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May 7 - May 13, 2021 Vol. 19, Issue 37 www.sportspagdfw.com FREE 2 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 3 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 AROUND THE AREA Vol. 19, Issue 37 LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST sportspagedfw.com Established 2002 Goodwin AAC Player of the Year Cover Photo: 4 AROUND THE AREA list as a freshman of the year winner. AAC Men’ Awards Petronzio had two top-10 finishes, tying 2021 American Athletic Conference 5 RANGERS REPORT for fourth at the Trinity Forest Invitational Men's Golf Player of the Year BY DIC HUMPHREY and tying for eighth at the AAC Noah Goodwin, Sr., SMU 6 GOLF, ETC Championship. He averaged 72.72 strokes 2021 American Athletic Conference BY TOM WARD per round on the season, and turned in a Men's Golf Freshman of the Year scorecard of even-par or better in half of Nathan Petronzio, Fr., SMU Goodwin Named AAC Player of the his 18 rounds. 7 BY PGATOUR.COM 2021 American Athletic Conference Year, Three Others Honored By League The Mustangs placed three members on Men's Golf Coach of the Year IRVING, Ð SMU's Noah the All-American Athletic Conference team TEXAS GOLF HALL OF FAME Steve Bradley, USF* 8 2020 INDUCTEES Goodwin was named American Athletic for the first time since joining in 2021 American Athletic Conference BY TEXAS GOLF HALL OF FAME Conference Men's Golf Player of the Year, 2013-14. SMU previously had two mem- Men's Golf All-Conference Team NFL DRAFT REPORT CARD FOR the Mustangs' Nathan Petronzio was bers on five of the past six all-conference Clement Charmasson, So., UCF* 9 ALL 32 TEAMS named AAC Freshman of the Year and teams. BY MIKE TAGLIERE Johnny Travale, Jr., UCF* three Mustangs, Goodwin, Mac Meissner Mac Meissner earned his third All-AAC Clay Amlung, Jr., Cincinnati NEWS AND and Ollie Osborne, were named to the all- honor, and joined Goodwin as Mustangs to 14 NOTES Sam Jean, So., Cincinnati* BY BO CARTER conference team. be unanimously selected to this years team. A.. Beechler, Jr., East Carolina Goodwin becomes the fifth SMU golfer Meissner, a candidate for the Ben Hogan NCBWA POLL Alexander Frances, Jr., Houston* 17 BY NCBWA.COM to win the conference golfer of the year Award and the Byron Nelson Award, fin- Albin Bergstrom, So., USF* since 2007, joining a distinguished list that ished no worse than 15th in six events this , So., USF* 18 THE TICKET WINDOW includes (2007, -USA), Kelly season. Meissner did not post a 54-hole Noah Goodwin, Sr., SMU* Kraft (2010, C-USA), Bryson score worse than +1, and went par-or-bet- Mac Meissner, Sr., SMU* AUTO REVIEW DeChambeau (2015, AAC) and Meissner ter in 13 of 18 rounds. He joins Austin Ollie Osborne, Jr., SMU 19 BY KBB.COM (2019, AAC). Smotherman, DeChambeau, Kraft and Marcus Wochner, So., Wichita State Goodwin, who earned his second All- Knost as three-time all-conference. *-Denotes unanimous selection AAC honor, was the conference's leader Ollie Osborne earned his first all-confer- SMU Conference Men's Golf Players with a 70.00 stroke average. He had four ence selection, posting a 73.00 stroke aver- of the Year (Since 2007) top-10 finishes in six events this season, age on the season. Osborne's collegiate Colt Knost (2007, WAC) including a pair of second-place results at highlights were a tie for fourth at the (2010, C-USA) the Trinity Forest Invitational and the AAC Trinity Forest Invitational, and a solo-11th Bryson DeChambeau (2015, AAC) Championship. Goodwin played the entire finish at the AAC Championship. Osborne Mac Meissner (2019, AAC) Follow us on season at -21, and had just a single 54-hole competed in The in Noah Goodwin (2021, AAC) score above par this season. April, where he posted the low 36-hole SMU Men's Golf Freshman of the Twitter & Facebook Petronzio joins a similar list as the sixth score among all amateurs in the field. Year (Since 2003) conference freshman of the year from Overall, Osborne had six par-or-better Will Dodson (2003, WAC) twitter.com/sportspagedfw SMU since 2003. Knost (2004, WAC), rounds and three scorecards in the 60s in Colt Knost (2004, WAC) Kraft (2008, C-USA), DeChambeau (2013, 18 college rounds. Kelly Kraft (2008, C-USA) facebook.com/sportspageweek- C-USA) and Meissner (2018, AAC) all The Mustangs expect to receive an at- Bryson DeChambeau (2013, AAC) won conference freshman of the year large bid to the NCAA Men's Golf Mac Meissner (2018, AAC) Publisher Contact Us before earning player of the year honors, Championship Regionals, when the field is Sports Page Publishing Group, Main Number (214) 683-1469 Nathan Petronzio (2021, AAC) LLC .. Box 820813 while Will Dodson (2003, WAC) joins the announced on May 5. [email protected] Dallas, Tx. 75382 www.sportspagedfw.com NCAA BASEBALL - Top 25 Coaches (Week 11) Baseball America Dic Humphrey, Tom Ward, Bo WEEKLY CALENDAR Carter, Richard Pollak, Robert 1. Arkansas 1. Arkansas Cortinez. James McAnally 2. Vanderbilt 2. Notre Dame 3. TCU 3. Vanderbilt MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY 4. Mississippi State 4. Mississippi State 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5. Texas 5. TCU FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 6. Tennessee 6. 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4 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com RANGERS WITH DIC HUMPHREY Rangers win second straight series

late innings rally. was the King pitched two more scoreless innings starter for Texas, and J. A. Happ opposed before handing it over to Martin, him. In the first inning, both got knocked Rodriguez and Kennedy. They closed out the around. The Rangers took their first lead of Twins on two hits. the series with a first inning run. It felt like Meanwhile, the offense tied the game on it should have been more as Gallo blasted a two singles and a Gallo force out in the ball that on most nights would have been a fourth inning. Texas picked up two more . It was caught with an assist from runs in the sixth inning with Solak scoring a wind blowing in from centerfield to hold on a wild pitch and Ibanez’s sac fly drove in the Rangers to one run. another. It was Ibanez’s first Major League The Twins came back to take the lead in RBI. their half of the first inning. Gibson walked That was all the scoring. The final score a batter and homered to put was 3-1. King was the winning pitcher. He’s the Twins ahead 2-1. It was the first home 3-1, and Kennedy was credited with his run Gibson has given up this season. The ninth save, which leads the A.. game had the look and feel of a high scoring Texas has now won six of their last eight affair. games and seven of their last 10. Their Fast forwarding to the ninth inning. record of 16-19 has pulled them out of last Texas has now won six of their last eight games and seven of their last 10 Gibson had completed eight innings allow- place in the American League West and are ing just two hits after the first. Unfortunatly, now in fourth place, three games behind in the seventh inning with a home run from one of those hits was another home run. division leader Oakland, and one-half game backup . Happ righted his ship and pitched into the ahead of the Angels which With the bullpen largely depleted from sixth inning. relieved and made big news on Thursday by DFAing the overload of the first three games, not to they combined to keep the Rangers off the Albert Pujols. mention the previous series against Boston, scoreboard after the first inning. The Texas returns to Arlington this weekend the Rangers had three rookie pitchers to Rangers came to bat in the ninth inning to face the Seattle Mariners, the third series hold down the hard hitting Twins. They trailing 3-1. of the season against a divisional opponent. were all great! Brett de Gues, the Rule 5 led off the ninth with a Texas trails Seattle by just 1.5 games, so the pick, followed Lyles to the mound, and home run. reached on an series gives the Rangers the chance to make BY DIC HUMPHREY threw two shutout innings. was error and went to second base on Andy up more ground in the division. It is a three [email protected] next, and he kept the Twins off the score- Ibanez’s ground single. (The scoring on the game set before the Rangers hit the road MEMBER: USBWA board in the eighth and ninth innings. error was later changed to a single.) Andy again. Start times of the games are 7:05 on Willie Calhoun drove in the ghost runner in Ibanez made his Major League debut by Friday, 6:05 on Saturday and 1:35 on The started this week by the top of the tenth inning to give the pinch hitting for Dahl and singled Culber- Sunday, and the only announced starting winning three of four games against the Rangers the lead. With unavail- son to second base. pinch hit pitchers for either team is , including two games able for the save after saving four games in for Heim and laid down a sacrifice bunt to (1-3) for Texas on Friday, when the Rangers’ 10th inning ghost runner five days, Woodward went with move the runners to second and third with ROSTER MOVES: Prior to Tuesday’s scored the winning run. It was the second for the save. He pitched a one-two-three bot- one out. Kiner Falefa followed with a sacri- game, (hamstring) was placed on straight series win for the Rangers, both tom of the tenth to earn his first Major fice fly that tied the game. the 10-day injured list, and Andy Ibanez was four-game series, the third four-game series League save. Hearn got the win to go to 1-1. Joely Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth called up from Round Rock to te his place win of the season, and the fourth straight One thing this Ranger team is not, is a inning for Texas striking out two of the three on the active roster. To make room on the four-game series win going back to late last good defensive team. It showed in Monday’s batters he faced. In the 10th, the second bat- 40-man roster for Ibanez, was season, when Texas took three of four from series opening game that the Rangers lost 6- ter of the inning Ð Garcia Ð homered driving transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day the Houston Astros. The Rangers pushed 5. The Rangers were charged with just one in the ghost runner and himself to put the IL. Ranger manager also their road record over .500 at 9-8 a, and error, a Gallo throw from right field to third Rangers in front 5-3. Gallo and Culberson indicated that he expects Khris Davis to be their overall record is just one game under base that sailed on him allowing the runner both later doubled to add an insurance run activated this weekend. .500 at 16-17. advancing to third base to score. That was making the final score 6-3. : Minor Once again, the bullpen was the main not the only miscue. Adolis Garcia in center Kennedy did his usual in the bottom of league baseball was played Tuesday night reason for the series win. gave and in left also made question- the 10th. Single, , double play to for the first time in more than 600 days. The up three runs in Monday night’s loss, but able plays that led to Minnesota scores. Jose earn his eighth save. Rodriguez is 1-1 with Rangers Low-A, High-A and Double-A that was all the scoring the Twins did Trevino failed to actually tag a runner on a the win. teams all saw action, and all won. Frisco against the Ranger relievers, who logged 15 collision at the plate. All six Minnesota runs Hyeon-Jong Yang was the Rangers’ start- beat Corpus Christi 4-3. Down East beat innings, in the series. The bullpen has clear- were scored with two outs. This was a very ing pitcher on Wednesday night. He was the Kaanapolis 8-4, and Hickory beat Greens- ly become an area of strength for Texas. winnable game that didn’ fell short. sixth pitcher to start a game this year for boro 7-5. AAA Round Rock opened their was the Rangers’ starting A three run sixth put Minnesota in front Texas; and at 33, he became the oldest season Thursday with a 6-0 win over OKC. pitcher on Thursday afternoon. He has been 5-0. Texas rallied for three runs in the eighth Ranger to make his first Major League start. NOTABLE: the weak link in the rotation, and manager and two more in the ninth inning. Garcia He is considered a pitch to contact pitcher, ¥ The Rangers set AAA Round Rock’s Chris Woodward said in a pregame inter- and Gallo hit two run home runs, but the so naturally he struck out the side in the first starting rotation with , Jason view that this was a “big start” for Lyles, rally fell short as the Twins added an insur- inning. Mitch Garver homered leading off Bahr, Joe Palumbo, Sam Gaviglio and Brock hinting that his hold on a spot in the rotation ance run in their half of the eighth inning, the second inning, but Yang pitched into the Burke. was not secure. Lyles gave up a home run in which ended up being the difference in the fourth. Woodward took him out with the ¥ All of Adolis Garcia’s seven home runs the first inning and two more runs in the game. went 5-2/3rds innings bases loaded and one out. Yang surprisingly have come in road games, and that leads the third inning, but finished five innings with allowing three runs, two of which were struck out eight batters out of the 10 outs he Majors in road home runs. the Rangers trailing 3-2. Lyles at least gave earned, and Allard finished the game. recorded. ¥ Kyle Gibson was with the Twins from his team a chance to win. Dunning is 1-2 with the loss, while Twins relieved and escaped any 2013-2919. He won 32 games in Target homered and Isiah Kiner- starter got the win to even his scoreboard damage by coaxing two ground Field, the Twins home ballpark. That is the Falefa singled home a run to account for the record at 2-2. balls that turned into force outs at home most wins for a pitcher in Target Field, Rangers scoring. The Rangers tied the game On Tuesday, the Rangers staged another plate and second base to end the inning. which opened for the 2010 season.

