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United Football League veteran linebacker Jayin White is a former member of the UNLV Rebels football team and member of their All-Decade team for the 2010's. After making the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, he bounced around as a professional football player.
Now in his sixth season as a pro, he enters his second season with the UFL's Michigan Panthers. The Panthers knocked out the three-time defending champion Birmingham Stallions, on Sunday in their semi-finals playoff matchup, who won the last two USFL championships and the first UFL championship last year. The Panthers are known for their stifling defense and won their playoff game with a turnover. Now on June 14, White helps lead his defense into the UFL Championship game against the DC Defenders. Prior to Sunday's game, he spoke with the Las Vegas Sun about his journey from UNLV to where he is now.
Jayin White On Getting To Play In The NFL:
“As a kid being 7 years old and dreaming of playing in the NFL and then being in an NFL game, there’s no better feeling. Once you hit that, I believe you’re established and achieved the goal you wanted to achieve. Then, wherever the course takes me, I just ride with it.”
Jayin White On Another Potential NFL Opportunity:
“It’s just kind of taking advantage of where your feet are at right now and not worrying about the future. Especially with me being older, whatever comes to me, comes to me. If it doesn’t come, I won’t be too mad about it.”
He often attends UNLV games and has remained close with people around the program like Athletic Director Erick Harper and Associate Athletic Director David Wedley:
“I always stay in touch. That’s one of my favorite things to do, watch them play in Allegiant Stadium.”
Jayin White On His Love For Football:
“Football is the one thing I’ve always loved in my life. I’ve always been told to play as long as possible because once you hang it up, you can’t come back.”
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Roger Federer Announces Tennis Return For Final Match
20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will return to the tennis court to play one more match at this year’s Shanghai Masters. Federer, who celebrated his 44th birthday on Friday, played his final match on the professional scene in September 2022 at the Laver Cup. It was an emotionally intoxicating doubles match in which Federer reunited with his great rival, Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer Announces Tennis Return Three years on from his retirement, Federer plans to grace the courts in Shanghai to play a celebrity doubles match. The tournament confirmed on X that the legendary Swiss will return to China at the start of October, when this year’s edition will be up and running. “Roger Federer is coming back to Shanghai. Join us on October 10th for the @rogerfederer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match!” The tournament relayed the news. While the full schedule of who Federer will partner or play with is unknown for now, that match will take place two days before the singles final of the 2025 Shanghai Masters. In a short video announcing his return for one more doubles match, the two-time Shanghai champion said, “Hello, this is Roger. I’m really happy to be returning to the Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Shanghai has always been a special place for me, with great fans and unforgettable memories, and a real love for the game. I look forward to seeing you there on October 10th. Shanghai, let’s meet.” Why Shanghai? Shanghai is the penultimate Masters 1000 on the calendar and has previously been voted as the best ATP tournament of the year by players. The tournament represents some of the world’s best brands, including Rolex, which is its title sponsor. The Swiss watchmaker company is one of Federer’s most valuable sponsors. Federer has endorsed Rolex since 2001, and that partnership continues to grow stronger post-retirement. Federer has visited Shanghai in each of the last two years and has toured the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, which serves as the main court in the tournament. In 2023, he was presented with the Icon Athlete Award by the tournament in honor of his illustrious career in front of a packed stadium. And last year, Federer watched on from the stands as Jannik Sinner defeated one of his former rivals, Novak Djokovic, in the final.
