Author: footballtopstar

In a major development for women’s college basketball, the University of South Carolina and University of Southern California have announced a two-season, bicoastal series titled “The Real SC.” The highly anticipated matchups will take place over the next two seasons, with the first game scheduled for November 15, 2025, at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, followed by the second contest on November 15, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Both teams are strong contenders for the national championship this year. South Carolina recently clinched the Southeastern Conference tournament title in Greenville and is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. Meanwhile, Southern Cal fell short in the Big Ten Conference tournament championship game in Indianapolis, yet remains highly ranked at No. 4.

South Carolina’s head coach, Dawn Staley, emphasized the importance of scheduling games that elevate women’s basketball, stating, “I will always choose elevating women’s basketball and that’s especially true in scheduling. I know Complete Sports Management has the same mission, and I like their creativity in bringing not just two great programs together but engaging their fan bases on both coasts in a debate they love to have.”

Under Staley, South Carolina has won three national championships and appeared in four consecutive Final Fours. The Gamecocks have also secured nine SEC regular-season and nine SEC Tournament titles over the past 11 seasons. On the other hand, Southern Cal boasts two NCAA titles, three Final Four appearances, five regular-season conference titles, and two conference tournament titles, dating back to its dominant years in the 1980s.

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb expressed excitement for the upcoming series: “We are excited to participate in this high-quality, highly-anticipated event. We have so much respect for South Carolina and Coach Staley’s program and in growing our own program have looked to meet the moment by taking on the best possible challenges. To be able to battle for ‘The Real SC’ right here at Crypto Arena in LA is truly a special opportunity.”

The rivalry over the “SC” branding has a rich history. In 2008, Southern California won the trademark for the interlocking ‘SC’ logo after a six-year battle with South Carolina. This series adds another layer to the longstanding competition between the two schools.

“We are so excited to bring the major non-conference matchup between the two SCs to the forefront and showcase women’s college basketball to the world,” said Lea Miller-Tooley, President of Complete Sports Management. “Complete Sports Management is proud to put on display the competitive excellence and prestige of these programs on the West Coast in a city filled with love for the game and on the East Coast where the love for women’s basketball has grown to new heights in recent years.”

The USC Trojans’ hopes of adding a Big Ten Tournament Championship to their already impressive regular season title were dashed today, as they fell to the UCLA Bruins 72-67 in the championship game.

Despite a strong first half where USC led 45-35, things quickly unraveled after the break. The Trojans appeared on track for a third consecutive win over UCLA, a team they had already beaten twice during the regular season. However, the Bruins mounted an impressive comeback, led by center Lauren Betts, who dominated inside. Meanwhile, USC’s offense went ice cold, failing to score a single field goal during a critical 10-minute stretch between the third and fourth quarters.

The biggest disappointment came from USC’s star, JuJu Watkins, who struggled with her shooting throughout the game. She finished 9 for 28 from the field, adding to the frustration with five turnovers and just two assists. The game was further marred by turnovers from both teams—UCLA committed 24, while USC had 19—making it a sloppy and chaotic contest.

Looking ahead, the Trojans now turn their attention to the upcoming NCAA Tournament. As for their title hopes, USC is currently tied with UCLA and Texas for the third-best odds to win the National Championship at +550, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The favorites remain UConn and South Carolina, both sitting at +290. Right below the Trojans are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at +750.

USC, with a stellar 28-3 record, remains in a strong position to earn one of the coveted No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. This includes two regular-season victories over UCLA, who have just two losses all year, both to USC. According to ESPN’s bracket projection, South Carolina, Texas, UCLA, and USC are expected to secure those top four spots.

However, there’s still room for surprises. UConn, despite being tied for the best title odds, is currently projected to be a No. 2 seed, despite their strong 31-3 record and a Big East championship. The big question now is whether this will finally be the year for a fresh contender to make a push for the title, challenging the dominance of teams like UConn, South Carolina, and Notre Dame, who have all been mainstays in national title games over the last decade.

That’s all from the Big Ten Tournament for now. Stay tuned as the Trojans prepare for March Madness and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates as the tournament unfolds.

