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Lions Add Major TD Threat to Backfield With Undrafted Signing

The Detroit Lions’ 2025 draft didn’t exactly go as fans expected. Despite the offense being in great shape and the defense playing a big part in the Lions’ 2024 demise, it was the former that received plenty of help via rookie picks, like offensive lineman Tate Ratledge and wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaving does represent a major blow for this team, though, so perhaps Dan Campbell and co. simply want some extra juice to help with the transition.

Detroit kept with that theme on Sunday by bringing in another weapon who has a penchant for getting into the endzone.

NFL insider Aaron Wilson is reporting the Lions have signed running back Kyle Robichaux after the rookie went undrafted. He’s the second RB Detroit has brought in during the UDFA rush, as Robichaux follows Ohio product Anthony Tyus III to the Motor City.

Even though Robichaux didn’t hear his name called, that doesn’t rule out him going on to succeed in the pros. He touts nice size at 6 feet and 217 pounds, which he used to rack up 18 touchdowns on the ground over the past two seasons at Boston College, in addition to a pair of campaigns over 740 rushing yards.

NFL Draft Diamonds notes that Robichaux is an impactful short-yardage back who’s incredibly reliable with the ball in his hands. He does lack strong big-play potential, but he makes up for that with patience to find open running lanes and football IQ.

The fact that Robichaux projects as a change-of-pace bruiser at the next level makes it no surprise that the Lions sought him out. This is a team that’s led the charge in the revival of the run game, and having not one but multiple backs who can wear down defenses has been key to this offense being one of the league’s best.

Robichaux could slot in beautifully to that approach, given where his strengths are. Depth is vital for the Lions, considering how much they ask of their top two runners in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, especially since the latter already has a ton of miles (79 starts, 1,300 rushing attempts) on him since entering the league in 2019.

At the very least, Robichaux provides potential competition for, or even support behind, Craig Reynolds ahead of the 2025 season.

April 29, 2025
Next Men Up: The College Quarterbacks Set to Replace All 14 Taken in 2025 NFL Draft

Arch Manning, Carson Beck and CJ Carr are among the big names that will take center stage in 2025

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning takes the field before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning takes the field before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round. / Jerome Miron-

The 2025 NFL draft is officially in the books. And while it wasn’t considered the best year for quarterbacks, the event didn’t lack for drama at the position.

As expected, Miami quarterback Cam Ward was the first player taken, going No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans. The choice felt inevitable by Thursday night, but that shouldn’t overshadow his incredible story—after playing in a run-heavy wing T offense in high school, he began his career at Incarnate Word, lighting up the FCS level before transferring to Washington State and finally finishing at Miami.

He was a big transfer portal get, and the Hurricanes hope to repeat that success with Georgia’s Carson Beck, who was once considered a potential Heisman winner and top draft pick before a rough 2024 season put a damper on his prospects. He’ll now look to reassert himself as a top college QB in Coral Gables.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders was expected to be the next quarterback taken, but that honor ultimately went to Jaxson Dart, whom the New York Giants traded back into the first round to select. Sanders fell past three more quarterbacks and into the fifth round on Saturday before he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, who selected another QB ahead of him, as well.

Now, Sanders’s father and Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders will make his own big decision with his son off to the pros: give the quarterback job to a stopgap transfer from the Group of 5 ranks or go big and give the job to a blue-chip true freshman.

But Colorado isn’t the only program with a big quarterback battle on its hands after producing a draft pick at the position. Here are the quarterbacks currently projected to step in for each of the QBs taken in the 2025 NFL draft.

Miami: Carson Beck, Sixth-Year Sr. (Replacing Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans—Rd. 1, Pk. 1)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yrds

TD

2024 (Georgia)

290

448

3,485

28

12

55

71

1

Career

628

923

7,912

58

20

127

245

5

A year ago, Beck was a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy entering his second season as the starter at Georgia. But although he led the Bulldogs to the SEC championship, he suffered an in-game UCL injury that required season-ending surgery and cost him the chance to appear in the College Football Playoff. Though he was once considered a potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, he opted to transfer to Miami rather than go pro.

Ward thrived after transferring to the Hurricanes from Washington State for his final college season. But Beck’s situation is a bit different; Ward began his career at FCS program Incarnate Word before making his way to Washington State and then Miami, while Beck was already on the game’s biggest stage. If he breaks out after a disappointing 2024, however, the results could be largely the same.

Ole Miss: Austin Simmons, RS Soph. (Replacing Jaxson Dart, New York Giants—Rd. 1, Pk. 25)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024

19

32

282

2

0

5

14

0

Rebels coach Lane Kiffin has been one of college football’s transfer portal kings over the last few seasons, but in replacing Dart, a three-year starter, he is expected to turn to a homegrown talent in Austin Simmons.

Simmons’s playing time was limited in 2024, but he looked the part when he stepped in for an injured Dart early in Ole Miss’s 28–10 win over Georgia. Down 7–0 early in the game, Simmons completed 5 of 6 throws for 64 yards, leading the Rebels right down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to tie up the game.

The Moore Haven, Fla., native was a four-star recruit in the 2023 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, and, until recently, a two-sport star for Ole Miss; he dropped baseball as he prepares to become the face of the Rebels football program.

And he won’t have too much time to adjust; Ole Miss opens the season against Georgia State, but the schedule will quickly ramp up with games against Kentucky, Arkansas, Tulane and LSU in September.

Louisville: Miller Moss, Fifth-Year Sr. (Replacing Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints—Rd. 2, Pk. 40)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024 (USC)

233

362

2,555

18

9

21

-18

2

Career

299

454

3,469

27

10

31

9

4

Shough played at Oregon and Texas Tech for his first five college seasons before finally getting the opportunity to start at Louisville in 2024. And he made the most of it, throwing for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. Now, he’s considered one of the potential sleeper quarterbacks in the ’25 draft.

Miller Moss, meanwhile, sat behind Caleb Williams before getting his chance to start for USC last season. He played reasonably well, but was eventually benched in favor of the younger Jayden Maiava amid the Trojans’ struggles. Now, he’s off to the ACC to play his fifth and final season with the Cardinals.

While Moss has been up-and-down in his relatively limited playing time, he has had some impressive performances on the biggest stages, throwing for 372 yards and six touchdowns against Louisville in the 2023 Holiday Bowl and 378 yards and a score in USC’s season-opening win vs. LSU last year. The bowl game audition proved to be a pretty valuable one for the Los Angeles native.

