Pooka Williams – Syndication Server

Bengals’ Pooka Williams name to watch as punt and kick returner

The Bengals might already have an answer to a common question on the roster.

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The Cincinnati Bengals created an interesting question in the wake of the NFL draft after ignoring positions like wideout, running back and tight end.

One of those big questions focused on special teams returns — but the answer might already be on the roster.

Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons recently spotlighted Pooka Williams as a name to watch at that spot, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com: “Pooka is somebody that is going to be an intriguing guy to see how his development has gone from year one to year two.”

Williams, an undrafted free agent last year, made noise in training camp because coaches saw big upside in him making the transition from running back to wide receiver.

Now it sounds like he could make a serious push on punt and kick returns, pushing Trent Taylor at the former and Chris Evans at the latter (safety Brandon Wilson is coming back from injury and the team just drafted two defensive backs in the opening two rounds).

Pooka will still need to shine often in all facets, as climbing and staying on the depth chart will require versatility that guys like Stanley Morgan and Mike Thomas bring. But it’s wide open for him to ascend this summer and play a key role.

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Bengals UDFA Pooka Williams emerging as a punt returner at OTAs

An undrafted free agent is starting to make noise for the Cincinnati Bengals.

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The Cincinnati Bengals have more holes to fill than usual on Darrin Simmons’ special teams unit.

With names like Alex Erickson and Giovani Bernard gone, Simmons has spent the offseason adding free agents and draft picks capable of filling those big voids.

And one of those is punt returner.

Based on what Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com has seen so far, undrafted running back Pooka Williams is starting to stand out as a big option there:

“Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons continues to hunt for a punt returner among undrafted rookies Pooka Williams Jr., and Riley Lees and veteran Trent Taylor. Williams is getting more and more comfortable catching punts for the first time in his life and is gaining confidence by the day in a roster joust that probably won’t be decide until the pre-season finale.”

Pooka was one of the undrafted free agents the Bengals gave the most cash to, so it isn’t all too shocking to see he’s already standing out. He’s also the poster boy for undrafted free agents who have the best chance of making the final roster.

Pooka, along with Lees and Taylor, are fighting for their roster lives by showing they can make a difference on special teams. And from the sounds of it, the undrafted free agent who can also make a big impact on the offense if given a chance might be close to pulling ahead.

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Best in class: Fastest 40-yard dash times by position among 2021 NFL draft prospects

Check out the fastest 40-yard dash times broken down by position among the 2021 NFL draft class.

The NFL combine in Indianapolis was nixed in 2021, which didn’t provide the opportunity to compare 40-yard dash times among most of the college prospects.

No overlays of prospects racing against each other. No Rich Eisen running in a suit on the artificial turf at Lucas Oil Stadium. Maybe next year.

However, many of the prospects have been running the 40-yard dash at their pro days. Here is a breakdown of the fastest 40 times broken down by position as compiled by The Sporting News. See who the fastest players are at their respective positions as the long march toward the 2021 NFL draft continues.

Jags Wire 2021 NFL mock draft: Post-Super Bowl LV edition

With Super Bowl LV over, the Jags are now on the clock and Trevon Moehrig is an option they should consider after the No. 1 overall pick.

The 2020 NFL season is officially over as the Tampa Bay Bucs became Super Bowl champions this past Sunday. That means the Jacksonville Jaguars are officially on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick.

After going 1-15, there clearly will need to be a significant addition of talent to the roster if new coach Urban Meyer wants to put together respectable results out of the gate. Of course, they will be able to add several veterans in March through free agency, but long-term answers could come from April’s draft.

With draft season officially starting late Sunday night, now is as good a time as any for our first 2021 NFL mock draft for the Jags. With the help of Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, here’s a look at a full seven-round mock we completed for the Jags:

Big 12 Conference: 2021 NFL Draft announcement tracker

As the season comes to an end, we track which Big 12 Conference players have declared for the NFL Draft.

With the 2020 regular season winding down for the Big 12 Conference, announcements are being made by players deciding to enter into the 2021 NFL Draft. The Texas Longhorns aren’t the only school in the conference to have their players forego their remaining eligibility.

Players such as Sam Ehlinger have yet to make that decision and likely won’t until after the bowl game. Ehlinger and many other seniors have the option to return for another season due to the NCAA freezing eligibility this year due to the pandemic.

Many of those seniors who are invited, will meet in Mobile, Alabama for this year’s senior bowl. Ehlinger and teammate Ta’Quon Graham have both accepted their invites to participate in the week-long process. They will meet with prospective teams, practice under the instruction of an NFL staff, and participate in the game on the Saturday following.

Last season the Longhorns saw Collin Johnson, Devin Duvernay, and Brandon Jones all selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Below is a list of the Big 12 Conference’s players who have already declared for the NFL Draft.

Wednesday Big 12 morning rush: Top stories from the conference

The top stories from around the Big 12 conference in the Wednesday morning rush. 247Sports and Arizona Sports provide the headlines.

Each morning Longhorns Wire shares the top stories from around the Big 12 Conference. Here are today’s top articles provided by 247Sports and Arizona Sports.

Continue reading “Wednesday Big 12 morning rush: Top stories from the conference”

Top five running backs Texas will face in 2020

To truly be considered an elite offense in the Big 12, you also need a great ground game. Here are the top five RBs Texas will face in 2020:

After looking at the top five quarterbacks the Longhorns will play in 2020, we move on to the running game. Five out of the top six leading rushers in the Big 12 are returning next season, with Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts leaving for the NFL.

While Texas’ Keaontay Johnson cannot make the list, he should be considered up there atop the Big 12 in running backs. Despite dealing with injuries and the surprise help of Roschon Johnson, Ingram finished sixth in the conference.

For the rest of the pack, this will not be their first time running over, through, and around defenses on a week to week basis. To truly be considered an elite offense in the Big 12, you also need a great ground game.

Here are the top five running backs Texas will face in 2020:

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Kansas at Iowa State odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturdya’s Kansas at Iowa State college football matchup, with college football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Kansas Jayhawks (3-7, 1-6) and Iowa State Cyclones (6-4, 4-3) hook up Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, for a Big 12 battle at noon ET.

We analyze the Kansas-Iowa State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Kansas at Iowa State: Three things you need to know

1. The Jayhawks will not qualify for a bowl game yet again this season, but they haven’t been a pushover like recent seasons. They’re a respectable 3-2 ATS across the past five, and 2-2 ATS in the past four on the road.

2. Iowa State QB Brock Purdy has rolled up 3,203 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions while also running for seven scores. The Cyclones rank eighth in the nation, posting 326.3 passing yards per game.

3. Kansas ranks 120th in the country with 470.6 total yards per game allowed, 125th with 232.7 rushing yards per game allowed, and T-107th in points allowed at 33.1 per game.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Kansas at Iowa State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Iowa State 45, Kansas 30

Moneyline (ML)

There is currently no moneyline available at the time of publishing.

Against the Spread (ATS)

KANSAS (+24.5, -110) has some decent skill position players like RB Pooka Williams Jr. and WR Andrew Parchment, so the Jayhawks are more than capable of hanging in a shootout. Make no mistake, Iowa State (-24.5, -110) is the better team here, but the Jayhawks have the tools to get involved in a shootout. Just ask the Texas Longhorns.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER (58.5, -106) is a tremendous play, as Iowa State’s pass attack is outstanding and Kansas has a very leaky defense. The best thing for over bettors will be Iowa State jumping out to a big lead and Kansas passing its way back into the game. It is surprising this line wasn’t in the sixties. Get in before it rises.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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