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Penn State's James Franklin plays down USC speculation
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin has been linked with the USC Trojans in rumors and reports for years, and that continued Monday shortly after USC athletic director Mike Bohn confirmed the school had parted ways with head coach Clay Helton.
Franklin's program began the season with back-to-back wins and is now preparing to face the No. 22 Auburn Tigers this Saturday night, so the coach understandably didn't want to discuss any job openings on Tuesday.
"As you know, I can’t stand any form of distraction," Franklin explained, per Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I’ll discuss this today with our leadership council so that we can make sure all of our energy is on our preparation for Auburn."
Franklin continued: "That’s how we’ll handle it. I’m going to talk to the leadership council today about it."
Penn State is ranked No. 10.
Wilborn adds that Franklin, who holds a record of 62-28 with Penn State and is in his eighth year with the university, is under contract through 2025, and that deal includes a buyout worth $4 million. It's likely neither of those realities would prevent the 49-year-old from pursuing a move to USC if he's keen on relocating to the West Coast, and his refusal to vehemently deny he's interested in the available gig could ultimately sink his team's chances of accomplishing something special this fall if such stories become a distraction in the locker room.
More must-reads:
- Report: Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy a candidate for USC opening
- Former Washington HC Chris Petersen not interested in USC job
- The 'Penn State Nittany Lions players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft' quiz
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Ohio State Buckeyes’ costly addition is on the brink of looking like he chose the wrong school to transfer to
Not only did Ryan Day name Julian Sayin the starting quarterback of the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday, but he also revealed his key protector at left tackle. Austin Siereveld has had a remarkable rise for the Buckeyes since last December. He is now a team captain, the starting left tackle, and an Iron Buckeye. “You guys keep asking the question,” Day stated jokingly as the media laughed. “Alright, mercy. Austin (Siereveld) will be at left tackle. But that’s it, you guys aren’t getting any more.” That announcement means one of Ohio State’s most important transfer portal additions may not actually start this fall. Landing offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa from Rice was considered a huge win for the Buckeyes, and many expected him to lock down the left tackle spot. Instead, Siereveld emerged as the better option, leaving Onianwa to battle for the right tackle job. Onianwa is competing with Minnesota transfer Phillip Daniels, and recent momentum suggests Daniels may have the edge to win that position. The silver lining for Ohio State is their depth up front, with players like Onianwa, Ian Moore, and Josh Padilla ready to step in. “I think right now we would say that we’re probably at six or seven guys that we feel comfortable putting in a game on the offensive line,” Day explained. “I don’t think we’ve fully decided how many reps everybody will play on the line, but I think you will see a little bit of a rotation.” If Onianwa doesn’t start, he could still play a key role at some point this season. Still, it would be a tough break for the 6-foot-7, 331-pound transfer, who didn’t need to return to college but chose to do so for another year.
Steelers undrafted rookie reportedly upset Mike Tomlin before being cut
The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly had a few quality undrafted free agents during 2025 training camp and preseason, as many of them have put up an actual fight to make it to the 53-man roster. Unfortunately, there is very little room on the team, so some very tough decisions will have to be made on that front. Guys like Max Hurleman and JJ Galbreath have been stating their case throughout camp and into gameday, giving the coaching staff a good problem. One decision was surprisingly easy, however. During his weekly Q A chat, insider Ray Fittipaldo was asked about undrafted rookie Roc Taylor and why he was let go right after the preseason Week 2 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spoke about something that happened right before that contest. "[Roc Taylor] actually got in Tomlin's doghouse at the joint practice," Fittipaldo said. "Not sure if that's the sole reason he was cut, but maybe part of it." Fittipaldo would not expand on what happened, but head coach Mike Tomlin saw enough of the rookie before gameday. It looked like Taylor would at least get first dibs on a practice-squad spot if he was released on roster cutdown day, but now, it seems like his chance of developing in Pittsburgh is gone entirely. Now, he is just hoping someone gives him a call for a chance to be on a practice squad elsewhere. It seemed like Taylor's stock was rising after preseason Week 2. Hurleman had a very rough game, and the former Memphis Tigers standout had three receptions for 39 yards against the Bucs. He was the second-leading receiver on the team, only behind Roman Wilson. It looked like he was forcing himself onto a roster spot, but apparently, Tomlin might have just been waiting until after the game to tell him to pack his bags and try again somewhere else. Steelers' recent receiver issues make Taylor cut even more concerning What makes this decision even more rough is the fact that the Steelers have three receivers who are not healthy at all. Calvin Austin III is trying to return after missing multiple weeks of practice with an injury, Ben Skowronek recently developed a toe issue and utility man Jonnu Smith has barely participated in practice since July. Spots were opening up for undrafted rookies to take, but Taylor may have said or done something inexcusable enough to lose that chance. The Steelers entered training camp with questionable wide receiver depth, and now it's only more concerning. Wilson's recent development has been the bright spot of the preseason at that position, as Scotty Miller has been taking over the role of WR3 since the game against Tampa Bay. That's why they brought in another possibly injured veteran, Gabe Davis, for a visit, and now they may be hoping that he does not sign elsewhere. Instead of Taylor taking the opportunity to push for a roster spot, guys like Hurleman and Brandon Johnson will be looking to make the team and stick around as numerous players recover from their injuries. With Davis having another visit on Wednesday and the Steelers playing in the preseason finale on Thursday, he most likely will not be signed until after that game. That means the bubble players can prove to the team that they don't need him. It's not public in regards to what Taylor did to get himself in trouble, but he could have had this prime opportunity to be on an active roster as an undrafted rookie. He could have easily been above Hurleman and Johnson on the depth chart. Instead, he is just hoping he makes any team's practice squad now.
