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  • The 2025 Tour Championship, a 72-hole stroke-play event, begins Thursday at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
  • Scottie Scheffler aims for his second consecutive win, while Rory McIlroy seeks his fourth Tour Championship victory.

The 2025 Tour Championship tees off Thursday with one of the biggest tournament on the PGA Tour calendar once again taking place at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

The Tour Championship is the final FedEx Cup playoff event of the year, and it has undergone a significant change for 2025. The ‘Starting Strokes’ format is done, with the PGA setting this tournament up as a classic 72-hole stroke-play event. All players will start on even par, with the FedEx Cup awaiting the winner.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is looking to win the event for the second year in a row, which would make him just the third player to win the Tour Championship twice. Rory McIlroy (three times) is also gunning for victory, while Tiger Woods (two) remains out due to injury. Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland, Justin Rose and Justin Thomas are the other former Tour Championship winners who could do it again with an inspired weekend on the links.

Here’s what to know about the field for the 2025 Tour Championship:

Tour Championship 2025: Who made PGA event?

  • Ludvig Åberg
  • Akshay Bhatia
  • Keegan Bradley
  • Jacob Bridgeman
  • Sam Burns
  • Patrick Cantlay
  • Corey Conners
  • Harris English
  • Tommy Fleetwood
  • Chris Gotterup
  • Ben Griffin
  • Harry Hall
  • Brian Harman
  • Russell Henley
  • Viktor Hovland
  • Im Sung-jae
  • Shane Lowry
  • Robert MacIntyre
  • Hideki Matsuyama
  • Rory McIlroy
  • Maverick McNealy
  • Collin Morikawa
  • Andrew Novak
  • Justin Rose
  • Scottie Scheffler
  • J.J. Spaun
  • Sepp Straka
  • Nick Taylor
  • Justin Thomas
  • Cameron Young

How to watch Tour Championship 2025: Time, TV channel, streaming

All times Eastern.

The 2025 Tour Championship will be broadcast on the Golf Channel and NBC, while Fubo, ESPN+’s PGA Tour Live and Peacock are streaming options.

Early play will start on the Golf Channel, with coverage of the first two rounds running from 1-6 p.m. For the third round, the Golf Channel will carry play from 1-2:30 p.m. before switching to NBC from 2:30-7 p.m. Finally, the fourth round will run on the Golf Channel from 12-1:30 p.m. before moving to NBC from 1:30-6 p.m.

Watch the 2025 Tour Championship on Fubo (free trial)

Peacock will air all of NBC’s coverage, while PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will have featured groups and some exclusive coverage of early-round play. ESPN+’s streams will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday and Saturday, 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, and 12 p.m. on Saturday.

  • Date: Thursday, Aug. 21 – Sunday, Aug. 24
  • Time: Broadcast coverage ranges from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. across multiple platforms
  • Location: East Lake Golf Club (Atlanta)
  • TV channel: Golf Channel, NBC
  • Streaming: Fubo, Peacock, ESPN+

Watch early play at the 2025 Tour Championship on ESPN+

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Jake Paul and Tank Davis are ready rumble in the boxing ring.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Paul posted on his X account a fight-style poster featuring him and Davis and showing the fight is set for Nov. 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta and will be carried by Netflix.

‘Gervonta who has been disrespecting my name for too long,” Paul wrote in the post. ‘His nickname might be Tank, but I’m an FPV drone and I’m about to disable tiny boy. Yes, he’s (one) of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, but my motto is anyone, anytime, anyplace, against all odds. And I like my odds.”

So much for picking on someone your own size. Paul is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and fought last at 200 pounds. Davis is 5 feet, 5 1/2 inches, and fought last at 135 pounds. That would give Paul an advantage of 7 1/2 inches and 65 pounds.

