INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Sean McVay says he was thrilled when the Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson. He also says anybody who thought the pick created a rift with general manager Les Snead doesn’t know their partnership very well. A day after the Rams shockingly chose the Alabama quarterback with the 13th-overall pick, McVay addressed the viral sensation caused by his dour demeanor and his ardent defense of Matthew Stafford while he discussed the decision. McVay flatly refuted the widespread speculation that Snead had made a pick he didn’t like, saying they're in “lockstep.” McVay says he wanted to be respectful of Stafford.
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals continued to invest in their pass rush Friday night by selecting Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell with their first pick of the NFL draft. Howell was the 41st overall player taken in the draft and the third edge rusher in the second round. He was an Associated Press first-team All-American and the SEC’s defensive player of the year. The Bengals had notable needs at linebacker and cornerback, but the opportunity to add a premium pass rusher in Howell was too good to pass up.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have selected Texas A&M defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim in the NFL draft. They made their pick in the third round Friday night. The Broncos traded their first-round pick for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle earlier in the offseason. With their second-round targets gone, they traded with the Buffalo Bills on Friday night for additional picks. Onyedim, who played at Iowa State and Texas A&M, is excited to join Denver's defense. The Broncos have been without a first-round pick three times in five seasons but have found success with later picks.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — It might not take long to become a millionaire in the NFL. The minimum salary for a draft pick in 2026 will be $915,120. But some college stars entering the league will be taking pay cuts. With name, image and likeness payments on the rise in college and revenue sharing going into effect before the 2025 season, there are undoubtably players who will be drafted in the late rounds Saturday who topped the million-dollar mark last year and now will earn less in the pros. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman says the financial component makes evaluating a player's “passion and love of the game” more important than ever before.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Anyone looking to play a recent NCAA champion with several returning starters should call Florida. Coach Todd Golden has plenty of open spots on his schedule. With Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and potentially Rueben Chinyelu returning for their senior years, the Gators are having a not-so-easy time lining up opponents for next season. Golden suggests Michigan and Miami as possibilities. But everyone else? Golden says “there’s a lot of teams that don’t" want the Gators. Florida is locked into a tournament in Las Vegas that promises at least three quality matchups. They also have two ACC opponents, including rival Florida State. Golden is searching for more.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson has declared for the NBA draft, a move that had been expected ever since his arrival on campus. The high-scoring guard is likely to be among the top three picks in June. He averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 24 games. Fellow freshmen A.J. Dybantsa of BYU and Cameron Boozer of Duke are among that top tier of prospects. Dybantsa declared Thursday. Boozer declared Friday evening after becoming only the fifth freshman named The Associated Press men's national player of the year.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas is dropping its men’s and women’s tennis programs following the 2026 season for financial reasons. Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek says the decision was made because the department would be unable to provide the level of financial support for the programs to consistently compete in the SEC and nationally. Current tennis student-athletes will have their scholarships honored through completion of their current degree programs if they choose to remain at the university and will continue to have access to support services. Discontinuation of the tennis teams leaves Arkansas with 17 sponsored sports.