Alabama: Ty Simpson, RS Jr. (Replacing Jalen Milroe, Seattle Seahawks—Rd. 3, Pk. 92)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024

14

25

167

0

0

8

44

1

Career

29

50

381

0

0

22

130

3

With Jalen Milroe off to the NFL, Alabama’s quarterback situation is as unsettled as any powerhouse program in the country. Ty Simpson, entering his fourth year in Tuscaloosa, is the leading option, according to offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, per AL.com, but he is still quite inexperienced, even with three years under Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer.

Other options include Austin Mack, a former four-star recruit who followed DeBoer from Washington to Alabama and attempted three passes last year (one of which went for a touchdown), and true freshman Keelon Russell, last year’s Elite 11 MVP.

Though the three players appear to be in a tight race, DeBoer made clear he would rather name just one of them as starter.

“I think it’s a lot easier to just have one out there, be in a rhythm,” DeBoer said, via AL.com. “There’s been times where I’ve started seasons doing that, and we’ve gotten through it. I can think two or three in particular, where you went four or five games, but that’s not really our mindset right now. I think when we get to the fall, we want to be settled in, and I think that helps just all around with leadership. But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

Oregon: Dante Moore, RS Soph. (Replacing Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns—Rd. 3, Pk. 94)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024

7

8

49

0

0

1

6

0

Career

121

221

1,659

11

9

46

-78

0

Before Nico Iamaleava made his move to Westwood, Dante Moore was the quarterback of the future for UCLA. A five-star member of the 2023 recruiting class, Moore split time with Ethan Garbers under Chip Kelly as a true freshman, flashing impressive abilities but ultimately struggling in Pac-12 play. He transferred to now-former conference rival Oregon and had the chance to sit and learn behind Dillon Gabriel in ’24.

Moore’s main competition for the job is fellow class of ’23 member Austin Novosad, a former four-star prospect with 13 career pass attempts to his name across two seasons.

Colorado: Kaidon Salter, Fifth-Year Sr. (Replacing Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns—Rd. 5, Pk. 144)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024 (Liberty)

147

212

1,886

15

6

114

579

7

Career

412

702

5,889

56

17

351

2,006

21

Deion Sanders dipped back into the transfer portal to replace his son Shedeur under center. The presumptive starter is Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty who was the Conference USA MVP in 2023. Salter and the Flames struggled to follow that successful season, in which the QB threw for over 2,800 yards and 32 touchdowns and added 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. As a dual-threat player, he adds a dimension to the offense that Sanders—who finished with negative rushing yards in both of his Colorado seasons (due in large part to sacks)—did not really provide.

Salter may have some competition, however. Julian Lewis, one of the top high school recruits in the country and a former USC commit, will also join the Buffaloes this season.

Syracuse: Steve Angeli, RS Jr. (Replacing Kyle McCord, Rd. 6, Pk. 181)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024 (Notre Dame)

24

36

268

3

0

9

9

0

Career

58

80

772

10

1

17

36

0

Syracuse head coach Fran Brown had in early April tapped Rickie Collins, a transfer from LSU, as his starter for 2025, but that was before another intriguing option became available. Notre Dame QB Angeli entered the transfer portal just days after that decision, and quickly committed to the Orange after a visit. He has two years of eligibility himself, but logic dictates that he didn’t leave the QB battle at Notre Dame to ride the bench elsewhere.

Unlike former Orange QB Kyle McCord, who already had a year as a starter under his belt when he transferred to Cuse from OSU, both Collins and Angeli will be looking to win a starting job for the first time. Collins appeared in limited time across four games in his two years with the Tigers. He was a former four-star recruit and earned solid reviews after spring practice. Angeli has more experience, though, with 80 career pass attempts, 772 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception. He started the 2023 Sun Bowl, a 40–8 win over Oregon State, during which he completed 15 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns.

Collins has the job for now. But this feels like a coin flip, if not an edge to Angeli, given Syracuse’s decision to add another QB after the pick had already been made.

Ohio State: Julian Sayin, RS Frosh. (Replacing Will Howard, Pittsburgh Steelers—Rd. 6, Pk. 185)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024

5

12

84

1

0

2

24

0

A year ago, Ohio State upgraded at QB by letting Kyle McCord leave for Syracuse, then grabbing Will Howard out of the portal from Kansas State. Now, with a national title under his belt, coach Ryan Day will look to install a homegrown signal caller. Julian Sayin, a former five-star recruit who began his career at Alabama, has been tabbed as the next man up by multiple now-former Buckeyes, though Day isn’t ready to make a call between him and sophomore Lincoln Kienholz.

The coach has described the competition between the pair as “pretty much neck-and-neck.” And whichever quarterback ultimately gets the nod will have his work cut out for him from the jump next season; Ohio State opens up at home against Arch Manning and Texas on Aug. 30.

Notre Dame: CJ Carr, RS Frosh. (Replacing Riley Leonard, Indianapolis Colts—Rd. 6, Pk. 189)

Games

2024

1 (No stats)

CJ Carr—the most inexperienced player on this list and the grandson of longtime Michigan coach Lloyd Carr—appears to be in the driver’s seat to take over for Riley Leonard.

While Angeli looked to be the biggest challenge to Carr—and the most experienced option that Notre Dame had on the roster—before he transferred to Syracuse, Carr’s main competition now becomes sophomore Kenny Minchey, a redshirt sophomore with three pass attempts over two seasons. So far, coach Marcus Freeman isn’t ready to name a starter.

“Neither of them have played meaningful plays snaps in a game, so when you have a QB competition, you put them in some of those pressure situations before they have to go do it,” Freeman told ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. “I love competition, period, so I’m excited for the future of our quarterback room.”

Florida: DJ Lagway, Soph. (Replacing Graham Mertz, Houston Texans—Rd. 6, Pk. 197)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024

115

192

1,915

12

9

51

101

4

Realistically, DJ Lagway isn’t replacing Graham Mertz in 2025, as he would have had the starting job even if Mertz returned for a seventh college season. But he is getting ready for his first full season as starter after he took over for an injured Mertz in ’24. Mertz was an efficient collegiate player who got better each year, but it was a slight surprise he went as high as the sixth round in the draft. Lagway, meanwhile, could find himself in the mix as an eventual No. 1 pick if things break correctly.