Despite the size discrepancy, it’s unclear whether the fight — which will be promoted by Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions company — will be an exhibition. Nakisa Bidarian, Paul’s business partner, told ESPN, ‘We’re still figuring that out. Jake will definitely have to come down below his 200-pound weight that he’s been fighting at. I can tell you that we’re going to have a fight that will have a definitive outcome, whether by way of knockout or decision.’

Regardless, there’s a reason they call Davis “Tank.’’ He hits like one. Davis, the WBA lightweight world champion, is 30-0-1 with 28 KOs over his career. He’s coming off of a majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr., and the 30-year-old southpaw is a marketable heavy hitter.

Following Paul’s announcement on X, Most Valuable Promotions issued a release confirming the fight for Friday, Nov. 14. Said Paul in the release:

‘Jake vs. Tank is the culmination of four years of callouts and a brewing rivalry between Paul, the sport’s most-watched fighter whose showmanship has redefined boxing promotion, and Davis, one of the most feared punchers in the world and widely regarded as the Mike Tyson of his generation,’ the release reads. ‘Paul and Davis, the favorite boxers of Gen Alpha and Gen Z, respectively, have both battled to claim the title of modern boxing’s biggest star, setting the stage for this monumental showdown.’

Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) is coming off a victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision. Although he has stressed he wants to win a world championship, this exhibition suggests he remains interested in big paydays.

In reacting to the news, Ryan Garcia wrote on his X account, ‘Boxing is officially the WWE.”

(This story was updated with new information.)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

  • USA TODAY’s Path to Playoff newsletter offers bi-weekly coverage of the college football season.
  • The newsletter will provide game recaps, previews, predictions, and features.
  • Readers can expect content from national writers and beat reporters covering major programs.
  • The newsletter aims to be a comprehensive source for fans following the college football playoff race.

There are few sports that inspire emotions the way college football does. And the chase for spots in the College Football Playoff field has become the magnet for team goals and for fan discussions about the season.

That’s why we’re here to make sense of it all for you. Our bi-weekly newsletter Path to Playoff will bring you all the news and analysis every Monday and Friday as the season develops from the kick off in August to the announcement of the playoff field in December.

Sign up here!

So what will you see every week?

Every Monday, we will recap the weekend with columns from Matt Hayes, Blake Toppmeyer and Paul Myerberg that help you digest all the happenings from the biggest games. Every Friday, we will look ahead to the upcoming schedule with previews, predictions and features that get you ready for all the major matchups.

In addition to our national coverage, we will have content from across our USA TODAY network that includes beat writers at some of the biggest schools, like Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and more.

We look forward to being your go-to source on all things college football as we experience all the emotions from the race for the national title and all the rivalries that make the sport great.

Make sure to subscribe and we look forward to being on the journey with you

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Chicago Bears became one of the few franchises in the NFL to extend their backup quarterback when they agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with Tyson Bagent.

The 25-year-old quarterback started four games for the Bears in 2023 and appeared in four games last season. Bagent was set to enter the final year of his contract this season and this extension will keep him with the Bears through 2027.

The former Shepherd University star was emotional talking about what it meant to sign this deal.

‘A lot of people don’t know this but my dad, he is my right hand man and he didn’t have running water until he was in high school,’ Bagent told media after signing his deal. ‘So there’s definitely a lot of things and people that I think I could certainly help with this gift I’ve been blessed with.

‘Little things like that, I don’t really know anybody back home with any money. It feels good, it’s certainly a weight off my shoulders and my family’s shoulders. It definitely means a lot.’

The West Virginia native earned the Harlon Hill Trophy, Division II college football’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, in 2021 at Shepherd. He set Division II records for career passing yards with 17,034 and touchdown passes with 159.

He’s played well in the preseason for the Bears this year, especially in Chicago’s win over Buffalo. Bagent completed 13 of 22 passes for 196 yards and touchdown.

This deal makes him the seventh-highest paid backup quarterback by average annual value (AAV) in the NFL. Only Anthony Richardson Sr., Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham, and Tyrod Taylor rank ahead of him.

