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The Michigan State Spartans' first season under Coach Jonathan Smith did not start off on the right foot. Losing seven games while winning five, the Spartans are hoping that the second season with MSU goes more according to plan than year one did.
Another Spartan looking to find extra success in 2025 is wide receiver Nick Marsh. The only difference between Smith and Marsh is that Marsh was one of the brighter players on the team and was able to do all he could to win games for MSU.
Marsh completed his freshman campaign with 41 receptions, hauling in 649 receiving yards. The wide receiver was ranked number one compared to other receivers on the squad, as the freshman took things under his own hands and made himself shine.
Marsh also brought in three touchdown catches, which was a first-place tie among wide receivers on the roster. Safe to say that MSU struck gold by recruiting Marsh to the squad, but one year doesn't make him a legend. All eyes will be on the wide receiver as he has new running mates that are joining the Spartans wide receiving pool.
One new Spartan that Marsh will have to compete with to get receptions is senior wide receiver Omari Kelly. Kelly is coming off his best season yet, posting 869 receiving yards in 53 receptions with the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
The addition of Kelly gives quarterback Aidan Chiles more talent to throw the ball to, but the addition shouldn't hold Marsh back. After leading the offense in receiving yards, Smith and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren would be foolish not to utilize Marsh to the highest level in 2025.
MSU defended their turf well, winning four of the five games in East Lansing. Marsh has that experience under his belt that will aid him on his journey at Michigan State, but it should also boost him to a semi-leadership position.
If Marsh can improve on his 649 receiving yards in his second season, the Spartans should be in a better spot than they were last season. If Smith can shine in his second year, so can Marsh.
More must-reads:
- Colorado's Deion Sanders reveals massive medical problem he's been battling this offseason
- Mark Stoops tips hand as to who will be Kentucky's starting QB
- The 'NFL all-time touchdown receptions leaders' quiz
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Nico Iamaleava clears the air on decision to transfer to UCLA
The consequences of NIL (name, image and likeness) deals will continue to define the college football season. They embolden student-athletes to utilize the transfer portal to their advantage and encourage programs to pursue top talent through financial incentives. On Thursday, new University of California, Los Angeles quarterback Nico Iamaleava took to the podium for the first time as a Bruin, marking a major shift in how NIL deals can quickly change team dynamics and narratives. Iamaleva, born and raised in Southern California, hadn't spoken publicly since he shockingly transferred from the University of Tennessee in April. At the time, reports suggested he left the school over an NIL dispute where Iamaleava wanted a deal around $4M. He didn't report for spring practice and was then removed from the program. Since then, insiders painted a more complicated picture, indicating that the QB's father complained to the coaching staff that the supporting cast around his son wasn't good enough. "My family was strictly the main importance for me," Iamaleava explained at a news conference. "I let my business team, my parents handle that side of NIL. Just me being closer to family was the most important thing." While Iamaleva spent his time with the press discussing his desire to stay close to his family and his on-field goals, this move can't be decoupled from the NIL aspect. Iamaleva is not set to make a huge payday with UCLA. Of course, if his 2025 season with the Bruins is successful, it would incentivize UCLA to offer him a larger NIL deal that could entice him to stay another year in school. Iamalevea was highly sought after before deciding to go back home. It's no surprise considering his career so far. After being a backup in 2023, he threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading Tennessee University to the playoffs in 2024, his first year as a starter. Iamaleva has the arm talent and size; he's six feet six inches tall, which is exactly what NFL scouts crave. In the right system, he could have a season that makes draft analysts want to talk about him all season long. For the UCLA coaching staff, that's a level of potential they haven't had in some time. And it's that potential that fuels NIL deals. How Iamaleava performs at UCLA will be closely watched by other student-athletes looking to leverage their talent and secure larger NIL deals or find situations where they can maximize their potential. If Iamaleava plays so well that he makes University of Tennessee officials regret their decision, then it's not hard to see other top talent having more successful NIL negotiations. Student-athletes transferring to play elsewhere has always been a part of college football, but it has never come with financial incentives for both the school and the students. It seems that it's no longer the case that college programs make the talent, but that the talent makes the program.