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 5 GOLF WITH TOM WARD Omni PGA Frisco Resort Groundbreaking

vor of the destination and surroundings through design, amenities, and services. The following are some highlighted remarks from some of the featured speak- ers. Peter Strebel ( Omni):“Today marks an exciting new chapter for Omni Hotels & Resorts as we break ground on our first resort to be built from the ground up. We’re TOM WARD honored to be able to celebrate this [email protected] momentous occasion in our home state of Texas and to build the Omni brand’s flag- On Tuesday May 4th attended the cer- ship resort in the City of Frisco. Omni emonial groundbreaking event in Frisco Hotels & Resorts exists to provide guests announcing the Omni PGA Frisco Resort authentically local experiences and this has begun construction on their newest stunning resort will certainly create a last- high profile hotel. As a golf professional I ing legacy for golf enthusiasts, families and was excited to learn more about this project groups for generations to come.” because of the PGA’s involvement. Greg Abbott( TX Gov.): “There was Plenty of local business leaders and dig- no industry in the and per- nitaries were on hand to celebrate the occa- haps the entire world that was more chal- sion. Peter Strebel, President of Omni lenged over the 2020 Covid year than the Hotel & Resort spoke to a large, enthusias- hospitality industry. This opening for the tic outdoor crowd along with PGA Omni PGA Frisco Resort is an incredible President Jim Richerson, Frisco Mayor Jeff milestone for this entire community. I can Cheney, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and a insure you when this project is complete few others. this will be one of the premiere destina- After their speeches, Peter Strebel along tions in all of the United States. People with owners Bob Rowling, Founder of TRT from across the country and across the Holdings, Inc, and Blake Rowling, globe will be coming to this location cele- President of TRT Holdings, Inc, as well as brating what Texas travel and tourism is all Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney, Texas Governor about. We are proud to have Texas busi- Greg Abbott and PGA President Jim nesses like Omni Resorts and Hotels as Richerson grabbed shovels and hard hats to well as our newest Texas business the PGA break ground for the new property. of America. The PGA is learning what the Set to open in 2023, the Omni PGA Omni has long known and what Frisco Frisco resort will feature 501 guest rooms proudly preaches, Texas truly is the best and seven four-bedroom golf villas, each state in America for doing business and it with dramatic views of two 18-hole cham- just gets better day by day.” pionship golf courses designed by Beau Jim Richerson( PGA): “This project Welling and Gil Hanse. A true culinary, for the PGA of America started several recreation, relaxation, meeting and enter- years ago. You have to give thanks to the single day. We are so excited about this early, so we didn’t have time for a personal tainment destination, Omni PGA Frisco north Texas PGA which is the local group property that has two unbelievable 18 hole tour to see some of the holes or to speak Resort will offer 12 dining outlets, three of professionals here. They had a vision of golf courses designed by Beau Welling and with Mr. Willing in greater detail about his pools including an adults-only rooftop a golf park for their office and location Gil Hanse. We have the 10 hole short design work. Perhaps, sometime soon I’ infinity pool, 127,000 square feet of indoor they were looking for, and that led to the course called the swing. We have a 75,000 be back, and have the opportunity visit and outdoor meeting and event space, and vision of what could the PGA of America square foot putting course called the dance again with Mr. Willing and see the courses a destination spa. do. So the vision of the North Texas PGA floor. Does it get any cooler than that? We as they are being built and give updates. PGA Frisco is the new home of the lead us for the PGA of America to relocate are excited about bringing 26 of our cham- With Omni Hotels & Resorts and the PGA Headquarters, which was designed to our headquarters to Frisco. It started with a pionships to Frisco over the next 12 to 13 PGA of America teaming up with their deliver innovative and differentiated experi- new building and where could we relocate years. We will have KPMG Women’s investment partners, and the city of Frisco, ences for 28,000 PGA Golf Professionals for the next 100 years for our new home. It Championships and introduce this facility along with the state of Texas behind them and golfers of all abilities. An expansive turned into an unbelievable partnership to the world with a televised event. We will all I can say is something very special is retail and entertainment district will feature with Bob and Blake( Howling), the Omni have the 2023 Kitchen Aid PGA Senior happening here in north Texas. I look for- dining, shopping and an outdoor stage set organization and the city of Frisco. It Championship. To have this be our new ward to 2023, because I can’t wait to see to be activated for concerts and other out- became apparent to us that the best way to headquarters and we are so excited to be this epic project come to fruition. It will be door programming. fulfill our mission is to be with partners part of what will be the new and modern a game changer. As a $500 million investment into the that had the same type of passion that we home of American golf.” For more information on Omni PGA City of Frisco, Omni PGA Frisco Resort is do. The golf industry is a $84 Billion dollar After the ceremonial dirt was tossed Frisco Resort, visit omnihotels.com/hotels the largest resort currently in development industry with over 2 million jobs. The PGA and the hard hats and shovels were put /pga-frisco, call 1-800-The-Omni or follow in the country. The resort will be a beacon Frisco and the Omni Frisco hotel will be away, my wife and I were shuttled down to Omni Hotels & Resorts at Facebook.com within the community and country for the beacon of that industry for years to an outdoor reception area where food and /OmniHotels, Instagram.com/OmniHotels PGA Championship golf, instruction, and come. It will truly be the heartbeat of the drinks were being served. I visited briefly andTwitter.com/OmniHotels. play. Omni PGA Frisco Resort will provide PGA of America and what our men and with one of the golf course architects, Beau Tom can be contacted at www.teetiemwith- experiences that pull through the local fla- woman strive to do and give back every Willing, who told me he was excited about tom.com this project. Unfortunately, we had to leave

6 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com GOLF PGA TOUR This week: Wells Fargo Championship

HOW TO FOLLOW

Television: Thursday-Friday, 2 p..-6 p.m. (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (CBS) PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (Featured Groups), Saturday- Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (Featured Groups), 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (Featured Holes) Radio: Thursday-Friday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGA- TOUR.com/liveaudio). TOURCast: Get shot-by-shot info in real time with shot tracks and video with TOURCast. TOUR Pulse: Get the PGA TOUR app to utilize TOUR Pulse, which provides users the ability to experience a mix of content, such as video highlights, written hole sum- maries and stat graphics on every player after every hole they complete.

Max Homa won the 2019 Championship by three strokes over

missed the cut in 2017 but owns 12 top-12 took the lead into Singles but was over- LAST TIME: Cancelled due to the finishes at the event…Sponsors exemptions come by the U.S in the final session. COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the 2019 include 19-year-old Akshay Bhatia, a North COURSE: Quail Hollow Club, par 71, Wells Fargo Championship saw Max Homa Carolina native, and Wake Forest alum Will 7,521 yards. The long-time PGA TOUR capture his maiden PGA TOUR title. Zalatoris. Zalatoris hasn’t missed a cut in stop was originally laid out by George Homa, the former NCAA champ who the 2021 calendar year but enjoyed two Cobb in the early 1960s. An upgrade was endured a difficult slump early in his pro weeks off after finishing runner-up at the overseen by Tom Fazio as the course pre- career, shot a 4-under 67 in Sunday’s final Masters and T42 at the RBC Heritage Ð pared for the PGA Championship in 2017. round to top Joel Dahmen by three shots. Wells Fargo Championship buying his own place in Dallas and getting Annually rated as one of the toughest Homa, who started the final round as one May 6 - May 7, 2021 engaged. courses on TOUR, its ‘Green Mile’ closing of three co-leaders, trailed Dahmen through Quail Hollow Golf Club FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 stretch of holes flummoxes TOUR players six holes. But after going 3 under in a five- Charlotte, North Carolina FedExCup points. year after year. Quail Hollow is set to host hole stretch, he held a four-shot lead before Purse - $8,100,000 STORYLINES: No golfer has ever The Presidents Cup in 2022 and the PGA a weather delay with just five holes to play. Winners share: $1,458,000 defended his title at the Wells Fargo. Championship again in 2025. After the hour-long delay was completed, 2019 Winner - Max Homa Homa, who won at The Genesis 72-HOLE RECORD: 267, Rory McIlroy Homa nailed a 5-foot par saver and cruised Invitational earlier this year, looks to buck (2015). to victory after that. Justin Rose finished By Adam Stanley that trend. He arrives in good form, sitting 18-HOLE RECORD: 61, Rory McIlroy third while Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey and PGATOUR.COM in third place halfway through the Valspar (3rd round, 2015). Jason Dufner rounded out the top five. The Wells Fargo Championship returns Championship… Overall, 13 of the top 20 to the PGA TOUR schedule after being golfers in the FedExCup (through the cancelled last year because of the COVID- Zurich Classic of New Orleans) are teeing 19 pandemic. Max Homa returns to defend it up at Quail Hollow… Rory McIlroy his title against a field full of TOUR stars, loves the Wells Fargo Championship. He’s including FedExCup leader Justin finished outside the top-10 just twice in Thomas. nine starts and in 2019 he finished T8… FIELD NOTES: Two-time FedExCup Rickie Fowler is looking for a spark after champion Rory McIlroy returns to action recording just two top-10 finishes in 29 for the first time since the Masters. events across 2020-21. Fowler, who is now McIlroy also is the Wells Fargo ranked outside the top 100 in the world, Championship’s only two-time winner. He won his first TOUR title at the Wells Fargo set a course record in each win, shooting a in 2012 and finished T4 in 2019…This final-round 62 in 2010 and a third-round year’s Wells Fargo will give players one 61 in 2015… The top two players in the last look at Quail Hollow before the 2022 FedExCup Ð Thomas and Bryson Presidents Cup. Next year’s Wells Fargo DeChambeau Ð are teeing it up in North will be played at TPC Potomac as Quail Carolina. Thomas won the 2017 PGA Hollow prepares to host the intercontinen- Championship contested at Quail Hollow.. tal tussle between the U.S. and … will tee it up at the Wells International teams. It will be the first Fargo for the 17th time in 18 editions. He Presidents Cup since 2019 in Royal Melbourne, when the International Team

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 7 2020 Texas Golf Hall of Fame Inductees

distinctions. Kuehne’s best finish on the PGA TOUR was a T-2 at both the 2003 Shell and the 2005 . In 2003, Hank won the TOUR’S Driving Distance title, unseating , who had won eight consecutive titles. Hank joins his sister Kelli, a former U.S. Women’s Amateur champion and brother Trip, winner of the 2007 U.S. Mid- Amateur in the Texas Golf Hall of Fame. Lingering back problems have prevented Hank from playing, but he remains involved in the game as an instructor. The first of two 2020 Hall Inductees in the Golf Professional/Teacher category is Mike Wright. At just 23 years old, Mike Wright was appointed as the Head Golf Verne Lundquist Professional at Shady Oaks, a Hall of Fame course. He had the unwavering support and The 2020 Hall Inductee in the emphatic endorsement of Ben Hogan. Now Lifetime Achievement Category, Verne as the Shady Oaks Director of Golf, Mike Lundquist graduated from Austin High has served the club for 36 years. Eleven of School and Texas Lutheran University. Mike’s assistants have been promoted to Verne now serves on TLU’s Board of Hank Kuehne II is a former U.S. Amateur Champion Head Professionals/General Manager posi- Regents and has also given much of his tions. He co-founded the Ben Hogan time to various charities. After beginning Texas Golf Hall of Fame Reschedules The 2020 Hall Inductee in the Foundation, which has awarded over his career in Austin, Verne went to Dallas Class of 2020 Induction Event Professional Player Category,Angela $835,000 in scholarships to deserving stu- as a sports anchor. He was an immediate , Texas Ð The Texas Golf Stanford born and raised in Fort Worth, dents and children of soldiers and is now success, and it wasn’t long before he was Hall of Fame announced this week that the Texas, Angela Stanford won numerous jun- breaking ground on a new learning center. courted for the national stage. His career previously postponed formal 2020 induc- ior Women’s Championships. Following Mike has received the highest honors as a rocketed with ABC Sports, then CBS. tion dinner has been rescheduled for graduation from Boswell High School in merchandiser, teacher, and player. As an From the NFL and the Olympics to SEC Monday, August 9, 2021 and will be held 1996, Angela enrolled at TCU. She won instructor, he has an enviable reputation Football and PGA Golf, Verne’s achieve- at the River Crest Country Club in Ft. nine collegiate tournaments for the Horned from both the professional and amateur ments in broadcasting are legendary. Worth, Texas. The event was originally Frogs, was a four-time All American, and a rank. He counts Angela Stanford, Gerina Notably, it was Verne’s voice that richly slated for October 2020 but was postponed four-time All Western Athletic selection. Piller, , and Mark Brooks illustrated, beautifully and timely, The as a cautionary measure due to COVID-19. She was named Western Athletic Freshman among his students. He has been a thought- Masters. The honors he has amassed during Last July 2020 the Hall announced its of the Year and Player of the Year in 1997 ful, graceful representative of Ben Hogan’s his career are numerous. 2020 class of Inductees that are to be hon- and 1999, respectively. Angela was also a legacy and his service to the PGA of The 2020 Hall Inductee in the Texas ored during this formal induction ceremony member of the 2000 U.S. Curtis Cup Team. America at both the section and national Registry of Historic Golf Courses,Oak that is open to the public. For tickets and Angela turned professional in 2000, earn- levels is admirable. Hills Country Club is one of the oldest and sponsorship information please visit ing a victory on the Futures Tour at the The second of two 2020 Hall most respected private member-owned www.texasgolfhof.org/donate. season-ending event, and finished 4th at the Inductees in the Golf Professional/ country clubs in the country. Originally 2020 Texas Hall of Fame Inductees: LPGA Qualifying Tournament to earn Teacher category is Dow Finsterwald, Jr. founded in 1922 as the Alamo Country ¥ Professional Player: Angela Stanford exempt status on the LPGA in 2001. Finsterwald Jr. is the son of PGA Club, Oak Hills was designed by premier ¥ Amateur Player: Hank Kuehne Angela has 95 Top-10 finishes on the Champion Dow Finsterwald Sr., who won architect A.. Tillinghast Ð perhaps the ¥ Lifetime Achievement: Verne Lundquist LPGA, including six Championships and 11 PGA Titles and played on four Ryder most prolific golf course designer of his ¥ Golf Professional / Teacher: Mike one Major (2018 Evian Championship). Cup teams. Dow Jr. grew up working for time, with a course portfolio including Wright She has played in six Solheim Cups and his father at the Broadmoor Country Club Winged Foot, Baltusrol, and San Francisco ¥ Golf Professional / Teacher: Dow ranks 11th on the LPGA Career Money caddying, working the driving range, and Golf Club. Tillinghast brought his vision of Finsterwald, Jr. List. Angela created the Angela Stanford helping guests. After graduating from beauty and challenging play to life on the ¥ Texas Registry of Historic Golf Foundation in 2009 to give scholarships to Arizona State in 1981, Dow was hired by course, now regularly enjoyed by PGA, Courses: Oak Hills Country Club students who have been affected by cancer. Oak Tree Country Club in Oklahoma City collegiate, and amateur players. Oak Hills In addition to the upcoming induction The 2020 Hall Inductee in the as an Assistant Golf Professional. In 1987, has hosted 32 PGA TOUR events, includ- dinner, each of the Inductees has been Amateur Player Category, Henry “Hank” his life changed dramatically when he was ing the inaugural PGA TOUR commemorated on a granite marker on the Kuehne II is a former U.S. Amateur hired by Colonial Country Club in Fort Championship, the USGA Jr. Amateur prestigious Texas Golf Walk of Fame at Champion and a who Worth, Texas as its Head Golf Professional. Championship, TGA Tournaments, and historic Brackenridge Park Golf Course, in enjoyed some success on the PGA Tour. Dow Jr. has been the host of 33 PGA USGA Qualifiers. San Antonio Texas. Born in Dallas, Texas, Hank’s father started TOUR events and a Women’s U.S. Open. This will be the Texas Golf Hall of “We are very excited to finally give this him playing golf at a young age. Hank He has won the Metro Chapter Fame’s eleventh class to be inducted since class of inductees the celebration that they began his college career at Oklahoma State Championship (1990) and the Club Pro the Hall’s reconstitution in 2009. Public deserve!” said Texas Golf Hall of Fame University but transferred to SMU. He Championship (1991); he’s played in four nominations made online were voted on by Board Chairman, Reid Meyers. “These are earned All American honors three times, Joe Black Cup Matches and has qualified living Hall members, the Texas Golf Hall extraordinary times, and we are fortunate won the 1998 U.S. Amateur, and played on for the Byron Nelson Championship and of Fame Board of Directors, and designat- to be able to slowly return to the normalcy the U.S. Team in 1998. Colonial National Invitationals. Daily, Dow ed Texas golf media members. As a of life. We hope you join us in celebrating He has been inducted into the SMU Jr. keeps busy with the 700 golf members reminder the Induction Dinner will take the accomplishments and contributions of Athletics Hall of Fame, was ranked Golf at Colonial Country Club. Dow and his place at historic River Crest Country Club this class to the State of Texas and the Digest’s #1 World Amateur in 1999, and wife Mary Lou have two children, Dow the in Ft. Worth, Texas on Monday, August great game of Golf.” received numerous other Amateur titles and third and Katy, and two grandchildren. 9th.