Bagent will likely be back in action for the Bears’ preseason finale on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, Aug. 22.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Trump administration’s Department of Transportation is raising standards for applicants seeking to become air traffic controllers, a move officials say will reduce the profession’s high washout rate.

Meanwhile, the department argued that the Biden administration’s decision during his first term to lower standards for applicants contributed to the higher attrition rate, while inflating the numbers of candidates entering the profession.

‘By eliminating the Best Qualified category and lowering the standard for how top scorers were defined, Biden and Buttigieg juiced the numbers to make it seem like they were making a dent in the air traffic controller shortage,’ a Department of Transportation spokesperson told Fox News Digital. 

According to the DOT source, the Biden administration scrapped the ‘Best Qualified’ tier for candidates who scored 85% or better on their Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam. That standard was replaced with a broader ‘Well Qualified’ category that included candidates who scored at least 80%, according to an internal agency PowerPoint from 2023, shared with Fox News Digital.

‘They lowered the standard from 85% to 80% to be best qualified … to get these young people into the academy,’ Trump Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the New York Post’s Miranda Devine, referring to the Federal Aviation Training Center located in Oklahoma City. 

Under the second Trump administration, air traffic controller academy standards reverted to the four-tier system that includes ‘Best Qualified’ for scores of 90% or above, ‘Well-Qualified’ for scores between 85% and 89%, ‘Qualified’ for scores between 70% and 84% and ‘Not Referred’ for scores below 70%.

 

A DOT official said distinguishing top performers and allowing those with the highest scores to get first pick at training assignments makes it more likely candidates will complete the academy. Different airspaces require different training regimens, the source noted.

The official cited a Transportation Department report from before Trump’s return to office that warned, ‘Although the lower score selection may assist with increasing the number of applicable candidates to support the FAA’s hiring goals, there is a possibility that it may not contribute to better graduation and program success rates.

‘[The Biden administration] made it harder to identify the best and brightest and exacerbated the washout rate,’ the spokesperson said. ‘Secretary Duffy’s No. 1 priority is safety, which is why he’s restored the proper standards and prioritized the best and brightest for placement at the academy as part of his supercharge initiative.’

Earlier this year, Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary under Biden, said on social media that ‘we did not change the rigorous standard for becoming a certified air traffic controller,’ calling those who were saying as much ‘mistaken or lying.’ 

‘We did increase funding & training, and grew the ATC workforce after years of declining numbers, including under Trump,’ Buttigieg added.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Buttigieg said in response to criticism about weaker standards that the pre-admission Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam ‘has nothing to do with the standards of becoming a certified ATC.’

‘There is still a minimum standard of qualification, and that line hasn’t changed. And you still have to take a test. And that test hasn’t changed,’ the spokesperson said. 

Buttigieg’s spokesperson also described the accusations from the Trump administration as ‘a desperate attempt to deflect’ questions about whether the air traffic controller shortage is getting worse under Trump.  

‘The fact is, certified controller staffing fell during Trump’s first term,’ the spokesperson said. ‘But under Secretary Buttigieg’s watch, the FAA reversed years of staffing declines, meeting an aggressive hiring goal last year and creating the momentum to meet an even more aggressive hiring goal for this year.’

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

The FBI captured and arrested an individual on the FBI’s ‘Ten Most Wanted Fugitives’ list, Cindy Rodriguez Singh, in India, for a warrant for the murder of her 6-year-old son, Fox News Digital has learned.

Fox News Digital has learned that Rodriguez Singh had an active federal warrant for ‘unlawful flight to avoid prosecution,’ and an active Texas state warrant for ‘capital murder of a person under 10 years of age.’

Rodriguez Singh allegedly fled the United States to avoid prosecution on charges related to the murder of her child, Noel Rodriguez Alvarez.

On Oct. 3, 2024, an INTERPOL Red Notice was published for Rodriguez Singh and submitted to all member countries, including India. At that time, an extradition packet for Singh was also submitted.