NBA Fans Send Love To Steph Curry After Heartbreaking News
On Monday, Steph Curry's grandmother (Candy Adams) passed away. His mother (Sonya) made the announcement (via Instagram). She wrote: "Heaven gained an angel, and we lost our heart. Today we say goodbye to our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. A woman who taught us to love fiercely, laugh often, and keep family at the center of everything. Her love lives on in every hug we give, every story we tell, and every lesson she left us with. As Luther said, “A house is not a home when there’s no one there to hold you tight.” You were our home and now your love lives in all of us. Rest easy now, we’ll carry you with us, always. ❤️ I love you Mommy" @49ers_Throwback: " for Curry family." @warriorstalk: "Sending out our condolences and prayers " @WarriorsMuse: "May she rest in peace Prayers go out to Steph, Sonya, and the rest of the Adams/Curry family " @Simpli_Wundaful: "My Condolences to the entire family" @CarolNetti49500: "Your Grandmother is Beautiful RIP sweet lady." @Kit10star: "O steph. Sorry to hear ur grandma left this world. Heavens gain I am sure. Much l8ve" @Corebreezy_: "May her soul rest in peace, sending my prayers to the curry family️" @KDawnSeven: "Prayers up and sincerest condolences to Steph and his family " Curry (who is 37) is coming off another All-Star season for the Golden State Warriors. Next year will be his 17th in the NBA.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
Steelers reporter shares big claim about how Aaron Rodgers has looked in training camp
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent the bulk of the spring as an unsigned free agent and, thus, only began officially practicing with Pittsburgh Steelers teammates during the team's three-day mandatory minicamp in June. During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed how Rodgers looked during his first few training camp practices with the club. "His release is just astonishing to watch," Dulac said about Rodgers, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Everybody knows about it, and when you see it in person, you see it every day in practice, you just marvel at it. To me, he's the greatest thrower of the football I have ever seen, even at 41 (years old). That flick of that wrist and that ball comes out, it's moving and it is something to see." Rodgers was with the New York Jets when he suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the 2023 regular-season opener. He was then slowed by a nagging hip issue, injuries to both his knees, a low ankle sprain and a serious hamstring problem as the 2024 Jets went 5-12. According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers finished last season ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 48.0 adjusted QBR and 26th with a 43.9 percent passing success rate. That said, he was also eighth with 3,897 passing yards and tied for seventh with 28 passing touchdowns. Rodgers and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson endured some struggles during training camp sessions last summer before the two allegedly "never saw eye-to-eye" during the season. It sounds like Pittsburgh fans should be encouraged by how Rodgers performed in recent practices. "That guy can get rid of the ball as quick as anybody," Dulac added. "He made three throws in seven-on-seven (drills) the other day that the cumulative total I bet couldn't have exceeded 2.1 seconds. And two of those were for touchdowns." Rodgers wants to finish his career "the right way" and help the Steelers notch at least their first playoff win since January 2017. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Pittsburgh at -150 betting odds to miss the playoffs for the upcoming season.
Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg dies after battle with cancer
Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg lost his battle with cancer on Monday. He was 65. A 20th-round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1978 MLB Draft, Sandberg quickly moved through the Phillies system despite his humble beginnings. He made his major league debut at the end of the 1981 season, getting six plate appearances in 13 games, his only hit coming off of a bat he borrowed from shortstop Larry Bowa. Drafted as a shortstop, the Phillies hoped that Sandberg would be the heir apparent for Bowa. However, that 13-game stint convinced the Phillies that he was not the answer. Although Sandberg had played at second and third as well in the minors, he was blocked at those positions by Manny Trillo and Mike Schmidt respectively. Bowa and Sandberg were traded to the Cubs during the 1981-82 offseason, with shortstop Ivan DeJesus heading to Philadelphia. Sandberg, now a second baseman, had a solid first two seasons in Chicago before exploding into stardom in 1984. He posted a .314/.367/.520 batting line in his 700 plate appearances, hitting 19 homers and 36 doubles while stealing 32 bases as he led the Cubs to their first postseason berth since 1945. Sandberg made his first All-Star Game, was named the NL MVP, won a Silver Slugger and his second Gold Glove award. A perennial All-Star, Sandberg possessed a combination of power and speed at second base that was rare for his era. He was a 10-time All-Star, winning nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. Sandberg posted a lifetime .285/.344/.452 batting line in his 9282 plate appearances, hitting 282 homers and 403 doubles while stealing 344 bases. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame 2005 in his third year on the ballot. After a decade away from the game, Sandberg returned as a minor league manager in the Cubs system in 2007, moving up the ladder to Triple-A in 2009. After Cubs manager Mike Quade was fired, and Sandberg was passed over for the opening, he joined the Phillies organization in 2011. After three years in the Phillies organization, he became the interim manager in 2013, and was eventually hired full-time at the end of the season. Sandberg lasted just over two years in total as the Phillies manager, resigning after 74 games in 2015 as the losses piled up. He remained in the game as a goodwill ambassador for the Cubs before announcing that he had prostate cancer in 2024. Although his cancer had gone into remission, it returned in December, spreading to other organs before Sandberg ultimately lost his battle. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Sandberg during this difficult time.
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