8 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com NFL 2021 NFL DRAFT 2021 NFL Draft Grades For All 32 Teams

love them making it, either. Taking Grant ing into the draft and could’ve gone a num- with still on the board was ber of different directions but taking the a big no-no in my book, and many agreed, best player available should’ve been the as Moehrig was -400 to be the first safety priority. I believe they did that in the first off the board. The Falcons did get what I’ couple rounds, adding a falling Rousseau consider to be one of the better steals of in the first round, and then the sturdy the draft when they took Mayfield in the Basham in the second round, giving them third round, as I had a late-first-round depth at edge rusher, one of the most grade on him. They didn’t select an edge important positions on the field. The picks rusher until the fifth round, which is really of Brown and Doyle weren’t exactly val- problematic. When you have as many holes ues, as they were expected to be late Day 3 as the Falcons do on defense, it’s going to prospects but adding depth to the offensive be tough to address all of them, but edge line isn’t the worst way to use draft picks, should have been a priority. though they’re both far from pro-ready. FALCONS DRAFT GRADE: C One of the sleeper picks they made was Stevenson in the fifth round, as he’s some- 1.27 ÐRashod Bateman (WR Ð Minnesota) one who can blow the top off a defense. 1.31 Ð Jayson Oweh (EDGE Ð Penn State) With how often they run 4WR sets, he 3.94 Ð (IOL Ð Georgia) should see some playing time relatively 4.104 Ð Brandon Stephens (CB Ð SMU) soon. This felt like a competent draft, espe- 4.131 Ð (WR Ð Okla. St) cially if Rousseau can reach his potential. 5.160 Ð Shaun Wade (CB Ð Ohio State) BILLS DRAFT GRADE: - 5.171 ÐDaelin Hayes (EDGE Ð Notre Dame) 5.184 Ð Ben Mason (FB Ð ) 1.08 Ð Jaycee (CB Ð South Carolina) By Mike Tagliere We heard rumblings about 24 hours As I heard the Ravens picks coming off 2.59 Ð Terrace Marshall (WR Ð LSU) was part of a master- before the first round that the Cardinals the board, I wondered if they were using 3.70 Ð Brady Christiansen (OT Ð BYU) ful draft plan by the Baltimore Ravens were likely to take Collins, though he was my big board at times. I kid, obviously, but 3.82 Ð (TE Ð Notre Dame) All the anticipation is gone. The cards someone expected to go in the mid-to-late I absolutely loved both first-round picks. 4.126 Ð (RB Ð Ok. St.) have fallen where they may and there are 20’s. Could they have traded back and Bateman is a perfect complement to 5.158 Ð (IDL Ð Iowa) hundreds of prospects with new homes. landed him? Maybe. But his versatility as a shorter, intermediate 5.166 Ð Keith Taylor (CB Ð Washington) Some players fell a lot further than most combined with that of target who can play in the slot, while Oweh 6.193 Ð (IOL Ð Alabama) anticipated, while others were selected and Budda Baker make this a tough is someone I’m expecting the Ravens to 6.204 Ð (WR Ð South Carolina) rounds before the consensus opinion. defense to play against. Moore makes so develop into a rock-solid pass-rusher. Then, 6.222 Ð Thomas Fletcher ( Ð Alabama) Some will tell you that you can’t grade a much sense in the second round, as we still they selected one of my favorite interior 7.232 Ð (IDL Ð Kentucky) draft until a few years down the road. don’t know if will return. lineman in the draft, taking Cleveland in Well, the Panthers didn’t go 100 percent That’s not true. Doing that would be con- No matter what, he’s a perfect fit to play the third round. He improves the offensive defensive picks like last year. However, the sidered hindsight analysis, which is some- the slot in their offense. I liked Gowan bet- line almost immediately. I didn’t like the defensive picks they made were phenome- thing that annoys me. Everyone is right in ter than Wilson, so getting him two rounds two selections they made, as nal. Horn was certainly one of the better hindsight. This article is not about my later saved their score a bit, as Wilson Stephens wasn’t even on my list of in the draft and will help them opinion. Ok, that might be a lie. It’s not seemed like a bit of a reach. If there’s one prospects, and Wade was someone who slow down the NFC South receivers just a just about my opinion. I like to think my thing I would’ve liked to see them do, it should be reserved as slot-only after a mis- little bit. Nixon in the fifth round is theft. opinions are well thought out and aren’t was to add a nose seeing as many of erable 2020 on the perimeter. But then, Heck, even someone like Taylor was some- too outlandish. This article is really about them fell much further than expected. they went right back to their great draft by one I expected to go in the fourth-round how each team maneuvered the draft CARDINALS DRAFT GRADE: B selecting Wallace later in the fourth round, range. As far as the offense is concerned, board, whether they reached multiple a player who many expected to go in the Marshall was one of the few big-bodied rounds for players, took value when it fell 1.04 Ð (TE Ð Florida) second or third round. The Ravens no receivers in this class who was going to to them, filled positions of need, or simply 2.40 Ð Richie Grant (S Ð UCF) longer have an issue at . They cost a pretty penny, though he did fall just took the best player available. 3.68 Ð (OT Ð Michigan) then closed out their draft by adding anoth- a tad due to medical concerns. I think he That criteria can absolutely be judged 4.108 Ð Darren Hall (CB Ð San Diego St) er edge rusher, the major position of need. went right around where he should’ve, hon- just hours after the draft, as we know 4.114 Ð (IOL Ð Stanford) The Ravens also snagged Ar’Darius estly. Christiansen felt like a bit of a reach where players were expected to go, we 5.148 Ð Ta’Quon Graham (IDL Ð Texas) Washington as a UDFA, which was one of in the third round, but after passing on know what holes the team had to fill, and 5.182 Ð Adetokunbo Ojundeji (DL Ð N. Dame) the biggest steals among players who went offensive tackles in the first and second we had a good idea about which of these 5.183 Ð Avery Williams (CB Ð Boise St) undrafted (I liked him as a potential third round, I’m not sure they had a choice. In prospects were the most talented entering 6.187 Ð (WR Ð Arizona St) or fourth rounder). Bravo, Ravens. the end, that’s the worst part of their draft. the NFL. So, with that being said, let’s talk Many will call Pitts a generational tal- RAVENS DRAFT GRADE: A They have a lot of holes on the offensive about the grades I’m handing out to each ent, and while I agree to a certain extent, line, and I don’t think this draft helped of the 32 teams. there’s a reason he was the first to 1.30 Ð (EDGE Ð Miami) very much, though I suppose you can add ever be drafted before the fifth pick. It’s a 2.61 Ð Carlos Basham (EDGE Ð W Forest) in Tremble, who is a phenomenal blocker 1.16 Ð (LB Ð Tulsa) tough position to project at the next level, 3.93 Ð Spencer Brown (OT Ð N. Iowa) at tight end (or fullback). Snagging 2.49 Ð (WR Ð Purdue) as there have been many great athletes 5.161 Ð Tommy Doyle (OT Ð Miami-Ohio) Hubbard in the fourth round gives them a 4.136 Ð Marco Wilson (CB Ð Florida) who’ve failed at tight end in the NFL. I 6.203 Ð (WR Ð Houston) solid depth piece behind Christian 6.210 Ð Victor Dimukeje (EDGE Ð Duke) love Pitts, but the Falcons are rebuilding 6.212 Ð Damar Hamlin (S Ð Pittsburgh) McCaffrey. He was someone who would’ve 6.223 Ð Tay Gowan (CB Ð UCF) right now, and I really would’ve loved to 6.213 Ð (CB Ð Wisconsin) been a second-round pick in last year’s 7.243 Ð James Wiggins (S Ð Cincinnati) see them trade back to acquire more picks. 7.236 Ð Jack Anderson (IOL Ð Texas Tech) draft had he chosen to leave college. 7.247 Ð Michal Menet (IOL Ð Penn State) Don’t hate the pick, but don’t absolutely I’d mentioned in my mock drafts that PANTHERS DRAFT GRADE: B the Bills were a pretty complete team com- (continued on page 10)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 9 about their picks in the fifth through sev- have him labeled as a developmental wide I also had no issues with the pick of 1.11 Ð (QB Ð Ohio State) enth rounds, though it was odd to see them receiver with a big ceiling. Knowing the Onwuzurike in the second round, as they 2.38 Ð (OT Ð Oklahoma St) completely bypass , as it was one Cowboys don’t need him on the field right needed help on the interior of their defen- 5.151 Ð (IOL Ð Missouri) of their biggest weaknesses. away, he’ll get to sit back and learn from a sive line. But the McNeill pick was a bit of 6.217 Ð (RB Ð Virginia Tech) BENGALS DRAFT GRADE: B- few receivers. Overall, this was a overkill, especially when there were still 6.221 Ð (WR Ð N. Carolina) very risky draft for the Cowboys with some quite a few solid on the board 6.228 Ð Thomas Graham (CB Ð Oregon) 1.26 Ð Greg Newsome (CB Ð Northwestern) room for upside, but also some room for (might have been their biggest weakness). 7.250 Ð (IDL Ð BYU) 2.52 Ð Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB Ð disaster. At least they addressed the posi- Melifonwu is a big, physical cornerback I wasn’t expecting the Bears to trade up Notre Dame) tions of need on defense early in the draft. whose ceiling is massive if he can continue for a , but once Fields fell out- 3.91 Ð Anthony Schwartz (WR Ð Auburn) COWBOYS DRAFT GRADE: C to grow, but you can’t teach size, and he’s side the top-10, it got a bit more realistic 4.110 Ð James Hudson (OT Ð Cincinnati) got it opposite of . The Lions because the asking price comes down dra- 4.132 Ð Tommy Togiai (IDL Ð Ohio State) 1.09 Ð Patrick Surtain (CB Ð Alabama) should consider themselves lucky they matically. Ryan Pace pulled off a move that 5.153 Ð Tony Fields (LB Ð West Virginia) 2.35 Ð (RB Ð N. Carolina) landed St. Brown in the fourth round, as he didn’t mortgage their future, but the move 5.169 Ð Richard LeCounte (S Ð Georgia) 3.98 Ð (IOL Ð Wisconsin- fell further than most thought. I was legiti- did help them both now and in the future 6.211 Ð Demetric Felton (WR Ð UCLA) Whitewater) mately shocked that’s all the Lions did at by selecting Fields. It’s important because When the Browns got on the clock in 4.105 Ð (LB Ð Ohio St) wide receiver, though. I didn’t think Barnes it also makes the Bears an attractive land- the first round, I was sure the pick would 5.152 Ð (S Ð Texas) is someone who should start on day one, ing spot for a coach/GM should Pace and be Owusu-Koramoah. When they selected 5.164 Ð (S Ð Indiana) but the Lions might have different plans. Matt Nagy not right the ship in 2021. Newsome, who is a rock-solid player, I 6.219 Ð Seth Williams (WR Ð Auburn) While I like Jefferson as a , Considering many thought he should’ve was disappointed. But then, the Browns 7.237 Ð Kary Vincent (CB Ð LSU) that felt like a wasted pick considering the went at No. 2 or No. 3 overall, the Bears made it right by trading up and taking 7.239 Ð (DL Ð Ohio St) holes all over their roster (their running did great. Then, in the second round, they Owusu-Koramoah in the second round, 7.253 Ð (DL Ð Miss St) backs were a strength). moved up a bit to get Jenkins, a player making the Newsome pick look that much Many thought that the Broncos would LIONS DRAFT GRADE: C+ many selected for them at No. 20 overall in better. They got two first-round talents and be looking at a position other than corner- mocks. He’s going to be plugged in at right filled a major need at linebacker. Selecting back at the top of the draft considering 1.29 Ð (CB Ð Georgia) tackle from day one to replace Bobby Schwartz in the third round was a head- they signed both and Kyle 2.62 Ð Josh Myers (IOL Ð Ohio State) Massie. Those two picks meant they didn’t scratcher for me, as he’s simply a field- Fuller in free agency, as well as drafting 3.85 Ð (WR Ð Clemson) have another pick until the fifth round, stretcher who has a long way to go as a in the third round last 4.142 Ð (IOL Ð Ole Miss) where they started filling other holes, receiver. I didn’t expect him to go until the year, and having on the 5.173 Ð (DT Ð Florida) including cornerback with Graham, and sixth/seventh-round range. I loved the roster. Surtain was considered a top-two 5.178 Ð Shemar Jean-Charles (CB Ð then wide receiver with Newsome in the Hudson pick in the fourth, as he’s a bit cornerback on many boards, so you can’t Appalachian State) sixth round. Many will tell you that you developmental, but the Browns don’t need fault the pick too much, but it didn’t really 6.214 Ð (IOL Ð Wisconsin) can’t judge a draft class until a few years him to play right away. He’ll have time to fill a hole. The Williams pick was solid 6.220 Ð Isaiah McDuffie (LB Ð Boston C.) down the road, but that’s not true. I was develop. I wished they would’ve gone with from a value standpoint, though there were 7.256 Ð (RB Ð Mississippi St) heavily critical of the Bears and their 2020 an interior lineman sooner, but landing other positions they likely could’ve The story of the Packers draft was draft, but in 2021, Pace did everything he Togiai at the end of the fourth round wasn’t addressed, as they still have Melvin and not so much the could’ve and should’ve in this draft, as a, the worst-case scenario. Gordon for one more season. Meinerz and prospects they selected, but that’s what result the Bears get an excellent grade. BROWNS DRAFT GRADE: A- Browning were both great values in the we’re looking at here. Let’s start here: The BEARS DRAFT GRADE: A- third and fourth round, as both received No. 1 problem the Packers had last year 1.12 Ð (LB Ð Penn State) second-round buzz. They also filled needs (and the year before) was stopping the run, 1.05 Ð Ja’Marr Chase (WR – LSU) 2.44 Ð (CB Ð Kentucky) on the team. Johnson and Williams in the and I don’t think any of their picks helped. 2.46 Ð Jackson Carman (OT Ð Clemson) 3.75 Ð (IDL Ð UCLA) fifth and sixth rounds were both phenome- Stokes is a cornerback who reminded me a 3.69 Ð (EDGE Ð Texas) 3.84 Ð (DE Ð Iowa) nal picks considering the upside they have bit of Josh Jackson, the cornerback the 4.111 Ð (EDGE Ð Tulane) 3.99 Ð (CB Ð Oregon St) built into them. This draft can be looked at Packers picked in the second round just a 4.122 Ð (IDL Ð LSU) 4.115 Ð (LB Ð LSU) two different ways, but it appears they few years ago, as both were ballhawks in 4.139 Ð D’Ante Smith (OT Ð E. Carolina) 4.138 Ð (OT Ð Marshall) drafted best player available early-on, then college, even though I didn’t love their 5.149 Ð Evan McPherson ( Ð Florida) 5.179 Ð (WR Ð Stanford) addressed team needs while getting solid coverage skills. The pick of Myers in the 6.190 Ð (IOL Ð Georgia) 6.192 Ð (IDL Ð Kentucky) values. Knowing Fuller and Gordon have second round did fill a need at center, 6.202 Ð Chris Evans (RB Ð Michigan) 6.227 Ð (CB Ð S. Carolina) just one year left on their deals, you can’t though it was a reach in the draft commu- 7.235 Ð (DL Ð K-State) 7.238 Ð (IOL Ð Nebraska) even be upset about the Surtain and nity. He was a third-round pick on my big The Bengals were going with the whole The Cowboys didn’t go full-on 2020 Williams picks, so this was a solid draft, board, while PFF had him projected as a “this is a strong tackle class, so we can Panthers in this draft, but they did select and it’ll look even better one year from fifth-round pick. Rodgers is going to be take a receiver in the first, and snag tackle defensive players with eight of their first now. If there’s one thing that brings down perfect for this offense, as he has a bit of in the second” approach. That approach nine picks. Parsons was likely the best their grade just a tad, it’s passing on quar- Randall Cobb to his game and can play all really did work, though they got too cute defensive player in the draft, though many terback like Fields at No. 9 when they over the field. The rest of their draft was with it. When they got on the clock in the thought he might fall due to off-the-field don’t have a sure thing on their roster. kind of a mess, as there were no standouts second round, they had both Teven Jenkins incidents. He filled a hole and is uber-tal- BRONCOS DRAFT GRADE: A- when it came to value or talent except for and available, but then ented, so as long as they can get him to Lions Hill, but running back was not a position decided to trade back. Both were gone by grow as a person, it was a great pick. 1.07 Ð (OT Ð Oregon) they really needed help at. I just believe their next pick, so they selected Carman, Joseph was a bit of a reach early in the sec- 2.41 Ð (IDL Ð Washington) they failed when it came to their biggest who was in another tier. Not horrible, but it ond round as an inconsistent player and 3.72 Ð Alim McNeill (IDL Ð NC State) weakness: stopping the run. could’ve gone better. The Bengals then someone else who also has some off-the- 3.101 Ð (CB Ð Syracuse) PACKERS DRAFT GRADE: C- headed over to the defensive side of the field issues. Odighizuwa was a solid value 4.112 Ð Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR Ð USC) ball to snag two edge rushers, a position in the third round at a position of need, so 4.113 Ð Derrick Barnes (LB Ð Purdue) 3.67 Ð Davis Mills (QB Ð Stanford) that was obviously a weakness for them. there are no complaints there. Snagging 7.257 Ð (RB Ð Oregon St) 3.89 Ð Nico Collins (WR Ð Michigan) Ossai got some first-round buzz, so even Cox in the fourth round was also a tremen- It was clear that the Lions were focused 5.147 Ð Brevin Jordan (TE Ð Miami) though I wasn’t very high on him, they got dous value considering where he was on one thing during the first two days of 5.170 Ð Garret Wallow (LB Ð TCU) good value. They also got tremendous expected to go, even if I wasn’t particularly the draft: The trenches. Once they saw 6.195 Ð Roy Lopez (IDL Ð Arizona) value with Shelvin in the fourth round, as a fan of his game. The picks in between Sewell on the board at No. 7, they wasted I’m not sure where to begin here, as the he was someone who’s potential should’ve there were rough though, as both Golston no time turning in their pick. I have zero Texans franchise is simply in ruins right been enough to get into the second or third and Wright weren’t Day 2 picks. I issue with that considering how difficult it now. Bill O’Brien left them in a bad spot, round. There was nothing that stood out absolutely loved the pick of Fehoko, as I is to find dominant left tackles in the NFL. and things haven’t gotten better since he