The FBI, in coordination with Indian authorities and INTERPOL, arrested Rodriguez Singh in India. She has been transported to the United States and the FBI will turn her over to Texas authorities.

‘The FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list exists for cases just like this — where a dangerous fugitive thought she could run, hide overseas, and escape justice,’ FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital. ‘Thanks to relentless FBI work and our international partnerships, Cindy Rodriguez-Singh is back on American soil to face accountability for the horrific murder of her own child.’

Patel added: ‘Justice has no borders, and today the American people can see that we will never stop pursuing those who prey on the most innocent among us.’

On March 20, 2023, the Everman, Texas, Police Department was asked by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to conduct a welfare check on the 6-year-old son of Rodriguez Singh after the child had not been seen since October 2022, according to the FBI. 

Singh’s son had numerous health and developmental issues, including a severe developmental disorder, social disorder, bone density issues, chronic lung disease, pulmonary edema and estropia, according to officials.

During the welfare check, officials claim Rodriguez Singh lied to investigators and indicated that the child was in Mexico with his biological father and had been there since November 2022.

On March 22, 2023, Rodriguez Singh, her husband and six other juvenile children boarded an international flight to India, the FBI said, adding that investigators confirmed that the missing child was not present and never boarded that flight.

On Oct. 31, 2023, Rodriguez Singh was charged with capital murder in the District Court of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas.

On Nov. 2, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Rodriguez Singh in the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, after she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Rodriguez Singh was added to the ‘most wanted’ list in July.

Rodriguez Singh is the fourth person arrested on the ‘most wanted’ list under Patel’s leadership. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

A throng of protesters chanted slogans as Vice President JD Vance thanked National Guard and police at Union Station in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

Vance praised law enforcement and said that violent crime had dropped by 35% in the nine days since President Donald Trump ordered the crackdown. The vice president appeared alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, each of whom remarked on the shouting protesters.

Over the past several years, Vance described Union Station as having vagrants, drug addicts, ‘chronically homeless’ people and the mentally ill threatening violence and attacking families in the public transportation hub. 

‘I think you hear these guys outside here screaming at us. Of course, these are a bunch of crazy protesters. But I’ll tell you, a couple of years ago, when I brought my kids here, they were screamed at by violent vagrants. And it scared the hell out of my kids,’ Vance said. 

‘I know that we’ve traded now, some violent, crazy people who are screaming at kids with a few crazy liberals who are screaming at the vice president. But I think that’s a very worthwhile trade to make, because we want our people to be able to enjoy our beautiful cities,’ Vance continued. ‘This is your city. You should feel free to come and visit here.’ 

Vance also clashed with a reporter who asked if he had evidence of Washington’s crime problem. 

‘You just have to look around – obviously D.C. has a terrible crime problem,’ he said, pointing to how Department of Justice and FBI statistics ‘back it up.’ 

‘Just talk to a resident of this city, this beautiful, great American city,’ Vance said. ‘We hear these people outside screaming ‘Free D.C.’ Let’s free D.C. from lawlessness.’

‘It is kind of bizarre we have a bunch of old, primarily White people who are out there protesting the policies that keep people safe when they have never felt danger in their entire lives,’ the vice president added. 

Miller was even more blunt, describing many of the protesters as ‘elderly’ and ‘over 90 years old.’

‘We’re not going to let communists destroy a great American city, let alone the nation’s capital,’ Miller said, deriding the protesters as ‘stupid White hippies.’

‘For too long, 99% of this city has been terrorized by 1% of this city,’ Miller said. ‘And the voices that you hear out there, these crazy communists, they have no connection to the city. They have no families. They weren’t raised in this city. They have no one that they’re sending to school in this city. They have no jobs in this city. They have no connections to this community at all. They’re the ones who’ve been advocating for the 1%. The criminals, the killers, the rapists, the drug dealers.’

