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  • Former QB Mike Hartline Returns to Kentucky Football

    Former QB Mike Hartline Returns to Kentucky Football

     

    Kentucky QB Mike Hartline and Randall Cobb, via Dale Zanine, Imagn Images

    Kentucky QB Mike Hartline and Randall Cobb, via Dale Zanine, Imagn Images

    The last Kentucky quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in a season will be back in blue this fall. The University of Kentucky announced on Thursday that Mike Hartline will join Mark Stoops’ staff as an offensive analyst in 2025.

     

    “When I first got into coaching it was always in the back of my mind how thrilled I would be to return to Kentucky, and if the timing was right I wouldn’t hesitate to come back,” Hartline said in a statement. “My coaches made an incredible impact on me and I hope to return the favor.

     

    “I’ve stayed in touch with Coach Stoops over the years and admire the coaching staffs and teams he has put together to take the program to where it is today.”

     

    It’s the second straight day a Hartline has been in the news. His brother, Brian Hartline, was recently promoted to offensive coordinator at Ohio State. He’s credited with turning the Buckeyes into an NFL Wide Receiver Factory.

     

    Mike Hartline started his coaching career as an intern for Ohio State back in 2015. He’s been an analyst at Cincinnati, Auburn, and most recently at Coastal Carolina. He was also previously an assistant coach at Ohio Dominican and Charlotte.

     

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    “We are excited for Mike Hartline to return to Kentucky,” said head coach Mark Stoops. “It was the right time and opportunity to bring him back and I know he will be an asset to our coaching staff.”

     

    Hartline succeeded Andre’ Woodson and was a three-year starter who missed half of 2009 with an injury. In 2010, he completed 66% of his passes for 3,178 yards, 23 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Hartline’s most memorable moment was a fourth-and-long dagger through the hearts of tenth-ranked South Carolina. His touchdown pass to Randall Cobb in the final two minutes sealed Kentucky’s first-ever victory over Steve Spurrier.

     

     

    More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

    Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.

     

     

  • Report: Florida Hiring Ben Elsner in Front Office Role

    Report: Florida Hiring Ben Elsner in Front Office Role

     

     

    Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) dives across the goal line for touchdown but it was called back during the second half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on Friday, December 20, 2024 in the 2024 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators defeated Tulane 33-8.

    Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) dives across the goal line for touchdown but it was called back during the second half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on Friday, December 20, 2024 in the 2024 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl. The Gators defeated Tulane 33-8. [

     

    GAINESVILLE, Fla.– The Florida Gators have reportedly made a major addition to its football front office by hiring Ben Elsner as its Director of Football Strategy.

     

    247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz was first to report Florida targeting Elsner with On3’s Zach Abolverdi confirming his position, which is believed to be the No. 2 role in the Gators’ front office.

     

    On Wednesday, head coach Billy Napier updated Florida’s standing in a search for a general manager-like position to run its football-focused front office, a position the Gators previously held multiple interviews for.

     

    “We’re trying to wrap that up,” he said. “I think we’re close. Obviously a very important position. It really will be a department more than a position. You’ll see we’re going to hire multiple people. I think that one of those hires is pretty close to being done and then I think the others are right around the corner as well. Very hopeful we’ll get that done here shortly.”

     

    Regarding Elsner’s specific role as the Director of Football Strategy, Napier explained the role is a “little more contracts, caps, and analytics” as college football heads towards a revenue share model.

     

    “We’re a year away from having a lot of data both in the rev share space and in the marketing/endorsement space,” he said. “We’re getting ready to kind of stabilize the market to some degree because we’re going to be using comps to reference.”

     

    Elsner himself joins Florida after previously being the Chief of Staff for the 33rd Team, a football analytics website.

     

     

  • Lions predicted to draft 6’2, 78-TD quarterback as Jared Goff heir apparent | Sporting News

    Lions predicted to draft 6’2, 78-TD quarterback as Jared Goff heir apparent | Sporting News

     

    Lions predicted to draft 6’2, 78-TD quarterback as Jared Goff heir apparent image

     

     

    Questions about the future at quarterback for the Detroit Lions arose after the team was bounced from the playoffs early at the hands of the Washington Commanders.