10 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com left. This draft isn’t likely to change that. er, but running back is such a convenience 7.230 Ð (IOL Ð Pitt) Not having a first-round pick is tough, They selected Mills with their first pick (in position, and the Jaguars don’t have the Had the draft stopped after Day 1, I’m but it’s something the Rams are used to. the third round), which feels bad consider- convenience of having a complete roster. In fairly certain you would’ve seen the When they got on the clock in the second ing they’re a long way from filling out their fact, they already had a competent running Raiders get the worst grade from analysts round, the last player I expected them to roster and would prove to be a wasted pick back in James Robinson. Hearing Urban across the board. Even if they liked draft was the 149-pound Atwell. He’s if Deshaun Watson plays for the team again Meyer say after the pick that Robinson and Leatherwood a lot, he’s someone literally someone who will literally bounce back- (many aren’t expecting him to). Still, they are the 1-2 down backs while no one expected to go in the first round. wards when hit. He’s fast, but that’s about should stick with stop-gap for Etienne is the third-down back made me Trade back. The Raiders redeemed them- it. The Rams then went on to draft two the time being until they put together a roll my eyes harder than I have in a long selves in Round 2 when Moehrig fell into more wide receivers in the draft. Knowing competent roster. Collins was a solid pick time. You don’t draft a third-down back at their laps at 43 overall. He was a top-15 they have Robert Woods, , late in the third round, and they also signed No. 25 overall. Loved the Campbell pick in player in this draft for me, and should’ve DeSean Jackson, and , it felt Damon Hazelton as a UDFA, so they did a the second round, as he was my top-rated been their first-round pick over Leather- extremely unnecessary. Jones in the third good job adding to their wide receiver Georgia cornerback. Cornerback wasn’t the wood, though the reason for his fall was was also a shock, as he was someone who I depth chart with two solid players. Jordan biggest need, but taking the best player reportedly due to medical concerns with didn’t expect to go until the fifth or sixth was someone who fell during the draft should be rewarded. While I wasn’t high his back. Still, great pick. After that, round. Linebacker was a position of need, process, as many started to say he’s more on Little as a prospect, it wasn’t a bad pick though, we went straight back downhill but there were better prospects on the of an athlete than a football player. The in the middle of the second round, as it with the Raiders. Both Koonce and Deablo board. Even Rochell, who they took in the Texans really didn’t need another tight end. gives them options with were not expected to go until Day 3 of the fourth round, was someone who was Wallow and Lopez are depth chart pieces, next offseason. Cisco is a playmaker who’ll draft and were reaches in the middle of the expected to fall deep into Day 3. Kudos to and to be fair, we couldn’t expect home- make some bad decisions, but he’ll also third round. Then they snagged their third the Rams for taking the guys they have run picks in the fifth and sixth round, but make some game-changing plays. Having safety of the draft in the fourth round, conviction on, but they might as well have Daviyon Nixon was there as a steal in the solid cornerback play alongside him is though many are expecting them to move traded down to acquire more picks in the fifth round at a position of need. paramount, and they should have that with Deablo to linebacker. Speaking of line- future. TEXANS DRAFT GRADE: D C.J. Henderson, , and backer, that was my biggest need for this RAMS DRAFT GRADE: D Campbell. Tufele was a solid add in the team outside of right tackle, and they really 1.21 Ð (EDGE Ð Michigan) fourth round, too. Waiting on tight end was didn’t address it. This draft should’ve net- 1.06 Ð (WR Ð Alabama) 2.54 Ð (EDGE Ð Vanderbilt) not something I expected, as Farrell wasn’t ted a lot more, and thankfully, the Moehrig 1.18 Ð Jaelen Phillips (EDGE Ð Miami) 4.127 Ð (TE Ð SMU) even someone I scouted, and tight end was pick saves their grade a tad. 2.36 Ð (S Ð Oregon) 5.165 Ð Shawn Davis (S Ð Florida) a big need for them. I believe it was a good RAIDERS DRAFT GRADE: D+ 2.42 Ð Liam Eichenberg (OT Ð Notre Dame) 6.218 Ð (QB Ð Texas) draft for the Jaguars overall, though it 3.81 Ð (TE Ð Boston College) 7.229 Ð Mike Strachan (WR Ð Charleston) could’ve been even better. 1.13 Ð (OT Ð Northwestern) 7.231 Ð Larnel Coleman (OT Ð UMass) 7.248 Ð (IOL Ð Penn State) JAGUARS DRAFT GRADE: B+ 2.47 Ð Asante Samuel Jr. (CB Ð Florida St) 7.244 Ð (RB Ð Cincinnati) The No. 1 need that I (and many) had 3.77 Ð (WR Ð Tennessee) The Dolphins had just seven picks in going into this draft for the Colts was 2.58 Ð (LB Ð Missouri) 3.97 Ð Tre’ McKitty (TE Ð Georgia) this draft, and five of them were inside the offensive tackle after the retirement of 2.63 Ð (IOL Ð ) 4.118 Ð Chris Rumph (EDGE Ð Duke) top-81 picks. When they came on the clock . They didn’t select a 4.144 ÐJoshua Kaindoh (EDGE Ð Florida St) 5.159 Ð (OT Ð Nebraska) at No. 6 overall, I thought it would be one single offensive tackle in this draft, so I 5.162 Ð (TE Ð Duke) 6.185 Ð (LB Ð Iowa) of the Alabama wide receivers, though I guess they’re moving forward with Sam 5.181 Ð (WR Ð Clemson) 6.198 Ð Larry Roundtree (RB Ð Missouri) did think DeVonta Smith would’ve been a Tevi? Yikes. The second need they had was 6.226 Ð Trey Smith (IOL Ð Tennessee) 7.241 Ð (S Ð Georgia) better fit with what they had in place with edge rusher, so to see them snag both Paye The Chiefs didn’t have many draft picks The Chargers couldn’t have asked for a and DeVante Parker. Still, and Odeyingbo was great from a team- early on thanks to the trade for Orlando better start to the draft, as Slater fell into Waddle is a baller and Fuller is on just a need standpoint. While I wasn’t particular- Brown, which must be factored into their their laps at No. 13 overall, and then one-year deal. Phillips was certainly a top- ly high on Paye, Odeyingbo was someone I grade, as he’s a first-round left tackle. To Samuel Jr. fell to them in the middle of the three edge rusher in this class, though he liked quite a bit. The Granson pick was move from Eric Fisher to Brown is just second round. Both players were expected moved down some boards due to medical 100 percent scheme-related, as he’ll play ridiculous. Then to add Humphrey to that to go earlier, and both players filled their concerns. Snagging Eichenberg in the sec- the Trey Burton-type role in the offense. offensive line just completed the rebuild, as two biggest needs. Palmer was a late riser ond round was a rock-solid pick with the The Ehlinger pick was a bit of a head- the Chiefs offensive line might be stronger in the process, and he should provide way offensive linemen were flying off the scratcher considering they now have in 2021 than it was pre-injuries in 2020. another solid depth piece for JustinHerbert. board. My issue with their draft was the , along with last year’s Heck, even the pick of Smith in the sixth McKitty felt like the first reach by the Holland pick, as they did so with Trevon fourth-round pick . If Paye round was a great one, as he was a third Chargers, as he’s someone I wondered if Moehrig on the board, who was far-and- pans out, this draft will look better, but in rounder on my big board. The high-energy he’d be drafted at all. It was a position of away the best safety in this draft. Holland the end, they are overvaluing their current Bolton was someone who got first-round need, but in a weak tight end class, they was expected to be a second-rounder, so it left tackle, which is problematic for Wentz. buzz during some of the draft process, but didn’t need to force the issue. Roundtree wasn’t a reach, but it just could’ve been COLTS DRAFT GRADE: C- ultimately fell to the second round where wasn’t talked about much, but I believe he better. Drafting Long seemed unnecessary, he was a solid pick. It’s good to see the might be the better thumper alongside as they already have , Adam 1.01 Ð (QB Ð Clemson) Chiefs ready to move on from Anthony than last year’s fourth-round Shaheen, and on the ros- 1.25 Ð (RB Ð Clemson) Hitchens/ in the near future. pick . Having waited until the ter, even if he was expected to go in the 2.33 Ð (CB Ð Georgia) The pick of Gray in the fifth round felt like fourth round to select an edge rusher (who third round. I would’ve rather seen them 2.45 Ð (OT Ð Stanford) a wasted pick, especially knowing corner- is undersized), you have to wonder if they take someone like interior defensive tackle 3.65 Ð (S Ð Syracuse) back wasn’t addressed. I liked Powell more find a way to bring back Melvin Ingram. Tyler Shelvin at that point. 4.106 Ð (IDL Ð USC) than most and feel he might be starting CHARGERS DRAFT GRADE: B+ DOLPHINS DRAFT GRADE: B- 4.121 Ð Jordan Smith (EDGE Ð Alabama- over guys like /Byron Birmingham) Pringle very soon if he can get a grip on 2.57 Ð (WR Ð Louisville) 1.23 Ð (OT Ð Vir. Tech) 5.145 Ð (TE Ð Ohio State) the playbook right away. 3.103 Ð Ernest Jones (LB Ð S. Carolina) 3.66 Ð Kellen Mond (QB Ð Texas A&M) 6.209 Ð (WR Ð Georgia Tech) CHIEFS DRAFT GRADE: A- 4.117 Ð Bobby Brown (IDL Ð Texas A&M) 3.78 Ð Chazz Surratt (LB Ð North Carolina) Any time you get a generational quar- 4.130 Ð (CB Ð C.Arkansas) 3.86 Ð (IOL Ð Ohio State) terback in the draft, you’re going to get a 1.17 Ð (OT Ð Alabama) 4.141 Ð Jacob Harris (WR Ð UCF) 3.90 Ð Patrick Jones (EDGE Ð Pittsburgh) good grade. That pick starts you out at an 2.43 Ð Trevon Moehrig (S Ð TCU) 5.174 Ð Earnest Brown (DL Ð Northwestern) 4.119 Ð Kene Nwangwu (RB Ð Iowa State) A+, so you can only go down from there. 3.79 Ð (EDGE Ð Buffalo) 7.233 Ð (RB Ð Maryland) 4.125 Ð Camryn Bynum (CB Ð California) The Jaguars can rebuild in a hurry if they 3.80 Ð (S Ð Virginia Tech) 7.249 Ð (WR Ð Notre Dame) 4.134 Ð Janarius Robinson (EDGE Ð get the picks right. The second pick of 4.143 Ð (S Ð Missouri) 7.252 Ð Chris Garrett (EDGE Ð Concordia- Florida State) Etienne was odd for me, as I love the play- 5.167 Ð (CB Ð Illinois) St. Paul) 5.157 Ð Ihmir Smith-Marsette (WR Ð Iowa)

