The Georgia Bulldogs saw their 2024 college football season cut shorter than they would have liked, losing 23-10 to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
After suffering two losses during the regular season, Georgia bounced back in a big way, winning the SEC title over Texas and punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs failed to win a playoff game and packed their bags for next season.
Star running back Trevor Etienne hinted after the game he’d be leaving for the NFL by reflecting on the relationships he formed.
“I mean, it means a lot, man,” Etienne said after the loss. “These are memories with relationships I’ve built with guys and moments that you can never get back, that you’ll remember forever.I will forever look back on these moments. And I’m just blessed to be a part of something this special and glad to have built the relationship with these guys around me.”
Fast forward two weeks and that’s exactly what he did. On Tuesday night Etienne took to Instagram with an announcement revealing his intentions to enter the 2025 NFL draft.
In his message, Etienne sent a message to head coach Kirby Smart.
“To Coach Smart and the UGA Coaching Staff, the past year has been an incredible journey,” he said in the message. “It means the world to me that you trusted in me and gave me an opportunity to provide immediate impact. Your culture of excellence left a lasting impact on me, and I am forever better for my time in the Red and Black. My experience as a Dawg was nothing short of amazing.”
Fast forward to Tuesday, and Georgia received more good news on the offensive side of the ball in one of their top tight ends announcing that he will be coming back to Georgia next season.
Georgia tight end Oscar Delp announced on Tuesday that he will be returning to Georgia for one final season.
Delp is coming off his third season with Georgia where he had a career high four touchdown receptions this year. He also recorded 21 receptions for 248 yards as well. These stats may not jump out as overly impressive, but that has more to do with Beck not being a fan of targeting his tight ends. So under a new quarterback next season, that could change for Delp.
Whoever the startinig quarterback ends up being for Georgia next season will be thrilled that Delp is back for another season. He is a very reliable target and a massive presence in the passing game that can be relied upon to pick up key yards in the middle of the field. It’s unlikely that Georgia’s offense will change too much next season when it comes to the passing game, but this announcement does make it seem more likely that they will utilize their tight ends more.
And if that is the case, then Delp will be ready to take advantage of his increased role.
Three Georgia players that Georgia fans need to be buying stock in ahead of the 2025 college football season.
Sep 9, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Gabe Harris (29) reacts after making a tackle against the Ball State Cardinals during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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The Georgia Bulldogs are still waiting to officially hear from a couple of players in regards to their decision on the NFL, but for the most part, everyone kind of has an idea of what next year’s team is going to look like. That even includes the starting quarterback job even though there will certainly be a competition this spring.
With that said though, there are some Georgia players entering the 2025 season that could very well have a big season. Players that if they had a stock market value on them today, they would be smart purchases because the value is only going to go up from here. So here are a few names that fans need to be buying stock in.
It’s a thin position for Georgia after Damon Wilson elected to hit the portal, Jalon Walker entered the draft and Chaz Chambliss is likely headed in the same direction despite not having an official announcement from him. That leaves Harris as really one of the only players that has in-game experience, or at least a solid amount of it, on the roster. This past season he finished with four tackles for loss and two sacks and with an increase in opportunities for him, you expect those numbers to see an increase as well.
Aguero was a starter for Georgia this season and played well. His name wasn’t necessarily making the headlines and there wasn’t a lot of chatter around his name, but Aguero had a very solid season in his first year starting. The trend for Georgia defensive backs tends to be consistent improvement over every single season and if that holds true for Aguero, he could very well become a focal point of Georgia’s defense next year. It wouldn’t be the first time Georgia’s STAR was a high impact player.
Bell is one of a few players who announced they are returning for another season. Many expected Bell to have a monster season in 2024 but things just didn’t pan out that way. However, with some changes coming to the offense, it could be very beneficial for Bell. Those changes include talented wide receivers being added to the roster as Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas. Specifically, Thomas is being added to the roster because he can fill the X-position and allow Bell to play at Z, which is probably where he can be the most impactful. However, Bell had to be plugged into there due to circumstances last season.
If that is how things work out for Bell though, a big 2025 campaign could be on his doorstep.
Jan 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) and Philadelphia Flyers right wing Garnet Hathaway (19) battle for the puck during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Eric Hartline Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers on multiple occasions this season have said they either win or they learn as they maneuver their way through a chance to defend the Stanley Cup.
Well, they have been doing a lot of learning lately.
Since a four-game win streak in mid-December, the Panthers have gone 3-5-1 during over their past nine games entering Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils and have not won consecutive games in this stretch.
This includes falling 4-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday after leading 2-0 after one period and 2-1 going into the third.
Monday was the Panthers’ first loss this season when leading after two periods — they were 16-0 in those situations entering the Philadelphia loss — and the first time losing in regulation after being up through 40 minutes since the 2022-23 season.
“When you win the Cup,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said postgame Monday, “you are on everybody’s calendar, it’s a big night.”
The biggest lesson the Panthers are learning in this stretch — and one Maurice has been hoping to apply all season: Figuring out how to play comfortable in tight games.
While the first two games of this rough patch were back-to-back shutout losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens, each of past seven has either been decided by one goal or was a one-goal game until the winning team scored on an empty net.
“It forces you to keep your brain in a different space,” Maurice said. “You’re not chasing the game by two or three, so you’re not thinking about that kind of hockey. And you’re not leading by two or three where you get maybe more defensive or more casual when you have a big lead. We need to get in as many of these tight games as we can. … That’s what you need to do in playoff hockey.”
It was a penchant of this team during Maurice’s first two seasons and a big reason why they were able to get to the Stanley Cup Final both years and ultimately win it all last season.
As the rest of the season continues on — the Panthers still have a four-game West Coast trip later this month, another six-game road trip in mid-March and eight more sets of back-to-backs overall during their final 38 regular-season games — Florida knows it needs to embrace the grind that will come on any given night before the postseason begins.
“Obviously it would be fun to win 10 to nothing, but that’s not how it goes,” center Anton Lundell said. “Every team is good, and especially going later into the season, everybody wants to win. Every point is becoming even bigger and bigger, so it’s going to be tighter and harder. We want to be ready for that when the playoffs start for sure, but at the same time we wanna win as many games as we can right now.”
Reinhart’s special-teams success
Sam Reinhart’s knack for scoring on special teams was on full display again Monday. The All-Star winger scored shorthanded in the first period to open scoring and had a goal on the power-play in the 3:35 into the third period to give Florida a brief 3-2 lead before Philadelphia scored the final two goals to take the lead and the win.
It was Reinhart’s second game of the season with a power-play goal and a short-handed goal and his third overall with the Panthers, which stands as the franchise record (Pavel Bure and Aleksander Barkov each have two).
Reinhart is up to 27 goals on the season, second behind only the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl (31). Of those 27, an NHL-leading five have come short-handed and another nine have come on the power play.
Reinhart also had five short-handed goals last season. According to NHL Stats, Reinhart is just the second player in the past 20 years to score five or more short-handed goals in consecutive seasons, joining former Flyers forward Mike Richards (2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons).
“He’s been flat-out great every night,” Maurice said.
Unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions, with a 2-0 win against Chelsea obviously sticking out during this positive patch of results, the spirits are currently high at Ipswich Town.
With two home games up next versus Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City, Kieran McKenna will pray more points are added next to their Premier League total, as the Suffolk underdogs attempt everything in their power to not sink down to the Championship straight away.
The top-flight is a cruel beast unfortunately, but McKenna will remain optimistic, especially if he can get a tune out of Kalvin Phillips between now and the end of the season after he stood out against Bristol Rovers in FA Cup action.
Kalvin Phillips’ loan spell at Ipswich so far
It’s been a topsy-turvy loan stint so far for Phillips with various different highs and lows being thrown his way.
His unfortunate red card against Leicester City back in November will go down as a glaring negative – with the Foxes going on to pick up a share of the points with the ex-Leeds United man off the pitch – but his showings away from this bleak moment in isolation have been somewhat encouraging.
He even scored a belter against the Gas last time out to get his Ipswich account up and running, whilst his other performances in the Premier League have seen his past Leeds confidence back on display in spurts, with 3.4 ball recoveries and 3.6 duels successfully won per match.
Therefore, there is plenty for the much-maligned 29-year-old to cling onto for positives, with Phillips now wanting to nail down a permanent spot in the middle of the park, even as the Tractor Boys line up an audacious swoop for a former Premier League title winner.
Ipswich keen on signing amazing midfield partner for Phillips
As per Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg over the weekend, Ipswich are exploring a potential deal for former Chelsea brute Nemanja Matic this January, with McKenna wanting more proven Premier League battlers in his team.
After all, figures such as Sam Morsy in central areas have notably struggled to adjust to the huge step-up in quality from the EFL to the Premier League, with the 33-year-old giving away a penalty recklessly in his side’s last outing in the division versus Fulham.
Whilst Matic isn’t exactly a spring chicken himself at 36 years of age, his experience in the top-flight goes without saying, with 251 appearances in the tricky league under his belt for both Chelsea and Manchester United.
At Stamford Bridge, he would even hold the title aloft twice as a key cog in the middle, with his known combative play style not lessening the deeper he gets into his career, as seen in his glowing recent numbers on the books of Olympique Lyonnais.
Described as an “unbelievable” player in his prime by journalist Bolarinwa Olajide, one of his best campaigns in English football saw him win a stunning 5.6 duels per game during 2017/18. He is undoubtedly still a tough tackler unafraid to break up play in his twilight years, with an impressive 5.7 ball recoveries managed in Ligue 1 this term.
For context, Jens Cajuste has only managed 3.1 on the contrary, with Matic’s presence allowing the Tractor Boys to feel more secure at the back with an anchor protecting the defence, whilst also gifting Phillips more license to roam and attack away from completing his dirty work.
With 24 assists in the Premier League also to his name, this could be an inspired signing by McKenna if he can get the Serbian to play out of his skin between now and the end of the season, with the veteran and Phillips combining to form a menacing duo.
Bahamian Head Coach for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels women’s basketball team Yolett McPhee-McCuin looks at the overhead monitor for a replay of a foul called against her team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game. The Rebels lost to the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, 84-78, at the SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, on Sunday. AP
Bahamian Yolett ‘Coach Yo’ McPhee-McCuin and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels women’s basketball team suffered a tough loss to the University of Alabama Crimson Tide over the weekend, and are out of the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Rankings for just the second time this season.
The Rebels lost 84-78 on their home court at the Sandy and John Black (SJB) Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, on Sunday.
The Rebels were actually up by as much as nine points in the early going, but the No. 18 Crimson Tide rallied in the second quarter and carried that momentum straight over into the second half. They took their first lead of the game in the second quarter and carried a 31-27 advantage into the break. The Crimson Tide stretched their lead to double digits in the third quarter and the Rebels got to within five points in the fourth before falling short.
“I’m really disappointed that we couldn’t come out with a victory. We didn’t compete, and that’s something that we have to fix,” said McPhee-McCuin, now in her seventh year as head coach of the Rebels women’s basketball team. “In today’s times, you can’t make people do anything. They have to want to compete and they have to want to win. It’s disappointing when you have a good crowd support in your gym and you can’t stop two people. They (Crimson Tide) came off an embarrassing loss and they wanted to bounce back. We had an opportunity to get a ranked win so we should have wanted to do something. Their kids did it and we didn’t and I’m embarrassed to say that because that is not what my program has been built on. We just have to continue to work on it.”
McPhee-McCuin has said before that she feels they have a top 10 team but have been unable to get key victories over ranked opponents this year. The Rebels have an 11-5 win/loss record, 2-2 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Crimson Tide, now ranked at number 19 in the AP Top 25, improved to 16-2 overall, 3-1 SEC. They suffered a tough 84-40 loss to the No. 5 University of Texas at Austin Longhorns in their previous game.
