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Two Florida football players sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III and junior running back Jadan Baugh were name to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, the Louisville Sports Commission announced on Monday, August 10.Since 2010, The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football. Hornung is considered by many the most versatile player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the number one pick in the 1957 NFL draft. During Hornung's career with the Irish, he played every position in the backfield, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks, and played defensive back.In 2025, Baugh started all 12 games for the Florida Gators and lead the team with 1,170 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Baugh also caught 21 passes for 185 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Baughs 10 total TD on the season also led the Gators in 2025.Brown enters the 2026 season after having led the Gators with 40 receptions for 512 yards, becoming the first true freshman in program history to lead the team in catches and receiving yards. Brown also served as the UF's primary punt and kick returner for most of the 2025 season, tallying 261 return yards across 18 kick and punt returns. Brown was one of two freshman and 18 players in the FBS to have five punt returns of at least 20-plus yards. Browns performance in the 2025 season saw him earn Freshman All-SEC honors at wide receiver, all-purpose and return specialist.For more information on the Paul Hornung Award and the full 2026 watch list,click here.Florida football K Patrick Durkin named to Groza Award Watch ListFlorida kicker Patrick Durkin has been named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list, given annually to college football's top kicker.A transfer from Tulane, Durkin connected on 25-of-28 field goal attempts (89.3%) for the Green Wave last season and 41-of-42 extra points.Durkins 89.3% field goal accuracy is the secondbest among returnees who made at least 20 field goals is the FBS last season. His 25 field goals is tied for secondmost among returning FBS kickers.Durkin connected on three field goals during the Florida spring game at The Swamp last April but missed a 49-yard attempt as time expired."Hes just getting comfortable and had a great season last year," Florida special teams coach Johnathan Galante said. "He transitions now to a whole new town, a whole new city, a whole new environment, higher level. And he did well. He finished better than he started spring ball and in the position hes in right now, Im very excited where hes at."The Lou Groza Award is named for Pro Football Hall of Fame kickerLou Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.Accomplishments are tabulated throughout the season and the Groza Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Nov. 17. From that list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers select the top three finalists for the award, announced on Nov. 24. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Dec. 10during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.Florida football C Harrison Moore named to Rimington Watch listFlorida junior center Harrison Moore has been named to the Rimington Trophy watch list, an award given to college football's top center.A transfer from Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-4, 293-pound Moore appeared in 11 games and made eight starts for the Yellow Jackets in 2025. Moore helped anchor an offensive line that allowed just nine sacks (0.69 per game) during the season.Moore is projected to replace former UF center Jake Slaughter, a two-time All-American and two-time Rimington Award finalist in 2024 and 2025. Slaughter was taken in the second round by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2026 NFL draft.Florida football RB Jadan Baugh named to Maxwell Award listFlorida footbll running back Jadan Baugh was named as one of 81 players on the Maxwell Award preseason watch list.The award is given to the most outstanding player in college football. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Maxwell Award in 2025.The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Baugh is vying to become the SEC's leading rusher this season after ranking third in the conference with 1,170 yards rushing and 8 TDs for the Florida Gators last season. He also added 21 catches for 185 yards and two receiving TDs for UF in 2025.In UF's 2025 season finale against Florida State, Baugh ran for 266 yards, the second-most in a game in program history behind only Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, who rushed for 316 yards and 3 TDs against New Mexico on Oct. 21, 1989. With the performance against FSU, Baugh became the 10th UF running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season and first since Kelvin Taylor in 2015.The Maxwell Award list will narrow down to a group of semifinalists on Nov. 10, and then the three finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 24. The winner will be announced on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville SunsFloridabeat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida football awards tracker, two UF players named to Hornung Award list

Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty ImagesLIV Golf has been at the forefront of golf news over the past few months, mostly for all the wrong reasons.Since Saudi Arabias PIF announced they would no longer be funding LIV Golf from the end of the 2026 season, speculation has been rife that many of their top players could return to the PGA Tour.Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed actually jumped ship months before that announcement.Meanwhile, others left LIV Golf even earlier than that in search of more competitive action and, of course, world ranking points.Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesOne player in particular left LIV Golf two years ago, and he has been on a real upward trajectory ever since.A return to the PGA Tour is now on the cards for him too.Eugenio Chacarra admits he joined the league for moneyEugenio Chacarra has produced some exceptional golf over the past 18 months.The 26-year-old from Spain won once on LIV back in 2022, but he left the league at the end of the 2024 season.He earned full DP World Tour status after winning the Hero Indian Open in March 2025.Since then, Chacarra has won two more times on the DP World Tour and he is set to gain full PGA Tour status for the first time in his career, qualifying through the PGA TOUR Eligibility standings.While speaking on the Sliced Golf Podcast, the Spaniard admitted that he initially joined LIV Golf for the money.When I was number one on the PGA Tour University, the number one didnt really go to the PGA Tour. I was lucky enough, the year before Austin Eckroat finished third in the ranking, and he only got a couple of tournaments, Chacarra said.If you dont start playing well, you have no status or anything. So as a European they offer you the money they did, and they changed my life. It was something I really needed to take.I sat down with the coaches and they told me that they are saving up for life and your family right now. This is something that you need to take, you need to go and learn from Sergio, that is one of the best Spanish players in the world. I was lucky enough to play there individually, I won five or six times as a team. I learned a lot from the best players in the world too, but my time was done.I knew when I went there I went to learn from the best players in the world, to play a lot of golf courses and to get better but mainly it was because of the money.Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty ImagesI am very grateful for everything they did for me. For a 26-year-old to own all I own, to have life secured, to have a team and eight people working for me to make me better and not have to worry about if I miss a cut to have expenses. All that stuff takes a lot of pressure away from me when Im out there playing.I would not change my decision. My three years at LIV were important. It changed my life in a lot of ways, I learnt a lot and I am grateful for the opportunity they gave me. I guess I played great at the right time when they needed players and they were paying players a lot of money. I dont regret my decision and I think everything happens for a reason.Eugenio Chacarra says he can be one of the PGA Tours best playersChacarra explained how he is desperate to prove to everyone that he is, in fact, one of the very best golfers in the world.I got a lot of criticism when I was number 200 in the world and player of the year. I was going to be number one from PGA Tour University and I went to LIV, he said.Then when I decided to not continue on LIV people were saying that I did not have a chance, I could have gone to the Q School, I just thought talking with me and my team, I was not motivated and it was not where I wanted to be.I saw other players playing on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour with wins that their life kind of changes. I won in Italy and I played the Open Championship. That is a dream that we both have of playing and playing major golf.I thought it was time for me to leave and a lot of people said I was done, that I was not going to get that. That I was great in college but I was not good any more, I could not compete on LIV, even though I won individually.That gave me more motivation to work hard and prove them wrong. Now I am probably one of the best players on the DP World Tour and hopefully I can be one of the best players in the world and the PGA Tour in the next couple of years.

The FedEx Cup Playoffs start with this week's FedEx St. Jude Championship, where there were 70 golfers who qualified. Turns out. But as it turns out, not all 70 committed to play in the tournament.The PGA Tour notes that Daniel Berger, who finished 60th in the FedEx Cup standings, has opted not to play at TPC Southwind in Memphis this week, meaning the first postseason event will have 69 players. The Tour does not keep an alternate list for playoff events as it does for regular-season events.Rory McIlroy, who is playing this week after finishing 12th in the points, did the same thing a year ago, choosing to skip the St. Jude.There was no reason given for Berger's absence. He had missed the cut in four of his last five events to end the regular season.The FedEx St. Jude has no cut, and after Sunday's final round, the top 50 finishers advance to the BMW Championship, the second leg of the postseason. From there, just the top 30 advance to the Tour Championship, which determines the FedEx Cup champion.Todd Kelly is the assistant managing editor of Golfweek.This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Daniel Berger to skip FedEx St. Jude Championship, start of FedEx Cup Playoffs

The Utah Talons pose with the championship trophy after winning back-to-back AUSL titles.AUSLThe Athletes Unlimited Softball League is only two seasons into its existence, but it is already producing audiences that are forcing the professional game to be viewed differently.A record 732,000 viewers watched Game 1 of the AUSL Championship, making it the most-watched professional softball game ever. For Jon Patricof, the leagues CEO and co-founder, the number represents something bigger than a television milestone, momentum.The 2026 season was absolutely incredible, Patricof said. And I think the one word that defines it is momentum.The league growth in just a year is almost of unheard of. Despite announcing new locations this year in six cities across the country, the AUSL notched 23 regular-season sellout crowds (25 including the AUSL Championship). The AUSL noted the influx this year of fans from over 50+ miles away from the AUSL team cities demonstrating the popularity and commitment of softball fans. Patricof stated, Over half of our fans traveled more than 50 miles to see a game, which is just incredible when you think about it. And I think that speaks to the absolute passion that these fans have. I mean, whatever venue you walked around, you would see people holding up signs having come from other parts of the country to come see games or from other parts of the region. And I think that speaks to the demand that exists.Even more