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 11 Miami Dolphins pletely unnecessary, as their cornerback team. The Book pick was odd, as it seemed Carter in the fourth round was an excellent 1.06 Ð Jaylen Waddle (WR Ð Alabama) room is one of the deeper ones in football. the team was choosing between Jameis pick, as he’s my pick to be the best running 1.18 Ð Jaelen Phillips (EDGE Ð Miami) Robinson is an upside project at pass-rush- Winston and , as they have back on that team. Sherwood in the fifth 2.36 Ð Jevon Holland (S Ð Oregon) er, worth taking a shot on where they did. money tied up in both of them. The interior round was also a value, as I had a border- 2.42 Ð Liam Eichenberg (OT Ð Notre Dame) It was odd to see the Vikings continually of the defensive line seemed to be forgot- line third-round grade on him. They dou- 3.81 Ð Hunter Long (TE Ð Boston College) pass on safety, but they did make their best ten even though they lost both Sheldon bled down on safety in the sixth with 7.231 Ð Larnel Coleman (OT Ð UMass) picks when they needed to. Rankins and this offsea- Nasirildeen, which is fine, as it gives them 7.244 Ð Gerrid Doaks (RB Ð Cincinnati) VIKINGS DRAFT GRADE: B+ son. The Saints draft was close to average. another possibility at a position of weak- The Dolphins had just seven picks in SAINTS DRAFT GRADE: C- ness. The only issue I had with the Jets this draft, and five of them were inside the 1.15 Ð (QB Ð Alabama) draft is that they waited too long on corner- top-81 picks. When they came on the clock 2.37 Ð (IDL Ð Alabama) 1.20 Ð (WR Ð Florida) back. Carter and Pinnock are both far from at No. 6 overall, I thought it would be one 3.96 Ð (EDGE Ð OU) 2.50 Ð (EDGE Ð Georgia) a starting-worthy cornerbacks, which puts of the Alabama wide receivers, though I 4.120 ÐRhamondre Stevenson (RB Ð OU) 3.71 Ð Aaron Robinson (CB Ð UCF) them in a position to start did think DeVonta Smith would’ve been a 5.177 Ð Cameron McGrone (LB Ð Michigan) 4.116 Ð (EDGE Ð N. Iowa) and Bryce Hall. In a pass-happy league, better fit with what they had in place with 6.188 Ð (S Ð Missouri) 6.196 Ð (RB Ð Arizona) that’s not ideal. Overall, the Jets had a Will Fuller and DeVante Parker. Still, he is 6.197 Ð Will Sherman (OT Ð Colorado) 6.201 Ð (CB Ð Ok.St) great draft. a baller and Fuller is on just a one-year 7.242 Ð (WR Ð UCF) I’ll start by saying the Giants got excel- JETS DRAFT GRADE: A- deal. Phillips was certainly a top-three edge While I wasn’t extremely high on Jones lent value to trade back to No. 20 with the rusher in this class, though he moved down as a prospect, having him fall into the Bears, acquiring a 2022 first, a 2022 1.10 Ð DeVonta Smith (WR Ð Alabama) some boards due to medical concerns. Patriots lap at No. 15 was a gift. He’s a fourth, and 2021 fifth in the deal. However, 2.37 Ð (IOL Ð Alabama) Snagging Eichenberg in the second round pure pocket passer who should allow Josh selecting Toney there was a reach, especial- 3.73 Ð (IDL Ð La. Tech) was a rock-solid pick with the way offen- McDaniels to go back to the offense they ly when you know that Rashod Bateman 4.123 Ð Zech McPhearson (CB Ð Tex Tech) sive linemen were flying off the board. My used to run with under center. was still on the board, fell to 5.150 Ð (RB Ð Memphis) issue with their draft was the Holland pick, Barmore falling into the second round the second round, and Rondale Moore fell 6.189 Ð (IDL Ð USC) as they did so with Trevon Moehrig on the allowed them to trade up with the Bengals, to the middle of the second round. You can 6.191 Ð (DL Ð C. Carolina) board, who was far-and-away the best safe- and this pick seems unfair, as he’s not quite like Toney, that’s fine, but they should’ve 6.224 Ð JaCoby Stevens (S Ð LSU) ty in this draft. Holland was expected to be a complete product yet, but once he is, he’s traded back again. Ojulari was a solid 7.234 Ð Patrick Johnson (EDGE Ð Tulane) a second-rounder, so it wasn’t a reach, but going to be a major force up the middle of value in the second round, and the pick The Eagles knew exactly what the it just could’ve been better. Drafting Long their defense. After selecting a pair of addressed a major concern for the Giants at Giants wanted to do, and they made the seemed unnecessary, as they already have Alabama prospects, they moved on to edge rusher. Robinson was also a solid pick correct choice by jumping them in line to Mike Gesicki, Adam Shaheen, and Durham select a pair of Oklahoma prospects in as someone who’ll likely start as their snag Smith, the Heisman winner. Pairing Smythe on the roster, even if he was Perkins and Stevenson. The Perkins pick nickel cornerback in between James Smith with gives the Eagles a expected to go in the third round. I would was rock-solid for their scheme and they Bradberry and Adoree Jackson. Later on, competent 1-2 punch for . I’m rather see them take someone like interior got good value with him at the end of the they snagged Williams, who I had a fourth- also on board with the Dickerson pick in defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin at that point. third. The Stevenson wasn’t. That pick round grade on, so their cornerback room the second round, as he’s someone who can DOLPHINS DRAFT GRADE: B- made absolutely zero sense to me when is looking good. Smith felt like a reach in play anywhere on the offensive line,and we Minnesota Vikings they have both and Sony the fourth round, though it was a weak saw what the Eagles looked like without 1.23 Ð Christian Darrisaw (OT Ð Vir. Tech) Michel on the roster. If anything, they edge class as a whole. I was really sur- any depth last year. Williams was an inter- 3.66 Ð Kellen Mond (QB Ð Texas A&M) should’ve selected Kenneth Gainwell to be prised they didn’t add at least one offensive esting prospect of mine who I thought may 3.78 Ð Chazz Surratt (LB Ð North Carolina) James White‘s eventual replacement. lineman in this draft to help replace the have some upside down the road if he add 3.86 Ð Wyatt Davis (IOL Ð Ohio State) McGrone was a solid value in the fifth loss of , though they were a size, but he wasn’t expected to go until the 3.90 Ð Patrick Jones (EDGE Ð Pittsburgh) round. I’ve been critical of Patriots’ drafts team with quite a few holes on defense. A fourth or fifth round. They also reached a 4.119 Ð Kene Nwangwu (RB Ð Iowa State) in recent years, but this one feels solid decent draft that could’ve been better with bit on McPhearson, who was expected to 4.125 Ð Camryn Bynum (CB Ð California) where it mattered most Ð the first two days. the trade they made. be more of a mid-to-late Day 3 pick. They 4.134 Ð Janarius Robinson (EDGEÐ Fl State) PATRIOTS DRAFT GRADE: B+ GIANTS DRAFT GRADE: B- really should’ve addressed cornerback 5.157 Ð Ihmir Smith-Marsette (WR Ð Iowa) before they took Williams in the third. 5.168 Ð Zach Davidson (TE Ð C. Missouri) 1.28 ÐPayton Turner (EDGE Ð Houston) 1.02 Ð (QB Ð BYU) Gainwell was one of the biggest steals in 6.199 Ð Jaylen Twyman (IDL Ð Pitt) 2.60 Ð (LB Ð Ohio State) 1.14 Ð Alijah Vera-Tucker (OL Ð USC) this draft. I wouldn’t have batted an eye if When you have 11 picks in the draft, 3.76 Ð (CB Ð Stanford) 2.34 Ð Elijah Moore (WR Ð Ole Miss) he went at the end of the second round as you’re going to fill some holes. I thought 4.133 Ð (QB Ð Notre Dame) 4.107 Ð Michael Carter (RB Ð N. Carolina) the best receiving back in the class. They the Vikings could’ve gotten a much better 6.206 Ð (OT Ð Kentucky) 5.146 Ð (S Ð Auburn) already have a good receiver in Miles return than what they did for the No. 14 7.255 Ð Kawaan Baker (WR Ð S. Alabama) 5.154 Ð Michael Carter II (CB Ð Duke) Sanders, but Gainwell should see playing pick, as they received the No. 66 and No. We heard rumblings about the Saints 5.175 Ð (CB Ð Pittsburgh) time immediately. Their seventh-round pick 86 pick in order to move back nine spots in trying to trade up into the top-10, but that 6.186 Ð (S Ð Florida St) of Johnson was a very good one, as he the first round. The two main holes on their never really made much sense considering 6.200 Ð (CB Ð Kentucky) could be a rotational pass-rusher very roster were offensive tackle and edge rush- the state of their roster and where they 6.207 Ð Jonathan Marshall (IDL Ð Arkansas) quickly. There were some hits in this draft, er, so snagging Darrisaw in the first round were picking. Staying at No. 28 netted The Jets made three of the top-34 picks but there were also a few reaches. made tons of sense, especially since two them , who was a surprise to in the 2021 NFL Draft, and all of them EAGLES DRAFT GRADE: B edge rushers had come off the board. The most, though I did have a second-round were on the offensive side of the ball. issue is that this wasn’t a deep edge class, grade on him. According those close to Wilson is someone with a high ceiling, 1.24 Ð (RB Ð Alabama) though they were fortunate to see Patrick teams, he was someone many teams were though there is some projecting with him 2.55 Ð (TE Ð Penn State) Jones available late in the third round. I targeting in the second round. Not a major going from BYU to being immediately 3.87 Ð (IOL Ð Illinois) expected the Vikings to grab a backup reach, but not a major value, either. Werner inserted into a starter role in the NFL. To 4.128 Ð Dan Moore Jr. (OT Ð Texas A&M) quarterback, so seeing Mond go to them in was considered a “safe” linebacker in this make that transition easier, they traded up 4.140 ÐBuddy Johnson (LB Ð Texas A&M) the third round was no surprise. They real- class who doesn’t come with much upside, and selected Vera-Tucker, who could play 5.156 Ð Isaiahh Loudermilk (EDGE Ð Wisc) ly didn’t need a linebacker, but Surratt which is fine for the Saints and who they at either guard or tackle, though he’ll likely 6.216 Ð (EDGE Ð Miami) joining that group makes them even better. have on the roster, but again, he didn’t start at guard in 2021. Even better, they 7.245 Ð (CB Ð Oklahoma) Davis wasn’t expected to last until the third come at a value. I really liked the Adebo didn’t have to trade a future first-rounder 7.254 Ð Pressley Harvin (P Ð Georgia Tech) round, so they got good value with his as pick in the third round, as he should be move up. Moore is likely to make Jamison If we were to go through the positions well. The pick of Nwangwu was a major able to help slow down some of the big- Crowder expendable as someone who’s a that teams devalued in this draft, you’d find reach, as he might not have been drafted name receivers in the NFC South, though I weapon in the slot and was reportedly the running backs and tight ends atop that list. otherwise. The pick of Bynum felt com- did prefer for him to go to a zone-heavy No.4 wide receiver on plenty of big boards. Now, to be fair, the Steelers did snag the

