Category: Uncategorized

 

 

The Georgia Bulldogs are heading into the offseason after suffering a quarterfinal loss in the College Football Playoff.

 

Georgia finished its 2024 college football season with an 11-3 record. While they secured the SEC championship and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, they were defeated by Notre Dame on their road to the national title.

 

Days after the loss to the Fighting Irish, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs added salt to the wound.

 

On Monday, Georgia EDGE Damon Wilson entered the transfer portal, per Hayes Fawcett.

 

The elite defensive standout will have two years of eligibility remaining.

 

After a quiet 2023 season, where Wilson recoded half a sack and two tackles, he made a significant leap as a contributor for the Bulldogs in 2024. During the 2024 college football season, Wilson produced two forced fumbles, three sacks and 22 tackles.

 

Wilson served as the backup at the JACK linebacker position, behind Chaz Chambliss.

 

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Wilson originally committed to the Bulldogs as a five-star prospect, ranked as the No. 3 EDGE and the No. 17 overall player in the nation, per 247Sports.

 

The Florida native was heavily recruited by powerhouse programs out of high school, including Ohio State, Miami, Auburn and Texas.

 

Wilson was a late commit to the Bulldogs’ 2023 recruiting class, with his decision coming down to Ohio State and Georgia.

 

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day.

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‘Our sport is better because of him’ — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone honors the late Ralph Mann

American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone mourns mentor Ralph Mann, honoring his transformative influence on her journey to Olympic greatness.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is mourning the loss of her former mentor and biomechanics pioneer, Dr. Ralph Mann, who passed away on January 2 at the age of 75 after battling pancreatic cancer.

 

Mann, a silver medalist at the 1972 Olympics and a trailblazer in track and field science, played a pivotal role in transforming McLaughlin-Levrone into one of the greatest hurdlers of all time.

 

McLaughlin-Levrone took to Instagram to honor Mann’s memory, sharing heartfelt tributes and an unseen photograph of them deep in discussion during training.

 

‘She’s rolling with the GOAT’ – Usain Bolt gushes over his partner as he affirms his commitment to her

‘She’s rolling with the GOAT’ – Usain Bolt gushes over his partner as he affirms his commitment to her

The image captured Mann’s characteristic dedication to detail, with an open laptop and camera stands visible on the field—tools that helped bring a scientific edge to her preparation.

 

“So many people were impacted by Ralph both on and off the track. He will truly be missed,” McLaughlin-Levrone wrote in the comments section of a tribute post by Citius Mag.

 

Ralph Mann’s influence on McLaughlin-Levrone’s career cannot be overstated. When the pair first met in 2018, Mann categorized her as a “running jumper”—an athlete who relied solely on speed and athleticism but lacked technical precision in hurdling.

 

“Sydney had problems,” Mann once admitted.

 

“She couldn’t hurdle with her opposite leg. With her primary leg, she was mediocre at best.”

 

But by combining Mann’s meticulous scientific approach with the coaching prowess of Bob Kersee, McLaughlin-Levrone underwent a transformation.

 

In 2021, she finally overtook rival Dalilah Muhammad at the U.S. Olympic Trials, breaking the world record, and then claimed Olympic gold in Tokyo, smashing the world record again in one of the most dramatic finishes in hurdling history.

 

Reflecting on McLaughlin-Levrone’s Tokyo triumph, Mann said, “Sydney ran the last three hurdles much better than she’s ever run them before.”

 

Mann’s contributions extended far beyond McLaughlin-Levrone’s success. After completing his Ph.D. in biomechanics in 1975, he dedicated decades to studying elite athletes, creating a groundbreaking software in 1999 that analyzed sprinting and hurdling techniques through video overlays.

 

‘Didn’t accomplish much this year but…’ Gabby Thomas hilariously reveals what else was bigger than her three Olympics gold in 2024

‘Didn’t accomplish much this year but…’ Gabby Thomas hilariously reveals what else was bigger than her three Olympics gold in 2024

This innovation was instrumental in refining McLaughlin-Levrone’s technique, among countless others.

 

As Dr. Iain Hunter, a biomechanist at BYU who worked alongside Mann, stated, “His groundbreaking work provided invaluable knowledge to sprint and hurdle coaches. His contributions will continue to influence the sport for generations to come.”

 

Mann’s legacy also drew tributes from other track and field legends. Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, credited Mann with helping him and his coach turn his unconventional sprinting style into an advantage.

 

“Ralph Mann had a positive influence on the careers of many athletes and coaches,” Johnson wrote on X. “His work was a game-changer.”

 

For McLaughlin-Levrone, Mann was more than just a scientist—he was a cornerstone of her journey to greatness.

