Philip Rivers' 4-star QB son announces college commitment
Philip Rivers’ 4-star QB son announces college commitment originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers, the son of Philip Rivers, has committed to NC State Wolfpack. He continues his family’s legacy in Raleigh.
Rivers, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama, announced his pledge Monday. He chose the Wolfpack over reported offers from Auburn, Boston College, Miami and South Carolina.
Ranked as ESPN’s No. 11 pocket passer and the No. 142 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting cycle, Rivers is the lone top-300 commitment in NC State’s current three-player class.
🚨BREAKING🚨 4-star QB Gunner Rivers has committed to NC State🐺
Gunner is the son of 8x Pro Bowler Philip Rivers.
Read: https://t.co/GS9zEUbwYLpic.twitter.com/sC6Sxaotgs
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 23, 2026
He follows in the footsteps of his father, who starred for the Wolfpack from 2000 to 2003 and remains one of the most decorated players in program history.
Philip Rivers threw for 13,848 yards and is still the most by a quarterback in school and ACC history. He also led the nation in completion percentage (72%) as a senior in 2003, earning ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He was inducted into the school’s Ring of Honor at Carter-Finley Stadium in 2013, with his No. 17 jersey retired.
More: College football nation rallies around GoFundMe to help Wes Rucker’s family
Rivers was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft and played 17 seasons in the league, primarily with the Chargers, earning eight Pro Bowl selections.
The younger Rivers has been equally productive at the prep level. He threw for 2,813 yards with 44 touchdowns and five interceptions as a junior and has totaled 10,200 passing yards and 111 touchdowns over three seasons.
More college football news:
Oregon’s Dan Lanning rips College Football Playoff, calls for major changesDeion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coachTop 2026 NFL Draft prospect suffers broken rib in CFP quarterfinal lossDabo Swinney fires Clemson coaches immediately after loss to Penn StateOhio State’s Ryan Day faces backlash after Cotton Bowl
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/philip-rivers-4-star-qb-011740832.html
Funeral arrangements set for Tennessee sports reporter Wes Rucker
The funeral for longtime sports reporter Wes Rucker will be held in Knoxville on Feb. 25.
The service for family and close friends will be at 3 p.m. at Rose Funeral & Cremation Broadway. Receiving of family and friends will follow from 4-6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family’s GoFundMe or to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Online obituary and memory page are available at rosefuneraltn.com.
Rucker, 43, died in a car crash in Knoxville on Feb. 19. He was a witty award-winning journalist who covered University of Tennessee athletics since 2000. He was a graduate of Knox Catholic High and University of Tennessee.
Rucker left behind wife Lauren, son Hank, a baby girl due in May and countless admirers of his work.
GoFundMe for Wes Rucker’s family soars in donations
Tennessee fans, media figures and the general public have responded to Rucker’s tragic death with overwhelming generosity.
As of Feb. 23, more than $732,000 has been raised via a GoFundMe established to help support Rucker’s family.
“In this recent time of a job transition, Wes did not currently have a life insurance policy,” says the GoFundMe page, which was organized by Molly Rucker, Wes’ sister. “All funds raised will go directly toward the ongoing needs of the Lauren and the kids in this time of transition and uncertainty.”
A representative from GoFundMe confirmed the fundraiser was verified and set up by the family.
The original $100,000 goal was surpassed within two hours. And the goal has been extended multiple times as donors have responded in mass. The new goal is $850,000.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Wes Rucker funeral set after Tennessee sports reporter’s tragic death
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/funeral-arrangements-set-tennessee-sports-011548784.html
2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Izavion Miller, Offensive Line, Auburn
It is never too early to evaluate offensive line depth for the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht has consistently prioritized tackle depth, and with contracts and long-term stability always in play, developmental swing tackles remain an important part of roster construction. Identifying linemen who can handle true tackle snaps in the SEC is a strong starting point in evaluation.
We are working through each position group this cycle. With that in mind, here is our report on Auburn offensive lineman Izavion Miller.
Information
School: AuburnConference: SECPosition: Offensive LineHeight Weight: 6-5, 318 poundsClass: JuniorHometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Background
Izavion Miller arrived at Auburn as a junior college transfer from Southwest Mississippi Community College. A highly regarded JUCO prospect, he earned NJCAA All-Region 23 honors and First Team All-MACCC recognition in 2022. He was widely viewed as one of the top junior college offensive tackles in the country before joining the Tigers.
