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Notre Dame landed its first big commitment from this past weekend's recruiting visit with Wyndmoor (Pa.) LaSalle College High School offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh pledging to the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame beat out Penn State and Texas to land McKeogh.
The 6-7, 265-pound tackle was a big riser this winter and spring, going from a relatively unknown recruit from a national standpoint to one of the hottest offensive tackles on the market. Notre Dame offered him in April and quickly pushed McKeogh to the top of their priority board. Programs like Texas, Alabama, Ohio State and Florida were just some of the schools that also followed Notre Dame in offering the talented blocker.
After McKeogh's mid-April visit to Notre Dame the Irish became a major player in his recruitment. In recent weeks it became apparent that it would be a battle between the Irish and in-state Nittany Lions, and Notre Dame won it in the end. Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph did an excellent job quickly building the connection with McKeogh, and this past week's visit to campus sealed the deal.
McKeogh was on campus with the other four commits in the class. He was joined by fellow Pennsylvania standout Tyler Merrill as well as Michigan blockers Ben Nichols, Gregory Patrick and Sullivan Garvin. Adding McKeogh to that talented group gives Notre Dame the best offensive line class in the country. McKeogh is also the most pure tackle of that group, which was a very important need for Notre Dame to finish off this class.
McKeogh earned a 4.0-star, Top 250 caliber grade on the Irish Breakdown board but he has borderline 5.0-star upside. His potential is enormous. McKeogh is also ranked as the No. 181 overall player in the country according to On3 and No. 210 overall by Rivals.
The LaSalle College standout earned offers from the Irish, Penn State, Texas, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Missouri, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Michigan State, NC State, West Virginia, Boston College, Indiana, Wake Forest, Maryland, Rutgers, Stanford, Syracuse, Northwestern and Duke.
McKeough is the 17th player to commit to Notre Dame. He joins Florida quarterback Noah Grubbs, Texas running backs Javian Osborne, Georgia running back Jonaz Walton, Florida wide receiver Dylan Faison, Georgia wide receiver Bubba Frazier, Merrill, Nichols, Patrick and Garvin, North Carolina ends Ebenezer Ewetade and Rodney Dunham, Texas defensive tackle Tiki Hola, North Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., Ohio linebacker Jakobe Clapper, Florida cornerback Ayden Pouncey and Tennessee cornerback Chaston Smith.
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Jessica Pegula Gets a Laugh Out of Josh Allen’s 'Sickos' Take
In the wild world where elite sports collide, you sometimes get moments that are just pure, unadulterated gold. American tennis star Jessica Pegula, who also happens to be the heiress to the Buffalo Bills fortune, just gave us one of those moments. She reacted to a rather intense revelation from Bills’ star quarterback, Josh Allen, and it’s pretty clear she’s amused. If you’re not keeping score at home, Pegula’s family tree has some serious financial muscle. Her billionaire parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, snapped up the Buffalo Bills for a cool $1.4 billion back in 2014. So, when Jessica Pegula weighs in on Bills’ business, people tend to listen. Or, in this case, watch her Instagram story. What Did Josh Allen Say About Being a “Sicko”? The whole thing blew up after a recent Instagram clip from the Bills’ official account started making the rounds. The video featured Josh Allen getting real about the brutal nature of football. It was a classic “mic drop” moment where he candidly described just how demanding the sport is. “This is a tough sport. It’s not for everybody. You gotta be a little sick to love this game. And, we got some sickos,” Allen declared. The video then cuts to a clip of him plowing through a wall of defenders before being taken down. It’s the kind of quote that gets fans hyped and probably makes opposing teams a little nervous. Jessica Pegula, clearly entertained, didn’t miss a beat. She reposted the clip to her Instagram story, adding three laughing emojis for good measure. It was a simple, yet perfect, reaction. A nod of agreement from someone who understands the high-pressure world of professional sports, but also can’t help but chuckle at Allen’s blunt, slightly unhinged honesty. Jessica Pegula: A Force on the Court and a Fan Off It It’s easy to forget that behind the billion-dollar family name, Jessica Pegula is a powerhouse athlete in her own right. She had a pretty solid 2025 season, snagging three tour-level titles and boasting an impressive 53-23 win-loss record. Her performance was strong enough to earn her a spot in the prestigious WTA Finals in Riyadh. She battled her way to the semifinals, taking down compatriot Coco Gauff before falling to the eventual champion, Elena Rybakina, in a grueling three-set match. Now, during her offseason, Pegula is clearly enjoying some downtime and keeping a close eye on the family business—the Buffalo Bills. Her support isn’t just a casual thing, either. She’s been a vocal fan, especially of Josh Allen. She even celebrated his recent milestone when he became the NFL’s all-time leader in total touchdowns for players under 30. That happened during the Bills’ 44–32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Allen was, predictably, a decisive factor. Back in 2021, Pegula even confessed that Allen’s grit and competitive fire inspire her own game on the tennis court. She admired his “gamer” mentality and his sheer will to win, even when things weren’t going his way. It’s a classic case of game recognizing game. So, while she may not be directly running the Bills’ operations, Jessica Pegula is undeniably one of their most high-profile and passionate supporters. Her recent reaction to Allen’s “sickos” comment is just another reminder of the fascinating intersection of her family, her career, and her love for the game. And let’s be honest, it’s just plain entertaining.
