Former NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards voiced his concerns about NFL players potentially participating in the Olympics.
Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) take the field before action against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023.
Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) take the field before action against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023.
Last week, NFL players received great news regarding the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The NFL owners passed a resolution at their annual Spring League Meeting to allow players to try out and participate in flag football in the Olympics in 2028.
This is a monumental moment not only for the game of football but also for NFL players, as it allows them to compete for a gold medal in the biggest sporting event in the world. The Detroit Lions have a few players on their offense, like wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who could be part of that Olympic team.
However, former NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards is not a fan of players possibly playing in the summer games in a few years. He voiced his opinion on Ermanni and Edwards with Maz on Woodyard Sports Network.
“Flag football isn’t the same sport. If I’m Sheila Hamp, nope… You can’t have Jahmyr Gibbs, you can’t have Amon-Ra. We need these guys for Super Bowls.”
Edwards also mentions that instead of NFL players playing in the Olympics, Team USA should go after college, UFL players, or other guys fresh out of the NFL. The former NFL receiver gave his opinion from a front office standpoint, and how there’s a potential injury factor involved.
Edwards isn’t wrong about the injury factor, as they won’t be playing in pads, and all it takes is one bad move for something to happen. However, we’ve seen NFL players play flag football in the Pro Bowl Games over the last few years, granted, not at the same intensity level, which will be different in the Olympics.
That said, Edwards and any other Lions fan concerned about a possible injury should not be worried, as one player from each team will be allowed to play in the summer games, and all 32 teams’ designated international players can also play for their countries.
We must remember that we are still three years from the summer games. There are still a lot of logical things to be figured out between the NFL Players Association and the other parties involved with the Olympics.
Lewis Hamilton grasps his shoulder as he looks to the floor in Monaco
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton facing the media in Monaco
Lewis Hamilton’s confusion at the Monaco Grand Prix stemmed from his misinterpretation of race engineer Riccardo Adami’s message that “this is our race,” PlanetF1.com has learned.
After claiming his best result in Ferrari colours with fourth place at the recent Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, Hamilton’s familiar F1 2025 frustrations returned at Monaco last weekend.
The seven-time World Champion crashed in the closing minutes of final practice on Saturday, leaving his mechanics with a frantic repair job ahead of qualifying.
Hamilton went on to secure an impressive fourth on the road in Q3, albeit more than three tenths slower than team-mate Charles Leclerc, before being hit with a three-place grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen at Massenet.
Forced to start seventh, behind Isack Hadjar’s Racing Bulls car and the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso, Hamilton endured a disappointing race to fifth, more than 51 seconds adrift of the race-winning McLaren of Lando Norris.
Hamilton cut a confused figure after the race, admitting that he “didn’t really understand” a radio message from Adami with the communication “not very clear.”
The relevant interaction came on Lap 17 of 78, one lap before the first of Hamilton’s two mandatory pit stops, when the driver asked: “What do you need from me?”
Adami replied: “And push now. This is our race.”
It is believed that Hamilton took Adami’s response – specifically the suggestion that “this is our race” – as an indication that he was in the fight for victory in Monte Carlo.
However, PlanetF1.com understands that Adami meant that Hamilton would not be used by the Ferrari pit wall to assist Leclerc’s victory hopes and was therefore free to run his own race.
Hamilton admitted to being surprised to see his deficit to the leaders after the race, having been under the impression from Adami’s message that he was closer to the front of the field.
He told Sky F1 on Sunday in Monaco: “’This is our race.’ I didn’t know what I was fighting for. Am I fighting for the next spot ahead or [something more]?
“But in actual fact, when I look at the data, I wasn’t anywhere near any of the guys up front.
“So I used up my tyres a lot in that respect, in that moment, but I was so far away from them anyway.”
Speaking to media including PlanetF1.com after the race, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur explained that Hamilton lost considerably more time – estimated by the team to be around 10 seconds – than the leading quartet of cars in lapped traffic.
Hamilton was heard in yet another notable interaction with his race engineer after the chequered flag in Monte Carlo, asking Adami if he was “upset” with him.
The full exchange on the cooldown lap went as follows:
Adami: “It’s a P5. Lost a lot of time in traffic and then the rest we need to investigate.”
Adami: “And pick up please. Charge button on.