significant, Patricof said attendance grew dramatically across almost all of its markets from the first half of the season to the second.When people saw the product firsthand, when fans started to get excited about their teams, the word spread quickly, he said.AUSL isnt having to manufacture demand and an audience. It is demonstrating that by tapping into an established softball ecosystem, particularly the enormous college softball audience and giving those fans an elite product, fans are willing to watch, travel, attend and buy into professional softball.ESPN And The Players Are Expanding The AudienceThat demand is increasingly extending beyond the stadium. AUSL significantly expanded its ESPN presence this season, while its players are becoming increasingly important to the league's ability to attract and retain fans.Through its partnership with ESPN, the AUSL saw its average viewership across ESPN platforms increase by 152%. The broadcast network was intentional about spotlighting softball on its main channels, including the integration of ESPN Deportes. Specifically, Patricof explained how the partnership with ESPN is essential to making softball more accessible across the country and to different types of communities. He said, One of the other big exciting elements of this season was ESPN Deportes. I think that seeing our games obviously on ESPN, seeing more of those games elevated and kind of upgraded to their bigger networks is terrific. But also having our games on ESPN Deportes, this was also another really exciting and I think rewarding moment for all of us. I think this is all about being able to reach new and wider fan base and making this games available in Spanish language I think was another really terrific element.Furthermore, the players themselves have become a powerful marketing engine for AUSL, using their social platforms and direct connections with fans to extend the leagues reach beyond the ballpark and drive interest in its games. For example, the league secured 453 million social impressions (+97%), and 137 million social video views (+139%) this season.Additionally the AUSL added 447,000 new followers across league platforms. Again, the players authenticity, personalities, and overall openness with fans created this social media ripple.We have incredible women that are playing in our league. And theyre invested heavily in that connection that they have with the fans," said Patricof. Utah Talon Bri Ellis finishes her swing and hits a home run in game two of the 2026 AUSL Championship Series, in College Station, TX.AUSLBri Ellis, a crowd favorite with the two-time champions, the Utah Talons said, I think the explosive growth this year for AUSL goes to show how much sports fans crave professional softball. We sold out almost every stadium, had record breaking TV numbers, and took over social media.She continued, Personally, this is my dream that I never knew I had. There wasnt much pro softball when I was growing up, and what we did have wasnt covered well. Now, AUSL games are playing everywhere. The reach is crucial for our sport, to show the young girls that it is possible. It gives them an even bigger goal to reach, knowing that you can make real money playing the game we love.Fans and Brands Are Buying InThe growing connection between AUSL and its fans is also showing up in the leagues retail business and sponsorship strategy. The league reported merchandise sales increased 110% with rookie sensation Karlin Pickens out of the University of Tennessee being the top seller (includes roster tees, lifestyle, jerseys). She was followed in sales by former Oklahoma and now Portland Cascade pitcher Sam Landry, rookie hitting sensation Megan Grant, former Texas catcher Reese Atwood, and all-time favorite, and 2026 AUSL Pitcher of the Year, Montana Fouts. Furthermore, in merchandise sales, rookies and sophomores made up all but one name in the top ten. AUSL also added new brand partners to its list of collaborators that includes ESPN, MLB, Sephora, Rawlings, Sequel, Gatorade, and many more. The league also has partnerships with apparel giants Adidas and Dicks Sporting Goods, and according to Patricof, the partnerships are paying off in dividends. He detailed, I would say that the involvement of Adidas I think was a huge piece to the retail success because I think that it showed really an elevation in the quality of our product. And I think that is a huge piece of what fans want and fans have been looking for.He continued, I think as we look forward, for us, a big part of 2027 is making our retail products and our merch available in more locations and really thinking about our partnership with Dicks Sporting Goods that we've worked with now to make our items available in more places for fans.AUSL and Togethxr teamed up to bring softball fans their signature t-shirt. AUSL & TogetherFurther, AUSL was able to be featured alongside collaborator and womens sports brand powerhouse Togethxr, for their signature Everyone Watches Womens Sports shirts, with a softball pivot. The t-shirt has sold out in minutes several times since it premiered on June 12 and is still currently sold out on Togethxrs website.Lastly, as strategic growth partner, the MLB continued their presence in and around the AUSL, as well as integrating AUSL players into their own activations throughout the summer including MLB All-Star, MLB.tv, and MLBx Home Run Derby which saw AUSL players Nijaree Canady, Alyssa Brito, Rachel Garcia andTiare Jennings hit alongside MLB legends. The collaboration will happen again as Megan Grant, Bri Ellis, Jordan Woolery and Sydney Romero hit alongside MLB Hall of Famers ahead as part of an Atlanta Braves pre-game show on August 15. The evolution and brand growth is important, brands are increasingly using AUSL as a platform to reach softball fans, rather than simply placing their logos on an emerging league.Now AUSL Has To Turn Momentum Into A BusinessThe biggest challenge for AUSL now is no longer proving that people will watch professional softball. It is turning that demand into a sustainable business. Athletes Unlimited has already paused continuation on its Lacrosse, Basketball, and Volleyball