Leading up to the spring transfer portal window opening, I expected the Oklahoma Sooners to pursue at least one cornerback in the portal to help add some experience to a rather young secondary.
While the Sooners pursued some names, it became quickly evident that it was a position they weren't going to seriously pursue or prioritize over other spots on the roster, something that surprised many, including me. In such a critical year, leaving the corner room with as much youth and inexperience as it has felt like an unforced error.
However, Brent Venables is excited about the potential of the youth at cornerback and the players they have returning. At SEC Media Days, he expressed his belief in the corner room, citing one young high-upside player as a player they could depend on this season.
"Use Jacobe Johnson as an example. A guy that was probably a little better high school offensive player with amazing and tremendous upside as a defensive player with length and speed and skill. He just didn’t know what he didn’t know. Played country Cover 3 most of the time, learning how to be a great man-to-man player, a great zone player and all of the things that go with that. He’s been one of our most productive, aggressive, disruptive special teams player. We’re seeing those little things transition as a full-time defensive player. Again, I think he’ll play his best year of defensive football this year because of all the reasons I just said."
I've written about Jacobe Johnson in the past as a player who repeatedly caught my eye last season with his athletic tools. After the Missouri game, I noted that if it weren't for an unfortunate slip at a crucial moment, we would be talking about Johnson's performance as an encouraging one.
Johnson taking that next step as a player, alongside returning Freshman All-American Eli Bowen and Gentry Williams, explains why the Sooners and Brent Venables elected not to send the house on any cornerbacks in the spring transfer portal window.
It's still a slightly risky gamble, but this staff has an eye for talent and I trust their track record of development, especially after last season.
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Bill Belichick is in his first season as a college head coach after 50 years of coaching in the NFL, and the six-time Super Bowl champion has already noticed some differences between the two jobs. Belichick answered a variety of questions from reporters during ACC Media Days on Thursday. The North Carolina coach was asked to compare coaching college players versus professionals. Belichick spoke about how college players have fewer “bad habits.” “The great thing about working with college players is the growth and development; to see how much they improve from the spring to training camp,” Belichick said. “On the college end, sometimes the players are younger and less skilled but they are also more receptive to coaching.” Belichick essentially said the success that some NFL players had at the collegiate level tends to go to their heads. He said there were a few exceptions to that, and Tom Brady was one of them. “They’re more anxious to learn fundamentally the right way and they really embrace it,” Belichick said of college players, via Brad Crawford of CBS Sports. “That’s not always the case in the NFL. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t. (Tom) Brady was always willing and open to learn. Other guys were more set in their ways because they had success doing it a certain way in high school and college.” Of course, Belichick dodged any questions about his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordan Hudson. With college players now able to make money in the NIL era, many believe college football will become an extension of the NFL. Based on what Belichick said, that has not been the case in his first several months at Chapel Hill. Belichick is widely considered to be the greatest NFL coach of all time. There has been some skepticism about how his experience will translate to college, but he seems to be enjoying it thus far.
There is not a bigger sporting event in North America than the Super Bowl, and tickets are only getting more expensive every year. There is also a ridiculous secondary market for tickets where seats sell for well above the original face value. It is usually fans or ticket resellers going for a quick profit. But as was reported on Friday, sometimes it can be players in the NFL looking to make a profit. According to multiple reports, including the Associated Press and ESPN, more than 100 players are facing fines and potential suspensions for selling their allotment of tickets to this year's Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs for above face value. Players are reportedly facing fines of one-and-a-half times the face value they originally paid for the tickets, while they are also prevented from purchasing tickets to the Super Bowl for the next seasons. The Associated Press obtained a memo from the NFL detailing the violation and investigation. That memo was as follows: “Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL Clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the Policy. This long-standing League Policy, which is specifically incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, prohibits League or Club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less. We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.” If players are not willing to pay the fine, they could be facing suspension from the league. It seems unlikely that any of the players — none of whom have been named, or their teams — would refuse to pay such a fine. It's also one of those moments where you can say, professional athletes — they're still normal people trying to make a quick buck. The most logical answer here is perhaps some of the players caught up in this are younger players who have not yet struck it rich on a big contract or perhaps even practice squad players who are not making top dollar.