As March Madness draws near, the competition for the top No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament is heating up, with UCLA, South Carolina, Texas, and Southern California all making compelling cases for the coveted spot. Given their impressive performances throughout the season, it would be surprising if these teams don’t land at the top of the bracket when it’s revealed on Sunday night.

However, the debate still remains over where exactly these teams will be placed and which one will earn the overall No. 1 seed. For the first time in years, there is no consensus on a dominant team leading the pack.

This year’s NCAA Tournament marks only the second time in the past 19 years that no team will enter with fewer than two losses, with the previous instance occurring in 2022.

One of the key reasons for the shake-up is the increased willingness among top teams to face challenging non-conference opponents. UConn and Notre Dame, along with the potential No. 1 seeds, all squared off in tough matchups against each other, either within their respective conferences or in non-conference games.

“We finally have more good teams wanting to play really good teams in their non-conference schedule early in the year,” UConn head coach Geno Auriemma commented. “Because what happens then is you not only get a … Well, I think this team should be ranked No. 1, I think that team should be ranked No. 2. Based on what? I don’t know. They just look like they’re a No. 2 or they’re a No. 3. So now you can actually put them head to head and say this is what it looks like.”

While Auriemma’s team faced losses to both Southern California and Notre Dame, they managed an impressive road victory over South Carolina last month.

“I think more and more schools are starting to do that, which obviously makes the game better, makes the TV people happy because they’re putting on a good product on television,” Auriemma continued. “The kids like it.”

Let’s take a closer look at the resumes of the leading teams vying for the top spots:

South Carolina: Led by coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have posted a 2-3 record against the other top teams, including two victories over Texas. Their only other losses came to UCLA and UConn. Having dominated the SEC regular season and conference tournaments, Staley argues their schedule strength should make them deserving of the No. 1 spot.

UCLA: The Bruins have only two losses this season, both to USC, and emerged unscathed from a grueling Big Ten slate. They boast a solid victory over South Carolina in November, which helped them hold the No. 1 ranking for 12 weeks.

Texas: With just three losses—two to South Carolina and one to Notre Dame—Texas still managed to get a win over the Gamecocks. They are tied with UCLA for the second-most Quad 1 victories (14), trailing only South Carolina’s 16.

Southern California: The Trojans have delivered major victories with two wins over UCLA and a notable win at UConn, which strengthens their case for the No. 1 seed. However, their loss to Iowa could be a factor preventing them from claiming the overall No. 1 spot.

As the final bracket approaches, it’s clear the race for the top is neck and neck, and no team is safe from scrutiny as we inch closer to Selection Sunday.

Live from Columbia, South Carolina, all eyes are on Gamecocks’ QB1 LaNorris Sellers, and for good reason. The rising redshirt sophomore has showcased an arm that can fire lasers, combined with incredible mobility and playmaking instincts that have coaches scrambling to find ways to defend him. After a stellar season where he threw for 2,546 yards and 18 touchdowns, the hype around him is reaching fever pitch. However, while all the attention is on Sellers, Head Coach Shane Beamer and his staff are more concerned about some critical issues on their team—issues that no quarterback, however talented, can fully cover up.

While Sellers is undoubtedly an exciting starter, there’s a reality beneath the surface of Columbia’s football scene, and it revolves around one major problem: the trenches. According to insiders from That SEC Podcast, South Carolina is a big question mark this spring, not only because of their brutal schedule starting with Virginia Tech on August 31 but also due to the lack of stability up front. “Mike, I’ve got two sort of areas that I’m really watching this spring,” the podcast team noted. “And one of them is kind of combined two things into one, and it’s the line of scrimmage. I think we’ll start there for South Carolina. Three new starters on the interior. Also, four defensive tackles who played major snaps last year are gone.”

In the SEC, having a weak line of scrimmage is a recipe for disaster. And South Carolina certainly knows this. Last season, the Gamecocks gave up 41 sacks, ranking 123rd nationally. Without LaNorris Sellers’ ability to escape pressure and make something out of nothing, that number would’ve been even worse. “I think we can all admit it’d be a lot higher number if not for LaNorris Sellers being such a dynamic athlete. Nine out of ten quarterbacks are probably not the athlete he is.” But therein lies the problem—Sellers can evade defenders, but he can’t block for himself. Relying on him to carry the offense all season, especially against SEC defenses, is a risky proposition.