 

Fred Kerley: 5 key reasons the Olympian’s jail stay was extended after Miami arrest

Fred Kerley: 5 key reasons the Olympian’s jail stay was extended after Miami arrest

His dedication and belief in her potential transformed her from an uncertain young athlete into a global superstar.

 

Jaguars sack coach Pederson after three seasons

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson gestures to the officials during a game against the New York Jets in December 2024

Image caption, Doug Pederson previously spent five seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach, winning the Super Bowl in 2018

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have sacked Doug Pederson after three seasons as their head coach.

 

After winning just four games in two years before Pederson’s appointment in 2022, the Jaguars had a 9-8 record in his first two seasons.

 

The Jaguars also earned a play-off win in his first season but Pederson, 56, has now made way after stumbling to a 4-13 record this term.

 

“Doug is an accomplished football man who will undoubtedly enjoy another chapter in his impressive NFL career,” said team owner Shahid Khan.

 

“As much as Doug and I both wish his experience here in Jacksonville would have ended better, I have an obligation first and foremost to serve the best interests of our team and especially our fans, who faithfully support our team and are overdue to be rewarded. In that spirit, the time to summon new leadership is now.”

 

Pederson is the second NFL head coach to be sacked following the final regular-season games on Sunday, with Jerod Mayo leaving the New England Patriots.

 

Pederson led the Philadelphia Eagles to their first and only Super Bowl win in 2018 and was the Jaguars’ fifth permanent head coach since Khan’s takeover in 2012.

 

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was handed a five-year contract extension last summer worth a reported $275m (£216m) but the former number one draft pick had multiple injuries this season.

 

The Jaguars have also agreed a deal worth $1.4bn (£1.15bn) to renovate their stadium.

 

They have played annual games in London since 2013 and could play multiple home games overseas while their ground is being upgraded.

 

“I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago,” added Khan, who is now looking to “hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville”.

 

 

Aston Villa have named their price for Jhon Duran as a European giant weighs up a move in the transfer market.

 

Duran was the subject of heavy interest before the season began from West Ham United and Chelsea.

 

 

Duran’s impressive form this term has caught the eye of a major European team

Duran’s impressive form this term has caught the eye of a major European teamCredit: Getty

The Colombian even made an Irons-shaped gesture during an Instagram live video while on holiday, adding fuel to the fire he was headed to the Hammers.

 

However, Duran provided an apology in the best way possible as he scored the winner for Villa against West Ham in their opening match of the current season.

 

He has since gone on to score 11 goals across all competitions, including winners against Leicester City, Everton and Southampton.

 

 

But none of his winning goals were as iconic as his late strike against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, lofting the ball over Manuel Neuer from distance to record a famous victory at Villa Park.

 

 

The French side also sit unbeaten at the top of Ligue 1 on 40 points, seven ahead of second-placed Marseille.

 

Aside from Duran, Villa look likely to be active in the January market as Unai Emery seeks fresh additions to his squad.

 

Duran has enjoyed his best season in front of goal since he joined in January 2023

 

One player who appears a likely arrival at Villa Park is Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen.

 

talkSPORT understands Villa have verbally agreed personal terms with Malen.

 

However, a fee between Villa and Dortmund is yet to be agreed, with the Premier League side believed to be £10m short of the Germans’ asking price.

 

Emery’s side have already had one bid worth around £15m turned down.

 

Another area Villa is reportedly looking to strengthen is the right side of defence.

 

 

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Villa have ‘started talks to explore a move’ for Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza.

 

Emery hopes to bring in a versatile forward and a right-sided defender in JanuaryCredit: Getty

Mingueza, who has two caps for Spain, is believed to be one of several right-sided defenders under consideration as Emery looks to provide some much-needed competition to Matty Cash.

 

The 25-year-old is a La Masia product and made 66 senior appearances for Barcelona before he joined Celta in July 2022.

 

 

 

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams runs after a reception during an NFL game against the Minnesota Viking

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams runs after a reception during an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit)

Six players from Alabama high schools and colleges entered the final weekend of the NFL’s 2024 regular season with at least 900 receiving yards. Three made it to the 1,000 milestone – but barely.

 

Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville) had five receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown before heading to the bench with some of the Houston Texans’ other key players in a 23-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Collins heads into the playoffs after recording 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns in the 2024 regular season, even though he missed five games because of a hamstring injury.

 

Calvin Ridley (Alabama) had three receptions for 76 yards in the Titans’ loss to Houston. That pushed Ridley’s 2024 totals to 64 receptions for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns.

 

Jameson Williams (Alabama) had six receptions for 34 yards in the Detroit Lions’ 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. Williams closed the regular season with 58 receptions for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns.

 

Of the three other players with Alabama football roots who entered the weekend within 100 of 1,000, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (Gadsden City) missed Sunday’s 44-38 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers because of a shoulder injury, which left him at 64 receptions for 992 yards and five touchdowns for the 2024 campaign.

