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LSU safety Andre Sam has agreed to a UDFA deal with Philadelphia Eagles after the 2024 NFL Draft, per report.
Sam spent one season with the LSU Tigers, however, he played for two other teams before his transfer. In the past, he played for both McNeese State and Marshall. He also planned on joining the Tulane roster for the 2023 season, but instead, joined Brian Kelly’s Tigers at LSU.
After tallying five interceptions over four seasons at McNeese State, Sam transferred to Marshall. He played one season with the Herd, totaling 53 tackles with one interception. As a ballhawk from Louisiana, he put himself on the map for the Tigers for the 2023 season. He transferred and played every game for Coach Kelly. He tallied 82 tackles with three interceptions. Sam’s picks came in games against Army and Arkansas. He also had seven tackles in the Tigers’ bowl game against Wisconsin.
As a member of the Class of 2017, Sam wasn’t rated as a recruit out of Iowa (LA) High School, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Andre Sam
As far as what he’ll look like in the NFL, NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein believes he has a future as a contributor.
“Unique journey to the draft with 53 career starts over seven years with three different teams,” Zierlein said. “Sam has added substantial weight to his frame since coming into college but is still built more like a cornerback than a safety. He plays with a smooth pedal and solid response time to the quarterback’s eyes and operation from his safety perch.
“He is more consistent lining up over the slot or playing from split safety alignments, where his attention is much more focused than when he’s digesting the field from single-high. Sam improved as a tackler as the season wore on, but angles of pursuit might still be an issue. He has late-round potential.”
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Wisconsin Badgers to host record-setting volleyball rematch at Kohl Center
The Wisconsin Badgers set an NCAA volleyball attendance record in 2022 when they hosted the Florida Gators at the Kohl Center. That record has since been broken elsewhere, but the Badgers will again try to sell out the Kohl Center in 2025 with a rematch against the Gators. The program announced the return of the Kohl Center Classic on Friday. The rematch between Wisconsin and Florida will take place Sunday, September 12 at Noon central time on the Big Ten Network. The Badgers lost the first matchup back in a close, 5-set match, but Wisconsin got revenge in 2023 when they beat the No. 3 Gators while UW was then the No. 1 ranked team in the country. The team will also be playing at the Kohl Center this season in the Opening Spike Classic at the end of August, when the Badgers will face Kansas and Texas. Wisconsin played in the Kohl Center last season against Marquette in a 3-1 victory. More Wisconsin Badgers News: Sarah Franklin details how Wisconsin Badgers volleyball is different than other parts of the country and world Wisconsin Badgers officially announce two volleyball transfer signings from Baylor, NIU Kelly Sheffield promotes Wisconsin Badgers volleyball legend to assistant coach Wisconsin Badgers volleyball releases full 2025 schedule, with key Big Ten matches at home in UW Field House
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Jeff Hafley hints at Lukas Van Ness growing into a problem
Luka Van Ness has been through two seasons in the NFL, but the Green Bay Packers linebacker hasn’t quite yet lived up to the hype that came with him when the team took him 13th overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star played in 17 games and recorded four sacks. He took a step back in 2024, recording just three sacks in 17 games. His Pro Football Focus grade slid down from 64.0 in 2023 to 53.8 in 2024. But at least he’s been durable for Green Bay, having not missed a game thus far in his career. Availability is one thing, though. It’s what he does when he’s on the field that the Packers want to see improve. Year 3 for Van Ness could be where he truly breaks out, an exciting thought for the Packers, who were 12th in 2024 with a defensive sack rate of 7.42 percent. Packers DC shares 2025 outlook for Van Ness Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who is entering his second year in the role with the team, is feeling optimistic about Van Ness. Here’s what Hafley said about Van Ness, via Green Bay’s official website. “He’s a year older. He’s got another year in the scheme. I think he’s starting to understand the position, how to use his hands, how to set edges, some pass rush tools, some counter moves. It was a good offseason for him truthfully. He did a good job at OTAs and then he left here and he put in a lot of work. He came back in really good shape, he’s healthy. I think he’s starting to feel comfortable. DeMarcus (Covington) has done a really good job with him and that entire group, but again, it’s still early.” At just 24 years old, Van Ness likely hasn’t reached his peak yet, and if he does take a leap in 2025, that should be a huge plus for the Packers.