To mitigate this, South Carolina is banking on Josiah Thompson, their blue-chip left tackle, to anchor the offensive line. “Now we’ve got what’s his name, Josiah Thompson on left tackle. He could…he could be elite. So I’m not saying it’s like an awful line, but going from year one to year two, if you got left tackle figured out, you’re doing better than the vast majority of college football right out the gate.” Potential is great, but it doesn’t stop SEC pass rushers from blowing up a game plan. The interior of the line remains a huge question mark, even with three potential transfer portal starters arriving.

And the struggles don’t end there. The defensive line is another major concern. With Kyle Kennard departing, South Carolina is left to fill the void. “So yeah, oh, but I think if I had to pick one or the other, Stephen, I think I’m no defensive line because of how many veterans they had. Kyle Kennard was just lights out, and I never in a million years would imagine he was going to be that caliber.” Dylan Stewart, while a potential star, now faces the challenge of being the focal point for opposing offensive lines, which could result in double-teams all season long. And as any SEC coach will tell you, that’s how promising edge rushers get neutralized.

Wide receiver depth is another looming issue for the Gamecocks. While LaNorris Sellers has the talent to develop into a top-tier passer, he’ll need reliable playmakers on the outside to succeed. “Part two of that is what happens at receiver, and I think you have to be kind of optimistic that maybe Nick Harbor, maybe Jared Brown, some of those guys take a step forward.” But that optimism hinges on some big “maybes,” and South Carolina needs more than just flashes of brilliance—they need consistent production. If players like Harbor and Brown don’t step up, Sellers will find himself throwing to a largely unproven group, increasing the pressure on the young quarterback to elevate the offense.

This creates something of a paradox. Coach Shane Beamer is being discussed as a playoff contender, yet the foundation of his team—particularly the trenches—is anything but solid.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for LaNorris Sellers. Even though he didn’t attend last week’s NFL Combine, his name continued to make waves in the football world. Top draft prospects couldn’t help but heap praise on the South Carolina quarterback during interviews with CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson. Defenders in particular were quick to show their respect, albeit with a hint of frustration at facing him.

Texas A&M pass rusher Shemar Stewart named LaNorris Sellers as one of his toughest college opponents, even comparing him to a prime version of Cam Newton. “LaNorris Sellers… Man, he is prime-time Cam (Newton)!” Stewart said, adding, “That boy strong, I ain’t going to lie to you. I don’t know what they’re feeding him over there.” A glowing review from a defensive lineman. But it didn’t stop there. Nic Scourton, also from Texas A&M, had a more humorous, yet equally telling take. “He’s talented. I really dislike that guy. Nothing against him as a person—I’ve heard he’s a really good person—but I really dislike him,” Scourton admitted, explaining, “He hurts defenders when they try to tackle him.”

That’s the ultimate sign of respect—when defenders genuinely dislike facing you. Still, while LaNorris Sellers is clearly a force, the question remains: can the rest of the Gamecocks’ roster catch up to him and put together a more balanced team for the upcoming season?

South Carolina claimed their third consecutive SEC Tournament title, defeating Texas in a thrilling rubber match. Here’s a breakdown of key performances, burning questions, and standout moments from the weekend in Greenville.

Three Clutch Players to Note

While Chloe Kitts (MVP), Sania Feagin, and MiLaysia Fulwiley earned spots on the SEC All-Tournament Team, there were other players whose efforts were just as crucial to the Gamecocks’ success.

Bree Hall/Tessa Johnson
Against Vanderbilt: Hall contributed 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block, while Johnson had 4 points, a rebound, and a steal.
Against Oklahoma: Hall added 7 points, 5 rebounds, and a block, while Johnson tallied 11 points, 5 rebounds, a block, and an assist.
Against Texas: Hall scored 2 points with 3 rebounds, while Johnson stepped up with 14 points, an assist, a steal, and a block.