The Trump administration’s crackdown on violent crime in D.C. has already netted hundreds of arrests. The show of force has swept up gang members, robbery suspects and immigration violators. On Friday alone, 52 people were arrested, including 28 illegal immigrants, while three guns were seized.

Federal teams have also cleared dozens of homeless encampments, and officials said those removals were carried out without confrontations or arrests.

The operation began quietly on Aug. 7 with the launch of the ‘Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful’ task force created by Trump in March through an executive order. 

He escalated it on Aug. 11 by temporarily seizing federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under emergency powers in the Home Rule Act, the first such move in U.S. history.

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan contributed to this report

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi’s status remains in question before Inter Miami hosts Tigres UANL in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal match on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 8 p.m. ET.

Messi is dealing with a nagging right hamstring injury, and it’s unclear if he will play in the match or be available in some capacity as a starter or substitute. Messi’s availability will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup about an hour before the match.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano did not rule out Messi’s availability, one day before. Messi did not practice with teammates, while the coach said he trained separately. Messi was first injured during a Leagues Cup match on Aug. 2, and appeared to reaggravate in an Aug. 16 MLS match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Inter Miami-Tigres match:

Watch Leagues Cup matches on MLS Season Pass

Is Messi playing tonight?

It’s unclear. Messi’s playing status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup, an hour before the match.

What time is the Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL Leagues Cup match?

The match is Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Argentina).

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL Leagues Cup match on TV?

The match will be available on FS1 in English, and UniMás in Spanish.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL match on live stream?

The match will be available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, and the Apple TV+ channel.

Here are the other Leagues Cup quarterfinal matches

  • Orlando City vs. Toluca,9 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+)
  • Seattle Sounders vs. Puebla, 11 p.m. ET (FS1 and UniMás on TV in the U.S.; MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+)
  • L.A. Galaxy vs. Pachuca, 11:45 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+)

Inter Miami vs. Tigres UANL betting odds

Inter Miami is a slight favorite at home during regulation, according to BETMGM.

  • Inter Miami: +115
  • Tie: +240
  • Tigres: +165
  • Over/under: 3.5 goals

Messi’s last match in Argentina? Here’s what we know

Argentina will host Venezuela on Sept. 4 at Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires, then visit Ecuador on Sept. 9.

Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Messi, 38, has not yet declared he will play in the World Cup. 

Messi upcoming schedule with Inter Miami, Argentina

  • Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
  • Aug. 26 or 27: Leagues Cup semifinals (if applicable)
  • Aug. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
  • Aug. 31: Leagues Cup final and third-place match (if applicable)
  • Sept. 4: Argentina vs. Venezuela (World Cup qualifying)
  • Sept. 9: Ecuador vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
  • Sept. 13: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

  • Clemson and Penn State are tied for the most USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America first-team selections with three.
  • Eight teams had three or more players earn first- or second-team honors: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Texas.
  • Clemson QB Cade Klubnik is a USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America first-team selection and is a Heisman Trophy favorite.

There was no bigger no-brainer than Smith, who dominated the Big Ten as a true freshman in helping lead the Buckeyes to the national championship. He’s one of two Ohio State standouts to land on the first team, along with safety Caleb Downs, that were unanimous selections.

Clemson and Penn State tied for the most first-team selections with three. Eight teams had three or more players earn first- or second-team honors: Clemson with five, Penn State with four and Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, Ohio State and Texas with three.

PATH TO PLAYOFF: Sign up for our college football newsletter

Voting for the preseason All-America teams was conducted by 27 members of the USA TODAY Sports Network.

The biggest debate might’ve come at running back. Penn State alone has two backs with first-team résumés in Nicholas Singleton and Katron Allen. Voters placed Singleton on the first team, joining Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, while Allen and Oregon’s Makhi Hughes landed on the second team.

Overall, 18 teams in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll had at least one selection.