12 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com best running back in this class and the sec- from a perfect draft for them. hesitate to take what I perceived to be the 3.74 Ð Benjamin St-Juste (CB Ð Minnesota) ond-best tight end. I understand the Harris 49ERS DRAFT GRADE: B- best cornerback in this draft at No. 22 3.82 Ð Dyami Brown (WR Ð N. Carolina) pick, as he can create yards on his own and overall. Great pick. Then, we watched them 4.124 Ð John Bates (TE Ð Boise State) isn’t as reliant on the offensive line as 2.56 –D’Wayne Eskridge (WR ÐW. Michigan) select Radunz, the offensive tackle out of 5.163 Ð Darrick Forrest (S Ð Cincinnati) some others. It’s a convenience pick, but 4.137 Ð Tre Brown (CB Ð Oklahoma) North Dakota State. After whiffing on 6.225 Ð Camaron Cheeseman (LS Ð whatever, Harris is very good. I don’t quite 6.208 Ð Stone Forsythe (OT Ð Florida) Isaiah Wilson last year, this is not a surpris- Michigan) get the Freiermuth pick, and not because Well, this is one of the shorter reviews ing pick, but again, wide receiver is 7.240 Ð Will Bradley-King (DL Ð Baylor) he’s not talented. This has more to do with we’ve had to do, eh? Three picks. I was a arguably the biggest need. With two picks 7.246 Ð (EDGE Ð Penn St) the holes on their roster right now, as cor- big fan of Eskridge and wound up ranking in the third round, they go linebacker and 7.258 Ð (WR Ð BYU) nerback, offensive tackle, and edge rusher him as my No. 7 receiver in this class.Now cornerback (again). Rice wasn’t a can’t We watched Davis have a meteoric rise should’ve been more of a priority. Again, tied to Russell Wilson with second-round miss, must-draft linebacker at this spot, and through the draft process, with some won- Freiermuth was the second-best tight end equity, I might actually move that number it wasn’t a major weakness, so this pick dering if he’d be the first linebacker off the in this class, and there was a big tier gap up. Trading back to acquire some more made little sense. Molden is a safety/nickel board. While that wasn’t the case, he was from him to the next one, so it’s not the picks would’ve made sense though, espe- cornerback type who they did get solid the third linebacker, and he went to a worst pick, but taking Creed Humphrey cially since they only had three picks. value on in the third round, as he should be coaching staff under that has here and then Tommy Tremble (if avail- Cornerback was arguably the biggest need able to start immediately. When the Titans consistently churned out All Pro lineback- able) in the third round would’ve made on the team, so seeing them take one in the do finally go wide receiver, they take ers. It was also a big need for their defense. more sense. Green will take over for fourth should come as no shock, though Fitzpatrick, who I didn’t even scout, and I Getting Cosmi in the second round was a Maurkice Pouncey at center, a pick that Brown projected as a slot cornerback, a scouted 32 different wide receivers. With massive steal considering all the tackles was necessary, though as stated earlier, I role that was occupied by Ugo Amadi last some of the players that were on the board, that came off the board by the 51st pick. would’ve attacked those two positions dif- year. I don’t know how the Seahawks this seems like an even bigger reach than He might start for them at left tackle this ferently. Taking Moore in the middle of the bypassed edge rushers as a whole, as they Rice. Weaver was a fine value in the fourth year. St-Juste was a solid value in the third fourth was a reach, but that’s what happens desperately need talent there, but when you round, though there’s nothing game-chang- round and will provide solid depth at cor- when you pass on tackle in the first three have just three picks, you’re in a bad spot. ing about his play. The Titans snagged a nerback. Brown was someone many rounds and they’re flying off the board. It was going to be tough for them to get a few solid players early in this draft, but thought might sneak into the second round, Not selecting a cornerback until the sev- good grade in this draft. ultimately whiffed on their biggest needs, so to get him later in the third was solid as enth round is also a mistake, as they lost SEAHAWKS DRAFT GRADE: D+ as they needed wide receivers badly, as well. He will compete for the third wide two of their starters this offseason in well as a nose tackle. There was talent to receiver spot immediately. Bates felt like a Steven Nelson and . Overall, 1.32 Ð (EDGE Ð Washington) be had at those positions while they were reach in a weak tight end class. To know this draft class will likely look like a miss 2.64 Ð (QB Ð Florida) on the clock. they had four of the first 82 picks in this in a few years. 3.95 Ð (OL Ð Notre Dame) TITANS DRAFT GRADE: C- draft and didn’t select a quarterback was STEELERS DRAFT GRADE: C- 4.129 Ð Jaelen Darden (WR Ð North Texas) odd, but not totally off-the-wall consider- 5.176 Ð K.J. Britt (LB Ð Auburn) 1.19 Ð (LB Ð Kentucky) ing the value they got with those picks. 1.03 Ð (QB Ð North Dakota St) 7.251 Ð Chris Wilcox (CB Ð BYU) 2.51 Ð (OT Ð Texas) FOOTBALL TEAM DRAFT GRADE: A- 2.48 Ð Aaron Banks (IOL Ð Notre Dame) 7.259 Ð Grant Stuard (LB Ð Houston) 3.88 Ð (RB Ð Ohio State) When you have a team that’s loaded 3.102 Ð (CB Ð Michigan) with talent and have every starter from a 5.155 Ð (OT Ð W. Michigan) winning roster returning, it 5.172 Ð (CB Ð Oregon) allows you a certain level of flexibility in 5.180 Ð (S Ð USC) your draft. Tryon was a favorite of some 6.194 Ð Eli Mitchell (RB Ð La-Lafayette) and was getting late-first-round buzz, so I breathed a sigh of relief that the 49ers adding talent on the edge is never a bad didn’t trade three first-round picks to trade thing, especially when you have Jason up and draft a quarterback they already had Pierre-Paul getting up there in age. The on the roster. Despite all the reports about Trask pick was somewhat surprising, Mac Jones being the pick, Kyle Shanahan though it was absolutely necessary, as the and the 49ers brass made the pick that Bucs didn’t really have a competent back- gives this offense a whole new identity. up on the roster. Hainsey was listed as a Lance only threw 288 career pass attempts tackle, though some project him as a center in college, but the ceiling is sky-high. It in the NFL. Whatever the case, the Bucs would make sense for them to hang onto added depth to their offensive line. Darden in order to make sure was a great pick in the fourth round, as I Lance is ready. Knowing the 49ers still had compared him to Tutu Atwell, and actually three picks over the next two rounds was liked Darden a little bit more. Britt was the nice, though using one of them on Banks first pick that seemed like a major reach in was interesting, as he wasn’t expected to the fifth round, especially considering go until Day 3. In fact, some didn’t expect some of the talent that was still on the him to be drafted at all. They then traded board. Overall, it was a solid draft for the up in the third round to select Sermon. defending champs.Nothing crazy, but solid. Trading up for running backs is seldomly a BUCCANEERS DRAFT GRADE: B good thing, though Shanahan’s offense is tailormade for Sermon’s skillset, and 1.22 Ð (CB Ð Virginia Tech) is now 29 years old. The 2.53 Ð (OT Ð N.D State) pick of Thomas in the third round did seem 3.92 Ð (LB Ð Georgia) a bit early, but the 49ers didn’t have anoth- 3.100 Ð (CB Ð Washington) er pick until the fifth round, so they really 4.109 Ð (WR Ð Louisville) needed to address cornerback with that 4.135 Ð (EDGE Ð Pitt) pick. They took another shot at cornerback 6.205 Ð Racey McMath (WR Ð LSU) in the fifth when they selected Lenoir, 6.215 Ð Brady Breeze (S Ð Oregon) though he has been projected to be a safety The Titans were expected to add a wide by some. The 49ers hit the one pick they receiver in the first round, but when Farley absolutely needed to, though it was far fell due to medical concerns, they didn’t

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 13 COLLEGES WITH BO CARTER College Football News and Notes

spry 80), , May 6 Tom was a featured guest on KTCK-AM Radio Cousineau, May 7 Pat McInally, Leslie (The Ticket) in Dallas last week…Texas O'Neal, May 8 Ronnie Lott, May 9 Brad Wesleyan’s fifth-year head coach Joe Budde… Prud'homme was featured by an area publi- Hometowns of more 2021 college head cation for starting a football program from coaches Ð Baylor: , the ground up at the Fort Worth university Bakersfield, Calif.; Bates: Malik Hall, …North Texas officially added Chris Detroit, Mich.; Bethune-Cookman: Terry Petrelli as outside linebackers coach for Sims, Knoxville, Tenn.; Boise State: Andy ’21 …Vanderbilt football general manager Acalos, Corona, Calif.; Boston College: and director of personnel Barton Simmons Jeff Hafley, Montvale, N.J. explained the unique national recruiting Texas Wesleyan denoted its 2021 sched- experience that he brought from working ule after the Rams were limited in fall with Rivals.com to the Vandy gridiron pro- 2020 and spring competition (cancelled) by gram…Leon Paul has replaced Chris COVID-19 protocols. Included this autumn Gilbert, who joined the Texas assistant is a first game against a NCAA Division I coaching staff earlier this year, as head opponent Ð Central Arkansas - for the first coach at Lancaster (Texas) HS. time since Wesleyan renewed its football Northwestern is scheduled to name program in 2017. The Rams had a historic deputy AD Mike Polisky as AD early this victory over TCU 17-3 in 1911 when week…Grand Canyon named Jamie Boggs Wesleyan was Fort Worth Polytechnic U. as fulltime director of athletics...UNLV AD Other tough tests for the ’21 Rams are Desiree Reed Francois had her contract defending Sooner Athletic Conference extended through 2026 with solid compen- champ Arizona Christian and Wayland sation rewards included…Texas State AD Baptist. Wesleyan also will meet traditional Larry Teis is retiring Aug. 31, and interim Texas HBCU rival Texas College in the AD for the Bobcats is for TSU executive Rams home finale Oct. 30. International senior associate AD for external operations NCAA FBS title game will be played on Sunday, May 16, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco opponent Arkansas State Querétaro Don Coryell…St. John’s (N..) extended (Mexico) was originally on the TWU slate the contract of AD Mike Cragg for five before a Mexican government ruling out- years …Naismith Hall of Fame women's Davenport, Iowa; (1910) Barry Wood, lawing contact sports indefinitely. head coach Kim Mulkey of Milton, Mass.; (1928) Don Coleman, National health authority Dr. Anthony Baylor officially has taken over the same Ponca City, Okla.; (1938) Wayne Harris, Fauci sees an end to mandatory face mask slot at LSU...Vanderbilt chancellor Dr. Hampton, Ark.; May 5 (1921) Eddie wearing in coming days for outdoor events Daniel Diermeier spoke with the Vanderbilt Talboom, Delphos, Ohio; (1927) Al Ð especially sporting events with proper Hustler student newspaper about his first DeRogatis, Newark, N.J.; (1941) Terry distancing. Recent research shows that out- year in the post and future renovations of Baker, Pine River, Minn.; (1947) Bob door transmission of COVID-19 without $300 million for athletics in coming month Babich, Youngstown, Ohio; May 6 (1909) masks has become low risk…Mississippi . ...The Denver Broncos added former Johnny Vaught, Olney, Texas; (1922) Pat State’s Alumni Association with a number Wyoming senior associate AD and senior Harder, Milwaukee, Wis.; (1957) Tom of former student-athletes on hand is mak- woman administrator China Jude as vice Cousineau, Fairview Park, Ohio; May 7 ing a special trip to Egypt and the Nile president for diversity, equity and inclusion BO CARTER (1881) Paul Bunker, Alpena, Mich.; (1896) River Valley in March-April 2022..... …Lehigh has named former Dartmouth [email protected] Belford West, Hamilton, N.Y.; (1905) ...European Union president Ursula von der provost Dr. Joseph Helble as its next presi- Henry “Red” Sanders, Asheville, N.C.; Leyen allowed that vaccinated American dent on Aug. 16…Rhode Island tabbed for- Quarterfinal scores from the NCAA (1930) Vito “Babe” Parilli, Rochester, Pa.; citizens will be permitted to travel to mer Monash University (Australia) provost FBS playoffs last Saturday were Delaware (1953) Pat McInally, Villa Park, Calif.; European Union countries at some point Dr. Marc Parlange as its next head of the 20, Jacksonville State 14; Sam Houston 24, (1964) Leslie O'Neal, Little Rock, Ark.; this summer when COVID-19 conditions university…Florida State will choose the North Dakota State 20; James Madison 24, May 8 (1930) Doug Atkins, Humboldt, permit...The Vanderbilt Alumni Association successor for president Dr. John Thrasher North Dakota 20; South Dakota State 31, Tenn.; (1959) Ronnie Lott, Albuquerque, reported gifts in excess of $5 million from by the end of May with assistance from the Southern Illinois 26. Semifinals will be N.M.; May 9 (1958) Brad Budde, Detroit, 7,600-plus alumni and friends on VU executive placement firm Storbeck/ played among the four winners Saturday Mich.; May 10 (1917) Charlie O’Rourke, Giving Day April 30. A good portion of Pimentel and Associates…LSU started with the title game on Sunday, May 16, at Montreal, Quebec, Canada. this will go to scholarships and VU athlet- presidential candidates’ interviews last Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Notable anniversary death dates for ics…Bluefield (W.Va.) State captured the week, and former LSU president and Semifinal scores from the NAIA foot- Hall of Famers are May 4 (1991) Don inaugural Black College Nines HBCU NCAA president Dr. Mark Emmert with- ball championships last week were Whitmire, Annandale, Va.; May 5 (1989) College Division World Series with a 7-2 drew his name from consideration after Northwestern (Iowa) 44, Morningside 41; Earl “Red” Blaik, Colorado Springs, Colo.; upset in the final over No. 1 ranked BC getting an extension from the NCAA. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 38, Keiser (Fla.) 14. (2005) Skip Minisi, Paoli, Pa.; May 7 Nines Small College Xavier (La.) in Some of the other leading possibilities are Lindsey Wilson and Northwestern (Iowa) (1994) Chuck Taylor, Stanford, Calif.; May Montgomery, Alabama. Arkansas-Pine Bluff provost Dr. Laurence will face off in the NAIA championship 8 (1997) Bob Devaney, Lincoln, Neb.; Southern (Baton Rouge) assistant coach Alexander, Louisiana System president/ Monday, May 10, at Grambling, La., in (2006) John Kimbrough, Haskell, Texas; Jason Rollins was named as head coach of CEO Dr. JamesHenderson, Maryland historic Eddie Robinson Stadium at 6 p.m. May 9 (2002) Dan Devine, Tempe, Ariz.; the Jaguars…Alabama head coach Nick provost Dr. Mary Ann Rankin, and former NFF College Hall of Fame Facts May 10 (1995) Gil Steinke, Austin, Texas; Saban spoke of the importance of character White House Office of Science and Some notable birthdates in NFF (2013) Ronnie Caveness, Little Rock, Ark. as well as ability as NFL teams chose play- Technology Policy director Dr. Kelvin College Hall of Fame annals in the May 4- Happy birthdays to NFF College Hall ers in last week's NFL Free Agent Draft... Droegemeier, among others…Ole Miss has 10 period are May 4 (1903) Elmer Layden, of Fame members May 5 Terry Baker (a …Texas A&M head coach (continued on page 14)

