Tag: tom Fornelli

Pair of Ducks listed as top potential draft picks for 2025 NFL Draft

A pair of Ducks are projected to garner a lot of attention from NFL scouts for the 2025 draft.

The 2024 is still about four months away, but some are beginning to think about the 2025 NFL draft.

According to CBSsports.com writer Tom Fornelli, there are two Ducks that NFL scouts are going to pay close attention to. Transfer wide receiver Evan Stewart via Texas A&M and offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. are two of the 20 best players who will be draft eligible for 2025.

This is what Fornelli had to say about Oregon’s newest receiver.

Stewart was one of the top receivers in the 2022 class. Unlike (Missouri’s Luther) Burden, Stewart performed slightly better as a freshman than in his sophomore season. Still, most of that can likely be attributed to circumstances beyond Stewart’s control. Stewart has since transferred to Oregon, where he’s seen as the replacement for Troy Franklin in the Ducks’ offense. If Stewart puts together a big year in (green and yellow), he could play his way into the first round.

One of the reasons Stewart came to Oregon no doubt was to catch passes from Dillon Gabriel. The Ducks expect Gabriel to have an impact on the receivers similar to what Bo Nix had and Stewart should benefit greatly.

As for Conerly, the former five-star recruit will be a junior and should be one of the top offensive linemen in the Big Ten next season.

“Much like the QB class for next season, I’m not confident about who will be seen as the top tackle in next year’s draft,” Fornelli said. “Last year, it was Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. Several candidates could step up this year, and Conerly is one of my favorites. Oregon’s offensive line was a significant strength last season, and Conerly was excellent in pass protection. He has the production and the traits to garner NFL attention.”

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Notre Dame left out of Way Too Early Top 25…if you get the joke

Don’t be fooled.

2024 will be the first college football season of its kind. In addition to the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, the SEC and Big Ten are growing into super conferences. That is not lost on Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports, who took advantage of the impending college football structure by posting his Way Too Early Top 25:

Don’t be fooled by Notre Dame getting left off this list though. Every other legitimate Way Too Early Top 25 has the Irish highly ranked going into next season.

No. The joke here is that the Big Ten and SEC will occupy every single space of the poll. While that is unlikely to happen, it does highlight how many programs have been swallowed up by these expanding conferences. It probably would not be shocking either if this actually came to pass.

So this is not a call to hang Fornelli from the Golden Dome. Rather, know when something’s a joke so that you can react appropriately.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

According to CBS Sports, Jimbo Fisher is still a Top 25-ranked head coach

According to CBS Sports writer Tom Fornelli, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher is still a Top 25-ranked head coach in college football.

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher is what talkin’ season is all about, as the West Virginia native is heading into his sixth season with the program. But, man, the stakes could not be higher after A&M’s disaster of a season in 2022, going 5-7 and 2-6 in the SEC.

As we all know, rankings season and talkin’ season always coincide. After CBS Sports writer Tom Fornelli released his Top 25 Power Five coaches list this week, Fisher is still receiving the respect he has earned. Still, as Fornelli states in his article, his 2013 National Championship with Florida State isn’t the selling point it used to be.

So, coming in at No. 20 after being ranked No. 5 (a 15-spot drop..) in the same preseason rankings last year, Fornelli brings the heat, and honestly, nothing to disagree with here.

“That national title Fisher won at Florida State no longer carries him in these rankings. While I can’t speak for everyone else, I know Jimbo fell in my rankings because of his refusal to adjust. He still recruits well, but while other coaches like Nick Saban have adapted to changes in the sport, Jimbo keeps trying to pound square pegs into round holes with his offense. Maybe hiring Bobby Petrino means he’s finally adapting, or maybe it’ll be the same old Jimbo. We could see him climb to the top 10 quickly if it’s the former … but if it isn’t?”

As we’ve said here numerous times at Aggies Wire, Jimbo Fisher is known for his recruiting prowess and knowledge of the game. However, last season’s results did show a coach that felt like player effort, not scheme (or lack thereof), was the reason for their in-season demise. If, and even now, this is still a big if, Fisher completely relinquishes the playcalling duties to Bobby Petrino, the offense, led by sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman, will thrive. If not, things could get ugly, not just on the field.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

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NFL.com predicts Ravens will select CB in latest mock draft

Tom Fornelli predicted that the #Ravens would select University of Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks in his latest mock draft

The 2023 NFL draft is just a month away, and speculation abounds regarding the Baltimore Ravens’ big board heading into the annual selection meeting. No movement on quarterback Lamar Jackson’s contract seems imminent as the offseason wears on, and Baltimore has needs on both sides of the ball that will need to be addressed before the new season begins.