First team

Offense

QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson

After taking the leap as a second-year starter in 2024 (36 touchdowns), Klubnik is expected to make a serious run at the Heisman Trophy as Clemson chases the third national championship under Dabo Swinney.

RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Love (1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024) is a big-play threat who could find even more running room should Notre Dame strike an even firmer run-pass balance behind a new starting quarterback. Singleton (1,099 yards and 12 scores) got the nod over Allen, but the two combine to make the Nittany Lions’ running game a physical force.

WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

WR Ryan Williams, Alabama

TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

Smith (1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns) is simply a generational talent. Williams tailed off down the stretch last season (48 catches for 865 yards) and will need to be more consistent to help Ty Simpson ease into the starting role. A former quarterback, Stowers (49 catches for 638 yards) has been a key part behind Vanderbilt’s recent surge.

OT Spencer Fano, Utah

OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M

C Jake Slaughter, Florida

Fano was a day-one starter for Utah and is a virtual lock for All-America honors on either side of the line. Proctor (6-foot-7, 360 pounds) is poised to fulfill his five-star potential thanks to a unique combination of size, power and agility. Ioane is the face of a vastly improved Penn State front as he enters his second year as a starter. Reed-Adams is a former Kansas transfer who helped the Aggies rank second in the SEC in rushing yards per game in 2024. Slaughter is odds-on favorite to capture the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center.

Defense

DE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina

DT Peter Woods, Clemson

DT Zane Durant, Penn State

DE T.J. Parker, Clemson

Stewart (10½ tackles for loss) is one of the elite young players in the SEC. Woods (8½ tackles for loss) and Parker (11 sacks) are two reasons why Clemson is the unquestioned favorite in the ACC. Durant (11 tackles for loss) is among the most disruptive interior linemen in the Power Four.

LB Anthony Hill, Texas

LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

LB Whit Weeks, LSU

After monster 2024 (113 tackles and 16½ stops for loss), Hill will be asked to take on an even bigger role for the Longhorns’ reworked defense. Louis (15½ tackles for loss, four interceptions) might be the most well-rounded linebacker in the Bowl Subdivision. LSU’s defense made only slight gains last season and will need continued excellence from Weeks (125 stops) to contend for the top of the SEC.

CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame

S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

McCoy (team-best 13 passes defended) is a true stopper on the outside who was outstanding in his first year in the SEC. Moore (two interceptions) made quarterbacks look the other way as a freshman and may be the most promising young defender in the FBS. Downs (82 tackles) has an obscenely broad skill set and impacts games in a variety of ways, including the return game. A transfer from Purdue, Thieneman (104 tackles) will be one of the most important new additions in the Power Four.

Specialists

K Dominic Zvada, Michigan

P Brett Thorson, Georgia

Zvada made 21 of 22 field goals in 2024, including a remarkable seven of seven from 50 or more yards. Thorson averaged 47.6 yards per punt last season and the Bulldogs allowed opponents to average just 5.2 yards per return.

RET Keelan Marion, Miami (Fla.)

AP Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh

Marion (26.2 yards per kickoff return with two scores) was a game-changing return man for Brigham Young in 2024 and will be expected to do the same for the Hurricanes. Reid just does it all: run (966 yards), catch (52 grabs for 579) and return (12.2 yards per punt with one touchdown).

Second team

Offense

QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

RB Makhi Hughes, Oregon

RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State

WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

WR Antonio Williams, Clemson

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

OT Jordan Seaton, Colorado

OG Cayden Green, Missouri

OG Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech

C Logan Jones, Iowa

Defense

DE Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

DT Christen Miller, Georgia

DT Tim Keenan, Alabama

DE Colin Simmons, Texas

LB CJ Allen, Georgia

LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana

LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

S Michael Taaffe, Texas

S Koi Perich, Minnesota

Specialists

K Will Ferrin, Brigham Young

P Palmer Williams, Baylor

RET Barrion Brown, LSU

AP Isaac Brown, Louisville

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

  • The NFL’s deadline for teams to set their initial 53-man rosters is Aug. 26.
  • Several starters from 2024, including Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. and Patriots OLB Anfernee Jennings, could be sent packing.
  • New England could be cutting both of its wide receiver draft picks from 2024 as part of a larger shake-up.

