On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
USC launched its recruiting blitz by flipping Oregon quarterback commit Jonas Williams in February. Williams is now helping run point with closing out the rest of the 2026 class.
Williams is embracing his role as the quarterback of the nation's top-ranked recruiting class. He's also assisting his future coaches in helping land more recruits.
How proactive is Williams as a closet recruiting coordinator? He dipped into the tactics he's using with Connor Morrissette of 247Sports during Elite 11 competition down in Manhattan Beach, Ca.
"The coaches recruit, but the quarterback recruiting obviously plays a big factor," Williams began. "The coaches tell me guys they want and I want to get them too. I text them and chop it up with them. I embrace it. I kinda like doing it. I feel like this is my class and I have this responsibility to make it great."
But is Williams getting aggressive in his sales pitches to recruits?
"I don't try to overwhelm my recruits and talk to them like I'm a coach," Williams explained. "I even tell my recruits that we really want them, but I'm not going to blow you up like a coach."
Williams understands that he's relatable to the recruits he's talking to.
"I've been in those shoes and sometimes it gets repetitive," Williams said. "I just like being honest with my guys and I even tell them, if you don't want to come to USC, don't come to USC. I just want to build with the guys who want to be here."
The Illinois native is currently competing in the prestigious QB event that invites the nation's best prep QBs. They perform in various drills while getting top notch coaching from past NFL signal-callers.
More must-reads:
- Insider shares promising update on Jets QB Justin Fields' toe injury
- NFL Draft intel: NFC team covets these skills of Texas QB Arch Manning
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
The harsh truth Terry McLaurin needs to hear about his Commanders holdout
The Washington Commanders should pay Terry McLaurin. That much goes without saying. He's a second-team All-Pro. He caught 13 touchdowns last year and has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his past five seasons. McLaurin is a top 10 receiver in the NFL, perhaps even bordering on top five. More important than any of those things? He's one of Washington's most trusted leaders on and off the field. McLaurin is also, as it currently stands, not acting like it. The two-time Pro Bowler is creating a distraction that is officially more trouble than it's worth for the Commanders, and it's time for him to suck it up and end this standoff. Like it or not, the Commanders aren't responsible for Terry McLaurin's availability Let's make this clear: McLaurin isn't holding out of camp because he has to. He is choosing to leverage his position for a new deal. It's not the first time, and it won't be the last, that an NFL player resorts to such a negotiating tactic. It's also a move that rightfully doesn't sit well with many fans, especially for a member of a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. McLaurin's teammates and coaching staff are all counting on him being a major part of this Commanders squad. Washington traded for Deebo Samuel Sr. this offseason in large part specifically to make his life easier. For the first time in his career, the former third-round pick has a true No. 2 option on the opposite side of the field who can draw defenses away. Missing OTAs and mandatory minicamp is one thing for a player in McLaurin's position, but training camp is the unofficial start of the new school year. It's time to get to work. There's still a full eight months between now and when McLaurin is set to hit free agency. An extension can be worked out at any point before next March. If he builds upon last year's success, he could even raise his value. Regardless, the bottom line is that McLaurin is under contract to play football for the Commanders during the 2025 season. And plenty of other Washington stars over the years have had no problem suiting up on expiring deals. Kirk Cousins infamously played through two franchise tags after negotiations were botched on a long-term extension. He never once threatened to sit out. There is a certain duty any player owes not to let his demands come at the cost of the team, and it's disappointing to see this approach taken by someone who all of Washington thought was well aware of that. McLaurin deserves his money. He deserves at least $30 million per year. But the Commanders deserve for him to start showing up to work, with or without a new contract. More Commanders news and analysis
Pelicans' exec makes team's stance on Zion Williamson crystal clear
It’s wild how quickly the NBA narrative can flip. A year ago, Zion Williamson was in every trade rumor possible. People were questioning his health, his work ethic, even his future in New Orleans. And the Pelicans? They didn’t really deny any of it. It felt like both sides were one step away from walking. But things have shifted this offseason — quietly, but clearly. The Pelicans could’ve pulled the plug. Zion’s contract gave them outs, and the trade market might’ve still brought back some real value. Instead, they stuck with him. And based on what one of their own just said, they’re not just keeping him around — they’re still betting big on him. In a recent interview with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, an anonymous Pelicans executive made it crystal clear. “Zion is still our guy. We’re all in on him. We think he’s going to have a huge year. We’ve had some bad injury luck and some things that just haven’t worked out. This partnership hasn’t even come close to reaching our best yet.” That’s not something you say if you’re halfway in. They backed it up with their offseason moves, too. They traded CJ McCollum and brought in Jordan Poole, a high-usage creator who can take pressure off Zion. They drafted Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, a dynamic young guard. They added Kevon Looney, a reliable veteran who brings playoff experience and toughness. Those aren’t tear-it-down moves — those are “let’s try this another way” moves. Of course, Zion’s health is still the question. That never really goes away. He played just 30 games last season, but in those games he looked solid: 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per night on 56.7 percent shooting. The explosiveness was there. The playmaking was sharp. And the hope for New Orleans is that this time, he can finally sustain it. What’s interesting is how the front office is trying to create a better environment around him. Joe Dumars has stepped in to lead basketball operations and is reportedly building a closer relationship with Zion — dinners, real conversations, not just surface-level stuff. It feels like, for once, the team is trying to meet him halfway. It’s a risk, sure. But it’s a calculated one. The West is brutal and the margin for error is thin. Still, if Zion can stay healthy for 60 games, and if Poole finds a rhythm and guys like Trey Murphy and Herb Jones keep improving — this team has a shot to be in the mix. The quote from the exec says it all. They could’ve hit reset, moved on, cleaned house. But they didn’t. They’re still in. And now it’s on Zion to hold up his end of the deal. After everything that’s happened, they’re telling the world they still believe. Now it’s time to find out if they’re right.