Now, the question is whether he’ll be healthy to start the 2025 season. He did not throw the ball during Florida’s spring camp as he was recovering from injuries, including a shoulder injury that some reportedly thought might require surgery. But coach Billy Napier has been very optimistic about his status moving into the summer, and has said Lagway will start throwing in June in preparation.

Montana State: Justin Lamson, RS Sr. (Replacing Tommy Mellott, Las Vegas Raiders—Rd. 6, Pk. 213)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024 (Stanford)

24

47

300

4

2

8

94

8

Career

62

135

804

4

4

188

428

13

Montana State is looking to replace Tommy Mellott, the 2024 Walter Peyton Award winner, and could do so with Justin Lamson, a similar dual-threat player from the transfer portal. The former Syracuse and Stanford quarterback initially opted to transfer to Bowling Green, but instead wound up in the FCS at Montana State after BGSU’s coaching change.

Stanford utilized Lamson in the short-yardage run game this season, and his athleticism was a clear draw for the Bobcats’ program. The QB threw for 2,783 yards and 31 touchdowns (with just two interceptions) and added 1,050 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground for the FCS runners-up.

North Dakota State: Cole Payton, RS Sr. (Replacing Cam Miller, Las Vegas Raiders—Rd. 6, Pk. 215)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024

10

16

125

2

1

21

165

1

Career

37

58

469

5

2

151

1,141

18

The Raiders doubled down on FCS superstars this draft, taking NDSU’s Cam Miller two picks after Mellott. The former led the Bison to a win over the Bobcats in the FCS championship game, and will now look to carve out an NFL career, leaving the starting job to Cole Payton, a veteran in his own right.

Though it will be Payton’s first chance at the full-time starting role, the fifth-year senior has been an important part of the Bison offense for a few years now, especially as a runner. He rushed for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023, and has lined up at running back as well as quarterback. He was limited to just eight games a year ago due to an injury that cut his season short in October, but will return to take the reins of the offense in ’25.

Indiana: Fernando Mendoza, RS Jr. (Replacing Kurtis Rourke, San Francisco 49ers—Rd. 7, Pk. 227)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024 (Cal)

265

386

3,004

16

6

87

105

2

Career

418

629

4,712

30

16

135

197

4

Fernando Mendoza dazzled the Calgorithm last year, impressing during the Golden Bears’ hot start in their first ACC season. He wound up putting together a solid second season as starter and is now looking to make the leap as Kurtis Rourke’s heir apparent.

Rourke was a very productive, if injury-prone, player at Ohio before his stellar single season at IU, in which he led the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff. Now, Mendoza is left to face those resultingly inflated expectations. He has the experience, though, with 20 career starts in his two years leading the Cal offense.

Texas: Arch Manning, RS Soph. (Replacing Quinn Ewers, Miami Dolphins—Rd. 7, Pk. 231)

Comp.

Att.

Pass Yds

Pass TD

Int

Rush Att.

Rush Yds

Rush TD

2024

61

90

939

9

2

25

108

4

Career

63

95

969

9

2

28

115

4

Ewers was one of college football’s biggest stars over the last few seasons, but his fame pales in comparison to the player who will take over for him at Texas—Arch Manning.

Arch, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning (and grandson of Archie Manning), got his first significant playing time while filling in for an injured Ewers as a redshirt freshman last season, and he impressed in limited time.

Though Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian stuck with Ewers as his starter, Manning’s performance was strong enough to spur some questions about whether Texas had a QB controversy on its hands.

There will be zero controversy entering the fall of 2025, however, as the Longhorns are no doubt Arch’s team to lead.

•

April 29, 2025
British Champion Eva Okaro on Sprint Training, Olympic Experience, & Heading to Texas

On the back of winning the 50 free and 50 fly at the 2025 British Championships and qualifying for her first LCM world championships, SwimSwam sat down with Eva Okaro to discuss her swimming career thus far.

Okaro dives into her experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2024 Short Course World Championships, where she won a silver medal with Britain’s mixed 4×100 medley relay. She also talks about her training in Britain and what she’s looking forward to about coming to the University of Texas in the fall.

0:00 Eva Okaro Introduction

1:31 British Championships

4:04 50 Free Race Plan

7:18 100 Fly/Free

10:08 Sprint Training

14:15 Swimming with Twin Sister

16:08 2024 Paris Olympics

25:33 Short Course World Champs

28:46 Training on Sundays

32:29 Coming to Texas

37:07 Favorite Pool

38:01 Sara Curtis

40:02 World Champs Prep

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

April 29, 2025
He Is Owning That Third Leg’ – Justin Gatlin Tips Wildcard Who Could Boost Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman in US 4x100m Quest

Kyree King (L) with Noah Lyles (R) at the 2024 World Athletics Relays.

Justin Gatlin has explained why he believes Kyree King has what it takes to be part of a USA 4 x 100m relay team that could dominate the world championships alongside Christian Coleman and Noah Lyles.

American sprint legend Justin Gatlin has explained why rising sprint star Kyree King could be the man to help team USA return to the heights of 4 by 100m running following nearly 20 years of struggles in the event.

Kyrie King is expected to help Team USA in their 4x100m relay ambitions at the upcoming World Athletics Relays in China.

Speaking on his Ready Set Go podcast alongside regular co-host Rodney Green, Gatlin said he has always appreciated King’s approach, describing it as the kind of competitive fire Team USA needs.

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“I like Kyrie’s energy — always have — because he’s always extra,” Gatlin noted. “It’s that extra of like, ‘Nah, you ain’t going to beat me on this third leg. You going to have to run up out your skin to beat me.’”

Gatlin praises Kyree King’s third-leg excecution at Tom Jones

‘He Is Owning That Third Leg’ – Justin Gatlin Tips Wildcard to Boost Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman in US 4x100m Quest

Kyree King (second from left) was part of Team USA’s 4 by 100m relay at the Olympic games in Paris.

Gatlin highlighted that King is beginning to truly own the curve, a crucial part of the third leg, and pointed to a recent head-to-head against Eriiyon Knighton at the Tom Jones invitational and he ran an impressive turn, but King refused to back down. “Kyrie didn’t lay down,” Gatlin emphasized.