In 2023, Miller stepped into the starting right tackle role against UMass and never relinquished it, starting every game there. His size and length immediately stood out, and he quickly became a full-time contributor in SEC competition.
Miller has primarily aligned at right tackle during his Auburn career, showing durability and consistency in availability.
Notable Stats
2025386 offensive snaps147 run blocking snaps239 pass blocking snaps63.7 overall offensive grade67.3 run blocking grade50.1 pass blocking grade2 sacks allowed1 quarterback hit allowed11 hurries allowed14 total pressures allowed96.4 pass blocking efficiency
2024571 offensive snaps240 run blocking snaps331 pass blocking snaps61.1 overall offensive grade61.8 run blocking grade61.6 pass blocking grade4 sacks allowed0 quarterback hits allowed17 hurries allowed21 total pressures allowed96.1 pass blocking efficiency
2023613 offensive snaps302 run blocking snaps311 pass blocking snaps52.5 overall offensive grade54.5 run blocking grade51.9 pass blocking grade3 sacks allowed0 quarterback hits allowed18 hurries allowed21 total pressures allowed95.9 pass blocking efficiency
Miller’s most efficient season as a run blocker came in 2025, while pass protection consistency remains an area of fluctuation year to year.
Skills
Prototypical tackle frameStrong lower-body massExperience at right tackleFunctional run blockerFlashes anchor strengthDeveloping pass protection techniqueLimited positional versatility shown
At 6-5 and 318 pounds, Miller brings ideal NFL tackle size. He has the build teams look for in developmental tackle prospects, particularly at right tackle. In the run game, he shows the ability to generate movement when his pad level is consistent and can seal lanes effectively on the edge.
In pass protection, Miller’s performance has been inconsistent. His 2025 pass blocking grade dipped compared to 2024, and his pressure totals reflect that he can be stressed by speed and counter moves. His anchor is serviceable, but his hand placement and timing require refinement to handle higher-end edge rushers.
What stands out is experience. He has logged heavy SEC snap volume at right tackle, which provides a meaningful evaluation sample against NFL-caliber competition.
Player Summary
Izavion Miller projects as a late Day 3 selection or priority undrafted free agent with developmental right tackle upside. His frame and SEC experience will draw interest, but pass protection consistency will be the determining factor in his draft stock.
In Tampa Bay, Miller would profile as a developmental swing tackle candidate competing for depth behind established starters. If his pass protection mechanics improve, he has the size and baseline strength to earn a reserve role while developing long term.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Izavion Miller, OL, Auburn
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/2026-nfl-draft-scouting-report-011236570.html
Xavier and Providence rescheduled
Feb 21, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Richard Pitino reacts after a play against the Butler Bulldogs during the first half at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
If, like me, you rearranged your week to sit down with your family and watch Xavier take on the waning moments of Kim English’s Big East career, I have bad news for you.
There’s not much to say beyond that. The last time these two teams met, a January 10 game at Cintas, the Muskies rolled behind a 37-75 shooting performance and just 4 turnovers in 80 possessions. Five Muskies scored 14+ points that afternoon, led by Malik Messina-Moore’s 23. Providence tried to make some noise late, but X closed easily for a 94-87 win.
Both of these teams are functionally dead and buried this year. They’re still embroiled in the cluster of Big East squads battling it out for 6th in the league. Seeding has big implications for the chance to move forward in the Big East Tournament; this game has serious postseason implications.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/xavier-providence-rescheduled-011117225.html
Detroit Lions 2026 Offseason: Top 3 Roster Needs Ranked
The Detroit Lions have built one of the NFC’s deepest and most balanced rosters, but even contenders enter every offseason with priorities. With the 2026 league year approaching, Detroit’s core remains intact, yet a few positional questions stand out more than others.
Here is a ranking of the Lions’ biggest positional needs entering the 2026 offseason.
1. Offensive tackle
No position feels more urgent than offensive tackle.
Detroit’s offense is built around physicality up front. The Lions want to run the football, control tempo and create explosive plays off play-action. That identity depends heavily on the edges of the offensive line holding firm in both pass protection and the run game.
While the interior of the line remains a strength, tackle depth and long-term stability are less certain. Injuries over the past two seasons have tested the unit, forcing backups into meaningful snaps. Though serviceable at times, the drop-off has been noticeable against elite pass rushers.