For front offices and coaches, the cuts can entail a handful of difficult decisions. By and large, however, the process largely entails formalizing moves that had been clear for some number of weeks, with time finally up for hordes of undrafted rookies and other long shots who filled out the 90-man groups through preseason.

But even though franchises more often split from their marquee and high-investment players much closer to free agency and the draft than the start of the season, cutdown day still can spark some consequential action. And the process of paring down for Week 1 can force teams to render verdicts on players whom they once envisioned serving as key contributors in short order.

Here are 12 notable players who could be on the chopping block as the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline looms next Tuesday:

New England Patriots wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker and Kendrick Bourne

Few units were as maligned in 2024 as the Patriots’ receiving corps, which scarcely provided Drake Maye anything beyond the magic the No. 3 overall pick could create on his own. With Stefon Diggs signed to be the new go-to target and third-round pick Kyle Williams providing a field-stretching complement to slot DeMario Douglas, the top of the depth chart found resolution relatively quickly over the spring and summer. But the back end has seen several shifts, with the latest seemingly putting several big names on the outside looking in heading into the final exhibition contest.

With Mike Vrabel putting his imprint on the roster right away, draft capital might not be enough to save either Polk, a second-round pick just last year, or Baker, a fourth-round pick from the same class. Both wideouts have seemingly been lapped by Efton Chism III, an undrafted rookie who earned Maye’s seal of approval in organized team activities and caught all six of his targets for 71 yards and a touchdown last week against the Minnesota Vikings. Leaving open the possibility for the Eastern Washington product to be scooped up by another team might be a non-starter for New England at this point given how much value he has shown. With Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins entrenched as backups, it’s hard to see a path forward for either of the second-year pass catchers or the reliable Bourne, who signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Patriots last March.

Patriots safety Kyle Dugger and outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings

For all of the focus on the offseason improvements to the Patriots’ moribund offense, the defense has been treated to plenty of upheaval itself in recent months – and more could be on the way.

Dugger, who has started 65 games for New England in the last five years and signed a four-year, $58 million deal to remain with the team last spring, has been relegated to second-string work. That might have been dismissed as merely part of his recovery from the tightrope ankle surgery he underwent after last season, but his usage in the last preseason game – a team-high 45 snaps, including the final play, all of which came after the starters came out – indicates something more meaningful afoot. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said Monday he still believes there’s a place for Dugger, but it’s difficult to envision where that is. The combination of a dead cap hit of $14.25 million and savings of just over $1 million might dissuade the Patriots from making a move, but a clean break might be in order.

Jennings, a full-time starter for the last two years, also proved to be a poor schematic fit for the new coaching staff. Yet his extended action in the preseason might have paid off, as he recorded three sacks last week. The sixth-year veteran can’t be counted on to provide much of a spark as a pass rusher for a defense that ranked last in sacks in 2024, but New England would benefit from a little reliability on the edge given how volatile the team’s other options are.

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. and edge rusher DeMarvin Leal

An undrafted free agent out of West Virginia, Bishop emerged from relative anonymity to string together some notable moments while stepping in as the Steelers’ nickel corner last season, notching four interceptions, seven passes defensed and the October award for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. But Pittsburgh’s trade for Jalen Ramsey and signing of Brandin Echols would seem to leave the slot-only defender without much of a home, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin confirmed Monday that the odds are stacked against Bishop sticking around.

“(Bishop) really has to fight and work to get some splash to put himself in the picture,” Austin said.