Commanders' signing of former third-round pick shows their opinions on the position group, and might foreshadow a current injury
Washington Commanders HC Dan Quinn spoke with the media before practice today and continued to express his displeasure with the team's results in their blowout loss on Friday night. He spoke about the depth he likes on the team, but also hinted at some positions that could use some help. Quinn also said that the team would be working out a handful of players following practice today, and that they are always willing to improve the team where it's possible. Well, the Commanders signed a player today following the workouts that could hint at what Quinn was talking about, and more. Commanders sign former third-round pick The Commanders are signing a former third-round pick in LB Duke Riley, who was actually drafted by the Atlanta Falcons when Dan Quinn was the head coach there. This signing comes after the Commanders worked out 14 players after practice today, which contained seven linebackers and no wide receivers. After the performance we saw in the first preseason game on defense and special teams, these workouts shouldn't be surprising though. Riley was a starting linebacker in Atlanta when he was drafted in 2017, and eventually landed in Miami in 2021, where he has been a rotational linebacker and special-teams defender. That tells me a lot about what they saw on film after watching the first preseason game. Could the writing be on the wall? This immediately raises two flags for me: who would he replace on special teams, and what does this mean for the health of another linebacker? When you go back and watch the film, Dominique Hampton did not look good at all at his new linebacker position, and I don't have him making the active roster. The team also drafted Kain Medrano, who is listed as a linebacker on the depth chart by the team. Other than that, the Commanders have no true depth at linebacker. You have a special-teams ace who can't play linebacker, and a linebacker who can't play special teams. That's not a good combo for roster cuts. Veteran Nick Bellore has been an outstanding special-teams player, but could his lack of ability at linebacker cost the 36-year-old? Hopeful second-round linebacker Jordan Magee has so much potential, but he's already dealing with an undisclosed injury after playing only 16 snaps in his rookie season due to injuries. Signing Riley, who can rotate at linebacker and be a key special-teams piece, means that the team either doesn't like what they saw on film with special teams, or they aren't sure if Magee can stay healthy. Either way, this signing is filling in two major needs right now.
Jaguars' Travis Hunter plays both sides of ball in preseason debut
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter is going to be one of the must-see stories in the NFL this season as he attempts to play both sides of the ball. It's going to be a daunting task in the NFL, but he got his first taste of it on Saturday night in the team's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hunter lined up as both a wide receiver and cornerback — just as he did throughout his college career — and produced some mixed results. Offensively, he lined up for nine snaps on the team's opening drive and caught two passes (on two targets) for nine yards, including a six-yard catch that came up just one yard short of the first-down line on a third-down play. The Jaguars' first-team offense was going up against a lineup featuring mostly Steelers backups, and their game plan seemed to focus more on short-quick passes than anything that would allow Hunter to get downfield or make any big plays. Defensively, Hunter lined up for five snaps at cornerback and did not have any passes go in his direction, while he also missed a potential tackle on a running play. Hunter was one of the best players in college football over the previous two seasons, playing both cornerback and wide receiver at an exceptionally high level. It was not uncommon for him to play over 100 snaps in a game. That performance resulted in him being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft class (with Jacksonville trading up to get him). He has every intention of playing both sides of the ball in the NFL, and the Jaguars seem inclined to let him try. It's not going to be easy, though. There is a massive difference in speed and physicality (not to mention quality of play) between college football and the NFL, and just because he was able to excel at both positions (and have the durability to play both) in the former does not mean he will be able to do so as effectively in the latter. He may have to limit himself on one side of the ball a little as the grind of a season wears on. If he does not have to limit himself, and if he is able to pull it off, it would make him one of the most valuable players in the NFL just based on the fact that he is two premium positions in one player.
Jhoan Duran is showing he's everything the Phillies needed
Despite appearing in just four games for the Philadelphia Phillies, closer Jhoan Duran has already made an impact. Duran slammed the door shut again on Sunday afternoon, notching his fourth save in as many games as he closed out the Phillies' 4-2 victory over the Rangers. He has allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings, striking out three as he has retired 12 of the 13 batters he has faced since he was acquired at the trade deadline. The ninth inning had been a revolving door yet again for the Phillies this season. Closer Jose Alvarado had performed well, posting a 2.70 ERA and a 1.200 WHiP over his 20 innings, but was suspended for 80 games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Jordan Romano has been inconsistent at best, moving in and out of the closer role as he has posted a 6.64 ERA and a 1.347 WHiP over 39.1 innings entering Monday, striking out 41 batters with 15 walks. Although relievers Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm have pitched well, the Phillies have been reluctant to hand either the closer role. The Phillies paid handsomely to bring Duran on board. Pitcher Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait are both top-100 prospects and could be building blocks in Minnesota for years to come. Moving Duran could pay long-term dividends for the Twins. Meanwhile, the Phillies have a different goal in mind — winning the third World Series in franchise history. A constant revolving door in the ninth inning has kept that goal out of reach. While it is just a four-game sample size, Duran has been everything that the Phillies could have hoped for in their closer.
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