Apple Podcasts | Spotify • Hosts: Tony Garica (@RealTonyGarcia) and Rainer Sabin (@RainerSabin) • Editor: Robin Chan • Executive producers: Anjanette Delgado, Kirkland Crawford • Producer: Andrew Birkle • Email: apgarcia@freepress.com On this episode: After hours of debate, snubs, upsets, and near upsets, the College Football Playoff is set, and the Michigan Wolverines are the No. 1 overall seed. Their …
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Mike Aresco to retire: AAC’s only commissioner led transition from Big East, fought for ‘Power Six’ brand
American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco is retiring from his position on May 31, 2024, after more than a decade. Aresco has presided over the conference since its final season as the Big East in 2012. As just the Big East’s fourth commissioner, Aresco was tasked with overseeing a period of heavy transition. After several key schools left for power …
Read More »Bradley, Cunningham, Hockensmith earn special MNJ defensive awards in football
MANSFIELD — When their teams needed them the most, they were always in the right spot at the right time. That is why they earned special awards from the Mansfield News Journal for their stellar defensive play during the 2023 season. Let’s introduce our top defensive honorees. Mansfield Senior’s junior linebacker Maurice Bradley II is the Mansfield News Journal co-Defensive …
Read More »DeVito, Miller, Spitler earn special Mansfield News Journal honors on offense
MANSFIELD — They simply stood taller than the rest. Three Richland County football players took home special Mansfield News Journal honors for their performances on the offensive side of the football. Let’s find out who they are right here. Shelby’s Sophomore quarterback Brayden DeVito earned co-Mansfield News Journal Offensive Player of the Year honors. In 2023, DeVito was named first-team …
Read More »Colorado football recruiting: Five-star OL Jordan Seaton commits, addressing area of need for Deion Sanders
247Sports Deion Sanders and Colorado landed a much-needed commitment in the form of five-star offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, who announced his intentions Thursday on FS1’s “Undisputed.” Seaton committed to the Buffs over a laundry list of offers, including Tennessee, Ohio State and Alabama. Seaton is a game-changer for a Colorado squad in desperate need of juice both on the offensive …
Read More »Ohio State wide receiver undecided on playing in Cotton Bowl, return for 2024
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is undecided about whether he will play in the Cotton Bowl or return next year for his senior season. >>Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. named 1 of 4 Heisman Trophy finalists He spoke with reporters at a news conference on Thursday. Harrison said there are two goals: beating Michigan and winning a …
Read More »Ohio State football tight end Joe Royer enters NCAA transfer portal
Ohio State tight end Joe Royer entered the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday after four seasons with the Buckeyes, The Dispatch confirmed. Royer caught four passes for 24 yards over the last three seasons. He redshirted in his first year at the school in 2020. Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Joe Royer (84) runs past Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Cam Jones …
Read More »Kentucky running back Ray Davis to play in Gator Bowl vs. Clemson: ‘See y’all December 29th’
Kentucky fans are going to get one last ride with All-SEC running back Ray Davis. The star, who rushed for 1,066 yards as a fifth-year senior in his first season with the Wildcats, released a video Thursday indicating his intention to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. But not before he plays in the Gator Bowl against Clemson on Dec. …
Read More »Coosa Christian football Mark and Clete O’Bryant cherish being together for state title run
TUSCALOOSA — Even though the season didn’t end the way Coosa Christian football wanted, falling in the AHSAA Class 1A game, it was a special season for the O’Bryant family. Head coach Mark O’Bryant and linebacker Clete O’Bryant are one of the many father-son duos across Alabama high school football. Mark started coaching his son in seventh grade before becoming …
Read More »Last-second field goal propels Mainland to 1st state football championship in 20 years
TALLAHASSEE — Jacob Gettman kept his nerve, and struck the football true. There was no doubt in his mind that it would split the uprights the moment it left his right foot. As he turned around, he saw an explosion of emotion — catharsis after 20 years of high school football frustration, near-misses and heartbreak at Mainland High School, as …
Read More »Travis Roland leads Mainland to 2nd state title two decades after first
TALLAHASSEE — Travis Roland made a postgame vow. After answering questions in front of television cameras, he was more than happy to talk with another gaggle of reporters approaching him. But he needed a moment. He had something to do first. “Can I please go hug my teammates?” he asked. “I’ll be back. I promise!” Then, he sprinted from the …
Read More »Rutgers tailgate and pre-game party set for the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
While the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl is still weeks away, Rutgers fans can already start planning out their pregame festivities. For some, that may include a stop at Billy’s Sports Bar for the official Rutgers Tailgate and Pep Rally on December 28. The event will be open to the public and hosted by Rutgers Alumni & Rutgers Foundation. However, …
Read More »Michigan finalizing massive contract offer for Jim Harbaugh amid potential NFL interest, per reports
Michigan is working on a lucrative contract extension in hopes of keeping Jim Harbaugh as the coach of the Wolverines through the 2028 season, according to multiple reports. The potential five-year, $55 million deal, first reported by Richard Johnson, would make Harbaugh the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten and second-highest paid in college football behind Alabama’s Nick Saban. The contract …
Read More »UNC wide receiver Tez Walker accepts Senior Bowl invite, leaves for NFL draft
North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Tez Walker is officially heading to the NFL draft. On Thursday night, Walker announced that he has accepted an invite to the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl, forgoing his eligibility and instead heading the NFL after just one season at North Carolina. Walker spent one season with the Tar Heels after transferring from Kent State. …
Read More »Duke hires Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz as head coach to replace Mike Elko
Duke has Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz as its next coach, the team announced Thursday. Diaz just wrapped up his second season on coach James Franklin’s staff as the No. 10 Nittany Lions prepare to face No. 11 Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30. “Manny’s previous experiences have prepared him for this opportunity, and he is, quite simply, …
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