The same could be said of Leal, though perhaps it might already be too late for the 2022 third-round pick. Long considered a tweener, the 6-4, 290-pounder struggled to find a true position in the pros but eventually settled in at outside linebacker. Yet translating his impressive athleticism into any semblance of production still hasn’t come easy. With super sub Nick Herbig and third-round rookie Jack Sawyer providing depth behind the standout pass rushing tandem of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, Leal looks superfluous heading into the final year of his deal.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr.

What began Monday as trade speculation surrounding the Commanders’ lead back ended the night as a tacit admission of the team’s plans. Robinson sat out Washington’s preseason contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, and coach Dan Quinn’s comments afterward appeared to cement a changing of the guard in the backfield. Robinson has been a steady ball carrier throughout his first three years, eclipsing 700 yards rushing in each campaign. But there might not be many takers for a ball carrier who lacks an explosive element to his game and is set to earn $3.4 million in base salary for the final year of his contract, leaving a release as the more reasonable resolution.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore

Never mind the two drops he was responsible for in last week’s preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks, as coach Andy Reid brushed those aside as uncharacteristic mistakes. The real problem for Moore: He hasn’t caught a pass since December 2023 after a core muscle injury limited him to just six games last season, and the 2022 second-round pick doesn’t appear to be on the precipice of a long-awaited breakout. The 5-10, 195-pound wideout remains primarily an intermediate threat on a team that, pending a suspension for Rashee Rice, has a glut of players capable of owning that area of the field. An 88-yard punt return touchdown against the Seahawks served as a reminder of the tantalizing ability that drew Kansas City to Moore in the first place. But with Tyquan Thornton emerging as a potential downfield weapon for Patrick Mahomes and Nikko Remigio not loosening his grip on the kickoff and punt returner roles, Moore might need to head elsewhere before he can resume trying to make good on his potential.

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo

With fellow edge rusher Adisa Isaac estimated to be sidelined until midseason with a dislocated elbow that included ligament damage, Ojabo’s spot might be safe – at least for now. But the 2022 second-round pick from Michigan entered camp as one of the few players on the Ravens’ roster who seemed to be on uncertain ground. Ojabo’s development has lagged behind that of his peers for some time after the Nigeria native spent much of his youth in Scotland before moving to New Jersey, but the gap only widened after he suffered a torn Achilles during his pro day at Michigan. After playing in just five games his first two years in the NFL, Ojabo appeared in 13 games last year but notched just two sacks. Baltimore appeared prepared to look elsewhere to jolt its pass rush, with second-round rookie outside linebacker Mike Green starring in early work. But Ojabo, who crushed Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. on a sack in the preseason opener, said earlier in August he feels rejuvenated by not having to worry about health for the first time in his NFL career, and Baltimore might have enough of a need at the position to keep him around.

New York Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley

Beware the danger of NFL draft comparisons. Dubbed the ‘YAC King’ during his prolific career at Western Kentucky, Corley was widely likened to Deebo Samuel Sr. thanks to his burly build (5-11, 215 pounds) and knack for turning quick hits into long gains. Yet the lasting memory of the third-round pick’s rookie campaign, which featured just three catches for 16 yards, was his Halloween blunder against the Houston Texans in which he willfully dropped the ball before crossing the goal line, negating what would have been his first career NFL touchdown. New Jets coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey have zero buy-in for keeping a pick from a previous regime, and Corley hasn’t helped his cause with a dearth of positive plays throughout the offseason and training camp.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey

Things haven’t exactly panned out along the defensive line the way New Orleans might have envisioned in recent years, with the likes of Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner not living up to their first-round billing. The problem has continued with Foskey, who appeared on just 5% of the Saints’ defensive snaps in 2024. The No. 40 overall pick in 2023 once might have been seen as a potential successor to Cameron Jordan, but New Orleans in March re-upped Chase Young on a three-year, $51 million contract to hold down the starting spot opposite Carl Granderson. With Chris Rumph II and seventh-round rookie Fadil Diggs each flashing some upside, Foskey might not stick around with Kellen Moore and the new coaching staff.

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