Tag: Football

Joe Milton III selected by New England in 2024 NFL draft

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III selected by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL draft.

The 2024 NFL draft is taking place Thursday-Saturday around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.

Former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III was selected by New England in the sixth round (No. 193 overall) on Saturday.

Milton III appeared in 29 games for the Vols from 2021-23. He completed 314-of-498 passing attempts for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions, while rushing for 505 yards and nine touchdowns.

Milton III completed 229-of-354 passing attempts for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions during the 2023 regular-season. He also rushed for 299 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 attempts. Milton III did not play in the Vols’ Citrus Bowl win against Iowa.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound signal-caller transferred to Tennessee from Michigan ahead of the 2021 season.

READ: 2024 NFL draft pick-by-pick analysis

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Jaylen Wright selected by Miami in 2024 NFL draft

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright selected by Miami in 2024 NFL draft.

The 2024 NFL draft is taking place Thursday-Saturday around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.

Former Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright was selected by Miami in the fourth round (No. 120 overall) on Saturday.

Wright appeared in 34 games for the Vols from 2021-23. He recorded 2,297 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 30 receptions and 171 receiving yards at Tennessee.

In 2023, Wright recorded the 19th 1,000-yard rushing season in Tennessee program history. He became the first Vol to total 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Jalen Hurd in 2015. The 5-foot-10.5, 210-pound running back also reached 1,000 rushing yards in a single season faster than any other player in Tennessee program history.

Wright produced eight 100-yard rushing games during his Vols’ career.

He went to Tennessee from Southern High School in Durham, North Carolina.

READ: 2024 NFL draft pick-by-pick analysis

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Steelers QB Russell Wilson reacts to draft pick Zach Frazier

Steelers QB Russell Wilson could hardly contain his excitement about rookie Zach Frazier.

Nothing is more important to a quarterback, especially one on the downside of his career, than a stout offensive line. And Russell Wilson now has it, thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first two picks: Tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier.

Wilson kept his response short and sweet, posting “FRAZ!!!”

With Broderick Jones, James Daniels, Isaac Seumalo, Fautanu and now Frazier, Wilson should have the protection he needs to go to work in 2024.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier shares video message with fans

Steelers rookie C Zach Frazier took a moment to share a video message with fans.

Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin (tried to) put on a good front about their team not having an urgent need for a center. Only most of Steelers Nation didn’t fall for it and for good reason — it was an urgent need and Zach Frazier appears to fill it.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Frazier said in a video message via the Pittsburgh Steelers’ X account. “I’m ready to get to work. Can’t wait to get up there tomorrow. Can’t wait.”

Something we immediately notice: Zach Frazier can’t wait. And neither can we.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

NFL Draft: Houston Texans pick Notre Dame’s Blake Fisher in 2nd round

Big Blake has a new home!

The second round of the 2024 NFL draft saw a second Notre Dame offensive lineman selected. Tackle [autotag]Blake Fisher[/autotag] was selected 59th by the Houston Texans.

Fisher started at right tackle the last two seasons for Notre Dame after being the starting left tackle for the Irish to start the 2021 season, his freshman year. An MCL injury in that first game at Florida State sidelined Fisher until the Fiesta Bowl of that season. By time he returned, Joe Alt had emerged as a force at left tackle.

Fisher checked in at 6 feet, 6 inches and 310 pounds at the NFL combine.  He’ll be tasked with helping protect quarterback CJ Stroud after an all-time rookie year for the former Ohio State quarterback.

[lawrence-related id=85448,85415]

Steelers rookie OT Troy Fautanu reveals jersey number

Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu will wear No. 76.

Steelers rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu landed in Pittsburgh Friday morning and headed to the South Side for his introductory press conference. There he revealed he’ll be donning No. 76 in the Black and Gold.

Fautanu paid homage to his favorite player from his favorite team in Troy Polamalu, wearing No. 43 throughout his pre-college days until he switched from defensive to offensive line in high school. At Washington, Fautanu wore No. 55.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

WATCH: Highlights of new Steelers OT Troy Fautanu

These highlights from Troy Fautanu’s final season in Washington offer a glimpse of what Steelers fans can look forward to.

The months of relentless speculation about who the Pittsburgh Steelers would take with their first pick of the 2024 NFL draft are over. They needed a tackle and they certainly got one in brawler Troy Fautanu.

According to Pro Football Focus, Fautanu allowed just three sacks in his four seasons as a Washington Husky.

These highlights from Fautanu’s final season in Washington offer a glimpse of what Steelers fans can look forward to:

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Russell Wilson reacts to Steelers 2024 NFL draft selection, Troy Fautanu

Steelers QB Russell Wilson posted a welcome message for NFL draft pick Troy Fautanu on X.

Protection is one of the most critical pieces of an offense for any quarterback, let alone an aging quarterback. The Pittsburgh Steelers started the process of fortifying their trenches with the selection of tackle Troy Fautanu at No. 20.

And Russell Wilson couldn’t be happier. “Welcome to the Burgh!” he posted on X shortly after the pick.

Wilson has absorbed 100 sacks over the last two years. With 527 career sacks, Wilson is fourth behind Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers.

Per The 33rd Team, Fautanu allowed just three sacks on 1,332 pass-blocking snaps in three years at Washington.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

NFL draft bio for running back Jaylen Wright

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright is projected as a 2024 NFL draft pick.

The 2024 NFL draft will take place Thursday-Saturday around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.

Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright is projected as a 20024 NFL draft pick.

Wright played for the Vols from 2021-23.

During his junior season and final campaign at Tennessee, Wright was named All-SEC by the Associated Press.

He started all 12 regular-season games and totaled a career best 1,013 rushing yards. Wright averaged 7.39 yards per rushing attempts, leading all FBS running backs and was second to LSU quarterback and Heisman Memorial Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.

Wright recorded six 100-yard rushing games in 2023.

In 2022, he led the Vols in rushing yards (875) and scored 10 touchdowns on 146 attempts. Wright also recoded 538 rushing yards after contact.

As a freshman in 2021, Wright appeared in nine games and recorded 409 yards and four touchdowns on 89 rushing attempts. He led all SEC freshmen in rushing yards during November (259).

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire