Kam Stutts returning to his alma mater, Peyton Cox headed to Mountain East Conference program

 

Across a five-year career at Auburn that spanned the COVID-19 pandemic, included three head coaches and plenty of ups and downs, Kam Stutts nonetheless found a way to become a team captain.

 

Part of Hugh Freeze’s inaugural 2023 Tigers squad, Stutts’s perseverance was something that resonated in the program and resulted in his captaincy that season after he had been a contributor and part-time starter in four previous seasons.

 

Now, the former Auburn starting right guard, is back at his alma mater in a coaching role.

 

Sources tell FootballScoop that Stutts is expected to be named Auburn’s offensive line quality control coach. He’ll work directly with Tigers offensive line coach Jake Thornton, who coached Stutts in 2023 after Hugh Freeze hired Thornton away from Ole Miss.

 

The impending move arrives as another Auburn staffer gets a chance to operate his own room.

 

Sources also share with FootballScoop that Peyton Cox is departing the Plains to become the new offensive line coach at Concord University, an NCAA Division II program that competes in the Mountain East Conference.

 

A former Ole Miss player and letterwinner, Cox had developed from Auburn’s offensive line graduate assistant into the full-time quality control role. He previously coached at FCS Northwestern State.

 

Set for its A-Day spring game April 12, Auburn starts Year 3 of the Freeze era next month when spring camp opens.

 

The Tigers open their 2025 season with a tough, non-conference road game Aug. 30 at Baylor.

 

Nearly 15 years after Cam Newton led Auburn to a national championship as the Heisman Trophy winner, the former college football great is drawing some mentions by fans for one reason.

 

Newton played a major role in bringing the Tigers their first national championship since 1957 when he took the reins at quarterback under Gene Chizik.

 

The former Florida transfer put together one of the best seasons in college football history, although some fans believe that has been forgotten. Fox Sports unveiled their top-10 Heisman trophy seasons of all-time, putting Travis Hunter at No. 3 and Newton at No. 4.

 

The top-10 Heisman Trophy seasons of all-time, per Fox Sports:

 

RB Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State (1998)

QB Joe Burrow, LSU (2019)

CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado (2024)

QB Cam Newton, Auburn (2010)

DB/WR Charles Woodson, Michigan (1997)

RB Tony Dorsett, Pitt (1976)

Former Auburn Tigers quarterback Cam Newton.

“If you think Travis hunter had a better season than 2010 Cam Newton you need to get your head checked,” a fan responded.

 

“Cam newton is #1 regardless of how much y’all dislike him,” one fan wrote. “He single handedly took a MEDIOCRE Auburn team to places they didn’t belong. LSU and the Bama game standout. No shade but burrow had a superstar offensive roster.”

 

“Cam Newton single handedly won a national title. Jameis Winston should be ahead of Manziel and (Travis) Hunter is not close to top 10,” one responded.

 

Newton’s blend of physicality and finesse couldn’t be stopped in 2010. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback passed for 2,854 yards with 30 passing touchdowns while adding 1,473 rushing yards with 20 rushing touchdowns.

 

He also propelled a team that won eight games the previous season to a 14-0 run and BCS national championship.

 

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.

Hunter’s 2024 campaign was vastly different. The wide receiver/cornerback stood out for his ability to produce while playing most of Colorado’s snaps during a 9-4 season.

 

Hunter led the Big 12 with 96 catches, finished second nationally in touchdown receptions with 15 and fourth nationally in receiving yards with 1,258.

 

Defensively, Hunter wasn’t thrown at much, but when he was, it didn’t usually work out well for the opposition. The AP Player of the Year finished second in the conference in pass breakups (11) with four interceptions and a forced fumble.

 

Both Newton and Hunter could make a case for why their Heisman Trophy seasons should stand out above the rest, though it seems that Newton’s run in 2010 has a leg up for college football fans.

 

“Cam Newton at the very least is above Travis Hunter. Hunter arguably could be left off this list,” another wrote.

 

“Only Burrow can rival Cam,” one added.

 

“Cam newton had the best single season of all time and I’ll die on that hill,” one wrote.

 

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter poses for a photo during a press conference before the 2024 Heisman Trophy Presentation.

 

One of the country’s best players will be in action at the 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile on Thursday, with former Alabama and Auburn assistants squaring off as head coaches.

 

Arkansas State (7-5) meets Bowling Green (7-5) at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Thursday, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. on ESPN. The headline player is Bowling Green All-America tight end Harold Fannin, whom Falcons head coach Scot Loeffler confirmed Sunday will play in the game rather than opt-out to prepare for the NFL draft.

 

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Fannin has an even 100 receptions this season, good for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns. The Canton, Ohio, native is just 10 yards behind the all-time FBS yardage record for a tight end (1,352), set by Texas Tech’s Jace Amaro in 2013; he has an outside shot of surpassing the tight end receptions record of 111, set by Rice’s James Casey in 2008.

 

“Harold’s a special kid to our program,” Loeffler said. “He was the epitome of a developmental guy. He had great talent, but watching him these last three years mature into the guy that he is has been unbelievable. … He does things the right way. He cares about his teammates.

 

“… He wants to play in this game, but most importantly he wants to play and finish his career with his teammates. And that just shows you what type of guy he is. He’s going to play in the NFL a long time. He’s an excellent player.”

 

Loeffler is in his sixth season at Bowling Green, having coached the Falcons to three straight bowl games. The former Michigan quarterback spent several years as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, with stops at Florida, Temple, Auburn, Virginia Tech and Boston College.

 

Loeffler was Auburn’s offensive coordinator under Gene Chizik in 2012, when the Tigers finished 3-9. He said his first trip to Mobile came shortly after he was hired, not long after 5-star Daphne running back TJ Yeldon had flipped from Auburn to Alabama.

 

“I remember this is the first city that I flew into,” Loeffler said. “There was a running back that was committed to Auburn, and then three weeks before I walked in the door, Alabama flipped him and we tried to come down here and save the day and all that other stuff.

 

“But I love the state. I love the people. My time was short there. I wish it was different circumstances because I thought (Auburn) was a great place.”

 

Harold Fannin

Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin (0) has 100 receptions this season. He leads the Falcons into Thursday’s 68 Ventures Bowl vs. Arkansas State in Mobile.

Jones’ experience working in Alabama was a more positive one, three seasons as an offensive analyst and later special assistant to the head coach under Nick Saban with the Crimson Tide. He was part of a national championship team in his final season, and took the Arkansas State job shortly thereafter.

 

Jones is one of 16 former Saban staffers who are currently FBS head coaches. He said he took plenty of lessons away from his time as part of Saban’s “Coaches Career Rehab Program.”

 

“It was a great experience,” Jones said. “Some of the best three years I’ve had in my career, and really the last year and a half of being the special assistant to the head coach was really, really meaningful to me. Got a lot of valuable relationships there, relationships that will last a lifetime.

 

” … To be behind the curtain a little bit, but also to form lasting relationships, whether with players, administration, coaches — it’s kind of a fraternity. It’s a fraternity when you coach for (Saban), when you work for him. And you learn so much.”

 

Jones had success as a head coach at Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Tennessee, though his time with the Volunteers ended badly. In four seasons, he’s improved the Red Wolves from 2-10 to 3-9 to 6-7 and 7-5 — with a shot at eight wins if his team can beat the Falcons on Thursday.

 

His 2009 Central Michigan team went 11-2 and was set to face Troy in that year’s GMAC Bowl in Mobile. Jones never made it, however, having left to take the Cincinnati job.

 

Ironically, current Bowling Green athletics director Derek van der Merwe was Central Michigan’s deputy AD at the time. He joked Sunday about being “jilted” by Jones some 15 years ago.

 

“I do have a relationship with Butch, and unfortunately this bowl is very personal for me,” van der Merwe said. “He was the coach in 2010 when he decided to leave Central Michigan University right before this bowl and go to the University of Cincinnati. I got to come here without Butch Jones. So for us to come back together in the place where he dumped me and reclaim a trophy is really important to me, right in front of who jilted me right there, Butch Jones.

 

“So, thank you, Butch, for this, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

 

68 Ventures Bowl

Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones, left, and Bowling Green head coach Scot Loeffler share a laugh before the 68 Ventures Bowl Welcome Press Conference on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza in Mobile, Ala.

Mobile’s bowl game has undergone several name changes in its 26-year history, with Daphne-based real estate investment firm 68 Ventures — founded by former Alabama walk-on football player Nathan Cox — coming on as title sponsor in 2023. Arkansas State is in the game for the fifth time, having played in four consecutive GoDaddy.com or GoDaddy Bowls at Ladd-Peebles Stadium from 2012-15.

 

Bowling Green is in Mobile for a bowl game for the fourth time, having played at Ladd in the 2002 and 2008 GMAC Bowls and the December 2015 GoDaddy Bowl (Arkansas State participated in the previous season’s game, which took place in January 2015). The Falcons and Red Wolves have met just once in football, a 17-0 Bowling Green victory during the 1974 regular season.

 

Bowling Green is a 7.5-point favorite over Arkansas State in the 68 Ventures Bowl. Jones said playing in the Mobile bowl game was one of his team’s potential goals for the 2024 season.

 

“It means a lot in a lot of ways,” Jones said. “This is a big recruiting area for us, so a lot of our players get to come home for the holidays and play in this game. It’s a great honor to represent the Sun Belt Conference as well.

 

“… The 7 wins have only been done 10 times in 33 years at Arkansas State. If we win 8, I believe it would be the fourth-best record in the history of our program. So you can never take winning for granted. … Our players for the second time now get to experience a bowl game and all that comes with it. That’s what college football is all about.”

 

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

 

 

The Auburn Tigers have dipped into the transfer portal for former Maryland Terrapins tight end Preston Howard.

 

Tight end Preston Howard will join he Auburn Tigers from Maryland

Tight end Preston Howard will join he Auburn Tigers from Maryland /

Howard, a 6-foot-4, 231-pound redshirt sophomore, made 37 receptions for 349 yards and one touchdown over his two seasons with the Terrapins.

 

According to On3, the Arbutus, Md. native is a three-star transfer and is currently the No. 20 tight end available in the portal. Coming out of high school, ESPN ranked Howard as a four-star athlete.

 

Tight end is a position that will have a new look for the Tigers in 2025. Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn’s top contributor at the position since arriving on the Plains in 2023, caught 31 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.

 

Additionally, Auburn lost two tight ends to the portal this cycle in Grant Hidalgo and Micah Riley. The Tigers added two players at the position in its 2025 recruiting class, four-star Hollis Davidson and three-star Ryan Ghea.

 

The addition of Howard gives Auburn, who has landed 12 players in the portal so far, the No. 5 portal haul according to On3, placing it behind Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Michigan and Oregon. The Tigers’ 14 transfers away from the program ties them with Houston for the second-most of any team in the top 10 with 14 behind Michigan’s 21.

 

Click here to read about the 14 players who have announced their intention to transfer from Auburn as well as keep track of the Tigers’ activity in the portal.

 

As a Redshirt Sophomore (2024):

 

Three receptions for 15 yards vs. Rutgers (11/16)

Two catches at Minnesota (10/26) & at No. 1 Oregon (11/9)

26 yards on two catches at Minnesota (10/26)

Career-highs in receptions (5) and receiving yards (59) vs.

Northwestern (10/11)

38 receiving yards on career-high tying three catches vs.

Villanova (9/21)

Career-high three catches for nine yards at Virginia (9/14)

As a Redshirt Freshman (2023):

 

Appeared in all 13 games, starting in 11

Tallied 160 yards on 13 receptions and one touchdown

Caught first career touchdown to put Maryland ahead 14-0 in the first quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl

Totaled a career-high 49 receiving yards on two receptions at Rutgers (11/25)

Tallied two receptions for 11 yards at Nebraska (11/11)

Had two receptions for 16 yards vs. #9 Penn State (11/4)

Caught one pass for 20 yards vs. Illinois (10/14)

Tallied two catches for eight yards at #4 Ohio State (10/7)

Had one reception for nine yards in each of the wins over Michigan State (9/23) and Indiana (9/30)

Caught first pass of career, a 33-yard reception where he hurdled a defender to make the #SCTop10 in win over Virginia (9/15)

Earned first start of career vs. Charlotte (9/9)

 

 

Top-ranked offensive player in Maryland

6th-ranked player in Maryland overall, according to ESPN

Played Quarterback at McDonogh, going 21-4 as starter

As a sophomore in 2019, completed 59.4% of his passes for 899 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding 540 yards and five touchdowns on 93 carries with two 100-yard rushing games.

 

 

For the second time in three seasons, Auburn football is setting up for another quarterback battle.

 

Payton Thorne is out of eligibility, and Hugh Freeze will be searching for another passer in the offseason despite his quarterback room having a pair of blue chips between Walker White and 2025 signee Deuce Knight. Freeze made a quarterback addition sound like less of a need and more of a requirement.

 

“We’re going to carry four quarterbacks on scholarships every year. Every year. And so is every other program,” Freeze said Wednesday. “Some may carry five in their 85, I don’t know. We choose to carry four of the 85 scholarships, and currently we stand at three with one of ours going in the portal.”

 

A day away from the portal’s opening, here’s a look at the top of the market and who Freeze and Auburn could target:

 

Conner Weigman

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) looks to pass the ball in the first quarter Oct. 5, 2024 against the Missouri Tigers at Kyle Field in College Station.

 

2024 stats (6 games): 64-114 (56.1%) passing, 819 pass yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions; 101 rush yards (3.6 YPC), 28 carries

Eligibility: Two years

Once a five-star recruit, Weigman began 2024 as the Aggies’ starting quarterback. That didn’t last, however.

 

A history of injuries reared its head, as he missed a month of this season with a shoulder injury. That opened up an opportunity for Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed to move in on the starting role.

 

Now, after playing in 15 games and making 13 starts through three seasons in College Station, Weigman will be joining a new program with his untapped potential being his most enticing selling point.

 

Jackson Arnold

Nov 23, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Previous school: Oklahoma

2024 stats (10 games): 154-246 (62.6%) passing, 1,421 pass yards, 12 passing touchdowns; 3 interceptions; 444 rush yards (3.0 YPC), 50 carries, 3 rushing touchdowns; 2 receptions, 16 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown

Eligibility: Two years

Much like Weigman, Arnold was once a consensus five-star recruit, as well as the 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year.

 

The Texas native’s time in Norman didn’t see him reach those heights, however, as he was benched by the Sooners in 2024 before eventually regaining the starting role. He started Oklahoma’s final five games, in which the Sooners went 2-3, with a win over FCS Maine and a miraculous upset of then-No. 7 Alabama.

 

Kaidon Salter

Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter (7) celebrates his touchdown against Middle Tennessee during the Salute to Veterans & Armed Forces game at MTSU on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.

Previous school: Liberty

2024 stats (11 games): 147-261 (56.3%) passing, 1,886 pass yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions; 579 rush yards (5.1 YPC), 114 carries, 7 touchdowns

Eligibility: One year

There’s a Freeze connection here, as Salter played for the Auburn coach for two seasons at Liberty.

 

After beginning his college career at Tennessee, Salter transferred to Liberty and has played for the Flames for four seasons. He entered the portal last offseason and was a coveted prospect before deciding to withdraw his name and remain at Liberty.

 

He did take a step back in 2024, though, throwing for nearly 1,000 fewer yards and 17 fewer touchdowns with just as many interceptions. He also rushed for just 579 yards after turning in a 1,000-yard season on the ground in 2023.

 

Miller Moss

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) looks to pass against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

Previous school: USC

2024 stats (9 games): 233-362 (64.4%) passing, 2,555 pass yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions; Minus-18 rush yards (Minus-0.9 YPC), 21 attempts, 2 rushing touchdowns

Eligibility: One year

Moss’ first three seasons in Los Angeles were relatively quiet, but he blew up at the end of 2023 with a 372-yard, six-touchdown performance in a Holiday Bowl win over Louisville.

 

His 2024 didn’t quite live up to the expectation set up by that effort. He was statistically one of the better passers in the Big Ten this fall, but after a stretch of four losses in five weeks, USC coach Lincoln Riley benched him in favor of UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava.

 

Thomas Castellanos

Nov 24, 2023; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) throws the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Previous school(s): Boston College (UCF)

2024 stats (8 games): 99-161 (61.5%) passing, 1,366 pass yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions; 194 rush yards (2.1 YPC), 93 carries, 1 rushing touchdown

Eligibility: One year

Castellanos was one of the most productive passers in the ACC in 2023, but much like Salter, his 2024 underwhelmed.

 

Boston College’s incumbent starter was eventually benched in a win over Syracuse. His eight games this fall saw him turn in 882 pass yards fewer than the season before, and that was in spite of throwing more passing touchdowns this year than the season before.

 

Other names Hugh Freeze, Auburn football should know

Sep 13, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Matthew Sluka (3) runs the ball against Kansas Jayhawks defensive end Dean Miller (45) and cornerback Cobee Bryant (2) during the first half at Children’s Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

When the portal officially opens, there’s sure to be more names that enter. Until Freeze and the Tigers find a quarterback they’d like to sink their teeth into, here’s a few other names to know who have already made their transfer intentions clear.

 

 

 

Head coach Hugh Freeze talks transfer quarterbacks and hitting the portal.

 

Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze greets fans during Tiger Walk before Auburn Tigers take on Oklahoma Sooners at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.

Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze greets fans during Tiger Walk before Auburn Tigers take on Oklahoma Sooners at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.

Head coach Hugh Freeze talks transfer quarterbacks and hitting the portal

Now that the regular season is over for the Auburn football time, it’s officially portal season. The winter transfer portal window begins on December 9—in just three days—and ends on December 28. The Tigers have multiple needs in the portal, but the most clear and obvious one is a quarterback.

 

Two-year starter Payton Thorne is officially out of eligibility, and Holden Geriner has entered the transfer portal, leaving Hank Brown and Walker White as Auburn’s remaining scholarship quarterbacks alongside incoming true freshman Deuce Knight.

 

Since arriving on the Plains, head coach Hugh Freeze has been adamant that he will have four scholarship quarterbacks every year. There is absolutely no doubt the Tigers will be looking for a big-ticket QB in the portal, and it’s even possible they look to take two. There were rumbles that Brown may be looking to transfer out, which would leave an additional scholarship on the table.

 

Last year, Freeze made a point of explaining that the Tigers were hesitant to pay an outrageous amount of money for a quarterback, but after this year’s struggles at the position they will have to be more aggressive in bringing in a capable, experienced quarterback. But it’s about more than talent and ability for Freeze.

 

“We will be looking for who is the best fit for that extra spot,” Freeze said at his signing day press conference, per Auburn Undercover, and went on to say that he believes Deuce Knight’s ceiling is higher than any other QB he has previously worked with. Still, starting in the SEC is a tall task for a true freshman, especially on a team that is desperate to get back to winning games.

 

The portal will officially open on Monday, and we can expect Auburn football to quickly set up visits with priority prospects.

The Auburn football program will again reload this offseason as they attempt to right the ship under head coach Hugh Freeze. Since his hiring in 2023, Auburn is 11-14, failing to reach bowl eligibility for just the second time in 12 years. Defensively, Auburn remained competitive in the SEC, holding opponents to 21.3 points per game, the 31st-lowest mark in the FBS.

Conversely, they scored 27.8 points per game, trailing just Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky for the worst average in the SEC. With starting quarterback Payton Thorne finishing his fifth college season this year, Auburn football will turn to Hank Brown and Walker White for the 2025 campaign.

 

However, on Wednesday, one of the top recruits in the 2023 class and now-former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold entered the transfer portal. Arnold’s entry led to On3 predicting he could land with three different SEC teams, including the Auburn Tigers. With Auburn put on the shortlist, fans quickly jumped to social media in excitement.

 

 

Auburn Football Fans Call For OU Transfer Jackson Arnold

Oklahoma Sooners Jackson Arnold

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback J. Arnold (11) throws a pass during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Tickets Auburn Football QB)

 

Georgia, Auburn, and Mississippi State are schools to watch for Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold once he enters the

 

On3 writer Pete Nakos believes the Auburn football program could be in play for Oklahoma Sooners transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold. A five-star recruit in the class of 2023, Arnold threw for 1,421, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions this season. Arnold only appeared in ten games, giving way to fellow signal-caller Michael Hawkins amid a poor outing against the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers at home. However, OU’s continued struggles on offense led to a return by Arnold later in the year.

 

Last season’s backup to current Oregon Ducks passer Dillon Gabriel, Arnold had arguably his best collegiate showing in a massive home upset against the Alabama Crimson Tide late last month. In the 24-3 win, Arnold went 9-of-11 for 68 yards while rushing 25 times for 131 yards. A top recruit, Arnold operated most of this season behind a suspect offensive line, a soon-to-be fired play-caller, and without his top five wide receivers. Nevertheless, Auburn football fans are ready to make a pitch for the services of Jackson Arnold:

 

 

 

Dallas Cowboys add two veteran cornerbacks to practice squad

The Dallas Cowboys were busy on Wednesday, making several moves addressing issues in the defensive backfield.

Dallas placed cornerbacks Josh Butler and Caelen Carson on injured reserve earlier in the day. Butler is lost for the season with a knee injury, while Carson’s rookie campaign has been derailed by a shoulder issue. With Butler and Carson heading to IR, the Cowboys signed two veteran cornerbacks to the practice squad to fill the voids. Dallas signed Dee Delaney, an undrafted free agent out of Miami in 2018, and 2020 fourth-round pick Troy Pride, who starred at Notre Dame. Delaney has three interceptions in 52 career games, playing all 17 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022 and 2023. Pride, meanwhile, has played in 15 career games. While neither player is expected to make an immediate impact in Dallas, they provide depth at a position that has been devastated by the injury bug. Perhaps one of their numbers will get called by the end of the year.

 

Stan Bowman’s comments on Broberg and Holloway offer sheets look worse after new…

NFL

Jaguars are making the right decision with QB Trevor Lawrence

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been through enough this season, so the Jacksonville Jaguars are giving him the break he deserves.

On Wednesday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Lawrence is slated to undergo surgery on the AC joint in his left shoulder “in the coming weeks.” Rapoport added the Jaguars will shut him down for the rest of the season. Jacksonville already placed Lawrence on injured reserve after he suffered a concussion in a 23-20 Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans.

The Jaguars (2-10) have been eliminated from playoff contention. Continuing to put Lawrence at risk would make no sense for Jacksonville, especially after he signed a five-year, $275M contract extension this offseason. The 25-year-old’s health was a concern before the season started. Per ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, the concussion was the sixth injury the 2021 No. 1 overall pick has suffered since Week 6 of the 2023 season. During this span, he has had another concussion, two shoulder injuries, a knee issue and an ankle problem. He’s tried to play through the pain over the past two seasons, missing just three games.

Perhaps that explains why the former Pro Bowler’s play has declined in 2024. In 10 starts, Lawrence is 2-8, completing 60.6% of his passes for 2,045 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has posted a below-average 85.2 passer rating, the second-lowest mark of his four-year career. Backup QB Mac Jones — the 15th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft — will likely replace Lawrence. He filled in for him earlier this season, going 0-2 and throwing three interceptions and no TD passes in two starts. While Jacksonville will likely continue to flounder without Lawrence, the franchise is making the right move. The QB needs more time to get healthy.