NFL.com analyst Tom Fornelli released his latest mock draft on Saturday and predicted that the Ravens would look to shore up their defense in the first round by selecting cornerback Deonte Banks. A University of Maryland product, Banks would be a great pickup for Baltimore, and a natural fit in their defense.

“Banks has everything you want from a corner as far as size, speed and athleticism are concerned. However, there is concern about his instincts as a defensive back. He only had one full season as a starter in college, so he may have to be brought along slowly, but the potential for an All-Pro corner exists.”

Banks’ six-foot-one frame and sub 4.4- forty yard dash time are exactly what scouts look for in modern boundary corners, and with Marcus Peters’ status for the 2023 season still undetermined, the former Terrapin would fill an immediate need for the Ravens.

Though the upside is evident for this blue-chip prospect, Banks still has some work to do on his technique and footwork to accel at the NFL level. He only managed to secure two interceptions over the course of his college career, which is a bit concerning, though not necessarily an indication that he won’t be able to produce at the next level with proper coaching and time to develop.

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Who CBS Sports thinks MSU football should play as its permanent rivals once USC, UCLA join Big Ten

How will USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten alter the scheduling moving forward? CBS Sports took a dive into how that could play out in 2024

How will USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten alter the scheduling moving forward? CBS Sports took a dive into how that could play out with a fun new model that should make Spartans fans happy.

With USC and UCLA joining the league in 2024, it’s widely believed the Big Ten is going to scrap divisions. If it does, the most practical scheduling option would be the 3-6-6 model. That alignment gives each school three permanent annual rivals and alternates between the other 12 schools every other year.

This model was what Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports used this week to create his projection for each team’s three permanent rivals. See who Fornelli has Michigan State playing annually once the Trojans and Bruins join the league below:

What the experts are predicting: Notre Dame at Syracuse

Can the Irish survive the Dome?

Finally, there is enough interest in Notre Dame that people are predicting one of its games again. Still, it’s worth wondering if it would be happening this week were Syracuse not ranked. You have to hate that we’re having this discussion, but alas.

Let’s look at what some college football experts, including fellow College Wire sites, are predicting for this game:

Reactions to Notre Dame’s first half performance against Ohio State

The Irish have the lead going into half 👀

In a massive matchup like No. 5 Notre Dame visiting No. 3 Ohio State there are going to be plenty of hot takes. There was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams and here are the best reactions to game action during the first half.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

Dillon Gabriel No. 7 in CBS Sports’ first QB Rankings of 2022

Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel slots in at No. 7 on CBS Sports QB Power rankings to start the season.

When Dillon Gabriel takes the field on Saturday against UTEP, it will mark his 26th start and 27th game at the collegiate level.

He’s seasoned and has been productive. He’s certainly one of the ten best college quarterbacks right now. Reunited with Jeff Lebby, Gabriel and the Oklahoma offense are ready to roll.

CBS Sports agrees that Gabriel is one of the ten best QB’s in the country. Gabriel comes in at No. 7 in the first edition of their QB Power rankings. According to Tom Fornelli, the rankings are based on “highly-scientific criteria, including how well they’re playing, how well their teams are playing, their statistical profiles, and those aforementioned vibes, baby.”

Notable names ahead of him include the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Bryce Young and former Heisman finalist C.J. Stroud. Devin Leary, Caleb Williams, Hendon Hooker, and Grayson McCall round out the group in front of Gabriel. Fornelli had this to say in his excerpt about Gabriel:

Gabriel missed nearly the entire 2021 season, but his prior performances at UCF and potential in Jeff Lebby’s offense make him deserving of placement. There aren’t many things in life you’ll see that are more beautiful than his deep ball down the left sideline. It’s up there with a sunset over the Pacific Ocean and wherever Instagram models are paid to be this weekend. – Fornelli, CBS Sports

The marriage between Lebby and Gabriel produced 3,653 passing yards (UCF freshman record), 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions for a 156.9 efficiency rating. With better weapons in Norman and a better understanding of Lebby’s offense, Gabriel should have a monster season. Add that to the knowledge Lebby has gained since leaving UCF, and we could see some insane fireworks this season.  Gabriel should rise quite a few times in these rankings, and it’s possible by year’s end, he’s much higher than 7th.