     

    While the Lions were able to post 31 points on the Commanders, quarterback Jared Goff struggled mightily in the losing effort, throwing three picks and losing a fumble. This was just the latest example of Goff struggling in the playoffs, something that was prominent during his days with the Los Angeles Rams.

     

    Despite that, the Lions aren’t going to be moving off Goff anytime soon, as he’s still under contract through 2028. However, they can start planning for the future, which AtoZ Sports’ Mike Payton has them doing in the 2025 NFL Draft.

     

    In his latest mock draft, he has the Lions taking a Day 2 swing on Alabama signal-caller Jalen Milroe.

     

    “Milroe did not have a good week and he’s fallen out of the first round,” Payton wrote. “That is going to help the Lions because this draft is not going to be about starters so much as it’s all about the future now. That’s what happens when you’re a really good team. You need to have sustained success and that means planning for the future.”

     

    “Milroe would be the future and he would give the Lions a significant amount of time to develop him into a starting-caliber quarterback,” he added. “The potential and athleticism is there. It just needs to be guided.”

     

    Once projected to be one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class, Milroe’s stock has taken a hit after a lackluster 2024 campaign and recent struggles at the Senior Bowl.

     

    The Alabama product completed 64.3% of his passes for 2,844 yards while rushing for 726 yards and scoring 36 total touchdowns and throwing 11 picks. For Milroe’s college career, he threw for 6,016 yards, rushed for 1,577 yards, and found pay dirt 78 times.

     

    “Overall, Milroe possesses all of the physical tools to play QB in the modern NFL. With the right development, he can become an impact quarterback in the NFL,” The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez said in his scouting report.

     

    The Lions already have a young quarterback on the roster in Hendon Hooker, but the fact that Detroit added Teddy Bridgewater and had him serve as the backup in the playoff loss to Washington isn’t a great sign for his development or the Lions’ faith in him.

     

    Detroit would be a good landing spot for a developmental quarterback like Milroe, as he’d have multiple years to hone his craft behind Goff. However, we just don’t see the Lions spending this high of a draft pick on the position considering Goff remains locked-in for multiple more years.

     

     

  • Ryan Day Contract Extension Could Mean New Contract for Georgia’s Kirby Smart

    Ryan Day Contract Extension Could Mean New Contract for Georgia’s Kirby Smart

     

    Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart gestures against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third quarter of the 2022 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

    Dec 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart gestures against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third quarter of the 2022 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

    Georgia head coach, Kirby Smart is the highest-paid football coach in College Football. Though a recent contract extension to Ryan Day, could lead to potentially another raise for Kirby Smart.

     

    For years it seemed as if legendary football coach Nick Saban had a clause written in his contract that essentially stated “Saban is to be the highest paid coach in the sport.” So, if one football coach were to enter Saban’s stratosphere in terms of annual value, super-agent Jimmy Sexton would have Alabama rolling out a new contract for Saban.

     

    Well, since Saban has retired, Sexton’s prized possession in terms of clients is now Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. Smart enterred the 2024 season as the highest-paid college football coach by a $1.5m margin, making $13m annually. In second place was Clemson’s Dabo Swinney at $11.5m per year.

     

    Now, Kirby Smart has neighboring company. He’s still set to be the highest-paid college football coach in the sport, but not by much. Following their first National Title since 2014, Ohio State has extended Ryan Day and given him quite a pay raise.

     

    Day was set to make $9.5m in 2025. Now, his contract has been extended through 2032 and he will be making $12.5m annually according to reports. One would imagine Jimmy Sexton is on the phone pretty soon with UGA brass attempting to squeeze them out of a few more dollars for the head man.

     

     

  • ‘I’m coming’ – Gout Gout addresses Usain Bolt comparisons and issues blunt Noah Lyles warning

    ‘I’m coming’ – Gout Gout addresses Usain Bolt comparisons and issues blunt Noah Lyles warning

    As he prepares to make a big impression on the world scene this year, Australian teenage sprinting star Gout Gout sent a warning to Noah Lyles. The 17-year-old’s incredible feats and similarities to Usain Bolt have garnered international attention.