 

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) had two receptions for 20 yards in a 32-20 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday to close the season with 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (Hoover) had one reception for zero yards in a 19-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night. That left him at 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns.

 

Hill, Mooney and Pickens have been 1,000-yard receivers previously in their careers, as have Collins and Ridley. But Williams reached the milestone for the first time, becoming the 21st player from an Alabama high school or college to record a 1,000-yard receiving season in the NFL.

 

Those players have produced 62 such seasons, with four hitting the mark in 2024. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) previously had gotten to 1,000 receiving yards in the current campaign.

 

The NFL 1,000-yard receivers with Alabama football roots include (with yearly totals presented as receptions-receiving yards-touchdown receptions):

 

Don Hutson, Alabama

 

Green Bay Packers

 

1942: 74-1,211-17

 

—-

 

Harlon Hill, Lauderdale County High School, North Alabama

 

Chicago Bears

 

1954: 45-1,124-12

 

1956: 47-1,128-11

 

—-

 

Jim “Red” Phillips, Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Auburn

 

Los Angeles Rams

 

1961: 78-1,092-5

 

—-

 

John Stallworth, Tuscaloosa High School, Alabama A&M

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

 

1979: 70-1,183-8

 

1981: 63-1,098-5

 

1984: 80-1,395-11

 

—-

 

Ozzie Newsome, Colbert County High School, Alabama

 

Cleveland Browns

 

1981: 69-1,002-6

 

1984: 89-1,001-5

 

—-

 

Lionel James, Auburn

 

San Diego Chargers

 

1985: 86-1,027-6

 

—-

 

Frank Sanders, Auburn

 

Arizona Cardinals

 

1997: 75-1,017-4

 

1998: 89-1,145-3

 

—-

 

Terrell Owens, Benjamin Russell High School

 

San Francisco 49ers

 

1998: 67-1,097-14

 

2000: 97-1,451-13

 

2001: 93-1,412-16

 

2002: 100-1,300-13

 

2003: 80-1,102-9

 

Philadelphia Eagles

 

2004: 77-1,200-14

 

Dallas Cowboys

 

2006: 85-1,180-13

 

2007: 81-1,355-15

 

2008: 69-1,052-10

 

—-

 

Jerricho Cotchery, Phillips High School in Birmingham

 

New York Jets

 

2007: 82-1,130-2

 

—-

 

Roddy White, UAB

 

Atlanta Falcons

 

2007: 83-1,202-6

 

2008: 88-1,382-7

 

2009: 85-1,153-11

 

2010: 115-1,389-10

 

2011: 100-1,296-8

 

2012: 92-1,351-7

 

—-

 

Julio Jones, Foley High School, Alabama

 

Atlanta Falcons

 

2012: 79-1,198-10

 

2014: 104-1,583-6

 

2015: 136-1,871-8

 

2016: 83-1,409-6

 

2017: 88-1,444-3

 

2018: 113-1,677-8

 

2019: 99-1,394-6

 

—-

 

Amari Cooper, Alabama

 

Oakland Raiders

 

2015: 72-1,070-6

 

2016: 83-1,153-5

 

Oakland Raiders/Dallas Cowboys

 

2018: 75-1,005-7

 

Dallas Cowboys

 

2019: 79-1,189-8

 

2020: 92-1,114-5

 

Cleveland Browns

 

2022: 78-1,160-9

 

2023: 72-1,250-5

 

—-

 

Tyreek Hill, West Alabama

 

Kansas City Chiefs

 

2017: 75-1,183-7

 

2018: 87-1,479-12

 

2020: 87-1,276-15

 

2021: 111-1239-9

 

Miami Dolphins

 

2022: 119-1,710-7

 

2023: 119-1,799-13

 

—-

 

Calvin Ridley, Alabama

 

Atlanta Falcons

 

2020: 90-1,374-9

 

2023: 76-1,016-8

 

2024: 64-1,017-4

 

—-

 

Darnell Mooney, Gadsden City High School

 

Chicago Bears

 

2021: 81-1,055-4

 

—-

 

Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

 

Miami Dolphins

 

2021: 104-1,015-6

 

2022: 75-1,356-8

 

2023: 72-1,014-4

 

—-

 

DeVonta Smith, Alabama

 

Philadelphia Eagles

 

2022: 95-1,196-7

 

2023: 81-1,066-7

 

—-

 

Nico Collins, Clay-Chalkville High School

 

Houston Texans

 

2023: 80-1,297-8

 

2024: 68-1,006-7

 

—-

 

George Pickens, Hoover High Schoo

 

 

 

Jameson Williams, Alabama

 

 

 

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins catches a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins catches a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.

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