Mavericks' Mark Cuban sends strong message on Anthony Davis, but he should change his tune
The Dallas Mavericks still believe they can make it work with forward Anthony Davis. Entering Wednesday, the Mavericks (4-11) were 13th in the Western Conference and had lost eight of their past 10 games. Amid the slow start, a report surfaced that the team would explore trading Davis. However, minority owner Mark Cuban shut down that rumor. Mark Cuban says the Mavericks aren't trading Anthony Davis "We won't. We want to try to win," Cuban said Wednesday in an email when asked if the Mavericks would trade Davis, via The Athletic's Joe Vardon. A healthy Davis would help Dallas win more games. In 14 seasons, the No. 1 pick of the 2012 NBA Draft has made 10 All-Star Games and won a championship. In five games this season, the 32-year-old veteran has averaged 20.8 PPG on an above-average 52% shooting from the field and recorded 10.2 rebounds per game and 1.2 blocks per game. The problem, though, is that Davis is injury-prone. He has played in 75 regular-season games or more three times in his career. Since acquiring him in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, the oft-injured Davis has played in just 14 games for the Mavericks. He hasn't played since Oct. 29 because of a left calf strain, which will be re-evaluated in seven to 10 days, per the team. Even when he has been playing, the Mavericks have still stunk. Dallas has a 2-3 record with Davis in the lineup. Davis was supposed to form a tandem with star guard Kyrie Irving that would keep the Mavericks in championship contention. That vision may not become a reality. Irving is still recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in March. While he's making progress, it's unclear if/when the 33-year-old star will return this season. Cuban sending the email is his way of reestablishing his authority within the organization. He's acting as an "adviser" to majority owner Patrick Dumont, who fired general manager Nico Harrison on Nov. 11. The unpopular former GM, of course, sent star guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Davis. Cuban helped the Mavericks make 18 playoff appearances and win one title before selling his majority stake in 2023. So, he certainly feels responsible for Dallas' lackluster product on the court. But the responsible thing would be admitting it may be time to trade Davis. The Mavericks aren't winning a title even if he stays healthy, which seems unlikely. And it would be wise to stockpile draft capital to build around rookie forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft.
Packers Receive Disappointing Injury News Before Vikings Matchup
Jayden Reed’s anticipated return to the practice field for the Green Bay Packers will have to wait a little longer. Despite some growing hope earlier this week that the dynamic wide receiver could begin the next phase of his recovery, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Reed will not open his 21-day practice window yet. “He’s not practicing today,” LaFleur said ahead of Sunday’s critical matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. When pressed for a clearer timeline on the second-year standout, who remains on injured reserve with collarbone and foot injuries, LaFleur deferred to the medical staff. “I don’t know. As soon as medical clears him, he’ll be out there,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s excited to get back. As am I.” The optimism had spiked in recent days. On Monday, LaFleur indicated there was a chance Reed and/or rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd could start their practice windows this week. Reed himself fueled the excitement Tuesday by sharing a photo of himself dressed in full uniform on social media. Those plans, however, are now on hold. Reed’s surgically repaired foot seems to have healed satisfactorily, but the collarbone—fractured on a diving attempt during the first half of Green Bay’s Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders—still needs additional time. For a wide receiver whose job involves regular physical contact and the risk of landing hard on the shoulder, the medical staff is requiring clear imaging evidence that the bone is strong enough before green-lighting a return. The cautious approach echoes the Packers’ handling of Aaron Rodgers’ similar collarbone injury in 2017, when the former quarterback sat out seven games while waiting for full healing. Nearly 10 weeks removed from the injury and having already missed eight contests, Reed could still require another one to two weeks before doctors are comfortable clearing him for football activities. That timeline keeps a potential return for the Thanksgiving night clash with the Detroit Lions or the following week against the Chicago Bears realistically in play. Before the injury, Reed had established himself as Green Bay’s top receiving weapon. He paced the team in receiving yards in both 2023 and 2024, and in the two games he played this season while managing the foot issue, he recorded three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Green Bay Packers will continue their Week 12 preparations without their leading wideout on the practice field, with LaFleur and the organization prioritizing full recovery over a rushed comeback.
