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Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn parlayed a strong showing at the Big 12 Pro Day into a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings that was announced not long after the NFL Draft ended.
At 6-foot-3, 187 pounds, NFL talent evaluators project Vaughn as a good cover cornerback, based on solid performances against NFL-level talent in both the Big 12 and Pac-12. They note he has good athletic ability and elite length and can perform well in both zone and man-to-man coverage.
They also say he is good in run support and can make plays in the open field, particularly if he adds muscle.
One NFL scout said Vaughn’s performance at the Big 12 Pro Day was “very explosive and very fluid.” His 39.5-inch vertical leap was the best of the defensive backs in attendance.
Vaughn walked on at Utah in 2020 and blossomed to the point that he was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2023.
He played in 56 career games with 36 starts, including 31 straight to end his career. He started all 12 games in 2024 and had 40 tackles, including five for loss; two sacks; and one interception.
He finished his career with 144 tackles, 14 for loss; three sacks; three interceptions, including one for a touchdown; 27 pass breakups; one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
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Prized transfer portal pickup for Oklahoma Sooners a major standout in fall camp and might have already locked up a starting job
Oklahoma Sooners ready to fully deploy newest offensive weapon in every way they possibly can
Rising offensive playmaker of the future building elite chemistry with John Mateer and Oklahoma Sooners throughout fall camp
One of the biggest question marks facing the Oklahoma Sooners heading into their 2025 season was finding exactly who will be their new receivers of the future after seeing a whopping six wide receivers enter the transfer portal. They added a slew of targets out of the transfer portal like Javonnie Gibson, Keontez Lewis, Isaiah Sategna, Jer'Michael Carter, and Josiah Martin, but it might be a homegrown target that has stepped up to fill that void and become a go-to playmaker for the Sooners. Zion Kearney becoming go-to for Sooners' offense So far in fall camp, it's become sophomore Zion Kearney who has been the steadiest playmaker for the Sooners. He's been vocal and active so far and has run almost exclusively with the first-team offense. Kearney's a bona fide outside vertical threat, and could be offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's favorite target when he needs to draw up explosive plays. At 6'1, 207 pounds, Kearney is every bit a juiced-up athlete, capable of generating easy separation downfield. The Sooners' defense found that out first-hand this week when he scored a touchdown during Friday's practice. Kearney had a strong bowl game performance against Navy and is seeking to build off of that heading into his second season with the Sooners. He was pressed into service earlier than expected as a freshman due to the various injuries Oklahoma's wide receiver corps suffered last season, but he has cashed in that experience and has taken the next step in his development. Ben Arbuckle highlighted Kearney unprompted at Oklahoma's Coaches Luncheon a couple of weeks ago as a "big time player" and raved about Kearney's buy-in this offseason. Reportedly, he and quarterback John Mateer have steadily built up plenty of chemistry between the two throughout the offseason. It's beginning to seem more and more likely that Kearney cracks the starting lineup when the Sooners kick off against Illinois State on August 30th.
Brock Lesnar makes shocking return at WWE SummerSlam
It's feeling like 2012 all over again. SummerSlam 2025 ended with shock and nostalgia when Brock Lesnar returned unannounced and dropped John Cena with a thunderous F5, just as Cena was addressing the crowd during his retirement tour. The moment felt poetic, mirroring the night after WrestleMania 28 in 2012, when Lesnar returned to WWE for the first time in eight years and F5’d Cena, launching a brutal and unforgettable rivalry. This attack wasn’t just for show. With Cena’s farewell tour expected to end in December, the timing of Lesnar’s return feels intentional. WWE is known for delivering emotional, high-stakes finales for its legends and this could be the setup for one last epic clash between two of the most iconic figures in company history. Their rivalry has always delivered, from their battles in 2012–14 to the infamous “Suplex City” beatdown at SummerSlam 2014. Now, with both men nearing the end of their in-ring careers, fans may be getting a final chapter in this storied feud. Whether it culminates at the Royal Rumble or on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania 41, the anticipation is real. Lesnar has been off WWE TV for nearly a year, making this return even more impactful. For Cena, who has been embracing his final run with open arms, a showdown with Lesnar is a fitting, full-circle moment. It’s the kind of storytelling WWE thrives on — legacy vs. legacy, pride vs. redemption.