Hamilton: “Tough result. Yeah. Big thank you to the boys, as I said, for fixing the car. It’s not been the easiest of weekends, but we live to fight the other day, so yeah. Thanks.”
Hamilton: “Are you upset with me or something?”
Adami, who previously race engineered Hamilton’s Ferrari predecessors Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz, gave no reply.
It is possible that Adami may have already disconnected himself from the team’s internal communications system before Hamilton issued his final message from the cockpit and was not aware of the driver’s message until it was too late.
Vasseur appeared to be unaware that this specific incident took place during the cooldown lap in Monte Carlo, pointing to Ferrari’s policy of not opening radio communications between Ste Devote and the tunnel during the race to allow the drivers to concentrate on driving.
Asked why Hamilton received no answer from his race engineer, Vasseur told media including PlanetF1.com: “When the driver is asking something between Turn 1 and 3, we have to wait [until] the tunnel to reply, to avoid to speak with him during the corners.
“It’s not that we are sleeping, it’s not that we are having a beer on the pit wall.
“It’s just because we have a section of the track where we agreed before to speak with him.
“Honestly, it’s not a tension that the guy is asking something. He’s between the walls, he’s under pressure, he’s fighting, he’s at 300kph between the walls and I am perfectly fine with it.
“I spoke with him after the race, he was not upset at all.”
South Carolina is returning key tackles for the upcoming season, but must retool the interior offensive line. Will the new transfers and the freshman talent step up for the 2025 season?
As the Gamecocks prepare for summer workouts and the upcoming 2025 football season, the offensive line will be the major storyline. There is already a ton of hype surrounding the return of star quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and while South Carolina boasts experience at tackle, rebuilding the interior will be crucial for the offense to succeed this season.
Head coach Shane Beamer recently joined the Always College Football Podcast to share his thoughts on the outlook of the offensive line post-spring practice.
“We’re returning a starter in Cason Henry on the right side and Josiah Thompson on the left side. Both of those guys are really good players and performed well for us,” coach Shane Beamer said. “Josiah was a true freshman last year. But we have depth there too. Tree Babalade is back for another year. He started as a true freshman back in 2023. He’s pushing Josiah and Cason, and they’re competing along with Jatavius Shivers as well. So that’s a really good competition.”
The tackle position is strong, but the interior line is where the question remains. South Carolina lost their starting center and both guards from last season, so Shane Beamer and his staff hit the transfer portal hard during the offseason. Among the newcomers are center Boaz Staley (Troy), Nick Sharpe (Wake Forest), and Rodney Newsom (Western Kentucky).
Beamer talked about his confidence with the recruiting wins along the defensive front.“It’s time for those guys to be the players we know they are,” he said, referring to former four-star Markee Anderson, early enrollee Shedrick Sarratt, and sophomore Trovon Baugh, who started at guard in 2023 as a true freshman.
“We’re athletic there, I think, and we’ve recruited well. I feel good about it,” Beamer said. “But any time you have to replace your starting center in Vershon Lee, who was basically our starter the whole time I’ve been here, that’s a concern. Fortunately, we have two tackles with a lot of experience.”
Heading into summer workouts, the interior line is developing, and with strong bookends on the line, South Carolina could develop one of the most important unis to watch this season.
Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet has provided an injury update on Sam Walters and Luke Thompson, with both front-rowers having sustained broken bones in the win over Catalans Dragons.
Thompson and Walters both left the action in the first half of Wigan’s 48-0 win over Catalans in the south of France on Saturday evening and didn’t return to the field.
Walters returned home on crutches having broken his fibula, whilst his front-row partner Thompson has broken two ribs.
“Sam’s fractured his fibula, so he’ll be out for an extended period,” said Peet. “You’re probably looking at it being around the 12-week mark.
“He’s disappointed. He’s quickly tried to turn it into a positive about getting some work done on his body during this period.
“It should also mean he comes back in at the end of the year fresh and up and running.
“In one way, it protects him for the back end so he can come in and lift us again, and I think he can take a lot of confidence from his form this season. He’s been excellent.”
Meanwhile, England international Thompson is facing a spell on the sidelines with broken ribs, but it isn’t thought to be anything too long-term.
“Luke’s broken a couple of ribs,” said Peet. “With him, it’s going to be guided by his own pain and his recovery from that.
“We might take the chance to allow them (the broken ribs) to heal, but we’ll see how he is tomorrow.”