The Big Five: Most dangerous teams currently outside the playoff picture
With just a week until Thanksgiving, the NFL playoff picture is beginning to take shape. But seven weeks remain in the regular season, giving teams on the outside looking in time to turn things around. Below, we rank the five most dangerous teams currently not in the playoff field. 5. Houston Texans (5-5, eight in AFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 40-31 (.563) • Currently in playoff field: 4 • Above .500: 4 With a defense as good as Houston's, it can't be taken lightly despite a brutal remaining schedule. Over the Texans' final seven games, they only play two teams currently with a losing record — the Arizona Cardinals (3-7) and Las Vegas Raiders (2-8). With C.J. Stroud (concussion) out for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills (7-3), the team's hopes of remaining in contention will be even tougher. But Houston has won its past two games with Davis Mills at quarterback, thanks in large part to a defense allowing 221 yards per game. The Texans have the league's longest active streak of holding opponents under 200 passing yards (seven games), per Stathead research. In addition to the Bills, the Texans play the Indianapolis Colts (8-2) twice, Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), teams that can put up points. Houston, which is No. 21 in scoring offense (22 points per game), likely won't be able to keep pace in shootouts — even when Stroud returns — so it must lean on the defense to complete the long trek from 0-3 to the playoffs. 4. Dallas Cowboys (4-5-1, 10th in NFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 35-38 (.479) • Currently in playoff field: 2 • Above .500: 3 While we can't glean much from Dallas' convincing Monday night win over the directionless Raiders, it was still telling that the defense, a sore spot all season, kept an inept Las Vegas attack from having a season-best performance. Among the five teams listed here, the Cowboys have the easiest remaining strength of schedule, with more games against teams with losing records (three) than those in the playoff field (two). Their next three games — against the Philadelphia Eagles (8-2), Chiefs and Detroit Lions (6-4) — will inform how heavily Dallas factors into the playoff race through December. But for a team that seemingly had no hope following a Week 9 loss to the Cardinals, Dallas could be feistier down the stretch than most predicted. 3. Detroit Lions (6-4, eighth in NFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 37-32-2 (.521) • Currently in playoff field: 4 • Above .500: 4 Sunday's game against the New York Giants (2-9) is almost a must-win considering what lies ahead for Detroit. Over its final five games, it plays the Green Bay Packers (6-3-1), Los Angeles Rams (8-2), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) and Chicago Bears (7-3) plus the division-rival Minnesota Vikings (4-6). The Lions, who rank in the top five in total offense and defense, are more than capable of holding their own against stiff competition, although injures (particularly to the offensive line) have made them more vulnerable than the past two seasons, when they reached the NFC Championship Game (2023) and claimed the conference's No. 1 seed (2024). 2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-5, ninth in AFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 36-35-1 (.500) • Currently in playoff field: 3 • Above .500: 3 ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently laid out a convincing argument why this year's Chiefs squad isn't much different from last year's team that went 15-2. Other than a staggering regression in one-score games and special teams lapses, Kansas City is good enough to go on a run and crash the playoffs. The Chiefs' toughest remaining games (Colts, Chargers, Broncos) are at home. They also have a head-to-head with the Texans at Arrowhead. It's far too early to write Kansas City's obituary. The AFC West might be out of play, yet NFL Next Gen Stats still gives the Chiefs a 52 percent chance of making the playoffs. However, NFL.com's Ali Bhanpuri noted in a recently column that Kansas City's odds will drop to less than 33 percent with a loss this Sunday to Indianapolis. 1. Baltimore Ravens (5-5, 10th in AFC) Remaining opponents stats | Record: 35-35-1 (.493) • Currently in playoff field: 3 • Above .500: 4 The Ravens are just one game out of first in the AFC North and have the New York Jets (2-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (3-7) on the schedule before the first of two games with the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4). By the end of the first weekend in December, Baltimore, which has won four in a row following a Week 7 bye, could easily be in pole position for a third straight AFC North title.
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