Yardbarker

Zach Wadley

Contributor

Zach Wadley's sportswriting career began at the age of 12 when he started covering Little League games for his local newspaper. Since then, he's worked in the sports information field where he merged his love of writing, social media, and broadcasting. He is a graduate of Anderson University (IN).

College football's most important people in Week 9

As Week 9 begins, several top defenses will be tested by quality quarterbacks. Here are Yardbarker's 10 most important people who will define the week.

Scout offers Yankees-Dodgers assessments ahead of World Series Game 1

Before the World Series, Yardbarker spoke to a Major League Baseball scout, who assessed both teams. In exchange for his candor, YB granted him anonymity.

Rob Manfred deserves this World Series moment

Game times are down, steals are up and people are engaging more frequently. And what is Manfred's reward for his toil? A World Series for the ages.

Top five Week 9 college football games: TV info, predictions, start times

After a pair of SEC showdowns highlighted Week 8, Week 9 is no slouch. Here are the top five games of the week.

Tony Bennett's retirement illustrates new age of college athletics

When Virginia HC Andy Bennett knew that the college sports landscape had passed him by, he stepped into retirement.

Careful what you wish for: Could White Sox leave Chicago if Jerry Reinsdorf sells team?

Chicago White Sox fans understandably are itching for new ownership, but should keep in mind that Nashville is over seven hours away.

How Bears' Caleb Williams stacks up against most recent No. 1 overall QBs

It's naturally been an up-and-down start for Caleb Williams, but there have been signs of improvement and flashes of why the Bears made him the top pick in the draft. How does he compare to some other quarterbacks recently selected No. 1 overall.

Top five Week 8 college football games: TV info, predictions, start times

Here are the top five games of the upcoming week of college football.

College football's most important people in Week 7

The pressure is ratcheted up a few notches in college football for Week 7, which features multiple matchups of ranked teams.

Small-payroll teams making big noise in MLB playoffs

The little guys are keeping the big guys on their toes.

Latest Georgia arrest should put microscope on program

Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young was arrested Tuesday morning on misdemeanor charges of battery and assault on an unborn child, becoming the latest Georgia football player to be arrested in what has become a troubling trend under head coach Kirby Smart.

Top five Week 7 college football games: TV info, predictions, start times

Buckle your seatbelts. Three Top 25 showdowns plus a slew of other quality games make this week can't-miss television.

Why Gonzaga finally made the leap from the WCC to the Pac-12

 In the age of conference realignment, schools have clamored for more money, more exposure and rarely cared about geography or rivalries. While some schools jumped from league to league, Gonzaga proved every realignment rumor to be nothing more than that.

Say hello to Parker Meadows — the budding star demanding your attention in the MLB playoffs

A 20-something young outfielder has burst on the scene during the MLB playoffs. He is clutch at the plate, makes spectacular plays on defense and demands your attention this October.

Royals, Orioles provide glimpse of MLB's future

A potential glimpse of the future begins Tuesday in MLB's wild-card round, a three-day sprint of up to 12 games involving eight teams. Plenty is on the line, but one particular series means more: The Orioles-Royals series includes players who may be the faces of the game for MLB over the next 15 years.

Top five Week 6 college football games: TV info, predictions, start time

Anything can happen in college football conference play. What may look like chalk rarely is. It's time to see what surprises Week 6 holds. Here are the five best games of the weekend ranked in inverse order.

College football's most important people in Week 5

 A massive weekend of college football is upon us. Ranked matchups, old rivalries and playoff implications headline the schedule. Here are the people who will have the biggest impact on the weekend's results.

Baylor's Dave Aranda and the razor-thin margin of ending up on the hot seat

A Hail Mary and a goal-line fumble. That's all that has separated head coach Dave Aranda and the Baylor Bears from a massive win Saturday at Colorado. 

Top five Week 5 college football games: TV info, predictions, start time

A clash of titans cometh. Georgia and Alabama have dominated the sport for the last decade, combining to win three of the last four national championships. But that heavyweight bout isn't the only game worth watching this week.

Top QB prospects should learn from Panthers' Bryce Young

After watching Young's situation unfold, highly rated quarterbacks getting ready to enter the league should take note, and perhaps take action. It could save their career.

What are the new Pac-12's prospects for men's basketball?

The Pac-12 picked itself up off the mat recently, raiding the Mountain West Conference to bring its total membership to six schools. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State are joining Oregon State and Washington State effective July 1, 2026.

Portland to become WNBA's 15th franchise in 2026

Portland has been at the forefront of the women's sports explosion over the past several years, making it an ideal destination for the WNBA to expand. 

Is Florida, Florida State equipped to succeed moving forward?

Things aren't so bright these days in the Sunshine State — at least not when it comes to college football.

Top five Week 4 college football games: TV info, predictions, start time

While nonconference matchups can be fun, the conference slate is what drives college football. Week 4 is the first big week of conference games, and a quartet of ranked matchups highlights the calendar.

Star's injury signals end of Rangers' lost season, but team has hope for 2025

The Rangers' bid for a repeat World Series title is virtually deflated, as the last drop of air was taken out with the announcement that star shortstop Corey Seager is done for the season because of sports hernia surgery.