Peet has discussed potential replacements for Walters and Thompson ahead of Friday’s trip to the Salford Community Stadium, with Tyler Dupree, who was 18th man last weekend, and Harvie Hill, who scored a hat-trick for the reserves, earmarked to come back into the matchday 17 against Salford Red Devils.
“Tyler (Dupree) travelled to France and didn’t play, and Harvie Hill performed really well in our reserves, so we are well stocked,” Peet added.
“We’ve picked up a few knocks. We haven’t named the team yet, but it’ll certainly come into my reckoning if we can freshen the lads up or if we have a few that are simply not able to play.
“We’ve not been on the field yet this week, so it might be an opportunity to allow lads to rest any injuries, but we won’t be rotating for the sake of it.”
The Round 13 clash between Wigan and Salford takes place at the Salford Community Stadium on Friday night, 8pm kick-off.
The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix will represent a technical turning point for the entire F1 grid. Ferrari is ready to face this transition with new updates designed to respond to the new technical directive introduced by the FIA, which is highly anticipated by all teams and will come into effect starting from the Barcelona round.
Are updates arriving in Barcelona?
Ahead of the weekend at the Montmeló circuit, team principal Fred Vasseur emphasized the importance of the new regulation related to front-end aerodynamics, which will officially come into force at the Spanish round. “From Spain onward, there will be a new regulation for the front wing, and all the teams have identified this race as a turning point because we don’t know how the others will perform with this change,” Frederic Vasseur explained to Sky Sport F1.
For this reason, Ferrari’s approach will be precise and measured: “It makes sense to bring only the new front wing to get a clearer picture,” added the team principal, indicating that broader upgrades could be introduced later, once the effectiveness of the new configuration is verified.
Objective: improve performance in every type of corner
At a time when the SF-25 has shown encouraging signs in race pace but still struggles to unlock its full potential in qualifying, Ferrari aims to optimize its overall balance. “There could be a reset, but the important thing is to focus on ourselves and improve in every type of corner,” Fred Vasseur added at the end of the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.
The Barcelona circuit, historically used as a benchmark to evaluate the overall performance of the cars, will therefore serve as a crucial testing ground to understand whether the developments introduced will be enough to close the gap to Red Bull and McLaren, who currently have proven more effective over a single lap and in aerodynamic setups that require a balanced approach to maximize performance in both fast and slow corners.
Wisconsin Badgers’ 2026 recruiting class on pace with Luke Fickell’s previous two classes
Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers are sitting in familiar territory entering a crucial point in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Wisconsin freshman safeties Luke Emmerich, left, and Remington Moss participate in a drill before the Badgers spring football scrimmage April 19.
Wisconsin freshman safeties Luke Emmerich, left, and Remington Moss participate in a drill before the Badgers spring football scrimmage April 19.
Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers are sitting in familiar territory entering a crucial point in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Wisconsin begins its slate of hosting key recruits on the university’s dime during official visits this week. The next three weekends will be vital to filling out most of the program’s 2026 class, which currently has seven recruits who have announced their commitments as of May 26.
That number nearly equals the amount of commits the Badgers had during Fickell’s first full recruiting cycle for the 2024 class at this same time in 2023, but it is behind the 2025 class at this time last year.
It’s worth noting that one 2024 and three 2025 commits eventually did not join the program. If all 2026 commits stick with their verbal pledges and sign with the team, the program could be right in line with both previous cycles.
Wisconsin’s 2024 class started off hot with early four-star recruits committing
The early months of the Fickell era brought a real buzz with the increased recruiting efforts of a staff led by director of recruiting Pat Lambert and former director of player personnel Max Stienecker.
Five of the eight 2024 commits at this time in late May 2023 eventually finished the recruiting cycle designated as four-star recruits by at least one outlet.
Those were quarterback Mabrey Mettauer, tight end Grant Stec, offensive lineman Derek Jensen, linebacker Thomas Heiberger and wide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson.
Wisconsin wide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson (22) is shown during spring football practice
Wisconsin wide receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson (22) is shown during spring football practice Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Badgers football team plays their season opener against Western Michigan on August 31.
Four of these eight commits are now no longer with the program. Defensive back Kahmir Prescott, who committed right after the team’s final spring practice of 2023, eventually did not sign with Wisconsin and is now at Nebraska.