There is also the long-term financial picture to consider. Veteran tackles command premium salaries, and Detroit already has significant money allocated to cornerstone players. Investing in a young, cost-controlled tackle through the draft would help protect the team’s flexibility while preserving the offense’s foundation.
The NFC is loaded with high-end edge rushers. If Detroit wants to remain a legitimate Super Bowl threat, it must ensure its quarterback isn’t under constant pressure from the blind side. An upgrade or succession plan at offensive tackle isn’t just about depth — it’s about sustainability.
2. Edge rusher
The Lions have a star in Aidan Hutchinson. What they need is consistency opposite him.
Hutchinson has developed into one of the league’s premier defensive ends, commanding double teams and consistently disrupting opposing quarterbacks. However, offenses have shown a willingness to slide protection his direction, betting that Detroit’s complementary rushers won’t win often enough to make them pay.
That strategy has worked at times.
Detroit’s defense made strides in coverage and situational defense last season, but when facing top-tier quarterbacks, the inability to generate pressure with four rushers proved costly. In January football, blitz-heavy approaches become riskier, particularly against veteran passers who can diagnose pressure pre-snap.
Adding another edge rusher who can produce eight to 10 sacks and collapse the pocket consistently would change the complexion of the defense. It would create more one-on-one opportunities for Hutchinson and force offenses into tougher protection decisions.
Whether through free agency or the draft, this is a need that can’t be ignored. Championship defenses rarely rely on one elite pass rusher alone.
3. Safety
Safety is third on the list, but it remains important.
The pairing of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch gives Detroit versatility on the back end. Joseph’s range and ball skills allow him to patrol deep zones, while Branch thrives closer to the line of scrimmage, covering the slot, blitzing and supporting the run.
The concern isn’t star power. It’s depth and durability.
If either player misses extended time, the Lions’ defensive flexibility narrows. Rotations become simpler. Coverage disguises become harder to execute. Against the NFC’s elite offenses, that margin matters.
Adding a veteran safety or developing a young rotational option would provide insurance and keep the defense adaptable over a long season.
Detroit is not a team with glaring weaknesses. It is a team fine-tuning around the edges. But in a conference stacked with contenders, small roster gaps can decide playoff games. If the Lions solidify offensive tackle, find a true running mate for Hutchinson and reinforce the safety room, they will enter 2026 positioned not just to compete — but to finish.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/detroit-lions-2026-offseason-top-011116121.html
Source: WNBA floats March 10 CBA deadline to avoid impact to 2026 season
The WNBA has floated a March 10 deadline for the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement to avoid an impact to the 2026 season, a source confirmed to Yahoo Sports’ Cassandra Negley Monday.
Per Negley, the league “suggested March 10 as a date after which the season schedule could start being impacted” in a virtual meeting that included league officials and more than 50 players.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou first reported the league’s proposed deadline Monday afternoon.
That news arrives amid high-stakes and frequently publicly contentious negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA over a new CBA that will shape the future of the league when and if the two sides reach an agreement.
Amid explosive growth in women’s basketball and league revenue, the players association is demanding historic changes from the previous CBA that capped the league’s supermax salary at roughly $249,000 with a minimum salary of $66,000 in 2025. The WNBPA opted out of that CBA in 2024, and it expired at the conclusion of last season.
The WNBA’s 2026 schedule is weeks away from being impacted by ongoing CBA talks.
The two sides have reopened talks in recent days following a weeks-long stalemate and multiple extensions to a deadline to reach a new CBA. The 2026 WNBA season is scheduled to tip off on May 8. Per Monday’s news, that start date is at risk if the two sides don’t agree to a new CBA in two weeks.
Where negotiations stand
In the latest round of publicly reported negotiations, the WNBA offered a counterproposal that addressed player demands for housing and agreed to offer team housing for all players through the 2026 season. That was on Saturday.
Days earlier, the WNBPA reportedly offered a proposal with concessions to its revenue-sharing demands, reducing its asks from an average of 31% of gross revenue to 27.5% over the course of the agreement. The union reduced its demand of a 10.5% salary cap to less than $9.5 million. The salary cap in 2025 was roughly $1.5 million.
The league scoffed at that proposal, calling it “unrealistic” and declaring in a statement that it would “cause hundreds of millions of dollars of losses for our teams.”