    After breaking Bolt’s Under-16 200-meter record the previous year, he set a time of 20.04 to beat the Australian national record, which had been held by Peter Norman for 56 years. When the World Championships go to Tokyo in September of this year, success on the international scene is imminent. Gout intends to race in Tokyo, and based on the timings he posts, it appears he is more than prepared to make the announcement.

    Gout had a warning on a podcast with another American track athlete Grant Holloway and Noah Lyles, who took home gold in the 100m and bronze in that event. Promotion “I’m attempting to show you what’s happening. “I want to make a big impression,” he said to Beyond the Records. “I’ll do whatever it takes to let Noah know I’m vying for that position. “I know it’s a learning experience, but I secretly hope to win a medal, make it to the final, and either run up to Noah or try to chase him down.” Promotion

    He is already under international scrutiny, and the parallels to Bolt, the nine-time Olympic gold medalist, are unproductive. “I’m trying to be the next Gout Gout,” Gout stated in response to the discussion. Everyone aspires to be the next big thing after being compared to Usain Bolt.

    It’s obviously wonderful to be compared to him, but I’m Gout Gout, and I want to become as well-known as him. “I want the future generation to believe that they will be the next Gout Gout. That’s how I want to be. He said, “It crosses my mind sometimes,” in response to a question about whether or not people already look up to him. Simply put, I am myself, and sometimes people literally look up to me and try to be me. It’s absurd to consider

    The next Noah Lyles is attempting to become the next icon by emulating Usain Bolt. “It’s crazy and surreal to be the next icon.” When the Olympics came along last summer, Gout was a relative unknown, but he is already thinking about Los Angeles in 2028. After then, when he will just be 24 years old, the Games will travel to his hometown of Brisbane. “That’s definitely the end goal (to run at Brisbane 2032),” he stated. Los Angeles, of course, in 2028. I’m excited about it.

    “I’ll be aiming to head there and also the World Championships this year in Tokyo. I’m aiming to be there as well

    The Gout vs Lyles rivalry already looks to be a fiery one we can hopefully enjoy for years to come.

  • Leeds captain’s gesture, Lampard reaction and off-camera Coventry moments

    Leeds captain’s gesture, Lampard reaction and off-camera Coventry moments

     

    Some of his clean sheets have been earned without the keeper really being needed but not so this one. He had two saves to make in the second half, two vital saves and both were excellent. There was also a bit of quick thinking and a long, accurate throw that sent James away to create a chance.

     

    Coventry City rolled into this one with four straight wins but they played a big part in their own downfall in this one, assisting a team who need no assistance in scoring goals. Some of the decisions from the Sky Blues in possession and some of the execution was so poor and they had their goalkeeper and Leeds wastefulness to thank that it didn’t become a rout.

     

     

     

    The effort is always there, he covers miles and he causes real problems for teams but this was one of those occasions when his work in the final third, at the final moment let him down.

     

     

     

    Ethan Ampadu walking out of the tunnel, signing an autograph for the Leeds mascot who was visibly freezing. Ampadu walked towards the centre circle and then thought better of it, doubled back, gently chastised the club’s media department and then informed everyone he was going to fetch the youngster another top to wear.

     

    Junior Firpo applauding in approval as Joel Piroe curled home a beauty of a finish during shooting practise in the warm-up.

     

    Joe Rodon offering the benefit of his wisdom to Ilia Gruev as the starting outfield players prepared to do their final warm-up sprints.

     

     

     

    Farke reacting angrily to a slightly loose pass from Gruev that asked Ampadu to get into a physical duel that he otherwise wouldn’t have needed to go into. The manager spent the next minute instructing Gruev on where the ball should have gone.

     

    Rodon jumping in the air in frustration as his pass to Bogle was allowed to run under the right-back’s boot. The Welshman was then signalling to defensive partner Ampadu that he should have gone for a ball over the top instead of a risky pass down the middle that got cut out.

