The NFL has reportedly tested optical technology to track first downs in multiple games, including at February’s Super Bowl. If approved and implemented, the technology would replace the long outdated and oft-criticized system of sideline chain crews that invites human error and guesswork into high-stakes first-down measurements. This is according to multiple reports from the NFL scouting combine on Thursday, …

It’s the time of year when football recruits begin loading up their spring calendars with official visits. Florida is preparing to host a ton of recruits over the coming cycle, including Guyer (Denton, Texas) defensive tackle Xxavier Ukponu. After stopping by The Swamp in February for an unofficial visit, Ukponu has locked in Florida as one of his upcoming official …

Odds for Justin Fields to land with the Falcons shoot up … again originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago One day after the Falcons’ odds to land Justin Fields took a commanding lead over the rest of the field, they shot up … again. Indeed, the betting odds shifted from -300 to -425 for Fields to land in his hometown …

AUBURN — Auburn football’s Hugh Freeze felt a void when attending the latest SEC coaches meeting, and he’s still looking for someone to step into it. “In our most recent SEC head coaches meeting, there wasn’t a guy that was willing to yell and scream as much,” Freeze said Thursday when asked about former Alabama coach Nick Saban’s retirement. “We’ve …

Potential 49ers NFL Draft target wows with historic 10-yard split originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area A potential 49ers draft target put on a historic performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson — who ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. mocked to the 49ers at No. 31 overall in …

Greg Wyshynski, ESPNMar 1, 2024, 12:11 AM ET CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin on Thursday night in a three-way trade that also involved the Carolina Hurricanes. Anaheim received Toronto’s 2025 third-round pick and retained 50% of Lyubushkin’s salary. Carolina received a 2024 sixth-round pick to retain 50% of …

CLEMSON — Former Clemson football defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro was one of the standouts Thursday at the 2024 NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. At 6-foot-4 and 294 pounds, Orhorhoro ran an official 4.89 seconds in the 40-yard dash that ranked fourth among defensive tackles. He finished second in the 10-yard split with 1.67 seconds, second in …

INDIANAPOLIS — They tried to prevent this. They tried to circumvent this. And they tried to, at bare minimum, vent about this. An offseason later, an NFL running backs’ Zoom meeting seems only to have accomplished that third objective. Last July, NFLPA executive vice president Austin Ekeler helped organize a live call for a position group that felt undervalued and …

USATSI As power brokers in college football are in the midst of intense debates regarding the future of the College Football Playoff for 2026 and beyond, the Big Ten and SEC are currently pushing for a 14-team model that would not only guarantee three automatic bids for each conference but also reserve the format’s two first-round byes for each league’s …

The first day of on-field drills at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis saw defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers take the stage in Indianapolis. A handful of prospects elevated their stock with strong performances while others sent scouts back to the tape.  Here are some of the winners and losers from Thursday’s on-field drills in Indianapolis, starting with a look at …

The Florida Gators are expecting many visitors throughout the 2024 spring practices. Now they can expect another top high school athlete to grace the UF campus with his presence. Four-star linebacker Tavion Wallace spoke with reporters from Swamp247 and said he’s planning to visit Gainesville on April 9. Wallace told reporters that he’s been a Gators fan since his youth, …

Alexander Mattison didn’t have the season some fantasy football players were expecting. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) The Minnesota Vikings will likely have a new starting running back for the third time in three years. The team informed Alexander Mattison on Thursday they will release him after a single season as their starting running back, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. …

Oklahoma just had one of its all-time best defensive line recruiting hauls with their 2024 class. It was headlined by five-star defensive tackle David Stone but there were multiple four-star defensive linemen in the Sooners’ haul. Oklahoma needed every single signee as the Sooners were set to be pretty thin along their defensive line after the 2024 season. They now …

USC’s Caleb Williams declines NFL combine medical exams: reports originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago USC quarterback and expected No. 1 pick Caleb Williams is declining to partake in medical examinations with all 32 teams, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. ESPN first reported Williams didn’t plan to do the testing. In accepting his invitation, Williams didn’t sign off on …

Feb. 29—PULLMAN — Washington State spent much of last fall trying to complete its 2024 football schedule, wading through the wreckage of the Pac-12 to find opponents and nail down dates. As of Thursday afternoon, mission complete. WSU’s 2024 schedule features six home games and six away, starting with an Aug. 31 home opener against FCS Portland State and concluding …