Per ESPN, the league has proposed instead that players receive 70% of net revenue — which adds up to less than 15% of gross revenue — while proposing a $5.65 million salary cap.
Under that proposal, the supermax salary would increase from $249,000 to $1.3 million in 2026 and would project to nearly $2 million by 2031. The average player salary would increase from $120,000 to $540,000 in 2026 with a projection of $780,000 by 2031, according to ESPN.
Those proposals remained largely unchanged in the league’s latest counter, per ESPN, and the two sides appear to remain far apart on those fundamental issues. The union’s executive committee previously authorized players to strike.
Despite the apparent gap, WNBPA vice president and All-WNBA Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier sees room for optimism. She offered hope last Wednesday that “I think negotiations are trending in the right direction.”
“You want movement,” Collier said on Yahoo Sports’ Hoops 360 podcast. “You don’t want to be in a stalemate. You want there to be hope for the future, and I do have that. I think there has to be a lot of movement in a lot of places in the CBA, but the fact that we are moving, I think, is really hopeful.”
Pelicans' Dejounte Murray available to return from Achilles injury for matchup vs. Warriors
Just over a year after he suffered a torn Achilles, New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is ready to return.
Murray, 29, is listed as available on the NBA injury report for Tuesday’s matchup with the Golden State Warriors. The nine-year veteran ruptured his Achilles on Jan. 31, 2025, sustaining the injury on a non-contact play versus the Boston Celtics during which he lunged for the ball then immediately fell to the court.
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Murray was in his first season with New Orleans after being acquired from the Atlanta Hawks for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and two first-round picks. He also missed 17 games with a broken hand earlier in the season, limiting him to 31 games overall.
The Pelicans are slogging through a season that has them second-to-last in the Western Conference (and fourth-worst in the NBA) at 16-42. With 24 games remaining, some might question Murray returning. But tanking doesn’t serve much purpose for the Pelicans after trading this year’s first-round selection to the Hawks to move up to select Derik Queen.
“I’m not one of those guys like I’m paid, I could get an extra 6-7 months, or our team is 14th in the West. There are a lot of excuses for a chump to say ‘I’m not playing’. I am the opposite of that… I want to represent of New Orleans”
— Dejounte Murray on New Orleans pic.twitter.com/NOB1LzV3IC
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) February 23, 2026
[Get more Pelicans news: New Orleans team feed]
Murray also wants to see some game action after being sidelined for more than a year.
“I’m here, I love New Orleans, I love the people. This is the reason I’m coming back,” Murray said to Pelicans Film Room on Monday.
“I’m not one of those guys like, I’m paid, I could get an extra 6-7 months, or our team is 14th in the West,'” he added. “There are a lot of excuses for a chump to say, ‘No, I ain’t playing.’ I am the opposite of that.”
Murray will likely be on a minutes restriction as he works his way back. Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego didn’t say for certain how much Murray might play, but praised him for wanting to get on the court.
“It speaks to his character, that he cares,” Borrego said, via the Associated Press. “I’m not saying that everybody coming off this injury would even play right now. This kid wants to play. He wants to be out there on the floor. He wants to compete. He wants to be out there with his teammates. He wants to win.”
During his eight NBA seasons, Murray has averaged 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Hawks and Pelicans. He missed the entire 2018-19 season with a torn ACL sustained during the preseason.
Pelicans' Dejounte Murray available to return from Achilles injury for matchup vs. Warriors
Just over a year after he suffered a torn Achilles, New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is ready to return.
Murray, 29, is listed as available on the NBA injury report for Tuesday’s matchup with the Golden State Warriors. The nine-year veteran ruptured his Achilles on Jan. 31, 2025, sustaining the injury on a non-contact play versus the Boston Celtics during which he lunged for the ball then immediately fell to the court.
[Subscribe to Yahoo Sports NBA on YouTube]
Murray was in his first season with New Orleans after being acquired from the Atlanta Hawks for Dyson Daniels, Larry Nance Jr. and two first-round picks. He also missed 17 games with a broken hand earlier in the season, limiting him to 31 games overall.
The Pelicans are slogging through a season that has them second-to-last in the Western Conference (and fourth-worst in the NBA) at 16-42. With 24 games remaining, some might question Murray returning. But tanking doesn’t serve much purpose for the Pelicans after trading this year’s first-round selection to the Hawks to move up and select Derik Queen.