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CBS Sports ranks Mel Tucker as a top 25 power five head coach

See where Mel Tucker ranks compared to the rest of the power five head coaches in CBS Sports’ rankings

A year ago, many would have considered Michigan State’s Mel Tucker a lower-tier coach in the Big Ten and certainly on the national level. But a lot has changed since this time last year.

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports is ranking all 65 of the power five head coaches in college football, and with that he has Tucker in the top 25. Tucker jumped 33 spots from last year and came in at No. 24 in Fornelli’s rankings.

Here’s a little of what Fornelli had to say about Tucker:

“Tucker was at 57 last season following a 2-5 debut at Michigan State, but an 11-2 record and Peach Bowl victory catapult him into the top 25. The trick will be to see if he can keep it up because expectations have been raised.”

Tucker ranked No. 8 among Big Ten coaches, falling behind  Ryan Day (No. 6), Jim Harbaugh (No. 9), Kirk Ferentz (No. 13), Paul Chryst (No. 14), James Franklin (No. 15), Pat Fitzgerald (No. 21) and P.J. Fleck (No. 24).

Tucker will be entering his third year as the Spartans’ head coach this fall with an overall record of 13-7. That record alone isn’t anything to sneeze at, but the type of transformation he has already done with Michigan State’s roster and taking a team many picked to finish last in the Big Ten East Division entering last year to 11-2 with a Peach Bowl victory is why he’s so high in these rankings.

Click on the tweet below to see the complete write-up on Tucker from Fornelli and the rest of his power five coaches rankings:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

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National writer disagrees with Swinney dropping in this Power 5 coaches ranking

On Wednesday, CBS Sports released its ranking of the top 25 Power Five college football coaches entering the 2022 season. After a panel of CBS Sports’ college football experts cast their ballots, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney came out ranked as the No. 3 …

On Wednesday, CBS Sports released its ranking of the top 25 Power Five college football coaches entering the 2022 season.

After a panel of CBS Sports’ college football experts cast their ballots, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney came out ranked as the No. 3 coach on the list, behind Alabama’s Nick Saban at No. 1 and Georgia’s Kirby Smart at No. 2.

Swinney fell one spot from his ranking of No. 2 on CBS Sports’ coaches ranking in 2021, and CBS Sports Writer Tom Fornelli does not agree with Swinney dropping in the rankings behind Smart — who was ranked No. 7 last year before taking Swinney’s previous spot at No. 2 after leading Georgia to the national title last season.

“This is the worst ranking of the year, and it’s nothing but recency bias,” Fornelli wrote regarding Swinney’s ranking. “There are two coaches in the sport today who have won multiple national titles, and Swinney is one of them. He’s won two at Clemson, but last season, in what’s considered a “down year” by the standards Swinney himself set, the Tigers “only” won 10 games and failed to win the ACC. Nevermind that it was the 11th straight season Swinney’s Clemson team won 10+ games or the first time they’d failed to reach the College Football Playoff since 2014. I don’t mean this as disrespect to Smart, who took Swinney’s spot at No. 2, but this is a failure by my fellow panelists.”

Under Swinney, Clemson has appeared in the College Football Playoff six times, made it to the national championship game four times and won two national titles. In the CFP era, only Saban and Alabama have more CFP appearances (seven), national title game apperances (six) and national titles (three).

Last season, Swinney guided Clemson to its 11th consecutive season of at least 10 wins. Florida State (14 from 1987-2000) and Alabama (14 from 2008-21) are the only other programs ever to post 11 consecutive 10-win seasons.

With Clemson’s victory over Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl to conclude last season, Swinney earned his 150th career win in his 14th season (including an interim stint in 2008) to move past Barry Switzer (149) for sole possession of the third-most wins through the first 15 seasons of a coaching career in FBS history. He also joined Urban Meyer (165) and Bob Stoops (160) as the only coaches in FBS history to win 150 games in the first 15 seasons of a head coaching career.

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