Beyond raw speed, Gatlin stressed that relays demand a different mindset compared to individual events. While everyone naturally wants to shine solo, Gatlin said, there’s also a deeper “calling” when it comes to the 4x100m. “You know where you fit,” he said. “And Kyrie is comfortable with that third leg.”

‘I Just Go Ahead and Take It Easy’ – Ferdinand Omanyala Reacts After Close Fight with Akani Simbine in China

‘I Just Go Ahead and Take It Easy’ – Ferdinand Omanyala Reacts After Close Fight with Akani Simbine in China

“In a highly competitive Team USA relay pool, versatility is prized — athletes want to be able to say, “Put me anywhere, coach, I can get it done.” But specialization can be just as valuable.

Gatlin pointed out that Christian Coleman is well-established on the front end of the relay, while King is staking his claim for the third leg.

“You don’t know what the final combination will be going into the World Championships,” Gatlin admitted, “but it’s clear everyone is jockeying for position and getting ready.”

On his end, Rodney Green touched on the unique challenges of assembling a successful U.S. 4x100m squad, despite the country’s deep sprinting talent.

5 Bitter Lessons from Junior Starlets’ Failure to Qualify for 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

5 Bitter Lessons from Junior Starlets’ Failure to Qualify for 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

“The USA 4×1 is one of the most difficult things to navigate through,” he said. “You guys have the most talent — always have — but you have to wait to see who makes the relay pool after USA’s.”

He explained that even athletes who help Team USA post blazing times early in the season — like a 37.60-second performance — aren’t guaranteed a spot if they don’t perform well at nationals. “Coming to the end of the season, if they don’t make the finals of the 100 or anything like that, could they be pulled? You don’t even know. I don’t even know how that works,” Gatlin admitted.

The team will also see Noah Lyles take up his usual anchoring role, having missed out on the chance at the Paris Olympics after suffering a bout of COVID-19.

As the World Championships approach, it’s clear that competition within the U.S. squad will be just as fierce as anything they’ll face on the track.

April 29, 2025
Araújo heptathlon win highlights South American Championships | REPORT | World Athletics

Colombia’s Martha Araújo delivered one of the best performances of the South American Championships, the oldest area championships in athletics, held in Mar del Plata, Argentina, on 25-27 April.

In autumn conditions, sometimes affected by strong winds, the 28-year-old from Tumaco, who was seventh at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, produced an inspired competition by achieving the second-best performance in South American history, retaining her title from 2023.

Her tally of 6396 points on Saturday and Sunday (26-27 April) was slightly aided by the breeze, but still remarkable: 13.13 at 100m hurdles (2.5m/s), 1.73m at high jump, 13.55m at shot put, 24.43 at 200m (2.3m/s), 6.55m at long jump (1.4m/s), 47.62m at javelin and 2:17.38 at 800m. This is the sixth time that Araújo, who holds the South American record with 6426 points from 2024, has surpassed the 6000-point barrier.

Her fellow Colombian Natalia Linares also performed very well, leaping 6.81m (2.6m/s) on Sunday (27) to obtain the first long jump title for her nation. Her compatriot Carlos Sanmartín also had a successful weekend by winning the 3000m steeplechase in 8:37.79 on Saturday and the 5000m in 13:54.34 on Sunday.

Jucilene de Lima from Brazil produced one of the top performances for her nation by taking victory in the javelin with a championship record of 62.32m on Sunday. It was de Lima’s second title, after her triumph in 2015.

The javelin was highly anticipated and didn’t disappoint. Ecuador’s Juleisy Angulo delivered the first championship record of the event in round one with 62.25m, also a national record.

De Lima responded in round three with the farthest throw of the day and nothing changed after that moment, even following fine throws in round five (61.67m by de Lima and 61.09m by Angulo). Another Brazilian, Daniella Nisimura, was third with 60.12m, a personal best, while Uruguay’s Manuela Rotundo was fourth with 56.48m. Colombian María Lucelly Murillo was fifth with 54.63m.

The 19-year-old Rotundo was far from replicating her 64.17m performance, obtained in Gainesville, Florida, on 4 April. Murillo, champion in 2011, was another pre-event favourite, having reached the final at the 2023 World Athletics Championships with her personal best of 62.72m.

Good performances from Brazilian athletes came from the victories of Willian Dourado in the shot put (20.65m), José Fernando Santana in the decathlon (7847 points), Tatiane Raquel da Silva in the 3000m steeplechase (9:40.07; her fourth consecutive title in the event) and Izabela Rodrigues da Silva in the discus (62.87m; her third successive victory).

Gómez delivers for Argentina

One of the finest moments for the host nation came when Joaquín Gómez took victory in the hammer on Friday (25) with 77.69m from his fourth attempt, setting a national and championship record. Chileans Gabriel Kehr (76.90m) and Humberto Mansilla (76.61m) completed the podium with performances that were also better than the previous record.

Hammer champion Joaquín Gómez at the South American Championships (© Oscar Munoz Badilla)

Gómez, with his first title, became the 12th Argentine athlete to triumph at the event, and the first since 2011. His father, Daniel, his coach, won it in 1977 and 1985. Venezuelan Rosa Rodríguez took victory in the women’s competition with 71.04m, obtaining the fourth title of her career and becoming the most successful athlete at the event. Peruvian Ximena Zorrilla was second with 67.52m.

Martina Weil achieved one of the highlights for Chile. The world indoor 400m finalist retained the title with 51.14 in very windy conditions. Colombian Evelis Aguilar, the former South American heptathlon record-holder, seemed dominant but Weil was much stronger in the last 50 metres and Aguilar placed second in 51.26.

Aguilar impressed in the heats with a championship record of 50.63, her best performance at sea level. Aguilar had clocked 49.80 in Bogotá on 6 April, becoming the second South American to break 50 seconds after the 49.64 by Ximena Restrepo, Weil’s mother.

Claudio Romero and Martín Sáenz de Santamaría, also from Chile, delivered fine victories. Romero took the discus title with his 64.13m effort from round four, a championship record. Brazilian Wellinton Fernandes da Cruz Filho was second with 62.09m, while Colombian Mauricio Ortega, the South American record-holder, was third with 61.91m.

Sáenz de Santamaría won the 110m hurdles in 13.51 (1.0m/s), just 0.02 off his own national record, obtaining the first victory for his country at the distance since 1981.

