeBron James high school sneakers expected to fetch incredible sum at auction

For those interested in walking a mile in LeBron James' shoes, that dream can become a reality early next year. The signed basketball shoes James wore during his first high school championship for the 1999-2000 season will be available at auction via Heritage Auctions on Feb. 25, 2023.

Eight 2022 NFL Draft steals besides 49ers QB Brock Purdy

The emergence of San Francisco QB Brock Purdy, who threw for 234 yards in a win Sunday, isn't the only great underdog story from the 2022 NFL Draft.

Browns eliminated from playoff contention with loss to Saints

Cleveland hosted New Orleans in frigid conditions on Saturday. After the Browns loss, they will officially be iced out of the playoffs for the 19th time in the past 20 seasons.

Watch: Eagles lineman pops the 'stache question to QB Gardner Minshew

Eagles teammate Jordan Mailata hopped in the pool of reporters Thursday to ask the most pertinent question of the week: When is the 'stache coming back?

Mets spending spree only adds pressure on team to win now

The only thing the Mets bought with their offseason spending spree was pressure to win a World Series in 2023. 

Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher whines about NIL, transfer portal

A year after celebrating the mythical top freshman class, Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher is in a worse place. The Aggies' incoming freshman class is ranked 15th, per On3, and A&M ranks last in the site's evaluation of incoming and outgoing talent via the transfer portal.

Dabo Swinney makes cringeworthy reference on Signing Day

Leave it to Clemson coach Dabo Swinney to deliver one of the more cringeworthy lines of 2022.

Draft evaluators whiffed on Jets QB Zach Wilson

As Wilson struggles through a tumultuous sophomore season, the analysis of him ahead of the 2021 draft is proving that talent evaluation is an inexact science. 

Former Jackson State player Travis Hunter takes his talents to Colorado

Travis Hunter — to the surprise of no one outside of a few hopeful Georgia Bulldogs fans — is headed to Colorado.

Golden State in a bad spot without Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is expected to be sidelined for the next month after he suffered a shoulder injury on Dec. 14 against the Indiana Pacers. Golden State is 1-3 in its past four games since his injury. 

The legend of Franco Harris is alive at the Pittsburgh International Airport

As the city of Pittsburgh mourns the loss of Franco Harris, the Pittsburgh International Airport honored the Steelers legend by moving his amazing statue from its regular place to a more prominent place in the lobby.

Please subscribe: Travis Hunter waiting on 100,000 YouTube subscribers to announce transfer portal decision

Travis Hunter's next video will undoubtedly go viral. The No. 1 overall prospect from the 2022 high school football class is in the transfer portal after a season at Jackson State. He announced on Wednesday that he'll share his decision once he reaches 100,000 subscribers on YouTube.

Stuck in Rice: QB J.T. Daniels hopes fourth stop offers him a fix

J.T. Daniels, much like an old iPhone, hopes getting stuck in rice will lead to a successful reboot. On Tuesday, the former highly touted prospect announced his decision to transfer to Rice University.

One school ran away with the best National Signing Day

Money talks, as the saying goes. And nowhere does it talk louder in college football than at Oregon.

10 things to know about the Immaculate Reception, the NFL's greatest play

The 50-year anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception" is Friday, a day before the Raiders-Steelers Christmas Eve game in Pittsburgh. The celebration, which is to include the retirement of running back Franco Harris' No. 32 jersey, will take on a somber tone with the news of his death Wednesday.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor goes from fantasy favorite to all-time flub

A season that started with a roar for Taylor's fantasy owners ended with a whimper.

New Auburn HC Hugh Freeze suffers first loss as Tigers coach

After visiting with Auburn, former NC State QB Devin Leary is transferring to the SEC after all. Only it won't be at Auburn. Instead, he'll be wearing Kentucky blue.

Masters Tournament opens a door that should be bolted shut

Because the Masters caved, LIV golfers Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson are among the six former winners who will get another shot at a green jacket in the 2023 tournament.

Tom Brady points figure at himself for Buccaneers' blown 17-point lead

Brady turned the ball over four times against the Bengals, leading to a 34-23 loss that dropped the Bucs to 6-8 on the season. His poor play allowed the Bengals to roar back from a 17-0 second-quarter deficit. Beginning in the third quarter, Brady turned the ball over on four consecutive possessions. At the beginning of the sequence, Tampa Bay led 17-6. The Bucs trailed 27-17 afterward.

Upcoming slate of NFL games scheduled for brutal forecasts

The weather is going to be frightful at several NFL stadiums this weekend.

Rams match most losses by defending Super Bowl champ in NFL history on MNF

There goes Sean McVay's "Chunky Soup" money. The Los Angeles Rams (4-10) tied the 1999 Denver Broncos for most losses by a defending Super Bowl champion with its 24-12 loss to Green Bay Monday night.

Minshew Mania could potentially hit Philly this weekend

Minshew has an 8-14 record in 22 starts. For his career, he is 544-for-861 (63.2%) for 6,003 yards with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Trevor Lawrence following in footsteps of Hall of Famer Troy Aikman

Trevor Lawrence's start to his NFL career resembles Hall of Famer Troy Aikman's, but the two QBs could diverge significantly in two weeks.