Tag: interest

Wisconsin basketball makes final schools for top transfer target

Wisconsin basketball makes final schools for top transfer target

Wisconsin basketball transfer target Noah Boyed included the Badgers in his final three schools, according to The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman.

Boyed will visit all three — Wisconsin, LSU and Oregon — before making a commitment decision.

The JUCO transfer center initially signed with Baylor in November of 2023. He was granted his release on April 26 and quickly heard from several top programs, including Wisconsin, Oregon, Ohio State and Creighton.

The 7-foot center played in 31 games for McCook Community College in 2023-24 and averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.48 blocks on 56.7% shooting. He is looking to make the jump to the Division I level with three years of eligibility remaining.

Wisconsin has depth at center with senior Steven Crowl back for a final season and sophomore Nolan Winter set to come off the bench. Boyed would likely enter below Winter on the depth chart, though could play his way into backup minutes.

The Badgers have made three transfer splashes thus far: guard John Tonje, point guard Camren Hunter and power forward Xavier Amos. Greg Gard and his staff remain active in the portal as the program looks to improve entering 2024-25 and beyond.

Big Ten programs can never have enough depth and talent at forward and center, given the teams on the schedule. A possible addition of Boyed would be substantial news even if he doesn’t start.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer portal activity this offseason, check out the updated list of its commitments, targets and scheduled visits.

Wisconsin basketball in pursuit of a JUCO transfer center

Wisconsin basketball in pursuit of a JUCO transfer center

Wisconsin basketball is in pursuit of McCook Community College transfer center Noah Boyed, according to a report on X.

Boyed signed with Baylor in November of 2023. He was granted his release, and has since heard from Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota and Creighton.

Related: Wisconsin basketball 2024-25 starting lineup and rotation with transfers Camren Hunter and Xavier Amos

The 7-foot center played in 31 games in 2023-24 and averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.48 blocks on 56.7% shooting. He is looking to make the jump to the Division I level with three years of eligibility remaining.

Wisconsin has depth at center with senior Steven Crowl back for a final season and sophomore Nolan Winter set to come off the bench. Boyed would likely enter below Winter on the depth chart, though could play his way into backup minutes.

The Badgers recently made two transfer portal splashes: point guard Camren Hunter and power forward Xavier Amos. Greg Gard and his staff remain active in the portal as the program looks to improve entering 2024-25 and beyond.

A wise piece of advice: Big Ten programs can never have enough depth and talent at forward and center, given the teams on the schedule. A possible addition of Boyed would be substantial news even if he doesn’t start.

For more on Wisconsin’s transfer portal activity this offseason, check out the updated list of its commitments, targets and scheduled visits.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

[lawrence-related id=75303,76051,75951,75879,75177]

Wisconsin basketball makes a late push for a four-star transfer guard

Wisconsin basketball making a late push for a four-star transfer guard

Wisconsin basketball is in pursuit of former Central Arkansas transfer guard Camren Hunter, according to 247Sports’ Dushawn London.

Hunter entered the portal on March 7 and quickly drew heavy interest. London reported the veteran guard “recently visited St. Louis, is nearing a decision and has recently heard from Wisconsin, Butler, West Virginia and Florida State.”

Related: An updated list of Wisconsin basketball’s transfer portal targets

The transfer guard averaged 16.9 points, 5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals on 42% shooting and 31% from 3 as a sophomore in 2023-24. He is listed as a four-star transfer by 247Sports, specifically ranked as the No. 165 overall transfer and No. 28 shooting guard.

Hunter played a huge role for the Bears during each of his first two collegiate seasons, and he entered the portal with two years of eligibility remaining.

Wisconsin is badly in need of a transfer splash after missing on most of its top targets. The program must replace the backcourt production of Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr. The potential addition of Hunter would be a big step toward accomplishing that goal.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

[lawrence-related id=75528,75544,75186,75177,75133]

Wisconsin football in pursuit of an accomplished transfer portal running back

Wisconsin could be looking to continue to upgrade at running back

Wisconsin is in pursuit of former Louisville running back Peny Boone, according to Rivals’ Marshall Levenson.

Boone entered the transfer portal after only spending the spring with the Cardinals. He transferred there in January after two decorated years at Toledo, that after spending the first two years of his career at Maryland.

Related: Wisconsin football 2024 spring transfer portal window tracker

The 6’1″ running back was the 2023 MAC Offensive Player of the Year at Toledo after rushing for 1400 yards and 15 touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry.

Wisconsin is on a list of schools to have reportedly reached out to Boone that also includes Ole Miss, Washington, Tennessee, Miami, Nebraska, Utah and Michigan State.