MLB Insider Proposes Wild Seattle Mariners Trade That Fans Can't Believe
The Seattle Mariners have been heavily linked to Arizona Diamondbacks' third baseman Eugenio Suarez as the trade deadline comes up on July 31. Suarez, 34, is putting together a sensational season season for Arizona, and his 36 home runs trail only Shohei Ohtani in the National League. His 86 RBIs lead baseball entering play on Thursday. He would be a major upgrade to the Mariners lineup, and it would reunite him in the clubhouse, where he played for the M's in 2022 and 2023. As for what it will cost the M's to get Suarez? That's a bit of a guessing game, but the M's do have several interesting pieces to offer the D-backs. Seattle has eight top 100 prospects, and a few intriguing young big-leaguers like Logan Evans. However, former executive Jim Bowden of The Athletic wants the Mariners to make a wild trade for Suarez, as he wrote on Thursday: A package highlighted by middle infielder Michael Arroyo and right-hander Ryan Sloan could be enough to get a deal done. Arroyo, 20, has reached base at a .417 clip this season between High A and Double A. He has 17 homers and 49 RBIs. A second-round pick in 2024, Sloan has a 3.43 ERA over 15 starts this season at Low A. The 19-year-old has logged a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.82. Arroyo is currently ranked as the No. 60 prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, and Sloan is ranked No. 61. While the Diamondbacks can ask for that package, it certainly doesn't seem likely. For comparison, the Mariners acquired Luis Castillo at the 2022 trade deadline. That did cost them two Top-100 prospects (Edwin Arroyo and Noelvi Marte), but Castillo was younger, a pitcher, and under control for 1.5 more years. I just can't see the M's making a deal like this for a player five years older who is a rental. Mariners fans couldn't believe it, either: Per @HairlineSports on social media: I’m not even a SEA fan and the package you have them giving up is about 5x more than any other team (Jaxon) wiggins for Geno is enough but Ms have to add BOTH Arroyo and Sloan LOL Sloan might be SP1 for prospects a year from now From Travis Olson: What the hell are you talking about. So you have the mariners giving up two prospects in the top 79 in baseball. Meanwhile the Yankees give up no top 100 prospects. Come on. East coast bias much.
Packers LB Isaiah Simmons Raises Some Eyebrows on Day 1
The Green Bay Packers signed LB Isaiah Simmons at the end of April. He was not a home run, high profile free agent signing like Xavier McKinney or Josh Jacobs. Now a few years ago, Isaiah Simmons was the end all be all. In 2020, the Arizona Cardinals selected Simmons with the 8th overall pick. However, he has not lived up to the expectations that come with the number 8 pick. Simmons may not amount to much in Green Bay but his ceiling is high and on day 1 of training camp, he caught some people’s attention. Isaiah Simmons is a freak athlete. During the 2020 NFL Combine, he registered a 10.0 RAS. His explosion and speed grade were considered to be “elite”. His struggles in the NFL have more so been contributed to scheme and mental struggles. Earlier in the offseason, Simmons expressed relief that he will be playing only one position, linebacker, in Green Bay. In New York and Arizona, Simmons was asked to play linebacker and safety. The Packers understand that they have a unique athlete in Simmons. Their plan is straightforward. Hafley and LaFleur want to simplify the mental side of football so that Simmons’ can play without thinking. This approach is similar to Quay Walker, who is another explosive athlete but at times, he looked like he was thinking too much which led to poor play. In the second half of 2024, it seemed like Walker started to play fast and started to think less. By placing Simmons in the linebacker room and allowing him to focus on just that position, Green Bay hopes to be the team that capitalizes on Simmons real ability. Isaiah Simmons Receives High Praise From Josh Jacobs On Day 1 of training camp yesterday, Isaiah Simmons already made some noise. During a team portion of practice, Simmons busted through the line to stop a screen pass to Josh Jacobs. After practice, Josh Jacobs went on to say this about Simmons, “He’s a unicorn”. Jacobs did not stop there. He added, “He can run. We can put him out on guys in the slot, and he can cover guys,”. These are some awfully kind words from one of the Packers biggest stars. Isaiah Simmons is only 26 years old. He still has plenty of gas left in the tank. There is a chance that his career in Green Bay is not much to boast about but maybe a new system and a strong coaching staff can be the difference maker for Simmons. It might be smart not to get too far ahead of our skis with Simmons but the one true aspect of his game is that he is a strong special teams player. During his career, he has blocked a field goal, recorded 15 special team tackles, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble. Simmons certainly can contribute in that phase for the Packers. The Packers and Isaiah Simmons have a lot more work ahead of them during camp and the preseason. When the pads come on and the preseason games start, it will be interesting to see how Simmons plays. Time will tell what Simmons can really do but so far, his athleticism is catching people’s attention. The hopes are high that Simmons can put it all together because Cooper, Walker, and Simmons could be a very fast, very quick, and very explosive linebacker group.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