Erik Karlsson's Trade Demands to the Penguins Release Publicly
Erik Karlsson is one of a few Penguins likely on the move soon, and now the one thing the veteran blue liner wants in a new team has been officially revealed. After missing the Stanley cup Playoffs for three straight seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins come into this off-season as sellers, with the trio of Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust and Erik Karlsson becoming notable names in trade speculation. While all three have a high likelihood of being moved as Kyle Dubas and the Penguins look towards the future, NHL Insider Frank Seravalli has suggested this off-season that Karlsson is the most likely of all to be moved in the summer. Now, Seravalli has followed up on the speculation, revealing another key piece of this scenario, as the veteran NHL Insider notes the one demand that Karlsson has in potential trade talks. According to Seravalli, Karlsson wants a chance to win, and given the contract that a team would potentially need to take on to bring him in, it's safe to say that only contending teams out there would be interested, with very little in it for teams that won't be chasing a Stanley Cup in the near future. As of right now, there are very few teams around the NHL that could fit Karlsson in as well as giving him the opportunity to win, with Detroit, Dallas and Carolina three teams that fit the bill, with all three having rumoured interest in an upgrade on their blue line. Ultimately, all the signs this off-season point to Karlsson being moved at some point before the 2025/26 campaign begins, and while the options are limited given his contract and his desire to win, there's no reason why a trade can't be made in the next few months.
The three most confusing MLB trade-deadline deals
The July 31 MLB trade deadline was a whirlwind. Among the 49 trades were deals that sent stars such as relievers Mason Miller (to Padres), Jhoan Duran (Phillies) and Ryan Helsley (Mets), starting pitcher Shane Bieber (Blue Jays) and third baseman Eugenio Suarez (Mariners) to new clubs. The quantity and pace of the deals left many MLB fans feeling a rush of excitement. But some of the deals were confusing. Here are the three most confusing trades from the deadline. 1. Cincinnati Reds trade for 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes The Reds were seeking a boost to their lineup as they attempt a second-half postseason push. Unfortunately, Hayes does not profile as an impactful addition. Once a top prospect, the former Pirates cornerstone has failed to develop as an offensive threat. Hayes’ .569 OPS this season ranks second worst among qualified hitters in the majors. His lowly three home runs (in 397 plate appearances) prove that Hayes is a below-average hitter. That said, the 2023 Gold Glove winner ranks in the 99th percentile in fielding range, making him a top-tier defender at the hot corner. Additionally, the Reds are absorbing all of the money left on Hayes' eight-year, $70M contract that runs through the 2029 season. This financial commitment does not justify adding such a low-impact bat. 2. San Diego Padres trade top prospect Leo De Vries for Miller Death, taxes and Padres general manager A.J. Preller making blockbuster trades to help his club -- you can count on all of these happening. The ultra-aggressive San Diego added one of the top arms on the market to a bullpen that already featured All-Stars in Jason Adam, Robert Suarez and Adrian Morejon. On paper, this gives San Diego the best bullpen in baseball, providing it with a plethora of weapons and flexibility as it seeks a spot in the postseason field. Miller, one of MLB’s hardest-throwing pitchers, is also under club control through the 2029 season. Adding Miller was no surprise. The confusing aspect of this trade is the package that Preller sent to the Athletics in return. The headliner was budding star De Vries, who ranks as MLB.com's third overall prospect. The 18-year-old has a sky-high ceiling and is one of the most coveted assets in the league. Two things must happen for this move to pay off in San Diego. First, the oft-injured Miller must stay healthy and provide a substantial boost to the club’s bullpen. Second, the Padres must remain a postseason threat while riding their newest weapon toward a deep playoff run. Anything less will make the franchise regret moving such a talent. 3. Atlanta Braves keep DH Marcell Ozuna and RP Raisel Iglesias The injury-riddled and underperforming Braves are 46-62 and 15.5 games out of the NL East lead. It seems clear that 2025 is a lost season for the perennial postseason contenders. This makes retaining Ozuna and Iglesias, who are scheduled to hit free agency after the season, a confusing strategy. While having a down season, Ozuna still has 15 home runs and 48 RBI with a .235 batting average. The 34-year-old is just one year removed from hitting .302 with 31 homers and 104 RBI. Iglesias, meanwhile, has struggled (4.74 ERA with 13 saves). The 35-year-old was superb last season, posting a dazzling 1.95 ERA and 34 saves. Neither is worth as much as he would have been last season, but both could have fetched Atlanta packages of mid-to-low-end prospects. Now, the club will lose both in free agency as it probably finishes with a below .500 record. Honorable mentions: Boston Red Sox opted for Dustin May and Steven Matz over a true ace Minnesota Twins traded 10 players from their 26-man roster The league collectively chose to target relief pitching instead of starters Sandy Alcantara (Miami), Edward Cabrera (Miami), Zac Gallen (Arizona), Dylan Cease (San Diego), Joe Ryan (Minnesota) or Mitch Keller (Pittsburgh).
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