This duo deserves recognition for their energy and versatility, constantly rotating to stay fresh. They were tasked with guarding tough opponents like Mikayla Blakes (SEC Freshman of the Year), Payton Verhulst (Second-team All-SEC), and Madison Booker (SEC Player of the Year). Hall and Johnson’s efforts made a significant impact in all three games.

Joyce Edwards

Against Vanderbilt: Edwards played 21 minutes, scoring 12 points with 4 rebounds, 2 steals, a block, and an assist.
Against Oklahoma: Edwards played 29 minutes, contributing 21 points and 5 rebounds.
Against Texas: Edwards logged 22 minutes, scoring 11 points with 3 rebounds, a block, a steal, and an assist.

While Edwards didn’t make the All-Tournament Team, her performance was integral. Her speed and tenacity in the paint helped South Carolina defend against bigger teams, particularly the Sooners and Longhorns. She was also adept at drawing fouls, converting free throws efficiently.

Maryam Dauda

Against Vanderbilt: Dauda played 3 minutes, contributing 2 points and 2 rebounds.
Against Oklahoma: She played 12 minutes, recording 5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and an assist.
Against Texas: Dauda played just 1 minute but didn’t accumulate stats.

Though Dauda didn’t see extensive minutes, her brief but effective play was pivotal, especially in defending All-SEC post Raegan Beers in the semifinals. Her performance added depth to a frontcourt that has been thin throughout the season.

Two Burning Questions

1. Can South Carolina carry this momentum into the NCAA Tournament?
That’s the million-dollar question—well, $500,000, considering Dawn Staley’s bonus for winning the national championship. The Gamecocks showed they have what it takes to win it all, playing at an elite level similar to their dominance in December and January. However, there’s also a version of the team that struggled in November and February, with losses to UCLA, Texas, and UConn. Whether South Carolina can consistently maintain this form is uncertain, but only time will tell.

2. What will South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament seed be?
The answer here is clearer: South Carolina should secure either the first or second overall seed. The distinction between the two positions isn’t significant this year. As a #1 seed, the Gamecocks will likely play in the Birmingham region and follow the Friday/Sunday schedule, which would give them an advantageous bracket, an easier travel schedule for fans, and an additional day of rest before a potential Final Four matchup.

One Favorite Play

A standout moment occurred when Sania Feagin forced a crucial miss by Kyla Oldacre. The sequence began with Feagin’s stellar defense, but the video cuts off just before this pivotal play. Regardless, it was clear in that moment—Texas had no chance.

On Sunday, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley guided her team to a third consecutive season with both the regular season and SEC Tournament titles. The Gamecocks defeated the then-No. 1 Texas Longhorns 64-45 to claim the championship.

When the Associated Press updated its top-25 poll on Monday, the 30-3 Gamecocks were ranked No. 2 in the nation, with the UCLA Bruins holding the top spot. Similarly, in the updated NET rankings on Monday, South Carolina retained their position, ranked second overall, just behind the UConn Huskies. The top 10 in the NET rankings includes Texas, UCLA, Notre Dame, Southern Cal, Duke, TCU, Kansas State, and LSU (in that order).

For those who aren’t familiar, the NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) is the primary ranking metric used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. It takes into account the Team Value Index, which measures a team’s on-court results, game location, and strength of schedule, along with adjusted net efficiency ratings, which assess how well a team performs in games, factoring in the quality of opponents and game locations.

South Carolina’s prominent NET standing is bolstered by their nation’s best win-loss record. As of this writing, the Gamecocks lead women’s college basketball with 16 Quad 1 wins, with no other team surpassing 14 victories against top teams. Additionally, South Carolina leads in combined Quad 1 + Quad 2 wins with 20, while no other team has more than 18 such victories.

Despite the Gamecocks’ impressive tally of Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories—20 for South Carolina compared to 11 for UConn—Geno Auriemma’s squad remains atop the NET. This is likely due to UConn’s efficiency statistics and their high number of road and neutral-site wins, which pushed them ahead.

South Carolina’s dominant performance in Greenville secured them a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. ESPN’s Charlie Creme projects that their SEC success will lead to another overall No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday. Creme also predicts that after the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament in Columbia, the Gamecocks will play in one of the Birmingham brackets.