Aaliyah Nye scored a career-high 32 points for the Crimson Tide and Zaay Green added 27. The two seniors combined for 59 of the Crimson Tide’s 84 points. The Rebels led 17-14 after the first quarter but fell behind 31-27 at the break. They trailed 56-46 at the end of three quarters and got to within five points four times in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.
“This program was built on being able to grind at a high level and we just didn’t do that today and that is what is most disappointing,” said McPhee-McCuin. “Defense is character and toughness and we didn’t show it today. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I have to see how I could get them to play with a lil bit more pride and toughness. It’s just unacceptable.”
The Rebels were led by 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting from senior forward Starr Jacobs. Kirsten ‘KK’ Deans added 13 points off the bench and Kennedy Todd-Williams and Christeen Iwuala added 11 points apiece. Bahamian sophomore forward Rhema Collins didn’t experience any playing time and is averaging 3.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the field.
In the game on Sunday, the Rebels shot 42.6 percent from the floor (29-for-68) compared to 56 percent for the Crimson Tide (28-for-50). Led by Nye who hit seven three-point shots and Green who converted four, the Crimson Tide were 12-for-19 from distance. The Rebels shot just 7-for-21.
The Rebels allow just 18.6 field goals per game — second-best in the nation — but surrendered a whopping 28 field goals on Sunday. They also give up just 3.7 three-point shots per game and were tagged for 12 by the Crimson Tide on Sunday. In scoring defense, the Rebels are tied for third, allowing 51.3 points per game but gave up 84 to the Crimson Tide on Sunday.
The Rebels will host the University of Florida Gators at the SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford on Thursday. That game will start at 9 p.m. and it will be televised on the SEC Network.
The Rebels were ranked throughout their entire non conference schedule, and peaked at No. 17, but now find themselves out of the AP Top 25 Rankings for a second straight week.
The Premier League has not charged any clubs, including Forest, for breaches of its profit and sustainability rules Get the latest Nottinghamshire Live breaking news on WhatsApp
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The Premier League has not charged any clubs, including Nottingham Forest, for breaches of its profit and sustainability rules after all were deemed financially compliant for the 2023-24 season.
Forest were deducted four points last season for breaching financial rules and Everton were also sanctioned during the last campaign. But none of the top-flight’s 20 teams will face any new charges this season.
Forest’s East Midlands rivals Leicester City and the Premier League are, however, involved in “confidential arbitration proceedings”. The league said in a statement: “Issues as to the jurisdiction of the Premier League over Leicester City Football Club in relation to PSR compliance are currently the subject of confidential arbitration proceedings.
“Accordingly, neither the league nor the club will make any further comment at this stage about any aspect of the club’s compliance or otherwise with any of the PSR or related rules, save to say that no complaint has been brought against Leicester by the league for any breach of the PSRs for the period ending Season 2023-24.”
Following on from their 8-nil FA Cup third-round tie win over Salford City Manchester City return to Premier League action when they take on Brentford. A tough test awaits Pep Guardiola’s side against a Brentford side that is typically tough to beat at the GTech Community Stadium. Here is the latest City injury news and my predicted City starting eleven ahead of tonight’s match.
Latest Manchester City injury news.
Pep Guardiola had no update on the injury status of his squad when he fronted the media for his pre-game press conference yesterday. Looking back at City’s squad for their win over Salford City four players missed that game due to injury. Rodri and John Stones missed the game through injury. Rodri is definitely out of tonight’s match as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury. It is unlikely that John Stones will feature tonight, either. Stones remains injured with a foot injury.
There is the potential for Ruben Dias and Oscar Bobb to be a part of the Manchester City squad for tonight’s match. Both players returned to training last week and there is a chance that they could be available for tonight’s match. That will be known when the team lineups are announced before kickoff tonight.
Predicted City starting eleven
Stefan Ortega- Ederson started in goal against Salford City but I expect Ortega to return to the starting lineup tonight.