Three of the seven signees – Mettauer, Jensen and tight end Rob Booker II – are no longer with the program after one season. Booker also decommitted from Wisconsin for UCLA in June, but then eventually flipped back to the Badgers in December 2023.
The 11 commits in the 2025 class as of this time last year were greatly aided by four players who gave verbally pledges by the end of 2023 and four spring commitments between April and May 2024. Eight of them came from different states (Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota).
Three of those 11 players finished the 2025 cycle with four-star ratings by at least one outlet: defensive back Jai’mier Scott, offensive linemen Cam Clark and safety Luke Emmerich.
Defensive backs Scott, Emmerich, Grant Dean and Remington Moss, offensive lineman Michael Roesek and linebacker Cooper Catalano all enrolled at Wisconsin this January.
But three of the 11 commits at this point last year – quarterback Landyn Locke (Sam Houston State), linebacker Brenden Anes (Tennessee) and wide receiver Cam Miller (Kentucky) – eventually moved on to other programs.
Locke stayed in Texas but headed southeast to join Mettauer and former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo at Sam Houston State.
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo is shown during football practice Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo is shown during football practice Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s 2026 class has work to do, but trending along similar lines to previous two cycles
Only one player in the 2026 class, quarterback Ryan Hopkins (Santa Ana Mater Dei, California), is designated as a four-star recruit by at least one outlet.
But the Badgers have received good news for a few position groups early on as they have during the previous two cycles, landing commitments at quarterback, outside and inside linebacker, offensive line and wide receiver.
Wisconsin’s 2026 class is represented by recruits from California, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Virginia. Three of them – offensive lineman Benjamin Novak, wide receiver Tayshon Bardo and cornerback Carsen Eloms – are coming from the Hoosier State.
One of the first incoming transfers of the Luke Fickell era has now officially found a home at another FBS program.
Wisconsin receiver Quincy Burroughs makes a sideline catch during the team’s 14th spring practice, which was held Tuesday morning April 30, 2024 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin receiver Quincy Burroughs makes a sideline catch during the team’s 14th spring practice, which was held Tuesday morning April 30, 2024 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
One of the first incoming transfers of the Luke Fickell era has now officially found a home at another FBS program.
Western Kentucky announced Friday that it signed wide receiver Quincy Burroughs, who followed Fickell from Cincinnati to the University of Wisconsin football program during the 2023 winter offseason.
Burroughs played in 22 games at Wisconsin between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but he caught only five passes for 43 yards receiving during his time in Madison. He participated in spring practices earlier this year before entering the portal.
Western Kentucky has been known to put up big numbers within Conference USA under coach Tyson Helton. It averaged 264.6 yards passing per contest last year, good for 25th in the FBS. It ranked first in the nation in that category during the 2021 season (433.7 yards per game), second in 2022 (352.2) and 15th in 2023 (296.4).
Western Kentucky will have a new quarterback this season as Caden Veltkamp moved on to Florida Atlantic. Maverick McIvor joined the Hilltoppers after three seasons at FCS Abilene Christian (and three prior seasons at Texas Tech).
Burroughs could see some familiar faces early on in his time at Western Kentucky, as the Hilltoppers host Sam Houston State on Aug. 23. The Bearkats are now led by former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Quarterbacks Mabrey Mettauer and Landyn Locke, wide receiver Grady O’Neill and cornerback Jace Arnold are now part of the Sam Houston State program.
Western Kentucky also travels to Toledo, where the Rockets signed former Badgers defensive backs Braedyn Moore and Amare Snowden, for a Sept. 6 nonconference matchup.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers still awaiting a decision from free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, analysts are urging the team to make a proactive move for another QB option — regardless of Rodgers’ choice to play or retire.
Rodgers, who turns 42 years old in December, remains a year-to-year option and has been linked to the Steelers throughout the offseason. While the four-time MVP could provide short-term stability under center, his long-term future in Pittsburgh is far from certain, especially with only a one-year offer reportedly on the table.
NFL Analyst Urges Steelers To Trade For Will Levis As Aaron Rodgers Saga Drags On
With the Rodgers saga dragging on, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton argues that Pittsburgh should offer a fourth-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for Will Levis, who has two years left on his rookie deal. Moton argues that Levis could be an interesting option regardless of Rodgers’ decision.
“If the Steelers finish the 2025 season with a mediocre record and Rodgers only sticks around for one year, they would at least have an experienced young starter in Levis, whom they can develop for the long term,” Moton wrote. “In seven seasons, Mason Rudolph has been a game manager. At 25, Levis, with his big arm and mobility, has far more upside.”
Levis, 25, was selected by the Titans with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has started 21 games across two seasons, completing 61% of his passes for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers have had five different quarterbacks log three or more starts. Rudolph is currently listed as the team’s QB1, but Pittsburgh fans are continuing to wait for Rodgers’ decision. Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but he’s more of a flier than a dependable solution.
Recently, Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith commented on the team’s pursuit of Rodgers.
“I think we try to put our best foot forward every day with who’s in the building right now,” Highsmith said. “No matter who’s back there for us, whether it’s him [Rudolph] or if Rodgers is going to come, I’m just excited. Whoever is back there, we are going to have their backs and rally behind them. I’m just excited for whoever it’s going to be.
“I know that if he does sign, we’re definitely going to be really excited to have him,” he added. “We know who he is, he’s a Hall of Fame quarterback, he’s one of the best to ever do it. I wouldn’t say it’s a distraction at all. We all know what type of quarterback he is and what he brings to the table.”
Is Will Levis a Fit for the Steelers?
The Titans drafted Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, making Levis expendable and an intriguing target for QB-needy teams like the Steelers. Levis could benefit from offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system in Pittsburgh, which has a track record of maximizing quarterbacks with his skill set (such as Ryan Tannehill).
At 25 years old, Levis is still a young quarterback with a big arm and some mobility, traits that could make him an intriguing developmental option for a Pittsburgh team still unsure of its long-term direction under center.
However, a closer look at his performance data paints a mixed picture of his readiness to lead an NFL offense, particularly for a team like the Steelers that prizes smart, tough football above all.
According to PFSN’s QB+ metric, Levis graded out at just 61.9 in 2024 — a D- grade that ranked him 34th among 39 qualifying quarterbacks. This rating reflects significant concerns about his play: Levis was among the worst quarterbacks in the league from a clean pocket (0.03 EPA/DB, 37th), and he fared even worse when pressured (-0.44 EPA/DB, 29th).
His tendency for negative plays was also glaring, with 18 turnovers in just 12 appearances. These numbers underscore that while Levis flashes a powerful arm and good size, he struggles to manage the game’s finer details, especially under duress — something Steelers fans know all too well can sink an otherwise talented roster.
From the Steelers’ perspective, there are still reasons to be interested. Pittsburgh has struggled to find a consistent answer at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired, with five different QBs logging three or more starts since then.
Although Rodgers remains a tantalizing option for the short term, the 42-year-old’s one-year window means Pittsburgh would still need to groom a younger quarterback for the future.
Levis, with two years left on his rookie deal, offers a low-risk, high-upside flier — a chance to reset his career in a stable environment behind one of the NFL’s top offensive lines and under Arthur Smith, a coordinator known for working well with QBs who thrive on play-action and vertical passing concepts.
Levis’ mobility and arm strength could be a fit in Pittsburgh’s system, which is expected to feature more play-action and misdirection. It’s also worth noting that the Steelers’ ground game is well-suited to take pressure off an erratic passer. That said, Levis will need to significantly improve his decision-making to earn the trust of head coach Mike Tomlin and a fanbase used to tough, gritty football.
If Pittsburgh does pull the trigger on a deal — something Moton suggests could cost just a fourth-round pick — Levis would likely start as a backup behind Rodgers (if Rodgers signs), or behind Mason Rudolph if the team’s big swing for Rodgers falls short. This would give the coaching staff time to refine his mechanics and decision-making without forcing him to carry the load from day one.
Ultimately, trading for Levis would be about balancing long-term development with immediate competitiveness. His PFSN QB+ profile and game tape reveal a quarterback who isn’t close to being a finished product, but who still holds the raw tools that made him a second-round pick.
In a situation like Pittsburgh’s, which remains in search of a long-term answer at quarterback, that might be enough of a gamble to justify a modest investment — even if the upside comes with serious risks.
Wisconsin made quite a few moves in the transfer portal. Will it be enough?
The Wisconsin Badgers were one of the busiest teams in the transfer portal, losing two dozen players while getting back nearly the same amount to retool their roster.
