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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The Texas Tech Red Raiders are going all in on their college football roster this year in one of the offseason's biggest surges. Much was made about national champion Ohio State's $25 million roster that propelled the Buckeyes to the top of the sport last season. And Texas built what is believed to be a 2025 roster worth $45 million headed into the upcoming season. But Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire, general manager James Blanchard and billionaire booster/collective head Cody Campbell have reportedly surpassed those marks with a roster costing around $55 million this year. The $20.5 million rev-share cap and lofty collective support have made the Red Raiders into a major NIL power. College football analyst David Pollack, a former ESPN personality and three-time All-American at Georgia, isn't surprised by the Red Raiders' NIL spending spree. “I've said this for years, the biggest beneficiary in NIL is the state of Texas because the money – it's just very, very fluid there," Pollack said on "See Ball Get Ball." "And so they went out and spent $55 million – I think is the last number I saw – on their squad to ultra competitive. They spent hundreds of millions of dollars, actually 240-plus million, on their stadium that's one of the best in the country." Campbell, who made his multi-billion dollar fortune in the Texas oil business, helped raise $242 million for renovations to Texas Tech's Jones AT T Stadium. It's clear that the rising Big 12 program wants to be in national contention given the millions of dollars in NIL backing and significant improvement to the Red Raiders' home turf. "They got everything they own in the pot, saying 'we're going to try to win this league and make a name for ourselves,'" Pollack said. Only time will tell if Texas Tech's gamble will pay off, though, as McGuire and Co. have posted a 23-16 record over the last three seasons and are coming off an 8-5 finish in 2024. Perhaps the biggest challenge for the 2025 season is creating cohesiveness within a roster that features 21 transfer players. Texas Tech will open the season at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten training camp underway, and it’s a very exciting time for all football fans. The 2025 season is getting closer by the day, and with players finally back on the field, the energy around the team is building fast. In Pittsburgh, that buzz is especially strong this year, largely because of new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers brings experience, leadership, and championship expectations to a Steelers team that believes it can compete at the highest level. As he arrived at training camp, one moment quickly gained attention. According to ESPN Steelers insider Brooke Pryor, Rodgers had one special request for his teammates that he believes is critical to their success this season. To put it simply, it sounds as if Rodgers reportedly asked his teammates to fully commit to one another. He stressed the importance of trust, communication, and total buy-in from every player in the locker room. For Rodgers, it’s not just about talent or scheme. It’s about building a team that believes in the same mission and is willing to fight for each other every step of the way. "Aaron Rodgers had one request of his new Pittsburgh teammates: keep an open mind," Pryor said in her latest article for ESPN. "Rodgers asked his teammates to get to know him without any preconceived notions before making any judgments." When it was revealed that the Steelers were pursuing Rodgers, many fans quickly labeled him a diva or an attention seeker. Those types of criticisms have followed him for years, and while some of it might be fair to discuss, it doesn’t tell the full story. What Rodgers has shown in Pittsburgh so far has been quite the opposite. Since arriving at training camp, Rodgers has carried himself with leadership, professionalism, and humility. He didn’t come in expecting everyone to bow down to him because he’s a four-time league MVP. Instead, he made it clear that he wants to earn the right to lead this team. Rodgers has focused on building relationships and gaining the trust of his teammates. He understands that leadership is not something you demand, but something you prove through action and consistency. That attitude has already made a strong impression inside the Steelers’ locker room. For Steelers fans, this should be an encouraging sign. Rodgers’ mindset and approach could be a huge factor in helping this team reach its full potential in the 2025 season. His leadership may end up being just as valuable as his talent on the field. Mike Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. He feels that pressure and gladly totes those bags. He knows the pressure is on him to get a playoff win and make a deep run in 2025 now that he got Rodgers. Steelers' Will Howard Expected To Be The Biggest Winner From Aaron Rodgers Joining Pittsburgh One of the biggest winners from Rodgers joining the Steelers is clearly rookie quarterback Will Howard. Despite falling to the sixth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, Howard enters the NFL with an impressive resume, having led Ohio State to a National Championship victory in the 2024 college football season. He consistently elevated the talent around him and carries a strong belief in his ability to grow at the next level. Now, Howard finds himself in an ideal situation. Not only does he get to learn behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, but he also gets a version of Rodgers who is motivated, focused, and eager to mentor. Rodgers has already made it clear that he plans to take Howard under his wing. For a rookie in Howard’s position, this is like hitting the jackpot. The opportunity to develop behind a future Hall of Famer who is willing to invest in your growth is rare. If Howard takes full advantage, this could be the perfect start to a long and successful NFL career.
The Boston Bruins are gauging trade interest in forward Pavel Zacha, according to The Fourth Period. Following a down season and a trade deadline where Zacha’s name was thrown around but was ultimately not moved, Bruins GM Don Sweeney is trying to move the 27-year-old Czech center. Zacha is playing in the final season of a contract that has a $4.75 million cap hit. Zacha, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in 2022 for Erik Haula, has been a solid pickup for Boston. He posted 21 goals and 57 points in 78 games in 2023-24, though his production dipped slightly to 47 points over a full 82-game slate last season. He can play up and down the lineup and has a strong two-way game. Who Has Shown Interest in a Zacha Trade? Two teams reportedly monitoring Zacha are the Vancouver Canucks and the Utah Hockey Club. Both teams are seeking top-six forward depth and would value Zacha’s steady offensive contributions. The Canucks have been busy all summer, signing and trading players. They have also been linked to Jack Roslovic talks in free agency, meaning they wouldn’t be adding both. Utah has been looking to make a splash this season and work their way up the standings in an attempt to compete for the playoffs. The Bruins would likely demand a notable return, but neither team is looking to send players back. The trade would likely involve a high pick or a mid-tier prospect. Zacha controls part of the process with an eight-team no-trade list. He’s owed just $3.75 million in actual salary each of the next two seasons, further boosting his trade appeal.
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