Brazilians Felipe Bardi dos Santos and Vitória Cristina Rosa won the always coveted 100m races in 9.99 (0.4m/s) and 11.21 (1.2m/s) respectively. At 200m, Paraguay’s César Almirón and Ecuador’s Nicole Caicedo were victors. Almirón achieved a significant feat, becoming the third Paraguayan to win a South American title, and the first in a track event, with his 20.50 performance (1.6m/s). Caicedo clocked 23.07 (2.6m/s) to earn her country’s sole gold of the weekend.

The 20km race walking events, very strong in the area, delivered fine results. Brazilian Viviane Lyra won the women’s race in a championship record of 1:28:30 for the first ever title by a Brazilian in this event, while Peruvian Luis Henry Campos retained his 2023 crown in 1:21:26.

Brazil, once again, dominated the event, obtaining 52 medals (20 gold, 19 silver and 13 bronze). Colombia was second on the medal table with 17 (7, 7, 3), followed by Chile (5, 2, 7), Argentina (3, 4, 6), Venezuela (3, 4, 5), Peru (2, 2, 2), Uruguay (2, 1, 1), Ecuador (1, 5, 4), Panama (1, 1, 1), Paraguay (1, 0, 1) and Guyana (0, 1, 1).

This is the second time that Mar del Plata has hosted the event, after being the location for the 1997 event. The coastal city also received the 1995 Pan American Games. The first edition of the South American Championships took place in 1919, in Montevideo.

April 28, 2025
Year one behind him, Collin Chandler is ready for much more at Kentucky

Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope talks to the media about Collin Chandler after the Wildcats’ 76-57 win over Troy in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Milwaukee. By NCAA| John Clay

Just a few minutes after winning his first NCAA Tournament game as a head coach, Mark Pope sat on a podium in Milwaukee last month and reflected on one of the players that got him there.

By that point, Collin Chandler’s story was well known, his struggles well documented.

The freshman guard from Utah had been the first commitment of the Pope era of Kentucky basketball, pledging to the Wildcats while still an ocean away as he wrapped up a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Chandler — a highly touted recruit before heading overseas — had barely touched a basketball over those two years, and his transition back to competitive play went about as expected. For most of the season, he didn’t play much. In some big games, he didn’t play at all.

But his scoring flurry in that NCAA Tournament victory over Troy — nine points in less than two minutes to turn a two-possession game into an eventual UK rout — was a continuation of what he had shown over the month or so that preceded it: plenty of promise for the future.

Kentucky fans had watched Chandler struggle on the court. They’d watched him sit the bench. Finally, on the biggest stage there is, they got to see him go off.

What Pope wanted to talk about that night is what most of them never got a glimpse of.

“What we don’t see along the way — and this is super special to me — but we don’t see all the quiet moments in the Wildcat Lodge, where he’s by himself, wondering if this is ever going to work, and did he make the right decision,” Pope said. “Or the times he rolls out of a game, and the team has won a huge, huge game and he didn’t get to play and so he’s battling, within himself, the emotion of like, ‘I have to celebrate with my team, and I’m dying inside that I’m not contributing.’”

Those moments happened.

“I think that is kind of human nature to evaluate — and sometimes overevaluate — where you are in your position,” Chandler said in an interview with the Herald-Leader.

“So I would say I definitely went through that. There’s a lot of questioning of, ‘Did I make the right decision? Am I where I’m supposed to be?’ But I’ve always had a reassuring feeling that I am where I’m supposed to be. And so that has helped me to be patient and to trust that that’s where I was supposed to be. And that it’s all gonna work out.”

It worked out fine for Chandler by the end of his freshman season. And when it came time to decide where he would spend his sophomore year of college, the decision wasn’t too difficult.

The NCAA transfer portal closed for new entrants last week. Chandler’s name wasn’t on the list. A few days before the deadline, the Utah native made it clear on social media that he intended to return to Kentucky for a second season. The decision had been made long before that.

But it didn’t come lightly.

Chandler, who turned 21 in February and would be a college senior next season if not for the church mission, was known as someone wise beyond his years even as a high schooler.

He knows the reality of the current college basketball landscape — with ample opportunities at high-profile places for anyone willing to hit the transfer portal — and everyone who follows the sport should know by now that where players play is something that is constantly being evaluated.

His evaluation concluded that he belonged in Lexington.

“I wouldn’t say I ever seriously considered entering the portal,” Chandler said. “I mean, there’s a time where you have to reflect on what’s best for you and your life. And what God’s plan is for you and your life. And so that reflecting time for me and for my future wife — we felt that our hearts are in Kentucky, and that is where we want to be.

“And so that was really, I’d say, pretty clear for us as we were thinking about what our life is going to look like. That was kind of the picture that we felt was painted for us.”

Kentucky guard Collin Chandler gets a hug from UK coach Mark Pope during a game this past season. Chandler will return to the Cats for his sophomore year.

Kentucky guard Collin Chandler gets a hug from UK coach Mark Pope during a game this past season. Chandler will return to the Cats for his sophomore year.

Amid his on-court struggles last season — he scored just two points total over one span of more than two months, sitting out six games completely — Chandler never wavered in his allegiance to Pope.

And Pope, who was obviously asked during that stretch about Chandler’s lack of playing time, never stepped back from his declaration that the freshman would eventually become a key contributor.

“I feel like the heart and soul of me and Coach Pope’s relationship is believing in each other,” Chandler said. “And obviously I believe in Coach Pope and what I feel like he can do as a coach for the team, but also for myself individually. And I do think that he believes in me and will put me in positions to grow and show trust. And I felt that throughout the season.

“There were times where he didn’t feel like I should be out there. And then there were times that he would give me opportunities to show my growth and to grow as a player. And so that’s what I felt. And so I continue to believe I’m going to grow and that he’s going to put me in positions to do that. And so I’m excited for this upcoming year and for a lot more growth.”

Pretty much as soon as this past season ended, Pope started having one-on-one conversations with his players, including, of course, those who were eligible to return to Kentucky.

Chandler will join Brandon Garrison and Trent Noah, at the very least, as returnees for Pope’s second UK roster. They could be joined by Otega Oweh, who led the Wildcats in scoring this past season and is going through the NBA draft process this spring.

Pope’s first team — one stacked with seniors — advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the furthest the program had advanced in March since 2019. All things considered, that was viewed by most reasonable observers as a success.

But Chandler, Pope and the others affiliated with UK basketball have loftier aspirations for the future, and that’s been evident in the player-coach conversations over the past month or so.