     

    Joel Latibeaudiere yelling ‘you’re so bad at your job’ into the face of referee Dean Whitestone as he failed to force Piroe to go off via the shortest route as he was replaced late on.

     

    Solomon forcing Ampadu to come away from Latibeaudiere as they exchanged words on the pitch at full-time.

     

    The Leeds fans provoking a reaction from Frank Lampard as they goaded him after the win.

     

     

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  • Town youngster departs club to join non-league side on a permanent deal

    Town youngster departs club to join non-league side on a permanent deal

     

     

     

    Youngster Jesse Nwabueze has signed for National League South side Bath City on a permanent deal after leaving Ipswich Town.

     

    The 21-year-old forward joined the Blues in 2020 following a trial after departing Crystal Palace’s youth setup.

     

    Nwabueze went on to be a regular for the Under-18s and Under-21s sides, but suffered some injury set-backs that hampered his development. He also spent some time on loan at Bury Town and Stowmarket.

     

    He featured for Kieran McKenna’s side in the pre-season friendly against Shakhtar Donetsk in Austria last summer.

     

     

    The academy player now joins Darren Way’s side, having trained with the Romans over the last few weeks. They currently sit 18th in the sixth tier.

     

    Nwabueze made his debut for them in their 2-1 home win over Chelmsford City on Tuesday evening.

  • Battle lines are drawn: Man City, Chelsea, Barca ‘fighting for Palace star’

    Battle lines are drawn: Man City, Chelsea, Barca ‘fighting for Palace star’

    Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona are reportedly all interested in signing Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz.

    The 28-year-old made the move to Palace from Genk in January 2024, and he has been impressive during his time at Selhurst Park, scoring twice and providing eight assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.

    Munoz has two goals and three assists in 23 Premier League outings during the 2024-25 campaign, and he starred in his side’s 2-0 success over Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

    The Colombia international has a contract at Selhurst Park until June 2027, with the option of a further 12 months, but Palace are seemingly facing a difficult task when it comes to keeping him beyond this season.

    According to Antena 2, Man City want Munoz to replace Kyle Walker, who left for AC Milan in January, while Chelsea and Barcelona are also believed to be keen on the South American.

    Palace’s Munoz ‘attracting attention’ from Man City, Chelsea, Barcelona

    The report claims that Palace could be willing to let Munoz leave for around £21m, which would make him a bargain in the current market considering his performance levels in the Premier League.

    Man City are believed to view him as the ideal replacement for Walker, with a new right-back set to be a priority for the Premier League champions during this summer’s transfer window.

    Chelsea are well-stocked at right-back with Reece James and Malo Gusto, but the Blues are also said to be firmly in the race for Munoz, while Barcelona are looking for a specialist in that position.

    Jules Kounde continues to operate at right-back for Barcelona, but the Frenchman prefers featuring in the middle and could be required to play in that area next term if Inigo Martinez does not pen a new deal.

    Could Barcelona have the edge over Man City, Chelsea?

    Munoz previously revealed that ex-Barcelona star Ronaldinho was his idol as a young player.

    “As a child, my idol was always Ronaldinho when he played for Barcelona. In my lower divisions I never played as a full-back, I was always a winger and I looked up to players who were unbalanced and as a child I only saw Ronaldinho,” Barca Blaugranes quotes him as saying.

    A fee in the region of £21m is unlikely to prove problematic for Barcelona despite their financial issues, with the Catalan outfit expecting to be in a much stronger position heading into the summer transfer window.

  • Proposed Steelers-Lions blockbuster trade swaps starting edge rushers | Sporting News

    Proposed Steelers-Lions blockbuster trade swaps starting edge rushers | Sporting News

    The Pittsburgh Steelers could make some big changes this offseason, as the franchise hasn’t won a playoff game in eight years and suffered a five-game losing streak to end the 2024 season, including an embarrassing road playoff defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round.

    There aren’t many untouchable players on the Steelers’ roster, but edge rusher T.J. Watt seems like someone Pittsburgh would be foolish to trade. The 30-year-old has been one of the best players in football since entering the league in 2017 and is the face of the franchise.