Rico Lewis- I’d be staggered if Rico Lewis didn’t start at right-back tonight. It’s almost his position to lose based on the Kyle Walker situation.
Manuel Akanji- The Swiss international should lineup alongside Nathan Ake in City’s defence tonight.
Nathan Ake- Ake played the first half against Salford City. He has been in good form of late and that should see him start tonight.
Josko Gvardiol- Gvardiol finally got some rest as he missed City’s FA Cup win. The Croatian international should resume at left-back tonight.
Mateo Kovacic- I expect Kovacic to start in midfield tonight. He will have a big role to play if he does start against Thomas Frank’s side.
Bernardo Silva- Another player who was rested last weekend and he is almost an automatic selection right now for Pep Guardiola.
Kevin De Bruyne- De Bruyne has slowly been getting back into form and he should start at the GTech Community Stadium.
Phil Foden- The England international has been showing signs of returning to his best during City’s recent games. That form should see him start and he will have a pivotal role to play.
Savinho- Savinho has been in sparkling form on the left wing of late and I expect him to play there against Brentford.
Erling Haaland- Haaland had some much needed rest against Salford City. He should fit and ready to fire tonight and he enters tonight’s match after scoring three goals in his past two matches.
In addition, as reported by Sacha Tavolieri via X (11 January), an agreement is being finalised between Villa and Caen for the transfer of Tidiam Gomis, with the 18-year-old set to put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Villa Park before joining the club in the summer.
And ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – has speculated how much this deal could cost Emery’s side.
“I think it would be an initial fee of around £8million,” King said.
“After that initial payment, there will be performance-related fees involved, which could see the total cost rise to as much as £30million if Gomis fulfils all the details which will be agreed in the contract.”
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Aston Villa to pay £30million to sign Tidiam Gomis from Caen?
It is no surprise that Villa are active in the January transfer window.
Emery’s side have struggled to match their performance levels from last season, with additions to the squad needed. In addition, with the club mooted to receive a £30million-plus boost this month, it seems as though there is money to spend.
As a result, fans will be happy to see that the squad is being strengthened during this window. However, it might be a bit surprising to learn that the total package for Gomis could reach £30m.
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Millwall boss Alex Neil has confirmed that Romain Esse’s move to Crystal Palace is now “progressing”.
He spoke to News Shopper after the Lions’ FA Cup clash against Dagenham and Redbridge on Monday evening – and confirmed the latest on the winger’s situation.
The Championship side fielded a fairly strong starting lineup against the National League outfit and that aroused suspicions about Esse’s whereabouts.
He hasn’t been short of Premier League interest this month, with AFC Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest all interested in a move for him, according to a recent report from the South London Press.
But Palace, who have richly benefitted from recruiting from the EFL market before, have been the side most heavily linked with a switch for the 19-year-old.
According to Alan Nixon and other outlets, the Eagles have also been in the mix for Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak.
But with Oliver Glasner’s side struggling to get a move over the line for the Scotland international, they have turned to the impressive Esse, and are set to secure a £14.5m deal for the Millwall man.
Alex Neil on Romain Esse’s links to Crystal Palace
Amid major interest from Palace, many of the Lions’ fans were fearing that his links to the Premier League side played a part in his absence against Dagenham.
And they turned out to be right, with Neil telling News Shopper: “There was not an issue (with Esse).
“Crystal Palace have shown a lot of interest. I didn’t make him available for the game. That situation is progressing, and I didn’t want to put it at risk at this stage.”
Millwall made the right call to leave out Romain Esse
Esse looks to be open to a move to Palace if the move is progressing.
And if his head has been turned, he shouldn’t have been involved against Dagenham, so Neil probably made the right call to leave him out.
An injury could have also jeopardised this deal and the Lions may have missed out on £14.5m if he had played and picked up a big knock.
It’s a shame that he’s leaving – because he will only get better and the Lions clearly won’t see the best of him.
But with the money they will receive from this sale, they will be able to recruit a good replacement and address other areas of their squad.
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