Selection Sunday is scheduled for this Sunday, March 16th, with the Selection Sunday Show airing on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. and available for streaming on the ESPN app. South Carolina has earned a No. 1 seed in each of the past four years and was expected to be the No. 1 overall seed before the 2019-2020 season was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year’s NCAA Tournament will begin on March 19th, but South Carolina’s first game will be held on either March 21st or 22nd.

In the world of college football, rushing the passer is always a top priority, and that’s no different for South Carolina. The Gamecocks are currently pursuing one of the nation’s most highly regarded high school edge rushers.

Rodney Dunham, a 6-foot-4, 227-pound edge rusher from Charlotte, North Carolina, has narrowed his list of potential schools down to five. As reported by Hunter Sheldon of On3 Sports, Dunham is still considering South Carolina, Georgia, Duke, Tennessee, and Notre Dame.

Dunham, who On3 ranks as a 5-star prospect, is considered the No. 19 player overall and the No. 3 edge rusher in the class of 2026. Meanwhile, 247Sports’ composite rankings list him as a 4-star talent, the No. 33 overall player, and the No. 4 edge rusher in his class. Regardless of the ranking system, he is undoubtedly one of the top defensive players in high school football.

According to 247Sports, Dunham visited the South Carolina campus for an unofficial visit last fall. He’s also made three trips to Tennessee during his recruitment.

During the 2024 season, Dunham posted impressive stats, recording 39 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and five sacks. As a sophomore, he had 55 tackles, 15 for loss, and seven sacks.

South Carolina’s defense will need to fill a significant gap left by Kyle Kennard, who led the team with 11.5 sacks last season. Kennard earned All-American honors and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, but he is now out of eligibility, leaving a hole in the pass-rush department.

However, South Carolina is set to return Dylan Stewart, a star sophomore who recorded 6.5 sacks and 23 tackles as a true freshman. Stewart looks poised to be the next dominant pass rusher for the Gamecocks and will have two years left to play before entering the NFL Draft. Should Dunham choose South Carolina, his time in Columbia could overlap with Stewart’s.

As of now, the Gamecocks’ 2026 recruiting class includes five verbal commitments, with the class ranked 23rd nationally by 247Sports. One of the commits is Keenan Britt, a 3-star edge rusher from Alabama. Now, Gamecock fans are hoping their program can add one of the country’s top high school edge rushers to an already promising recruiting class.

South Carolina Gamecocks Enter Spring Practice with Key Areas to Address for 2025 Season

As the South Carolina Gamecocks gear up for spring practice, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the team’s prospects for the 2025 season. After finishing the 2024 regular season with a solid 9-3 record, including a huge victory over rival Clemson, the end-of-season loss to Illinois in the Cheez-It Bowl left a sour taste for every Gamecock fan. Now, with spring practice on the horizon, it’s time to focus on the key areas the team must improve before the new season kicks off.

Here are the top three things the Gamecocks must address this offseason:

1. Finding a Reliable Running Back

One of the most exciting weapons for the Gamecocks heading into next season is LaNorris Sellers, the dynamic quarterback known for his explosive playmaking ability. While he’ll remain a key threat as a ball-carrier, the Gamecocks face a challenge at running back after the departure of Rocket Sanders. Without a true “starter” at the position, South Carolina will need to find a solid replacement. The good news is, Sanders struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, but with the top two running backs from last year now off the roster, Rahsul Faison arrives from Utah State for his seventh year of college football to help fill the gap.

2. Reducing Turnovers

The Gamecocks’ offense was explosive in 2024, but they were also plagued by costly turnovers. The team fumbled 14 times and added 7 interceptions to their turnover total. While turnovers are inevitable, especially with a first-year starting quarterback like Sellers, the silver lining is that the turnover rate improved as the season progressed. If Sellers can continue to grow in his second year, this is an area that should see significant improvement for South Carolina moving forward.

