OXNARD, Calif. — The Cowboys’ defense was back at it with the double A-gap pressures. Linebacker Eric Kendricks inched toward one of the gaps between the center and guard, a safety creeping up from the backfield to attack the other. Edge rusher Micah Parsons stood behind them, ready to threaten. The Cowboys’ offense hadn’t discussed this. “What any team’s gonna …

ESPN released its rankings of the top 100 players for the 2024 college football season on Thursday. The list, which saw Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. claim the No. 1 spot, included five local athletes. Four Oklahoma players made the cut, while one Oklahoma State player did. Here’s a look at which OU and OSU players were included: More: …

How Purdy’s leadership evolution continues entering third NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA – There’s a noticeable difference at the 49ers training camp this season, and it has nothing to do with the contract dispute absences of Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams. From across the practice fields where players are being shuffled in and out …

. Mack Brown and the North Carolina Tar Heels’ football program received some good news on Friday afternoon. Three-star running back Demon June pledged his verbal commitment to North Carolina, giving the Tar Heels a big running back commit in the 2025 class. The Jacksonville, North Carolina native announced during a ceremony at his high school on Friday, just a …

It’s next man up for the Minnesota Vikings.  While J.J. McCarthy’s rookie season has come to an abrupt and unfortunate end, Sam Darnold is hoping to adequately fill his shoes as the Vikings’ starting quarterback for the 2024 season. A big positive for Darnold is that he has the support of teammate and superstar receiver Justin Jefferson.  “It’s going very well,” …

A guide to the Bears-Bengals preseason game: Time, television, stadium items originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago The Bears will host the Bengals this Saturday for the team’s first preseason game at Soldier Field. Ahead of the event, here’s everything to know about the preseason game, including the schedule, television options and stadium items. When is the Bears-Bengals preseason game? …

Every season breakout stars emerge. Sometimes those names are right under our nose. In the case of the Iowa Hawkeyes, ESPN projects that to be the case in the 2024 season. The name that ESPN chose as its sleeper pick for the Hawkeyes won’t sound like much of a sleeper pick to Iowa fans. ESPN tabbed junior wide receiver Seth …

Deebo believes Aiyuk will be on 49ers’ roster this season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area As the Brandon Aiyuk contract saga drags on, Deebo Samuel remains confident the All-Pro wideout will remain with the 49ers during the 2024 NFL season and beyond. During an interview on “Up & Adams” Friday, Samuel was asked if San Francisco can win …

. Florida’s 2025 recruiting class improved on Friday after Booker T. Washington (Miami) cornerback [autotag]Ben Hanks Jr[/autotag]. committed to the Gators over Louisville and Miami, according to On3. “It was a tough decision, but at the end of the day, it was Florida,” Hanks said. “I liked Georgia a lot early. When I saw their practice and what they are …

49ers training camp takeaways: Brock looks un-Purdy-like on Day 17 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA — Now, things speed up for the 49ers during what has generally been a slow-paced training camp. After taking part in their 17th practice of training camp on Friday, the 49ers will have their typical day-before-game walk-through on Saturday. The 49ers …

Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) fumbles the ball in the third quarter against Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ethan Downs (40) thrid quarter during an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. This game makes up the119th rivalry match up. On the surface, this should be a great year for the …

There are only 24 days remaining between now and the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 1 showdown on “Monday Night Football” with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. Yet, 49ers top wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who led the defending NFC champions in catches (75), receiving yards (1,342) and co-led the team in receiving touchdowns (seven), is still not practicing with …

For the first time in franchise history, the Cincinnati Bengals are going to wear orange pants in a game. The Bengals have existed since 1968 and in the 56 years since then, they’ve either worn black or white pants, but that will be changing for the upcoming season for at least one game.  The Bengals unveiled the orange pants on …

Photo: Isaiah Hole There are multiple factors that go into teams being College Football Playoff worthy. One is experience, another is the schedule. Another big factor is how many top players are contributing to the team. It’s not always that easy, of course. You need talent across the board, namely at quarterback. Coaches have to make good decisions. Players have …

Report: Aiyuk wants final-year adjustment in 49ers’ contract offer originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Programming Note: Watch “49ers Training Camp Live” with Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan at 3 p.m. PT today from Santa Clara, streaming live on the NBC Sports app. Watch the show later on YouTube and Facebook. The last hurdle for Brandon Aiyuk and …