“Well, it’s definitely a reflective time, right?” Chandler said of his recent talks with Pope. “A time of gratitude for what we were able to do together.

But also a lot of it is looking forward to what we need to keep chasing, which is a national championship. So that’s what we talked about. And what he sees me as, and what I need to be working on to contribute even more to the team. And I feel like that was mostly what those meetings consisted of — kind of talking about and keying in on what I need to work on individually.”

Chandler specifically mentioned improving as a ball-handler and working in screen situations as areas of focus this offseason. He mentioned the return of Garrison, the arrival of McDonald’s All-American center Malachi Moreno, and the presence of other talented, versatile players as key ingredients for a team that sounds like it’ll be utilizing screens even more next season.

“So feeling comfortable and creative in that way is going to be big for me and all of our guards moving into next year,” he said.

Chandler was a deadly 3-point shooter over the final stretch of his freshman season. In UK’s final seven games — the last six against teams that made the NCAA Tournament — he shot 12-for-23 (52.2%) from deep and averaged 6.3 points in 16.6 minutes per game.

Extrapolate those numbers, and Chandler would have made 60 3-pointers over a course of a 35-game season. Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson, both departing seniors, were the only Cats that hit more than 40 3-pointers last season.

Chandler also improved considerably as a defender from November to March, gaining confidence on both sides of the ball along the way.

“I feel like it all kind of came little by little,” he said of his all-around progress over the course of the season, eyeing his return to Lexington in a few weeks and the excitement of a full, normal offseason before he begins his sophomore year.

Collin Chandler emerged late in the 2024-25 season as a key bench player for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Collin Chandler emerged late in the 2024-25 season as a key bench player for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Future with Kentucky basketball

Chandler spoke to the Herald-Leader last week from his home in Utah. By the time he’s back in Lexington, the Kentucky Wildcat will be a married man.

The next few days will be spent wrapping up his spring semester online and preparing for his wedding. Chandler and his fiancée, Hannah, are getting married next week. The couple attended school together back in Farmington, Utah, and were engaged during the Kentucky basketball team’s trip to New York last December.

After the wedding, they’ll spend about a week on their honeymoon in Hawaii, and — not long after that — they’ll be back in Kentucky to start the next chapter of their lives together.

Hannah has been studying at the University of Utah — she has one more year of courses to complete her degree and plans to finish those classes remotely from Lexington — but she’s no stranger to Kentucky.

Chandler said she traveled to Lexington every month — sometimes more often than that — during the basketball season.

“She really likes it,” he said. “And I think for us, for her, the change of scenery of living in Kentucky is something that she looks forward to and is excited about.”

The players on the 2025-26 roster are scheduled to arrive on campus in early June, with summer practice starting up soon after that.

Pope and his coaching staff have assembled a roster that has drawn rave reviews nationally, a group ranked in the top 10 by several major outlets and one that will take legitimate NCAA title hopes into the 2025-26 campaign.

The group of newcomers will feature five transfers — Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen, Pittsburgh point guard Jaland Lowe, Tulane wing Kam Williams, Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate and Arizona State post player Jayden Quaintance — plus three college newcomers: five-star guard Jasper Johnson, Croatian power forward Andrija Jelavic and Moreno, a Central Kentucky native who spent ample time around the UK team this past season.

Last spring, all 12 scholarship players were new to the Wildcats’ program, but that 2024-25 group bonded quickly, a dynamic that all involved said led to more success on the court.

“It was really fun last year — when we got there in the summer — to all be there and learn the offense and learn each other,” Chandler said. “So there’s a sense of excitement for that again, to learn to play with new guys. And every team comes with a different dynamic. So I’m excited to experience that again.”

From freshman to leader?

Chandler spoke excitedly about the wealth of perimeter talent on this UK roster. He said he’d already been watching video highlights of his future teammates and looked forward to getting on the practice floor with them and forming chemistry in the backcourt.

He also expects to be a leader next season. While Chandler will be classified as a sophomore, he’ll be two years older than a typical player with that designation, and he obviously has the experience of playing for Pope.

“That’s definitely needed, I would say, for our team — is the guys who have been there to take the reins to teach as fast as we can,” Chandler said. “Because that’s only gonna help us to all figure it out as fast as we can. And that doesn’t just come from listening to Coach, but it really comes from a player-led team. So me, Trent, BG — O, if he ends up coming back, is going to be huge.

“And I think that I’m a very vocal person, so that is a part of my game that I hope to continue to grow is my voice. And to have an effect that way. And I feel like the experiences that I have with our team and with last season can help. And so I think I, as well as a lot of other guys, have to step up in leadership. And I’m excited about that aspect.”

It was a little more than a year ago that Chandler switched his commitment from BYU to Kentucky, taking the same leap that Pope had a few days earlier. With that decision, Chandler officially became the first player to commit to the new era of Kentucky basketball.

Nearly a year after that, Chandler played a major role in Pope’s first NCAA Tournament victory as a head coach. The first, they both hope, of many more together.

“It’s just this beautiful process that these guys get to go through,” Pope said after that win over Troy last month. “And the guys that keep going, that keep going, that keep going — like Collin Chandler — they get this moment. And he’s got so many more moments ahead of him. He’s going to be a terrific player.

“To be able to kind of bear witness to that and mentor and shepherd these guys through that process is really special. And the guys that hang in there and keep going at the end of the road mean something more than any of us probably recognize, because we weren’t in all those dark, doubting moments that the player’s gone through to kind of get there. And fighting to keep your confidence and the whole process. I actually love it. I think it’s super inspiring.”

April 28, 2025
Justin Gatlin, Rodney Green heap praise on ‘Mr Consistency’ Akani Simbine

South Africa’s Akani Simbine celebrates winning the men’s 100m event during the IAAF Diamond League athletics meeting in Xiamen, China.

Following yet another sub-10 second run at the Diamond League event in China on Saturday, Akani Simbine solidified the claims that he is currently the fastest man in the world.

The South African star backed up his recent victory in Botswana when he stormed to victory in the 100m in Xiamen on Saturday in a field that included Kenya star Ferdinand Omanyala, Botswana’s 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, American speedster Christian Coleman and 60m world indoor champion Jeremiah Azu of Britain.

Simbine clocked a time of 9.99. While it was short of the 9.90 world lead he clocked in Botswana, he again showed his class.

“The race felt good. I stumbled a bit after the 60, so I had to catch myself, but happened to catch the wind while catching the win,” Simbine told the Diamond League website afterwards.

“Keep going with the momentum… I am now going back to the basics, (and) putting myself in a position to learn.”

Former US great Justin Gatlin and former Bahamas sprinter Rodney Green praised Simbine for his longevity and consistency on their Ready Set Go podcast after he delivered a sub-10 second 100m for the 11th consecutive year.

“That’s why they call him Mr Consistency. He is consistently in every final, in medal contention almost every time he competes,” Green said.

“He won the bronze in the indoor final this year, something that he doesn’t really compete in a lot. I think that will transition him to the outdoors. Him and his coach have a plan … ‘by hell or by high water, we are getting on this podium’.

The podium Green is referring to is the 100m event at the World Championships to be held in Tokyo, Japan from September 13-21.

The concern with Simbine has always been peaking too early because the South African season starts much earlier than those in the United States and Europe due to our December to February summer season.

However, he showed at last year’s Olympic Games that he can keep his best performances for the Northern Hemisphere summer when he narrowly missed out on the medal in the final of the 100m. But he made up for that when he led the SA 4X100m team to the silver a few days later.

Green says Simbine can go even faster when the world championship comes around.

“His season is so difficult because of where he is in the world. Their summer time is in December and January, so when athletes (in America and Europe) are preparing, they are already ramping up. That is why he can run as fast as he can right now,” Green said.

“Now the question is can he maintain that, because the World Championships are so late. Can he run faster than 9.90? Yes, he has done it a few times.”

Simbine will remain in China for next Saturday’s second Diamond League meeting in Shanghai.

April 28, 2025
3 OSU writers share thoughts on Lions 1st-round pick Tyleik Williams

Three Ohio State beat writers reflect on Tyliek Williams’ collegiate career

When our favorite NFL team drafts a player, we immediately have questions of: “Who is this guy? What kind of player is he? What kind of person is he?” Tyleik Williams, who the Detroit Lions selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, may be a bit of an unknown to the casual Lions fan (especially as most people in Michigan aren’t exactly tuning into Ohio State games).

I was fortunate enough to connect with Ohio State beat writers Tim May, Tony Gerdeman and Dan Hope to get a clearer picture of who Tyleik Williams is on and off the field. These three took the time to answer my questions and share their insights, offering a closer look at the newest Detroit Lion.

“Tyleik is one of my favorite Buckeyes” – Tim May

Many analysts did not project Williams as a first-round pick. What qualities or attributes do you believe made him a strong choice for the Lions at No. 28 overall?

May: He’s big and quick and strong and aggressive. And he’s productive. Guys the size of him coupled with his quickness are the rare finds in the game of football.

Gerdeman: Williams is the size of a nose tackle with the agility of a three-tech. He is extremely quick for 327 pounds. He was a four-year contributor at Ohio State and comes from a winning program. He is the first Buckeye defensive tackle selected in the first round since 2001, which also provides some context on his ability relative to past Buckeye defensive tackles.

Hope: He’s an excellent run-stopping 3-technique DT with unusual athleticism for his massive size. With defensive tackle increasingly becoming a premium position in the NFL, I’m not surprised he was selected in Round 1. The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles also showed interest in him, so I don’t think he would have stayed on the board much longer if the Lions didn’t draft him.

What specific strengths did Williams bring to Ohio State’s defensive line unit?

May: His get-off is outstanding, and he fit the bill of what Larry Johnson wanted from his 3 technique, which was someone who could get upfield and disrupt the flow. He was tenacious to the whistle. Just turn on the video and watch him, especially through the 4 game grind of the College Football Playoff.

Gerdeman: Williams is quick and strong. Offensive linemen have to really set themselves for his power, but when they do, he can catch them flat-footed with his quickness. If they prepare for the quickness, they’re not ready for the power. Talking with an NFL scout recently, he put it this way: “When he goes, he goes.”

Hope: His combination of size, strength and quickness allows him to be highly disruptive at the line of scrimmage, particularly against the run. He’s good at shedding blocks, is a good tackler for a DT and showed impressive stamina for his size as he played more than 1,200 snaps across his final two seasons at Ohio State.

From your perspective, what areas of Williams’ game will require development in order for him to thrive at the professional level?

May: Early in his college career endurance was a challenge, but that’s also because he got banged up a little. It was no question his final season.

Gerdeman: Williams was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection as a freshman and sophomore, and that was when he wasn’t necessarily conditioned well enough to play more snaps.

Even at 330-odd pounds throughout his career, his wind improved. Detroit may want him to lose some weight depending on what they want him to do. As a three-tech, he could penetrate, but getting all the way to the quarterback wasn’t necessarily a strength. If they want him to rush the passer, dropping about 20 pounds would probably help.

Hope: I think that depends on what role he plays in the Lions’ defense. If the Lions keep him in the one-gap 3-technique role he played at Ohio State, he’ll need to continue developing as a pass-rusher as he had only 11.5 sacks in four seasons at Ohio State.

If they move him to nose tackle, he’ll need to work on consistently handling double-teams, as that’s something he didn’t have to do a ton at Ohio State since he primarily played 3-tech and had a ton of talent around him.

The Lions organization places a high premium on character and resilience. In what ways do you see Williams embodying the ‘gritty’ culture the team is known for?

May: He seems to enjoy being in the midst of the battle of the big men which is, after all, the essence of real football. Ohio State’s defense in 2024 was known for ‘Give us a yard and we’ll defend that yard,’ something that came to bear in at least four goal line stands of note. Williams was in the crunch zone in all of them.

Gerdeman: For one, he’s strong as hell. He holds up at the line of scrimmage and doesn’t just settle for occupying space. He wants to be a problem for the offense. For two, he loves the game. He’s always got a smile on his face and he has always added to the locker room. He is an energy giver, not an energy taker.

Hope: I’d go back to the fact that he played a high snap count and rarely left the field for Ohio State in big games, which isn’t something you always see from a 330-pound defensive tackle. He also battled through a shoulder injury for most of last season and only missed three games, so he demonstrated plenty of toughness and competitive drive as a Buckeye.

Are there any standout moments, stories, or behind-the-scenes insights from Williams’ time at Ohio State that you think Lions fans would appreciate or find meaningful?