14 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com named Jennifer Saxon executive associate Lewis, Southern (Baton Rouge); Robert dent of team marketing and business opera- favorites and U.S. powers in the Collegiate AD and senior woman administrator, Rochell, Central Arkansas; Stone Snyder, tions, chief innovation officer and former Esports National Championship hosted by Shannon Singletary as executive associate VMI; Tre Walker, Idaho; and Tristan Stanford student-athlete Amy Brooks has Collegiate Sports Management Group... AD for sports medicine, Will Kava as sen- Wheeler, Richmond…Former Alabama QB withdrawn her name for consideration for …Caroline Kennedy Scholssberg addressed ior associate AD, former communications Mac Jones has been touted as the new face the Pac-12 Conference commissioner’s job the delayed, live commencement for director Kyle Campbell as associate AD for of the franchise for the NFL New England …The with 12 Vanderbilt’s Class of ’20 last Friday, and brand strategy, Tom Kleinlein as deputy Patriots…New Mexico State LB Devin selections, Big Ten with seven, Atlantic Dr. Anthony Fauci will be guest speaker AD, and Neal Mead as associate AD for Richardson is transferring to Texas... Coast with six, and Pac-12 Conference for the Class of 2021 exercises on May 14. event management. UM AD Keith Carter ...Michigan DE Kwitty Paye was one of the with three were the top four leagues with Both events were and will be livestreamed also spoke of the future impact of names, first to get personalized plates for his NFL top round draft picks in last week’s NFL for those who are unable or wish to opt out images and likenesses’ legislation and how Draft first round status…Texas A&M WR Draft…The Big 12 Conference became the of live ceremonies…Arkansas athletics Mississippi laws might be different than Camron Buckley and safety Derrick Tucker first Power Five conference without a first now has an officially licensed tortilla chip.. those enacted by the U.S. Congress.... have entered the NCAA transfer portal... round NFL Draft choice since 2006..Media …AthleticDirectorU distributed a recent …Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek has been …Texas safety Xavion Alford will play at in the Northern California Bay Area com- survey to NCAA Division I commissioners appointed to the DI Football Oversight Southern California this autumn…Central pared the process for hiring Atlantic Coast about the current state of college athletics Committee and replaces Alabama AD Greg Michigan QB John Keller was injured at an Conference commissioner Jim Phillips and and future challenges…The Florida State Byrne…Air Force senior associate AD Jim off-campus party on April 24 but is recov- the location of a new leader for the Pac-12 administrative task force on diversity has Trego has retired with the academy after 38 ering and should be available for fall work- Conference. recommended keeping Doak Campbell’s years there and also administrative experi- outs...Ole Miss standout Justin is transfer- Tarrant Area Food Bank has joined the name on the Seminoles football stadium.. ence at Baylor...... Former New Hampshire to Rio Grande Valley…Marquette’s Goodyear , AT&T …Virginia Tech athletics finalized $99.2 executive AD Jon Danos is moving to the Kur Kuath is joining the Oklahoma pro- Stadium, Dallas Cowboys, and Arlington million and $97.5 million in expenses for Frontier League as CEO…Wagner chose gram…Texas Tech’s Tyreek Smith has Police and Fire departments to host the fiscal year 2020…The State of Florida pro- Terrell Coburn as women’s basketball head transferred to Oklahoma State…Arizona’s Meals for Moms Mega Mobile Market duced a legislative amendment to move coach…George Washington U. added James Akinjo will be playing at Baylor mass food distribution at AT&T Stadium back the effective date for that state’s ver- women’s assistant basketball coaches Gabe starting in August...Texas’ Courtney Ramey on Tuesday, May 4, to serve an estimated sion of the names, images and likenesses’ Lazo, Adam Call and Caitlyn Isler.... is keeping his options open for a profes- 2,000-4,000 families. The Meals for Moms compensation for college student-athletes …Maryland men’s basketball selected sional contract but has not signed an agent distribution follows the same groups’ pass- from July 1, 2021, to July 1, 2022…Texas Greg Manning Jr. as director of operations and will be eligibly for the coming cam- ing out 778,090 pounds of Thanksgiving- A&M athletics formally introduced …The four finalists for the AD's position at paign…Duke’s Henry Coleman III will related food to 9,154 last November.... Reveille as its latest live Collie mascot... Alaska Fairbanks are Black Hills State take his talents to Texas A&M…Ohio State Clemson president Dr. James Clements has …Marshall reported 60-plus students in all assistant AD for Internal Operations and WR Jameson Williams is now ticketed for been named to the College Football Playoff sports entering the 2021 NCAA transfer Events Brock Anundson, former Memphis duty at Texas A&M in 2021…Oklahoma Board of Managers while replacing retiring portal…Notre Dame athletics just received senior associate AD for external relations CB Brendan Radley-Hiles is transferring to Florida State president Dr. John Thrasher an endowment donation from John Steve Macy, Idaho Associate. AD for exter- Washington…Houston safety Jordan on the board. Anthony and Anthony Travel. nal relations Tim Mooney, and Wisconsin- Moore has joined the ’21 NCAA transfer Former Colorado State standout and Bill Hazen Productions had an extensive Superior AD Nicholas Bursik.. …Louisiana portal…Noted rapper Master P (Percy current NFL star Weston Richburg and his national radio show with memories of late tabbed former Odessa (Texas) College vol- Miller) has an arrangement ready for wife Marlee made $1 million-plus donation assistant commissioner Russ Anderson of leyball head coach Kristi Gray as its new names, images and likenesses' compensa- to Rams athletics…Nebraska began con- Conference USA. C-USA also is accepting VB mentor…New Oklahoma State presi- tion for his son Hercy Miller who has struction last Friday on the North Stadium donations for the Russell Anderson dent Dr. Kayse Shrum spoke of her history signed to play basketball at Tennessee $155 million expansion and football facili- Memorial Scholarship at Conference with OSU medical units and familiarity State. The rapper says the initial value for ty in Lincoln and needs just $20 in private USA.com...Stewart Mandel of The Athletic with the workings of the university. Hercy Miller’s NIL could be $2.5 million- donations to complete financing..Louisville pointed out that 16 student-athletes in the Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy also plus…2020 recipient has received a $3 million gift from Kroger 2019 Alabama-LSU contest were first saluted the hire of the popular former O- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was under Co. for construction of an indoor baseball round NFL draft choices in 2019....College State dean on her appointment....According serious consideration at one time for the practice facility and other facilities. UL pressbox.com again provided links to biog- to study from the College and University NFL Cleveland Browns No. 1 ’21 draft administrators are hoping to a start date of raphical sketches for 400-plus draft eligible Professional Association of Human choice. The Browns instead selected work on the nuances before the end of the standouts for last week’s NFL Draft…The Resources, there was just a 0.4 percent Northwestern CB Greg Newsome II as year…Purdue athletics has gained a $3.75 Athletic noted that Northwestern deputy uptick in pay for college administrators their initial take. million matching gift pool for any individ- AD for external affairs Mike Polisky and because of COVID-19 circumstances from The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ual or corporate gifts of over $2,500 during Duke senior deputy AD for administration, the 2019-20 to the 2020-21 academic year has designated most of its fall schedules its annual Day of Giving. Former Houston, legal affairs and chief of staff Nina King …Oklahoma City U. selected former after having opted out of the 2021 NCAA Texas A&M and Arizona head coach and are among the leading finalists for the Lamar president Dr. Ken Evans as its presi- FCS spring slate…Alabama A&M captured former Purdue student-athlete Kevin Wildcats AD’s opening…The Athletic and dent starting July 1…UIC chose former the delayed Southwestern Athletic Sumlin was one of the early donors to the San Jose Mercury News also called for Northwestern women's soccer assistant Conference, which has been contested in fund…Aptive Environmental has inked more participation and attention to football head coach David Nikolic as Flames head football annually since 1933 (except for with BYU quarterback and top-round draft issues by Pac-12 Conference presidents as mentor…Wagner selected former women’s World War II cancellation in 1943) over choice Zach Wilson…INFLCR is begin- they decide on two top administrators for basketball assistant coach Terrell Coburn to UAPB 40-33 last Saturday, and the SWAC ning INFLCR Verified to assist compliance the league office. Crakes Media Consulting head coach…Binghamton extended had its first year of gridiron competition coordinators at colleges in managing new CEO Patrick Crakes gave his thoughts women’s basketball head coach Bethann without declaring a titlist in 1920. It was NCAA legislation and to help guide stu- about the possibility of two commissioners Shapiro Ord’s contract extended through A&M’s first SWAC football title since dent-athletes through changing NCAA reg- with equal powers in the new Pac-12 the 2025-26 season. 2006…Mid-American Conference commis- ulations…Dallas Baptist athletics and simi- Conference chiefs’ arrangements…Fox Some key finalists for the 2020-21 sioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher shared his feel- lar departments will be benefitting from Sports executive vice president and head of NCAA FCS Walter Payton Offensive ing on NCAA transfer rules as a member DBU Giving Day Monday, May 3…Utah strategy the future Mike Mulvihill men- Player of the Year are Percy Agyei-Obese, of the NCAA’s Working Group on baseball is relocating nine of its remaining tioned his opinion about the future of tele- James Madison; Eric Barriere, Eastern Transfers …The Southland Conference games to Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake vision negotiations and rating with the Pac- Washington; Julius Chestnut, Sacred Heart; Board of Directors joined several others in City…Syracuse athletics is working with 12 Networks in a recent story… Tim DeMorat, Fordham; Juwon Farri, eliminating the loop’s intraconference key members of the men’s lacrosse team on The Clubhouse group celebrated its first- Monmouth; and Aqeel Glass, Alabama transfer policy effective in 2021-22. The recent personnel challenges…Adidas is ever major sports agreement with exclusive A&M… Celebrated among the finalists for Mountain West and Big East Conferences moving its basketball operations hub from coverage of the 2021 NFL Draft…Former the 2020-21 NCAA FCS Buck Buchanan followed suit with immediate intraconfer- Portland, Ore., to Los Angeles…Akron and Beyond Meat senior vice president of mar- Defensive Player of the Year are Jordan ence transfers later last week…NBA presi- Wake Forest were two of the pre-meet keting Marc Patrick was tabbed as global