Troubling update emerges about Joel Embiid’s health
Joel Embiid’s trust in the healing process may not be paying off. A concerning update emerged over the weekend about the health of the Philadelphia 76ers star center. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports that there is “genuine concern” around the league about the health of Embiid’s knee. Siegel adds that Philadelphia’s camp is attempting to downplay the concerns but notes that “word is bad” about Embiid’s health around the rest of the NBA. Now 31, the former MVP Embiid is still dealing with the ill effects of a torn left meniscus suffered during a 76ers game in February 2024. Embiid, who previously tore the same left meniscus back in 2017, quickly underwent surgery on the knee and missed two months. It appeared that everything was peaches and cream for Embiid after he returned to finish out the 2023-24 NBA season and even played at the 2024 Paris Olympics last summer as the starting center for Team USA. But Embiid missed significant time while managing his left knee throughout the 2024-25 season and even suggested at one point that he would need to have another surgery. In the end, Embiid appeared in just 19 total games for the 76ers last season and was shut down in February with the team nowhere close to contention. There was some talk a few months ago that Embiid might be undergoing the Kobe Bryant treatment to address the troublesome knee, but it looks like Embiid still hasn’t found a course of treatment that his knee is responding to. We know that the 76ers were already growing frustrated with Embiid’s lack of availability going back to last season. Now they may have to prepare for the potential of Embiid missing more time in 2025-26, a disastrous possibility given that they still owe the seven-footer an absurd $187.6M over the next three seasons.
'Morphed Into A Different Player': Steelers Fans Get Inspiring Update On Key Defensive Piece Heading Into 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for always having a highly capable defense. The expectations for the unit are sky-high heading into the 2025 season as it will be the fourth consecutive year that Pittsburgh is rostering the highest-paid defense in the league. The group is headlined by stars at every level, with some of the most notable being TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Jalen Ramsey. However, in order to have the best defense in the league, Pittsburgh is going to need to see some of the younger guys stepping up. Someone to keep an eye on is inside linebacker Payton Wilson. Wilson was one of the more exciting picks for the Steelers during the 2024 NFL Draft, and he did not disappoint during his rookie year. He tallied 78 total tackles, an interception, and he also recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Fans are looking for Wilson to have another successful season, which probably includes taking another step forward. Team insider Mark Kaboly has noticed a difference in Wilson while being in Latrobe, which he posted to social media. "You know that big jump that Tomlin talks about from being a rookie to being a second-year player being significant?" Kaboly asked. "It’s real, at least for Payton Wilson, and it's likely not in the area you were expecting. Wilson has morphed into a different football player, more than just on the field. A guy who barely spoke last year, Wilson has been one of the more vocal players on the defense, which already has some big personalities. The trash talking, the vocal leadership, and the intensity have been off the charts through the first week, and it’s been relentless. I can’t admit that we would see that from Wilson this early in his career, but here we are." It seems as though Wilson is trying to take on more of a leadership role during his second season with the team, and he is also trying to make more of an impact with his play. He played well as a rookie, but some fans are expecting him to take a major leap in 2025. This could propel him into Pro Bowl status, or something close. Wilson has been extremely vocal throughout camp, and he has even been taking shots at some of his own teammates in the media. Kaboly has heard him down on the field between the whistle, which is something Pittsburgh needs as a part of its defense. Kaboly believes this is all a result of Wilson being more confident and comfortable in his role. "All that means to me is that he’s much more comfortable in his role – a role where he doesn’t want to come off the field for any reason," Kaboly wrote. During the 2024 season, Wilson played a decent amount, but he only started four total games. Elandon Roberts would usually be the other linebacker next to Patrick Queen when it seemed like a running situation, while Wilson would be on the field in obvious passing scenarios. Wilson wants to be a three-down linebacker in 2025, which is certainly possible. Steelers' Payton Wilson Is Not Lacking Confidence Wilson is flying high heading into 2025, and rightfully so. He has come out and point blank said that he is one of the best coverage linebackers in the world, which is something he will be looking to prove once the regular season kicks off. He is going to need to be a key contributor for Pittsburgh if they want to be the best defense in the league, especially if he plans on being on the field in all scenarios.
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