The Las Vegas Raiders just stunned the league by releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins after only one year with the team. After signing a four-year, $110 million contract, he struggled with injuries in 2024. This was supposed to be a big bounce-back year for Wilkins, but after a dispute between the two sides in regard to how to handle his foot injury, the team decided it was best to part ways. Now, a premier interior disruptor is suddenly available. Assuming his medicals get checked out soon, there should be a lot of interest around the league. Where should he land? Dallas Cowboys Dallas has needed a dominant interior presence for quite some time. Osa Odighizuwa is an awesome threat, but he is only solid against the run. Alongside him, the team will be banking heavily on 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, who has been disappointing so far. With Dallas looking to return to the playoffs, adding a stud like Wilkins could give Dallas one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. San Francisco 49ers The 49ers added some young bodies in CJ West and Alfred Collins, yet neither offer a proven, all-around talent like Wilkins could if healthy. The 49ers defensive line was horrid outside of Nick Bosa in 2024, but by adding Wilkins, the team would now have a solid cast of starters with Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Wilkins and Kevin Givens/Jordan Elliott. Miami Dolphins A return to Miami makes a ton of sense for both sides. The Dolphins know exactly how to use Wilkins, he knows the building and players, and the transition would be very easy. Miami needs help in the interior defensive line; by plugging Wilkins back into his old role, he could offer the quickest path to high-level impact. Detroit Lions With Levi Onwuzurike out with injury and Detroit needing more juice on the defensive line, adding a proven disruptor like Wilkins could make some sense. He could provide more depth while he gets fully healthy, and he can join a legit Super Bowl contender. His energy and mentality could be a good fit for a Dan Campbell-led squad. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars defense is average in the interior, but they have excellent edge-rushers who would benefit greatly from a strong disruptor up the middle. Wilkins could balance the front, help in the run defense and allow more one-on-ones for their premier edge-rushers. For a team that wants to return to the playoffs as soon as possible, adding a veteran like Wilkins could be a worthy bet to make.
The Green Bay Packers are adding one extra offensive piece to the roster. On Friday, the team claimed running back Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers. He had been waived by the Niners, where he spent seven months, on Thursday. Abanikanda played college football at Pittsburgh and was drafted in the 2023 fifth round by the New York Jets. He was cut by the Jets last December and claimed by the 49ers right thereafter. Because his original rookie contract has never been terminated, he is now under control of the Packers through 2026. The running back only had playing time in regular season games during his rookie season. Abanikanda appeared in six games, with 22 carries for 70 yards (3.2 yards per attempt), plus seven receptions in 11 targets for 43 yards. In 2023, he played 7% of the offensive snaps and 1% of the special teams snaps for the Jets. Since Israel Abanikanda played for Nathaniel Hackett and Kyle Shanahan, he has a fairly decent understanding of the Green Bay Packers' offensive scheme under Matt LaFleur, which will help his transition throughout training camp. Profile Back in 2023, Abanikanda was projected as a third/fourth-round prospect by NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein. His one-cut ability, important for LaFleur's offensive style, was highlighted on his draft report. "A zone-scheme runner with early down size, Abanikanda can be a bit inconsistent with his reads and tempo early in the run. However, he has plant-and-go agility and is able to snap off cuts at tight angles to elude short-area traffic when needed. He has terrific top-end speed to gash a poorly fitted run front, but he needs to run with better discipline and downhill decisiveness to stay ahead of NFL speed. Abanikanda isn't much of a third down option, but he does have the size and talent to compete for a RB2/3 slot early on with a chance to move up the depth chart in time." — Lance Zierlein. Depth The Packers are relatively short at running back because undrafted rookie Amar Johnson started camp in the active/non-football injury list. He can be activated at any time, but it makes sense to add one more option to the backfield meanwhile. The top of the depth chart has Josh Jacobs, last year's third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd, and holdovers Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks. Most likely also competing for a practice squad spot is another undrafted rookie, Jalen White. Green Bay already had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move is necessary. The Packers have already had three practices during camp. The next one is on Sunday. Green Bay's first preseason game happens on August 9, curiously against the Jets at Lambeau Field.
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