3. Replacing Key Defensive Pieces

The Gamecocks have a standout in Dylan Stewart, who’s widely regarded as one of the top EDGE rushers in college football. However, they face the challenge of replacing key players on the defensive side, including Nick Emmanwori in the secondary, as well as T.J. Sanders, Tanka Hemmingway, and Bam Martin-Scott up front. The depth of this defense will need to step up during spring practice to ensure the Gamecocks can maintain their defensive prowess heading into 2025.

With these key areas to focus on, spring practice will be crucial for the South Carolina Gamecocks as they look to build on their successful 2024 campaign and prepare for a promising 2025 season. Stay tuned for more updates as the team progresses through the offseason!

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SEC Tournament Semifinals: South Carolina Defeats Oklahoma 93-75

The Lady Gamecocks are heading to the SEC Championship game after a dominant 93-75 win over the Oklahoma Sooners in the semifinal round. This victory further solidifies their impressive season in the SEC, with their only loss being to Texas during the regular season. South Carolina will face the winner of the LSU vs. Texas matchup in the final.

Having finished the regular season with a 15-1 conference record, South Carolina shared the SEC regular season title with Texas. A coin flip ultimately awarded the Gamecocks the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

In the semifinal clash, Joyce Edwards was a standout, scoring 21 points and grabbing five rebounds. MiLaysia Fulwiley contributed 19 points, while Sania Feagin added 14 points to the scoreline.

South Carolina is now in pursuit of their third consecutive conference title, having won four of the last five championships, with the exception of the 2022 season. As the defending national champions, the Gamecocks are positioning themselves for a strong NCAA Tournament run.

The SEC Championship game is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Breaking news, former South Carolina football standout Javon Kinlaw has officially agreed to a major free-agent deal with the Washington Commanders. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Kinlaw’s new contract is worth a whopping $45 million over three years. This deal propels Kinlaw into the top-20 highest-paid defensive tackles in the league, both in total contract value and annual earnings.

Kinlaw’s journey to Washington comes after a brief, one-season stint with the New York Jets. The Jets, opting not to re-sign him, let him hit free agency. Prior to his time in New York, Kinlaw spent four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

Now with the Commanders, Kinlaw will reunite with former South Carolina Gamecocks teammate Deebo Samuel. The two played together in college during the 2017 and 2018 seasons before Samuel was traded to Washington earlier this month. The reunion in Washington adds an exciting layer to the Commanders’ defensive lineup.

Though Kinlaw’s career has been hindered by injuries, he’s shown glimpses of his immense potential when healthy. The Commanders are clearly optimistic about his ability to return to form. His healthiest and most productive seasons were in 2023 and 2024, where he racked up eight sacks combined, proving to be a disruptive force on the interior defensive line for both San Francisco and New York.

Kinlaw’s path to the NFL was solidified during his time at South Carolina, where he earned All-American and All-SEC honors. While his college stats may not have been flashy, they don’t tell the full story. Opposing teams often schemed away from him, recognizing him as one of the most dominant defensive tackles in Gamecock history. His stellar play led to his selection as a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, marking a historic moment as no other defensive tackle from USC had been drafted that high before.

A major move for Javon Kinlaw, and certainly one to watch as he looks to make his mark with the Washington Commanders.

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Kyle Kennard Discusses How South Carolina Prepared Him for the NFL

The highly anticipated NFL Scouting Combine has officially kicked off, marking the biggest pre-draft event of the offseason. Before taking part in individual drills on the field, players have the opportunity to speak with the media, as was the case with former South Carolina Gamecock Kyle Kennard.

Kennard, who transferred from Georgia Tech to South Carolina as part of the 2024 transfer class, had a standout year in the garnet and black. While his on-field performance has certainly contributed to his rise as a top prospect, Kennard shared with the media just how much the Gamecocks program has helped him off the field.

“They kind of helped me with the seriousness of it,” Kennard explained. “They helped me get my mind orchestrated. They helped me with communications with the media and other things that you need to be ready for at this stage.”

As players like Kennard prepare for the upcoming draft in April, they will go through a series of team and media interviews. The development of their communication skills and professional media training plays a significant role in boosting their draft prospects.

The reigning Nagurski Trophy winner is expected to be picked within the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.