 

Leafs Goalie Joseph Woll Allows His Worst Goal of the Season on Fluke Play Against Nashville

NHL

Finally a positive update announced regarding Vancouver Canucks superstar J.T. Miller

Some positive news was given on Monday afternoon regarding J.T. Miller’s availability for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. The National Hockey League and their players are set to return to best-on-best international hockey in just over two months with the 4 Nations Face-Off taking place in Montreal and Boston, featuring Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States.

Vancouver Canucks fans will have the opportunity to root on a number of players who are expected to be on their respective nation’s rosters, with Quinn Hughes already one of the first six players named to the United States’ back at the end of June. Among other Vancouver Canucks that will have a good shot of being at the tournament are Elias Pettersson (Sweden), Kevin Lankinen (Finland), Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller (United States), the latter of whom has been away from the team for personal reasons since Nov. 19.

Positive news for J.T. Miller and Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off On Wednesday, the rosters will be revealed for the 4 Nations Face-Off, starting with Finland and Sweden at 2 p.m. ET/11 am PT, followed by Canada and the United States at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. Fans can watch on Sportsnet across Canada. While rosters won’t be announced for another two days, each of the four participating nations needed to submit them to the National Hockey League on Monday and there was some positive news regarding J.T. Miller’s availability.

According to Andy Strickland of the “Cam Strick Podcast,” USA Hockey expects J.T. Miller to be available to them for the tournament in February. “USA hockey fully expect Canucks forward JT Miller to be available for upcoming Four Nations tournament.” Strickland said in a post on X.

This is great news for not only USA Hockey and American fans, but also the Vancouver Canucks and their fan base. It’s still unclear when Miller will return to the club, but it’s good to hear that if he’s available for the 4 Nations Face-Off, he’ll be back before the first game in mid-February. Miller, 31, has represented the United States on a handful of occasions including two World Junior Championships, but if he’s named to the 4 Nations Face-Off roster, it’ll be his debut at the men’s level. The 4 Nations Face-Off is set to get underway on Feb. 12 with Canada taking on Sweden at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.

 

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

 

 

 

Alvin Henderson, a four-star running back out of Elba High School, is the most recent player to officially sign with Auburn football.

 

Henderson, who has been committed to Auburn since flipping from Penn State on June 21, made things official on Wednesday during a ceremony at Elba High School.

 

During his time at Elba High, Henderson rushed for 10,766 yards, according to MaxPreps, becoming the AHSAA’s all-time leading rusher. He rushed for 3,456 yards and 61 touchdowns during his senior season.

 

Measuring 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, Henderson is the No. 104 overall player in the country and the fifth-ranked running back in the 2025 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

 

 

 

Henderson initially committed to Penn State in April, but flipped his commitment to the Tigers two months later. He held 44 total offers from teams such as Auburn, Penn State, Alabama, Florida and others.

 

With the addition of Henderson, barring any changes to Auburn’s current or prospective roster, the running back room is set to include Henderson, Damari Alston, Jeremiah Cobb and Justin Jones.

 

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

 

 

Auburn football flips 3-star defensive lineman from Tennessee on signing day

Published: Dec. 04, 2024, 10:07 a.m.

Darrion

lineman from Baltimore, Maryland, became Auburn’s first signing day flip Wednesday morning.

 

After being committed to Tennessee since July 30, Smith changed his pledge to Auburn. The flip comes one day after four-star defensive lineman Nate Marshall flipped from Auburn to Michigan.

 

Measuring 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds, Smith is ranked as the No. 601 player in the country and the 17th-best player in Maryland, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

 

 

Along with Auburn and Tennessee, Smith had offers from Colorado, Indiana, LSU and others. He held 24 offers total, according to 247Sports.

 

With the addition of Smith, barring any changes to Auburn’s current or prospective roster, Auburn’s defensive line room is set to include Smith, Quientrail Jamison-Travis, Joe Frazier Jr., Malik Blocton, TJ Lindsey, Zykeivous Walker, Keldric Faulk, Darron Reed Jr., Amaris Williams, five-star Malik Autry, four-star Jourdin Crawford and four-star Antonio Coleman.

 

 

 

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.