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Former Auburn guard/forward Chad Baker-Mazara announced Monday that he has committed to Southern Cal for the 2025-26 season.
Baker-Mazara, 25, made the announcement in a post to X.
Baker-Mazara spent two seasons at Auburn and was a key component on the Tigers' Final Four team this past season.
Baker-Mazara is benefiting from a temporary waiver allowing athletes who played a year outside the NCAA -- in Baker-Mazara's case, junior college -- to have an additional season of NCAA eligibility.
He played one season apiece at Duquesne and San Diego State before spending 2022-23 at Northwest Florida State. In his 119 career games at the Division I level, he has averaged 9.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
His best season was 2024-25, when he started 34 of 38 games for the Tigers and put up 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
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Bears GM speaks out after superstar goes down with injury
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is expected to miss most of training camp due to a leg injury, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. Johnson was placed on the non-football injury list when veterans reported to Chicago for camp. He suffered the injury during offseason training, according to Bears general manager Ryan Poles. Johnson is coming off his second consecutive Pro Bowl and is headed into the second year of a four-year, $76 million deal. He has dealt with a number of injuries over his career, playing no more than 15 games in a season over the first four years of his career. In 2024, he played a full season for the first time, starting all 17 games with a career-high 1,032 snaps. An extended absence into the regular season would force Chicago to find another starting cornerback among their veteran depth, but Poles said that the team is not “overly concerned” about a long-term injury. “We’ve got a lot of faith that he’s going to put in the time to rehab and be his full self when he comes back,” said Poles on Tuesday. 2023 fifth-rounder Terell Smith will likely step into a first-team role in Johnson’s absence. Chicago largely relied on a cornerback trio of Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon last year; Smith is the only remaining defensive back on the roster who played at least 150 snaps on the boundary for the Bears in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. Offseason signings Nick McCloud and Tre Flowers may also see a bump in reps over the coming weeks as Johnson rehabs his leg with his eyes on returning for the Bears’ Week 1 opener against the Vikings.
Royals acquire outfield help in perplexing trade with Diamondbacks
The Kansas City Royals were hoping to bolster their outfield ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. They were able to do just that in a trade on Saturday. Steve Gilbert from MLB.com reported that the Royals have acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com reported that relief pitcher Andrew Hoffman will head to Arizona in exchange for Grichuk. The Royals desperately needed help in their outfield. Royals outfielders had been the worst in the majors, posting an atrocious .219/.273/.328 batting line with just 19 home runs entering Saturday's action. Although Grichuk is in the midst of a disappointing season himself, he is an immediate upgrade over whatever the Royals have sent into the outfield. Grichuk had posted a .243/.280/.462 batting line in 186 plate appearances entering Saturday, hitting seven homers and 15 doubles. In exchange, the Diamondbacks receive Hoffman, who FanGraphs ranked as the Royals' 22nd-best prospect entering the season. His upper-90s fastball and new kick change are both considered plus offerings, although his ability to command his arsenal is questionable at best. Hoffman's potential and flaws were evident this season. He made his major league debut for the Royals, allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings, striking out five. However, Hoffman had dominated at Triple-A, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP over his 40 innings, striking out 55 batters with just 10 walks. He is another intriguing addition for a Diamondbacks team that has prioritized pitching in their two trades thus far. The same upside does not exist for the Royals. Kansas City had the same record as the Diamondbacks entering the second game of their doubleheader against the Guardians. Grichuk signed a one-year contract with $5 million guaranteed for 2025. There is a mutual option worth $5 million, with a $3 million buyout, for 2026. Theoretically, Grichuk could be part of the Royals' plans next season. However, mutual options are rarely picked up. As the Royals are currently under .500 and need to pass four teams in the standings to seize the final wild-card spot, adding a rental option does not make sense. It is possible that both sides can work out an arrangement for 2026, but unless that happens, the Royals' latest move is questionable at best.
Quinn Ewers’ Camp Performance Forces Dolphins Into Tough QB Decision
Being the backup quarterback isn't necessarily the most exciting role for anyone, but for a team like the Miami Dolphins, where starter Tua Tagovailoa has suffered four concussions since entering the NFL in 2020, it could be vital. As of now, a clear battle for that spot has formed between rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers and veteran former first-round selection Zach Wilson as they go head-to-head. Of course, training camp is where these kinds of questions can be solved, and so far, it appears that Ewers has done a good job in putting his best foot forward. On Friday, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel gave a very positive update on the young quarterback, stating, "Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers had a strong third practice of training camp. Made several impressive, big-time throws." The update sparked conversations among many fans, both supporting Ewers and a serious showing that there's interest in seeing who comes out on top. "Show ‘em, Quinn," said one comment. "He just does a lot of things (anticipatory throws, timing throws, MOTF accuracy, etc.) that fit this system much better than what Wilson does. I think with refinement and development we could have a backup in Miami that can operate the offense efficiently…finally," said another. "Love to hear it!" a third added. A fourth stated, "I'd be surprised if he's not the backup.." "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Quinn Ewers has the physical tools to stick at the next level. It’s just a matter of shaping the rest," a fifth continued. "That’s QB2 potential QB1 in the future Glad we drafted Ewers," said another. Another big test for both Ewers and Wilson will be during the Dolphins' three preseason games, as the coaching staff will get a much better look at how these two perform during live matchups. Luckily for both, though, being the backup is all they're truly fighting for, as Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports predicts that each will make the final 53-man roster, with cuts needing to be made by Aug. 27.
Terry McLaurin makes big decision amid his contract holdout
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been seeking a contract extension this offseason, but he is no longer holding out for a new deal. McLaurin began training camp as a holdout earlier this week, as he did not show up to the team facility on the first day of mandatory practice. The veteran is now officially in the building, although he is still not practicing. McLaurin reported to training camp on Sunday morning. The Commanders announced that they have moved him from the reserve/did not report list to the active/physically unable to perform list. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that McLaurin has "some sort of ankle injury." Schefter also said that McLaurin's decision to show up to work is not an indication that the Commanders have made progress in extension talks with their star receiver. By showing up for training camp, McLaurin will no longer be subject to fines of $50,000 per day. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters he is "really pumped" to have McLaurin back with the team. McLaurin is in the final year of a three-year, $68M extension he signed in 2022. He is reportedly seeking to become one of the five highest-paid receivers in the NFL, which would mean an average annual salary of around $32M or more. McLaurin led Washington last season with 82 receptions, 117 targets and 1,096 receiving yards. He also had 13 touchdown catches, which was second in the NFL. Though the Commanders acquired Deebo Samuel in a trade this offseason, McLaurin has a close relationship with Jayden Daniels. The second-year quarterback made that clear recently when speaking about his teammate. McLaurin will turn 30 in September. He is trying to capitalize on signing an extension in the wake of his fifth consecutive season with 1,000 or more receiving yards.
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