This interest is a bit of a surprise. Wisconsin is loaded at running back after adding Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker during the winter window. He and veteran Chez Mellusi are set to lead the backfield, with not many additional carries available.

Preliminary interest doesn’t mean Wisconsin will go on to land the transfer — and become his fourth school in four years. It’s worth monitoring, however, if any visits get reported.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

[lawrence-related id=74195,74165,74765,74798,73207]

Chiefs have shown interest in Tennessee-Martin WR Colton Dowell

The #Chiefs have shown interest in a highly-decorated wide receiver prospect from an FCS school, per a new report.

The Kansas City Chiefs have shown interest in an FCS wide receiver who could be a late-round steal in the 2023 NFL draft.

According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, the Chiefs are among four teams to have shown interest in UT-Martin WR Colton Dowell. The other three teams are the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, this 23-year-old wideout was a two-time First-Team and two-time Second-Team All-Conference selection in the Ohio Valley Conference from 2019-2022. Dowell was a highly-decorated receiver for the Skyhawks during the course of his career, breaking all sorts of school records at UT Martin. He finished his career with the most-ever receiving yards (2,796) while ranking third in touchdowns (19) and receptions (177).

At his pro day workout, Dowell posted some seriously explosive numbers.  His 41.5-inch vertical jump would have been the highest mark among receivers at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine and tied for the third-highest among all players. His 11-1 broad jump would have tied for fourth-best among receivers and fifth-best among all players.

Whether Dowell is a late-round pick or a priority undrafted free agent signing, he sure has the makings of a hidden gem. He has a productive career where he dominated the competition. He tested like an elite athlete at the position. He’s certainly someone who should be monitored for Kansas City on Day 3 or afterward.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=217674209]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Chiefs had interest in bringing back new Panthers LB Damien Wilson

The #Chiefs had an interest in bringing back LB Damien Wilson before he signed with the #Panthers per report.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=none image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The Kansas City Chiefs had an interest in bringing back a player who won Super Bowl LIV with the team before he ended up signing elsewhere.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs had expressed an interest in bringing LB Damien Wilson back to Kansas City, but he ended up signing a two-year deal worth $6.9 million with the Carolina Panthers. Wilson played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 and had a career season, posting 106 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, five passes defended and an interception. In fact, he performed so well that he earned a compensatory pick for his old team. 

Wilson spent two years with the Chiefs from 2019 to 2020, starting in a total of 35 games. That includes the postseason and starts in both Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LV.

Bringing Wilson back was probably a hard sell for the Chiefs given the fact that they’ve got two studs at the linebacker position who are going to be taking the majority of the snaps. Wilson is likely to be a starting in Carolina alongside Shaq Thompson.

While Kansas City didn’t land this player it gives you an idea that they are looking to add another piece to their linebacker room. The team currently has three players under contract at the position with Nick Bolton, Willie Gay Jr. and Darius Harris. The linebacker market still has quite a few players left on it including Bobby Wagner, Kyzir White, Rashaan Evans, and Jayon Brown. It’s entirely possible that they could still be poking around that market as free agency continues in order to add a piece that supplements their current LB corps.

[listicle id=125675]

2020 NFL cutdown day: Notable cuts from around the league that may interest the Lions

Saturday is NFL cutdown day and teams are releasing players as they work towards building their 53-man rosters. Here is a list of notable players that the Detroit Lions may be interested in putting a waiver claim in on.

Today is NFL cutdown day and teams are releasing players as they work towards building their 53-man rosters by 4:00 pm EST.

We at Lions Wire currently have a cut tracker that is updating with moves made by the Lions as they happen and this article will be tracking notable moves from across the NFL.

Currently, the Lions sit third overall in the claims process and if they put in a claim for a released player, they only need the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Football Team to pass on said player for him to become a Lion. The Lions have been active on the waiver wire in recent years, most notably claiming Romeo Okwara, who has been a fixture on the defensive line under coach Matt Patricia.

Here is a list of players that the Lions may be interested in putting a waiver claim in on.

Adrian Peterson, RB (Washington)

The Lions have been banged up at running back through training camp and are looking for a power back to challenge Bo Scarbrough. Peterson has a history of working with Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell from 2007 through the 2010 seasons — Peterson’s first four in the NFL — and he ran for 5,782 yards in those four seasons. Granted that was over a decade ago, but the good feelings may still be there, and Peterson rushed for 898 and 1,042 yards in the last two seasons.

Josh Rosen, QB (Dolphins)

The former 10th overall pick from the 2018 draft has had a rough start to his NFL career. After starting 14 challenging games for the Cardinals his rookie year, he was shipped off to Miami after Arizona drafted Kyler Murray 1st overall in 2019. His stint in Miami wasn’t much better as he failed to beat out Ryan Fitzpatrick and then the Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall in the 2020 draft.

Hakeem Butler, WR (Cardinals)

Butler was a fourth-round selection (103rd overall) in the 2019 draft and never found his groove in coach Kliff Kingsbury’s four-receiver set scheme. He spent his rookie year on the injured reserve and after a bad 2020 training camp, the Cardinals cut bait. Someone is going to claim him, but with a loaded receiving corps, it may not be the Lions.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S (Cowboys)

The former Alabama safety will fit the Lions scheme, but the 2016 Pro Bowler struggled in Dallas and went from expected starter to free agent in six months. If the problem was scheme fit, Detroit could offer him a solution.

Stay tuned for more updates

Jets’ Jamal Adams requests permission to seek trade

New York Jets Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams has officially requested a trade out of New York. This sends flares to Dallas to possibly acquire.

The Jamal-Adams-to-the-Dallas-Cowboys fire has once again been ignited.

What started as a box of matches during the 2019 season, has appeared ready to engulf the Jets ever since and now looks destined to become a reality, the Pro-Bowl safety has officially requested a trade out of New York, as first reported by ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

Cowboys fans have been dreaming of a scenario to acquire Adams and now it looks like it could finally be a reality. Adams took to social media via Instagram with response to someone’s comment.

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, The Jets have gone on record to say that a contract extension for Adams is in their immediate plans but contrary to that report, Adams has requested to seek a trade but the Jets still have to grant him just that.

According to Dallas Morning News writer Calvin Watkins, Adams has certain teams he would want to be traded to and would not necessarily need a contract extension right away.

It’s assumed by many his hometown Cowboys are on any short list for the Texas native. The Cowboys sought to work out a trade for Adams last season but were rebuffed of their offer of a first-round pick plus a player, rumored to be CB Anthony Brown. The Jets asked for a first rounder, second rounder and another second rounder.

The 2017 draft’s sixth-overall selection is entering his fourth year on his rookie contract and would be owed $7.1 million this year and has a fifth-year option worth $9.9 million. He currently was seeking a big pay day from the Jets but it seems like the relationship with the organization has taken a turn for the worst.

The asking price for the two time Pro Bowler is yet unknown but from a value standpoint the Jets would more than likely look for a first round pick, and that’s just the beginning.

The Cowboys addressed their safety need by signing Ha Ha Clinton Dix in the off-season to pair along side Xavier Woods but clearly the addition of a Jamal Adams for the 2020 Dallas Cowboys would turn a position of need into a strength for their immediate future.

[lawrence-newsletter]

Texans, Bears linked to ex-Saints Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford

The New Orleans Saints cut Larry Warford, their Pro Bowl right guard. The Texans and Bears have already shown interest in the free agent.

[jwplayer AihxPLHO-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints were unable to find a trade partner before releasing right guard Larry Warford, but he’s already receiving interest as a free agent. Warford was called up to the Pro Bowl as an alternate in each of his three seasons with the Saints, but a step back in performance before a contract year in 2020 prompted the team to draft Michigan interior lineman Cesar Ruiz in the first round of this year’s NFL draft.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported Friday evening that the Houston Texans were a team looking to get in on Warford’s sweepstakes, potentially reuniting him with former teammate Senio Kelemete (who started 14 games at left guard in 2018 before his 2019 campaign ended with a Week 1 wrist injury). The Texans have struggled to field a consistent five-man lineup in front of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, so Warford’s streak of 101 starts (plus six playoff appearances) would be appealing.

Another team to watch on Warford might be the Chicago Bears. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported that the Bears would consider a run at Warford, whose only hurdle at starting in the Windy City would be Seattle Seahawks draft bust Germain Ifedi (signed by the Bears as a free agent earlier this year). Longtime Saints personnel director Ryan Pace is now the Bears general manager, so he may have a good idea of what Warford offers.

What’s frustrating about this immediate interest from teams around the league is that the Saints apparently couldn’t cut a deal with any of these teams before releasing Warford. That’s probably due to his salary — any team trading for the 29-year-old would be on the hook for his $7.65 million base salary, but now that he’s a free agent they can negotiate a contract much more favorable against the salary cap. It’ll be interesting to see where he lands up.

[lawrence-related id=33417]

[vertical-gallery id=33239]