One of the main positions they targeted was the defensive line, as Wisconsin sought to get bigger to help defend the run at a higher level in 2025. The Badgers were the No. 90 rushing defense in 2024 on a rushing yards allowed per game basis and No. 93 in yards per carry allowed.
Wisconsin landed seven edge or interior defensive linemen in the transfer portal, and all have a good shot at being a part of the two-deep this season. Let’s break down the new-look defensive line, giving my projected depth chart after spring ball for the position.
Starters
Jay’viar Suggs
Ben Barten
Parker Petersen
When it comes to categorizing “starters” with this group, it’s a tougher task as they may not be the team’s top players this season in terms of snap count. Instead, early-down players, such as Ben Barten, may be more suited to defend the run.
Wisconsin should rotate its defensive line quite a bit this season, and it’s a much different look, as the Badgers edge players are bigger, helping with setting the edge.
Ben Barten returns as the team’s top nose tackle, although he’s mainly a two-down player. Jay’viar Suggs is another interior lineman who should see ample playing time, transferring in from LSU. However, he’s better suited as a pass-rusher, so he could be a three-down type of player when rotating in the mix.
Parker Petersen is a 6’4, 315-pound defensive end who should also help the Badgers in the run game coming in from Tulane. All three were frequently among the top group in the spring.
Two-deep
Corey Walker
Charles Perkins
Micheal Garner
All three of these players were pleasant surprises in the spring, with Perkins being the biggest riser coming from UT-Martin.
Deemed arguably the most explosive player in the room by his coaches and teammates, Perkins is a redshirt junior and could be a force in the middle for the defense. He is on the shorter side at 6’2, but nonetheless is a bigger body and accounts for his size with his movement skills.
Walker and Garner are bigger edge players, standing over 270 pounds, which should help Wisconsin set the edge against the run. Their pass-rush potential could determine exactly how much they see the field, but it’s clear why Wisconsin brought them in to help this offseason.
While those two could be considered more as outside linebackers in the defense along with Darryl Peterson, we’ll group them here, given their size.
Other rotational players
Dillan Johnson
Brandon Lane
Jamel Howard
Ernest Willor Jr.
These four would be the next up to crack the rotation this season. Johnson played a good amount as a freshman, burning his redshirt, and will be in the mix again as a sophomore. What that role will be, however, remains a question.
Lane is a bigger-bodied nose tackle who provides depth on early downs at 6’3, 320 pounds.
Howard and Willor Jr. are on the outside looking in currently. The former has yet to make his mark on this team since coming in as a three-star in the 2023 class. He entered the transfer portal this offseason, but returned to Wisconsin. The latter, on the other hand, is still figuring out his position. He seems to be an edge, rather than an interior player, and will look to continue developing as he waits his turn.
Overall, Wisconsin has a group of bigger defensive linemen this season. That should help them improve against the run, but it’s unclear who will step up as a pass-rusher for this team. If they struggle to create pressure, it may be a tough year up front again.
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives direction during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.
Feb 4, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives direction during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss.
Mark Pope had a solid season in year one as the head coach at the University of Kentucky, taking the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the pandemic.
While year one was a great success, Coach Pope has put together a roster for year two that is going to be special and could lead to a national title.
Knowing how special this season could be, let’s take a look at some bold predictions about this 2025-26 season.
Three Bold Predictions About the 2025-26 Kentucky Basketball Season
1) Kam Williams will average 15+ points a game
One player who could be an absolute star for the Kentucky Wildcats is Tulane transfer Kam Williams. As a true freshman, he shot 41.2% from three on 4.6 attempts per game. Williams is a lights out shooter and has a shot to be a star in Lexington. NBA Mock Drafts already have Williams going in the first round. There is a world where Williams could average double figures, and it would be huge for this team.
2) Andrija Jelavic’s upside is a top five PF in college hoops
The real wildcard on this Kentucky team is Andrija Jelavic, who is coming over from Europe. The 6’11 power forward’s upside is through the roof, but if it hits, he can be special. He will be starting the offseason fighting for a starting spot but he very well could win the job. If Jelavic finds this upside, Kentucky will be the best team in college basketball.
3) Mark Pope wins National Coach of the Year
Many believe Mark Pope’s name should have been in the running last season for National Coach of the Year, but it was not. His roster this season is good enough to win the SEC and the National Championship. If the Wildcats have the great season many experts predict them to have Pope should win this award.
