247Sports It was a simpler time six years ago. The lone National Signing Day for the 2017 cycle was the first Wednesday in February, but that was before everything changed 10 months later with the introduction of the early signing period in December. Since that first early signing period during the 2017-18 recruiting cycle, we've witnessed a seismic shift in the timing of when top recruits announce their college choices and sign with their schools, a timeframe that has heavily shifted to December. Though the landscape has drastically changed, there remains a few uncommitted/unsigned players who have yet to make their decisions and will do so on Wednesday, Feb. 1. So there are still plenty of storylines to follow during the traditional National Signing Day which will take center stage next week, so let's break down some of the top ones to follow as the 2023 recruiting cycle quickly comes to a close. 1. Coach Prime's time In December 2021, Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter … [Read more...] about College football recruiting: Five key storylines to follow during National Signing Day 2023
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College basketball power rankings: Xavier slides into top 10 after win at UConn; Alabama makes move to No. 1
USATSI STORRS, Conn. — Rare is the occasion that my power rankings opens with a dateline, but I was in the building Wednesday night for Xavier's 82-79 win over UConn, a top-20 Big East affair. So this week's Hey Nineteen will start there. What began as a Xavier bombardment ended in a gripping Musketeers escape inside a bumping Gampel Pavilion, which at a few points hit ear-splitting levels after Connecticut managed to cut a 17-point second-half deficit down to a one-possession game. "That was the loudest building I've ever been in," Xavier associate head coach Adam Cohen told me outside the team locker room after the win. Xavier led wire to wire, opening the game 9-0 in the first four minutes, then bloating its lead to 15 points by halftime — a margin that would prove pivotal after UConn made a couple of second-half pushes to bring some much-needed drama to the best matchup of the night in college basketball. UConn's Jordan Hawkins had 28, the second-highest point … [Read more...] about College basketball power rankings: Xavier slides into top 10 after win at UConn; Alabama makes move to No. 1
2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games testing expanded skills competition, could be ‘bigger and better’ next season
USATSI The 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games will be the first of its kind, presenting a new spin on the league's annual all-star game. Replacing a full-contact exhibition with an expanded skills competition and flag football tournament, the February showcase could ultimately also be a stepping stone to even bigger changes down the road. When the NFL first announced details for the Pro Bowl Games in a memo to league personnel, it referred to the event as the "Replacement Event," suggesting the new format is merely a trial run. That is, in fact, the case, according to Anthony Storm, senior vice president of A. Smith & Co. Productions, which is behind this year's Pro Bowl Games. "I don't know what the NFL's future plans are," Storm tells CBS Sports, "but I know this is a great opportunity for us to grow the skills competition. And I know flag football is a big initiative over there. So I think there's a lot of room for growth. This is the first time we're expanding it into a … [Read more...] about 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games testing expanded skills competition, could be ‘bigger and better’ next season
Hope Powell: Defying Mum to play football, building England Women and representing her communities
Hope Powell has revealed how she defied her Mum to play football, how she built England Women and the importance of representing her communities. Powell is perhaps best known for her time as a coach with the Lionesses, Team GB and, more recently, with Brighton. But she was also an experienced player herself, amassing over 60 England caps and a raft of other domestic accolades. However, growing up in West Indian culture in south London in the 60s and 70s, it was not the most conventional career path for a girl - and Powell's mother even tried to dissuade her from football. "When I was growing up and playing on the estate, I honestly thought I was the only girl that played," she told Jess Creighton on Inside the WSL. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player This week's episode of Inside The WSL takes a dive into the life of Hope Powell - one of the most influential figures in the game. Izzy Christiansen: WSL postponements a … [Read more...] about Hope Powell: Defying Mum to play football, building England Women and representing her communities
Patriots experienced unprecedented offensive disarray under Bill Belichick during 2022 season, per report
Getty Images The return of Bill O'Brien as New England Patriots ' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach will come after one of the most dysfunctional seasons in the Bill Belichick Era, according to the Boston Herald . The team's 18.2 offensive points per game were its worst since Year 1 under Belichick in 2000, while its third-down and red zone offense were both the worst in Belichick's 23 seasons as Patriots head coach. 2022 Patriots offense NFL Rank Offensive points per game 18.2 22nd Total yards per game 314.6 26th Third-down percentage 34.9%* 27th Red zone touchdown percentage 42.2%* Last * Worst in Bill Belichick Era (since 2000) O'Brien experienced great success running the Patriots offense as the play-caller in 2011 when the team reached the Super Bowl , and just like Matt Patricia and Joe Judge -- the two longtime Belichick coaches who ran the offense in 2022 -- he's an … [Read more...] about Patriots experienced unprecedented offensive disarray under Bill Belichick during 2022 season, per report
2023 Top247: Final edition sets 5-star field
247Sports on Thursday afternoon released the final edition of the 2023 Top 247 rankings, headlined by the 32 five-star prospects designated annually. Four of those players rose to 100 ratings 247Sports on Thursday afternoon released the final edition of the 2023 Top247 rankings, headlined by the 32 five-star prospects designated annually. Four of those players rose to 100 ratings — 98 represents the five-star threshold — to lead the class. As a reminder, December's pre-Early Signing Period update marked the beginning of the Top247's new five-star era, which will take full effect in the 2024 class. That means the next update to the 2024 Top247 will feature a full 32-player five-star field. Stay tuned for that in the coming spring. Below readers will find a link to the full 2023 Top247 final edition, as well as the final 32-player five-star field for the senior class. As for that quartet of 100-rated prospects atop the board, we provide some context on their standing as well. … [Read more...] about 2023 Top247: Final edition sets 5-star field
With a sparkling stadium and surging program, San Diego State makes an easy case for Pac-12 expansion
Derrick Tuskan, SDSU Athletics SAN DIEGO -- J.D. Wicker is standing on the top concourse of one of the biggest parties in the country. What else would you call San Diego State's new stadium, which equates to the latest lob pass for what the school hopes is a slam-dunk entry into the Pac-12? On its best day, which projects to be every game day , college football is almost a sideshow in new Snapdragon Stadium. The main event is the craft brew-infused vibe that San Diego State's athletic director has, well, crafted. "There's more bars in that stadium than there are in most cities," said Aztecs coach Brady Hoke. That isn't entirely why San Diego State enters 2023 as the next hottest realignment candidate, but elite concessions certainly do not hurt. Taps or no taps, Wicker's vision of a 35,000-seat boutique stadium reflecting the city's culture, history, food and brew -- built on one of the country's most expensive pieces of real estate -- was going up regardless. … [Read more...] about With a sparkling stadium and surging program, San Diego State makes an easy case for Pac-12 expansion
NFL playoffs: Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles and 49ers – meet the teams battling it out to reach Super Bowl LVII in Arizona
We have our final four in the NFL playoffs! The Conference Championship games - effectively semi-finals ahead of Super Bowl LVII - take place this Sunday, live on Sky Sports NFL; here's your guide to the teams left battling for the right to make it to Arizona on February 12... AFC 1) Kansas City Chiefs AFC West division champions - 14-3 regular-season record Divisional Round result: 27-20 winners vs Jaguars (4) Head coach: Andy Reid is into his 10th season with the Chiefs, and this team has known only success since he's been there, missing out on the playoffs just once in 2014 - albeit still securing a winning record at 9-7, the only time his team failed to reach 10 wins. With victory over the Jaguars in the divisional round of the playoffs, Kansas City clinched a fifth-straight appearance in the AFC Championship game under Reid. Key man: The uber-talented Patrick Mahomes, of course. The 27-year-old is favourite to win a second league MVP title this season … [Read more...] about NFL playoffs: Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles and 49ers – meet the teams battling it out to reach Super Bowl LVII in Arizona
NFL Stats divisional playoffs: Joe Burrow extends winning run, Travis Kelce closes in on Jerry Rice postseason record
Sky Sports statistician Benedict Bermange picks out the best stats the NFL has to offer from the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, including another monster day for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as he closes in on Jerry Rice's postseason receptions record... The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars to reach their fifth-straight AFC Championship game. The Chiefs will now have hosted five conference title games in a row, the longest streak since the first conference championship game was played in 1966. They had never hosted one at all in franchise history before drafting Patrick Mahomes, having played three in total prior, all of them on the road from 1966-2016. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Kansas City Chiefs … [Read more...] about NFL Stats divisional playoffs: Joe Burrow extends winning run, Travis Kelce closes in on Jerry Rice postseason record
Carolina Panthers hire Frank Reich as new head coach to reunite with franchise’s first starting quarterback
Frank Reich was named the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. Reich becomes the sixth head coach in Panthers history having previously served as the first starting quarterback for the franchise in 1995. The 61-year-old received a second interview with owner David Tepper and the team's search committee this week. He joins the Panthers after being fired by the Indianapolis Colts nine games into the 2022 season. He posted a 40-33-1 record in four-plus seasons in Indianapolis and guided the club to two postseason appearances. Steve Wilks served as the interim coach of the Panthers after replacing Matt Rhule, who was fired October 10 after a 1-4 start. Carolina finished with a 7-10 mark and have missed the playoffs in each of the five seasons since Tepper brought the franchise in 2018 for a then-NFL-record $2.275 billion. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options Reich is viewed as an … [Read more...] about Carolina Panthers hire Frank Reich as new head coach to reunite with franchise’s first starting quarterback