“I’m not one of those guys like I’m paid, I could get an extra 6-7 months, or our team is 14th in the West. There are a lot of excuses for a chump to say ‘I’m not playing’. I am the opposite of that… I want to represent of New Orleans”
— Dejounte Murray on New Orleans pic.twitter.com/NOB1LzV3IC
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) February 23, 2026
[Get more Pelicans news: New Orleans team feed]
Murray also wants to see some game action after being sidelined for more than a year.
“I’m here, I love New Orleans, I love the people. This is the reason I’m coming back,” Murray said to Pelicans Film Room on Monday.
“I’m not one of those guys like, ‘I’m paid, I could get an extra 6-7 months, or our team is 14th in the West,'” he added. “There are a lot of excuses for a chump to say ‘No, I ain’t playing.’ I am the opposite of that.”
Murray will likely be on a minutes restriction as he works his way back. Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego didn’t say for certain how much Murray might play, but praised him for wanting to get on the court.
“It speaks to his character, that he cares,” Borrego said, via the Associated Press. “I’m not saying that everybody coming off this injury would even play right now. This kid wants to play. He wants to be out there on the floor. He wants to compete. He wants to be out there with his teammates. He wants to win.”
During his eight NBA seasons, Murray has averaged 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Hawks and Pelicans. He missed the entire 2018-19 season with a torn ACL sustained during the preseason.
Summary of Premier League Round 27: key results and updated scorers list
Summary of Premier League Round 27: key results and updated scorers list
Round 27 wraps up with United win and Haaland still leading
Summary of Premier League Round 27: key results and updated scorers list
Premier League round 27 ended on Monday as Manchester United beat Everton 1-0 to close a week full of big results.
United finish the round with narrow win
Round 27 of the Premier League season 2025 /26 concluded on Monday with Manchester United edging past Everton.
The match was decided in the 71 minute when Benjamin Sesko scored the only goal giving United three important points at the end of the matchweek.
Big wins across the League
The round featured several strong performances across England.
Manchester City claimed 2-1 victory over Newcastle United while Arsenal dominated the North London derby beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1.
Elsewhere Liverpool continued their solid form with 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest keeping pressure on the teams above them.
Haaland still leads the scorers list
Despite failing to score in City’s match, Erling Haaland remains top scorer in Premier League this season.
The Norwegian striker continues to lead comfortably while the chase behind him remains tight. Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is still far from the top spots, with four goal so far this campaign.
Premier League Top Scorers After Round 27
Erling Haaland – Manchester City: 22Thiago – Brentford: 17Antoine Semenyo – Manchester City: 13Joao Pedro – Chelsea: 11Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool: 10Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Leeds United: 10Viktor Gyokeres – Arsenal: 10Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle United: 9Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United: 9Danny Welbeck – Brighton: 9
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/summary-premier-league-round-27-234000961.html
Summary of Premier League Round 27: key results and updated scorers list
Summary of Premier League Round 27: key results and updated scorers list
Round 27 wraps up with United win and Haaland still leading
Summary of Premier League Round 27: key results and updated scorers list
Premier League round 27 ended on Monday as Manchester United beat Everton 1-0 to close a week full of big results.
United finish the round with narrow win
Round 27 of the Premier League season 2025 /26 concluded on Monday with Manchester United edging past Everton.
The match was decided in the 71 minute when Benjamin Sesko scored the only goal giving United three important points at the end of the matchweek.
Big wins across the League
The round featured several strong performances across England.
Manchester City claimed 2-1 victory over Newcastle United while Arsenal dominated the North London derby beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1.
Elsewhere Liverpool continued their solid form with 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest keeping pressure on the teams above them.
Haaland still leads the scorers list
Despite failing to score in City’s match, Erling Haaland remains top scorer in Premier League this season.
The Norwegian striker continues to lead comfortably while the chase behind him remains tight. Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is still far from the top spots, with four goal so far this campaign.
Premier League Top Scorers After Round 27
Erling Haaland – Manchester City: 22Thiago – Brentford: 17Antoine Semenyo – Manchester City: 13Joao Pedro – Chelsea: 11Hugo Ekitike – Liverpool: 10Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Leeds United: 10Viktor Gyokeres – Arsenal: 10Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle United: 9Bryan Mbeumo – Manchester United: 9Danny Welbeck – Brighton: 9
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/summary-premier-league-round-27-234000961.html
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