May: He hated losing to TTUN… [“The Team UP North” aka Michigan] He and DT Ty Hamilton referred to their partnership as TNT, referring to what Williams said was their ability to be explosive and blow up plays. “Around the world defensive tackles are usually guys who just eat up space. But here we are playmakers. We’re not just here to fit the gap. We’re here to fit the gap and make the play” – Williams last season.

Gerdeman: As a sophomore, he wasn’t playing as much as he thought he should have been and created his own hashtag of #Free91.

This caused a lot of panic among fans that he might be looking to transfer, but it was always just a statement on his desire to be on the field. As a junior, he acknowledged that he wasn’t in the condition he needed to be to be “freed” as much as he’d have liked, so he made sure that it wouldn’t ever happen again.

Hope: I’ll remember Tyleik’s time at Ohio State not only for being an excellent defensive tackle who played a major role in the Buckeyes having one of the nation’s best defenses for the last two years, but also for the fun personality he brought to the team and the field.

I can’t recall many times I’ve seen Tyleik that he didn’t have a smile on his face, and he plays the game with that same joy. You’ll always see him celebrating when he or his teammates make a big play, and he wasn’t afraid to troll opponents on social media from time to time either.

Needless to say, the insights given here by these two beat writers who watched Williams throughout his career helped paint a bigger picture of who he truly is as both a football player and human being. Williams will go into training camp with an opportunity to take on a hefty role on defense while Alim McNeill is sidelined with his injury.

A big thank you once again to Tim May, Tony Gerdeman, and Dan Hope for taking time out of their schedules to answer these questions and give Lions fans more reasons to root for the team’s newest player.

Tim May covered Ohio State for the Columbus Dispatch for 42 years before his retirement. The award-winning journalist is still a prominent member of the Buckeye’s media circles. You can follow him and his work .

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April 28, 2025
Leeds United man puts £5,000 behind bar of popular pub ahead of Bristol City clash

Patrick Bamford has put £5,000 behind the bar at The Old Peacock pub near Leeds United’s Elland Road home.

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Leeds are set to host Bristol City tonight (April 28) for their final home game of the 2024/25 campaign. It will also be the club’s first fixture since they clinched promotion to the Premier League.

Fans will be able to enjoy some free pre-match drinks, with Bamford having generously donated money to the popular pub.

April 28, 2025
Shades of Pablo Hernandez: Leeds could sign “unbelievable” Aaronson upgrade

Will Leeds United be able to consolidate themselves as a Premier League-worthy outfit next season after finally breaking free of the Championship’s grip?

It will certainly be easier said than done, however, considering all three promoted teams that went up at Leeds’ expense at the end of the 2023/24 campaign are all tumbling straight back down to the EFL’s top league after a short-lived top-flight stay.

Leeds-promotion-championship

Moreover, Daniel Farke himself has a sketchy track record in the Premier League, having picked up just six career wins at the tricky level, leading to speculation surrounding his future at Elland Road that he could be let go of despite successfully guiding the Whites up to the big-time.

To help in their mission to stay afloat, one of Leeds’ tactics in the summer transfer window could be to poach some of the Championship’s cream of the crop.

Who Leeds could sign this summer

Before looking to bring in some of the EFL’s very best, it might be a case that the Whites look at strengthening courtesy of some Premier League players.

Inevitably, rumours linking Kalvin Phillips with a return have been lingering in the background over the last few months, while last week, West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek has reportedly become a target for the club.

Tomas Soucek for West Ham

But, who else is on their radar?

Well, heading into the 2024/25 campaign, they were persistently linked with Sheffield United playmaker Gustavo Hamer.

Leeds would, of course, snap up Jayden Bogle from the Blades, but this other switch wouldn’t go ahead, with the ex-Coventry City attacker then going on to win the coveted prize of Championship’s Player of the Season at the EFL awards this weekend for his efforts under Chris Wilder’s wing.

Gaining such recognition could well reignite the promoted side’s interest, with Hamer now having to fight it out for a place in the Premier League next season via the playoffs.

It’s a move pundit Lee Hendrie thinks has legs too, telling Football League World: “Obviously (Leeds) were interested (in Hamer), and particularly if the Blades don’t go up, I think that is going to be the key factor, isn’t it? He’s a very good player, and he has had a lot of clubs that were sniffing around him, even before going to Sheffield United. He’s proven that he has got that x-factor, one of the better players in the Championship arguably, in that position, anyway.”

Why Hamer would be a major upgrade on Aaronson

Described as an “unbelievable” player by former teammate Oli McBurnie, signing Hamer could finally see Brenden Aaronson pushed to one side in Farke’s starting lineups.

Aaronson should be commended for slotting back into the Whites set-up this season after his time at Elland Road had become sour but that doesn’t mean an upgrade shouldn’t be sought once their Premier League return is here.

gustavo-hamer-leeds

The 24-year-old was loaned out to Union Berlin for all of the 2023/24 season right after his side’s demise down to the EFL, only for the number 11 to notch up nine goals and two assists from 44 Championship appearances the following campaign back among the first-team fold.

Unfortunately for the rejuvenated USA international, he has endured a poor personal end to the season even as his side sit pretty in the league’s top two, with a mere two goal contributions falling his way in the Championship in 2025.

Whereas, Hamer – as seen via his sumptuous free-kick against Coventry back in March – has been a constant menace all campaign long for Wilder and Co, with four of his impressive 16 goal contributions in league action coming during United’s last six contests.

Hamer at Sheff Utd vs Aaronson at Leeds

Stat

Hamer

Aaronson

Championship games played

163

44

Premier League games played

36

36

Champ goals

26

9

Champ assists

31

2

PL goals

4

Shades of a certain Pablo Hernandez – a goalscoring and creative midfielder, Hamer certainly blows Aaronson out of the water with his standout Premier League output.

While goals certainly haven’t been hard to come by for Leeds in 2024/25, he would be a welcome addition to Farke’s ranks if a move whirred back into motion, with Hamer more than comfortable as a number ten option to usurp his ex-Red Bull Salzburg counterpart.

Brendan-Aaronson-Leeds

Also equally as lively down the left where he’s predominantly starred this season at Bramall Lane, Hamer would potentially give Farke a whole host of options in attack ahead of the step-up in quality, with this signing one that would undoubtedly boost Leeds in their fight for instant survival.

April 28, 2025