CHAPEL HILL — Max Johnson took notice of how UNC football coach Mack Brown treated former quarterback Drake Maye. It’s one of the main reasons Johnson chose to join the Tar Heels out of the transfer portal. “The way he talked about Drake was awesome,” Johnson said on Feb. 7 inside the Kenan Football Center. “The way he defended him, …

Steve Spagnuolo isn’t going anywhere. The Chiefs announced on Wednesday morning that the organization has signed Spagnuolo to a contract extension, keeping the defensive coordinator with the franchise. The length of Spagnuolo’s extension was not disclosed. As noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Spagnuolo’s contract was about to expire and there was urgency on Kansas City’s part to get …

Mecole Hardman will be long remembered when Super Bowl histories are recalled. His three-yard touchdown catch was not that spectacular as spectacular plays go, but what it meant will make him a hero forever. Then there is the humility of how he figured into the process—down and out in New York but getting a second opportunity with his old team …

Bears’ Tyler Scott reveals moment his heart broke for Justin Fields last season originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago LAS VEGAS – When the Bears drafted Tyler Scott in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the speedy Cincinnati wide receiver and Ohio native was beyond excited to play with Justin Fields. Scott watched Fields play at Ohio State …

A Texas native is being sought by Lincoln Riley and his staff. This is a big-time athlete in a small package, standing at 5-11 and 160 pounds. Sophomore two-way player Jermaine Bishop Jr. has been offered by the USC Trojans. Bishop, who has the potential to become a top-50 player in the nation, had a breakout sophomore season for Willis …

Quarterback AJ McCarron’s second stint with the Bengals has come to an end. The Bengals announced that they have released McCarron on Wednesday. The 2014 fifth-round pick returned to the practice squad in Cincinnati in September and spent the last month of the regular season on the active roster. McCarron appeared in two games in relief of Jake Browning and …

Ohio State is not a basketball school. There, I said it. But the Buckeyes should be better than what they are. The question is how much better? We can agree that even if football is your calling card, losing 16 consecutive men’s basketball games on the road, which ties the school record, is a grim reminder that something is more …

The great Patriots debate: Draft a QB now, or build out roster first? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston One of the most important decisions in New England Patriots history is looming around the corner. And depending on who you ask, there’s no clear direction to take. The Patriots own the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, guaranteeing …

Four-Star IMG Academy receiver Donovan Olugbode was offered by USC earlier this year and things are heating up. 247Sports recently updated Olugbode’s recruitment and noted that he is high on Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Ohio State, Tennessee, and USC. Olugbode, a 6-foot-1 and 200-pound wide receiver originally from Naperville, Illinois, currently plays for IMG Academy in …

Subscribe to Zero Blitz Jason Fitz & Frank Schwab start off the show by acknowledging the tragic shooting in Kansas City and offering their condolences before transitioning into some of the breaking news around the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with DC Steve Wilks after a shaky playoff run, and Chris Jones loudly proclaimed that he is staying …

ESPN and the College Football Playoff have reportedly agreed to a six-year extension which will carry through the 2031 regular season. USA TODAY Sports has more: “According to the report, the extension starting for the 2026 season is for six years and $7.8 billion and makes ESPN the continued broadcast partner for the 12-team playoff. The expanded format will begin …

The Kansas City Chiefs fans have more to celebrate on Wednesday besides another Super Bowl victory. As fans were lining the streets and the players and staff were prepping for the parade, the Chiefs announced that they’ve signed defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, one of the architects of their third Super Bowl win in five years, to a contract extension. The …

As soon as Angel Lopez got the call from Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, he knew he found his home. The Gadsden County senior defensive back signed with Colorado on Wednesday morning, alongside six other teammates who signed to play football at their respective colleges. Joining the Buffaloes in Sanders’s second year as head coach, the opportunity to learn from …

Aiyuk headlines 49ers’ list of NFL offseason priorities originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA — This one might take a while, but the 49ers’ top offseason priority is to sign wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a long-term contract. The goal, of course, is to come to an arrangement that makes both sides happy. But if history is …

BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis throws a touchdown pass against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Slovis is now preparing for the upcoming NFL combine in Indianapolis later this month. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News It’s amazing what can get lost in an email. For BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis, it was his future. Slovis …