    The Steelers are incredibly unlikely to move the seven-time Pro Bowler this offseason, but The Wright Way Sports Network proposed a blockbuster trade package that would send Watt to the Detroit Lions.

    The hypothetical trade proposal sends Watt and Pittsburgh’s 2025 fourth-round pick to Detroit for edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, the Lions 2025 first-round pick, which is the No.28 overall selection, and a 2025 second-round pick, the No.60 overall selection.

    The reality in Pittsburgh is T.J. Watt has never made the AFC title game with the Steelers and his patience is starting to wear thin. Detroit is a solid defense away from being Super Bowl contenders and needs a difference maker to get them over the top.

    Pittsburgh would pay the heavy price of trading away one of the top three pass rushers in the NFL, but in return would get a defensive end in Za’Darius Smith who can play well. More importantly, the draft picks received would help build the younger roster to what they need.

    This is in a sense a lopsided traded in favor of the Lions getting a superstar. On the flip side, the Steelers hope to capitalize on the draft picks to help their offense and defense with each pick and take advantage of a cheaper contract from Smith.

    General manager Omar Khan shouldn’t think twice about this deal. Watt is a generational talent who is still in the prime of his career and has led the league in sacks in three of the last five seasons. The former Wisconsin Badger should be a Steeler for life unless a team offers Pittsburgh a historic deal.

    Though Smith is a solid player, he’s 32 years old and isn’t on the same level as Watt. Additionally, the Lions 2025 picks aren’t very enticing, and Detroit’s mock trade package is nowhere near enough to land the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year.

    The Steelers need to make some drastic changes this offseason, but trading Watt would be an incompetent and ridiculous move by Khan. The veteran will end his career as one of the greatest defensive players of all time and is undoubtedly the most valuable player on Pittsburgh’s subpar roster.

     

  • Commanders named top trade destination for All-Pro former NFL Offensive player of the Year | Sporting News

    Commanders named top trade destination for All-Pro former NFL Offensive player of the Year | Sporting News

    The Washington Commanders have to add talent around Jayden Daniels if they want to maximize the window they have him on his rookie contract and make a run to the Super Bowl in the next three years.

    Nobody saw it coming ahead of the 2024 campaign, but Daniels emerged as the most electric young QB in the NFL, putting together arguably the best rookie season of any player at his position in league history.

    While Daniels rare athleticism blended with Washington OC Kliff Kingsbury’s willingness to custom-tailor the Commanders offense to the rookie QB’s strength played a major factor in the team’s unprecedented run to the NFC Championship game, it’s even more impressive considering the lack of talent that surrounded him in 2024.

    Beyond Terry McLaurin — who solidified himself as a No. 1 WR in 2024 with over 1,000 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns which earned him first team Pro Bowl honors — Daniels had very little elite talent to work with and still found a way to lead the Commanders one game away from the Super Bowl.

    Look at the best teams in the NFL right now. The Philadelphia Eagles have two No. 1 WRs in AJ Brown and Devontae Smith, with a dynamic tight end in Dallas Goedert and Saquon Barkley creating nightmares for opposing defenses.

    The Detroit Lions have a similar situation, with WRs Ama-ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams keeping defenses on their toes, with Sam La-Porta as a constant threat over the middle as an elite pass-catching tight end. Add the running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and its easy to see why Detroit was so hard to slow down in 2024.

    The Washington Commanders had to rely on a committee of wideouts that would be third or fourth options on other teams like Noah Brown, Dyami Brown and Olamade Zaccheus. Daniels found chemistry with Zach Ertz who put together a solid season in his 13th year, but it was clear the wear and tear is taking a toll on him and he isn’t the dynamic tight end he once was. The running back duo of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekler helped at times, but was nonexistent in plenty games for the Commanders in 2024.

    Washington is entering the offseason with the third most salary cap space of any team in the NFL and it’s no secret the Commanders brass plans to add talent around Daniels.

    Earlier this week, the Rams announced 2021 Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp was going to be traded and several analysts and even a former Washington head coach pegged D.C. as the top landing spot for the dynamic WR.