Shaquille O'Neal makes peace with longtime enemy — mostly
Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard patched things up Sunday after years of feuding. But even while describing their rapprochement, O'Neal couldn't keep from teasing his longtime nemesis. The "Big Aristotle" was at the BIG3 playoffs Sunday to watch Howard's L.A. Riot play the Chicago Triplets. In the middle of describing to Rachel Nichols how he and Howard had made peace, O'Neal broke off his explanation to make fun of Howard for missing a dunk. The two Hall of Fame centers had sparred for years, despite their common ground as former members of the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. Some of the tension seemed to be due to Howard adopting O'Neal's "Superman" nickname, though O'Neal claimed to Nichols that he was simply being tough on Howard to motivate him. That explanation doesn't account for the time O'Neal mocked Howard for playing basketball in the Taiwanese league or the decade-plus he's spent roasting Howard on his podcast, in public appearances and on "Inside the NBA." Still, it appears that the two have made peace. Despite O'Neal being left off the original list of presenters, he insisted that he'll be among a group of Hall of Famers inducting Howard Sept. 6, including Dominique Wilkins, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman and Patrick Ewing. It means that two of the most dominant big men of their eras have finally buried the hatchet. It's added a new level of interest to the Hall of Fame ceremonies, and it should be a sweet moment between O'Neal and Howard. As long as Howard doesn't mention Superman.
Packers' blockbuster trade pitch adds Micah Parsons for huge price
Speculation linking Dallas Cowboys All-Pro edge-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers continues to gain momentum as the star’s holdout amid stalled contract negotiations seems as far apart as ever. Parsons, two weeks ago, publicly requested a trade and continues to hold-in during Cowboys training camp, while there is a belief that Green Bay is attempting to pull off a blockbuster trade. Potential Packers-Micah Parsons Blockbuster Trade Package Parsons, 26, has posted 52.5 sacks through his first four seasons and is one of the most dominant players at his position. He is the kind of difference-maker who could cement Green Bay as a legitimate Super Bowl contender for years to come. But prying Parsons away from the Cowboys wouldn’t come cheap. "You’d want to hope to trade no more than three good young players for one elite player," an NFL executive and former general manager said to me recently of what a Parsons trade package might look like. Given that strategy, it isn’t difficult to envision Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst offering a package of players and picks that looks something like: Packers Trade: 2026 first-round NFL Draft choice, 2027 first-round draft choice, WR Romeo Doubs, EDGE Lukas Van Ness Cowboys Trade: Micah Parsons Trading two first-round picks is likely the starting point for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys in any Parsons negotiations. For the Packers, trading Van Ness would be offering a change of scenery for a former first-round draft choice who has yet to live up to expectations, and upgrading the position with a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber player. Meanwhile, shipping Doubs to Dallas clears a logjam at wide receiver, while helping the Cowboys round out a balanced receiving corps that would include CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Doubs as perhaps the most prolific collection of talent Dak Prescott has had in his career. Whether Parsons’ trade request is anything more than posturing remains to be seen, but if the Cowboys open up trade talks, this package could be the kind of trade that nets Green Bay a difference-maker.
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