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 15 Former Rice Owl Courtney Hallpassed away April 30 at the age of 52 head of sports marketing for Amazon expansion teams could be $2.2 billion or Prime Video…ESPN senior vice president higher. for human resources Paul Richardson is the Courtney Hall, a teammate of NFF new Disney senior executive vice president chief operating officer Matthew Sign and chief human resources officer…The All-Southwest Conference standout during Endeavor Group went public last week at Hall’s 1985-88 tenure, passed away in the $24 per share…The College Sports New York City suburbs April 30. He was Research Institute performed a survey of 52 and a standout for the 1989-96 San broadcasts of 18 bowl games during the Diego Chargers as well as a member of the post-2019 era and tallied 7,374 graphics SWC Hall of Fame…Former Tennessee over 45 hours of airtime…Sportico did an tailback and assistant coach W.C. Cooper extensive study on typical fees paid by passed away April 11 in Tullahoma, Tenn. major administrations and departments of He was 92…Former Florida State and NFL athletics for search firms for such groups player Geno Hayes passed away April 26 as Tennessee, Big 12 Conference schools, in Valdosta, Ga. He was 33…Former Western Michigan, Northern Kentucky, and Virginia State lineman and VSU Sports others…The Portland Oregonian newspa- Hall of Fame member DeAndrea Neal per conversed about the multiple abilities passed away April 9 in Richmond, Va. He needed for both the new commissioner and was 53…Bob Verplank, the father of PGA deputy commissioner of the Pac-12. golfer , passed away April Opio Mashairki of Savannah State, 27 after a long illness in Dallas, Texas. Bob retired Georgia AD Greg McGarity, Gary Verplank was 83 and played baseball at Pine of Azusa Pacific, Shelly Poe of Texas from 1955-59. Auburn, and Scott Stricklin of Florida were featured subjects and opinion makers in the Schedule with New Year’s Six Games CoSIDA Open Forum online newsletter (All Games Televised by ESPN, EST) and magazine…Alabama, Arizona, Cal Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 State Northridge, Cincinnati, Connecticut, (CFP Semifinals & Championship Jan. 10) DePaul, Kansas, Louisville, LSU, Goodyear Cotton Bowl AT&T Stadium Michigan State, NC State, South Carolina, Arlington, Texas, 4 or 8 p.m. Southern California, TCU, Tennessee, and Capital One Orange Bowl Winthrop are working with NCAA Hard Rock Stadium enforcement and compliance officials con- Miami Lakes, Fla., 4 or 8 p.m. cerning possible issues and probes at their Monday, Jan. 10 respective schools…NCAA president Dr. CFP Championship, Semifinal Winners Mark Emmert had his contract extended Lucas Oil Stadium through 2025…The NCAA ruled that Indianapolis, Ind., 8 p.m. fully-vaccinated student-athletes and addi- Thursday, Dec. 30. 2021-Jan. 1, 2022 tional Tier 1 individuals (coaches, support (Other New Year’s Six Bowls) staff) displaying no COVID-19 symptoms Thursday, Dec. 30 may be exempt from COVID-19 testing Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl beginning May 1 after consulting the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta,Ga.TBD NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Friday, Jan. 1 Group…Former Ohio State student-athlete PlayStation Fiesta Bowl and U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (Rep.- State Farm Stadium Ohio) and Emanuel Cleaver (Dem-Mo.) Glendale, Ariz. TBD have introduced names, images and like- Friday, Jan. 1 nesses’ legislation on a national scale to Allstate Sugar Bowl Mercedes-Benz Superdome compliment the NCAA’s plans, which are New Orleans, La., TBD scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2023. The Friday, Jan. 1 Congressional bill could go into effect as Rose Bowl presented by Capital One Rose soon as June or July…Major League Bowl Stadium Baseball estimates the cost of any possible

16 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com COLLEGES NCAA BASEBALL Arkansas remains at No.1 in NCBWA Division I Poll

DALLAS - The National Collegiate Diego State (22-12), South Carolina Baseball Writers Association continues its Upstate (30-9), Southern Illinois (31-12), tradition of NCAA Division I polls for the Tulane (24-14), UNLV (16-8), VCU (27- 24th year with its 2021 weekly surveys, 14), Virginia Tech (23-17), Washington and Arkansas is No. 1 for the 2021-high State (21-17), Wright State (22-10). seventh week and fourth week in succes- Dropped Out sion this season. Michigan (28), Nebraska (29). Southeastern Conference schools - By conference Arkansas, Florida, Ole Miss, and SEC 8, Pac-12 5, ACC 4, Big 12 4, Vanderbilt Ð also have topped each of the Conference USA 4, Big West 2, American NCBWA Top 30 polls in ’21. Athletic 1, Big Ten 1, West Coast 1. -- NCBWA.com -- Several schools moved up from the No. 1 Schools by Week: April 26 standings, and these included Preseason (Florida); Feb. 23 (Ole Miss); TCU from No. 6 to 2, Mississippi State March 1-15, April 12-May 3 (Arkansas); from No. 5 to 4, Texas Tech from No. 11 to March 22-April 5 (Vanderbilt). 7, and Notre Dame from No. 13 to 9 Ð its highest rating of the year. Southern Miss of NCBWA BASEBALL - Top 25 Conference USA returns to the Top 30 at (Games played through 4/26) 1. Arkansas No. 25, and Indiana of the Big Ten enters 2. Vanderbilt the NCBWA poll for the first time this 3. Texas spring at No. 29. 4. Tennessee There have been 13 conferences (nine 5. Mississippi State for the fourth consecutive week) represent- 6. TCU ed in the first 12 standings of 2021, and 7. East Carolina there were 15 different conferences includ- 8. Florida ed in the COVID-19 abbreviated NCBWA 9. Louisville polls in 2020. 10. Arizona The 2021 poll voters come from among 11. Texas Tech 33 college baseball writers and related 12. Oregon media persons from throughout the nation. 13. Notre Dame The ’21 season features 302 NCAA 14. South Carolina Division I baseball-playing schools, and for 15. Ole Miss more information or to join the NCBWA 16. Stanford please go to www.ncbwa.com. Also 17. Charlotte Receiving Votes (Alphabetically) 18. Louisiana Tech Alabama (28-15), Arizona State (25-14), 19. Oklahoma State Baylor (27-13), California Baptist (29-11), 20. Pittsburgh Central Michigan (28-11), Clemson (21- 21. Georgia 18), Connecticut (20-14), Creighton (17-9), 22. Oregon State Dallas Baptist (25-11), Fairfield (28-1), 23. Old Dominion Georgia Southern (27-16), Grand Canyon 24. UC Irvine (26-16-1), Indiana State (21-11), Jackson 25. Florida State State (25-8), Kansas State (27-16), Liberty 26. UCLA (30-11), LSU (26-17), Miami (Fla.) (24- 27. Gonzaga 15), Michigan (21-11), NC State (22-14), 28. Michigan Nebraska (20-10), Oklahoma (22-20), 29. Nebraska Rutgers (17-13), San Diego (27-8), San 30. UC Santa Barbara

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 17 AUTO GMC YUKON GMC Yukon available in two sizes

is quite roomy, as should be expected of a the standard (rear-) 2-wheel drive (2WD). full-size SUV. Cargo space behind the third In addition to the Graphite Edition pack- row, however, is surprisingly limited at just ages, the SLT trim can also be had with the over 15 cubic feet. Folding the third row, new Standard Edition Value Package that however, expands that space to nearly 52 bundles sunroof, 2nd-row bucket seats and cubic feet. If you regularly need to use the 20-inch wheels. Other options include third row and carry cargo, well, that’s what blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise con- the Yukon XL is for. Ergonomics on the trol, and power-folding rear seats. A rear- base Yukon SLE detracts due to a steering seat entertainment system is also available. column that only tilts and doesn’t tele- Two V8 engine choices are available for scope. In addition to getting leather instead the Yukon and Yukon XL. Standard is a of cloth, another reason to opt for at least 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower and the mid-grade SLT trim is to get a telescop- 383 lb-ft of torque, with a 6-speed auto- ing steering wheel and power-adjustable matic transmission. Optional is a 6.2-liter pedals. V8 that makes a more robust 420 horse- The Yukon comes in two sizes: big and power/460 lb-ft of torque and is linked to a bigger. The standard model has an overall 10-speed automatic. The 6.2-liter V8 was length of 203.9 inches — nearly 17 feet. formerly reserved for Denali models, but is The Yukon XL comes in at 224.4 inches — now available on mid-grade SLT trims if nearly 19 feet. Like its Tahoe/Suburban you opt for the Graphite Performance /Escalade relatives, the GMC Yukon is Edition. Both engines feature the efficiency slab-sided, big and bold. GMC’s variant of benefits of direct gasoline injection and by Matt Degen at hand and rarely feels out of breath. this boxy SUV has its own touches, and Active Cylinder Management, which seam- Standard on the Yukon Denali and now further varies its own theme between the lessly shuts off half the cylinders during The GMC Yukon and its extended- available on the mid-grade SLT trim if you standard and Denali models. The Yukon steady cruising to save fuel. Even with length variant, the Yukon XL, are the opt for the Graphite Performance Edition is Denali is even more upscale, featuring a these technologies, Yukons aren’t exactly mechanical twins of the Chevrolet Tahoe the larger and more powerful 6.2-liter V8. prominent honeycomb grille and lots of fuel misers. The GMC Yukon is 2WD, with and Suburban, respectively. The Yukon With 420 horsepower/460 lb-ft of torque glitzy chrome. With GMC’s big SUV come 4WD optional on all trims. The tow rating Denali, meanwhile, is so plush you might on tap, it will happily squeal the tires if big wheels, ranging in size from the stan- maxes out at 8,500 pounds, which is slight- mistake it for these models’ luxury sibling, you lay into it. The base V8 engine remains dard 18 inches up to optional 22s. ly lower than the Tahoe’s 8,600-pound rat- the Cadillac Escalade. All three of these paired to a mostly smooth 6-speed auto- The GMC Yukon is available in three ing, and less than the Ford Expedition’s full-size GM sport-utility vehicles are built matic transmission, while the 6.2-liter V8 trims: SLE, SLT and the range-topping rating of up to 9,300 pounds. in the same factory in Arlington, Texas. uses a refined 10-speed automatic. Denali. The base SLE offers more standard 5.3-liter V8 The GMC variant stands out with its own Unlike a crossover SUV, the 4-wheel-drive features than the base Chevy Tahoe LS, but 355 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm design aesthetics, and aims to have a system available on the Tahoe is the real it’s also more expensive. Standard features 383 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm slightly more upscale feel than its Chevy deal, with legit low-range gearing thanks to include 10-way power-adjustable driver’s EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 counterparts. As a traditional body-on- a 2-speed transfer case. seat, keyless entry, front and rear parking mpg (2WD), 15/21 mpg (4WD) , 14/21 frame 3-row SUV, it excels at towing and Opt for this package, and you can get sensors, rearview camera, tri-zone climate mpg (4WD XL) hauling, but as with its kin and Ford the Yukon’s bigger and more powerful control, 9-speaker Bose audio system, and 6.2-liter V8 Expedition rival, trades some efficiency engine without quite having to spend 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system 420 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and comfort for its rugged capabilities. The Denali money. Whereas that top-line Yukon with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 460 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm optional and larger of its V8 engine choices starts at nearly $68,000, you can get an compatibility. If you can swing roughly EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/23 can be had on a lower-grade trim. SLT variant with the 6.2-liter V8, 10-speed $5,000 more, we recommend stepping up mpg (2WD), 14/22 mpg (4WD), 14/23 As with its Tahoe and Escalade brethren, transmission and other goodies for a few to the mid-trim SLT trim. It includes con- mpg (2WD XL) 14/20 mpg (4WD XL) the GMC Yukon shows how far GM’s full- thousand less. veniences like leather upholstery, a steering The GMC Yukon has a (MSRP) starting size SUVs have come. Though still based Safety is paramount when driving, wheel that telescopes and tilts, power- at $50,795 when including the $1,295 des- on sturdy truck-like body-on-frame con- especially so when you’re piloting a 5,000- adjustable pedals, and power tailgate. It tination charge. In reality, most buyers struction, the Yukon is quite comfortable plus-pound SUV. This package adds active- also includes the Enhanced Driver Alert should plan to spend several thousand considering it also has the capability to tow safety features like forward-collision warn- Package with safety features like lane- more. Stepping up to the Yukon SLT, for over 8,000 pounds and go off-roading. Its ing with automatic braking, lane-departure departure warning, forward-collision warn- instance, puts you into the mid-$50,000 ride manners shine best on long and wide warning and lane-keep assist. It’s standard ing, and automatic emergency braking. All range, while a new Yukon Denali starts at highways. Opting for magnetic ride control on SLT trims and a bargain at only $545 models also come with GM’s OnStar nearly $68,000. Adding 4-wheel drive is further smooths the driving experience by extra on base SLE models. telecommunications service (subscription another $3,000, and adding length in the constantly monitoring and adapting the As with the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, required after trial period) with 4G LTE form of the Yukon XL adds another $2,700 suspension to quell road imperfections. the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL are among and Wi-Fi connection to the bottom line. All-in, you can crest the There’s no denying the size of the Yukon, the few new vehicles other than a van that At the top end, the new Yukon Denali $80,000 mark, into Cadillac Escalade terri- even in standard form and especially in the can seat up to nine passengers. The caveat ladles on features and amenities including tory. At its base price, the Yukon is slightly longer Yukon XL. It can be a handful in there is you’ll have to go with the base the bigger V8 engine, magnetic-ride-con- more expensive than its Tahoe sibling, even parking lots and a squeeze to put in a SLE trim and then opt for a bench seat in trol suspension, hands-free tailgate, naviga- more so if you consider the Tahoe Custom, garage, so make sure you measure yours front. Far more buyers will choose the tion, upgraded Bose audio system with a 2-row/5-passenger variant so-far exclu- first if you plan to park inside. The Yukon’s more comfortable bucket seats up front, active-noise cancellation, head-up display, sive to the Chevy. The GMC’s base price is standard 5.3-liter V8 engine is a potent and making total passenger count eight. perforated leather seating with heated and also above that of the Toyota Sequoia and gratifying workhorse. We’ve used it to pull Captain’s seats can also be had in the sec- ventilated front seats, and wireless phone- Nissan Armada. trailers and RVs, climb grades and meander ond row, which makes seating capacity top charging cradle. All Yukon models can be along Interstates. It’s always up for the task out at seven. Regardless of setup, the Tahoe had with 4-wheel drive (4WD) in lieu of

18 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com TICKET WINDOW

Follow us on twitter @sportspagedfw | www.sportspagedfw.com | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 - Issue 37 | May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 19 20 May 7, 2021 - May 13, 2021 | The Sports Page Weekly | Volume 19 Issue 37 | www.sportspagedfw.com | follow us on twitter @sportspagdfw.com