ventures, leaving a more concrete and narrow focus on softball. Despite the end of AUSL championship season, AUSL was present during the Little League Softball World Series for activations, camps and clinics with the kids as well as the Pro Game, a staple of the LLSWS for the past several years.AUSL also began its All-Star Cup, with its point based model. All-Star Cup started August 8 and will run in Rosemont, Illinois until August 30.Patricof said the league is intentionally keeping its foot on the gas, Im excited about the next few months and just not taking our foot off the pedal at all, just continuing to grow and build and support the players the way they deserve it.As the league heads towards its third season, Patricof, Commissioner Kim Ng, and their leadership team are already thinking about how to expand the reach while maintaining a long-term sustainable model. What you can expect is obviously a continued focus on building a very sustainable long-term business. We saw the demand from fans and we want to rise up to meet that. So we are absolutely thinking about ways to expand the reach and presence of the league.Patricof knows the timing right now is perfect for professional softball with the popularity of the college game coupled with LA 2028 Olympics that will see softball played in Oklahoma City. He said, As we turn to very quickly into 2028, its exciting with obviously the Oklahoma City Spark playing in Oklahoma City where softball will be housed for the LA 28 games. And then thinking about all the momentum around that. Were excited to support what happens at the Olympics and thinking creatively about how we will best grow and build from that incredible platform. Again, the next test for AUSL is whether the attention, attendance and consumer demand it generated in 2026 can translate into a durable business model.Sam Landry (Portland Cascade #21) Pitches During a July 10 Game Against the Chicago Bandits, in Hillsboro, OR.AUSLHowever, Landry feels the league going to continue to explode and meet the demand. She explained, Seeing the growth in the AUSL this year proves that this league is doing something right and getting the right attention for it. I feel very blessed to be a part of the beginning of this specific league and am very grateful for all of those who have paved the way for womens softball to be where it is now. There is only up from where we are now, and I cant wait to see how much bigger this league, this sport, and our amazing fanbase can get.AUSLs second season is beginning to answer one of the biggest questions surrounding womens sports, can an emerging league convert passionate fans into a sustainable sports business? The early evidence from professional softball suggests the answer may be yes.Follow me for more sport business and womens sports content and news on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.This article was originally published on Forbes.com

It's not easy to do, but predicting breakouts from a player the season before they explode is usually a formula for winning a fantasy championship. There's nothing wrong with picking a wide receiver in the sixth round who gives you a WR3 season in return, but if he turns into a WR1 by the end of the year, it's a huge advantage.However, if you only draft for upside, you can wind up with a team that takes too long to get going and has you out of playoff contention by Halloween. So you need to pick and chose your breakout candidate, high-upside picks carefully. Here are five players primed for a fantasy football breakout in 2026: More: Fantasy football players to avoid: Fade these 5 stars in 20262026 fantasy football breakout predictionsMalik Washington, WR, Miami DolphinsThird year breakouts are a little less common than they used to be, but Miami is going to have to throw the ball to somebody. Washington went from 26 catches as a rookie to 46 last year and is now on top of a receiving room full of rookies and underperforming vets on their second teams. We also know Washington can handle volume, as he led college football in catches in 2023 while at Virginia (110). Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville let starting running back Travis Etienne Jr., who saw at least 52 targets in each of the last three seasons, walk in free agency and replaced him with a non-receiving back in Chris Rodriguez. That relays some level of confidence in Tuten, a fourth-round pick last year who wound up having a pretty pedestrian rookie season. Tuten's average price tag of the sixth round might be a little high, but he also has RB1 upside and score a lot of points in what should be a strong Jaguars offense.Luther Burden, WR, Chicago BearsBears coach Ben Johnson recently compared Burden to two multi-Pro Bowl wide receivers that he previously coached, Jarvis Landry and Amon-Ra St. Brown. While those expectations are lofty, the 2025 second round pick did catch 47 passes as a rookie and got better every week toward the end of the season. With DJ Moore on the Bills and vacating 85 targets, Burden could make a huge leap into an every week, start him and forget about it, fantasy star. One thing to keep an eye on is that Burden suffered a groin injury in practice on Saturday, Aug. 9. If that lingers, his breakout might be delayed, making him probably not worth his fifth round price tag.Harold Fannin Jr., TE, BrownsThe second-year Brown is usually one of the first eight tight ends drafted this year, so you're not getting a huge discount. But this is also a 240 pound receiving weapon who turned 107 targets into 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. It wouldn't be surprising to see him top 100 catches and/or 1,000 yards in 2026, which only one tight end did last year (Trey McBride). Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver BroncosPredicting a breakout from a rookie RB is usually just an exercise in guessing about future injuries. It's hard for rookies to earn playing time without the starter going down. While that is still true for Jonah Coleman in Denver, who is behind J.K. Dobbins and also likely RJ Harvey, the rookie has been getting a lot of buzz in camp and could carve out a role even without anyone else going down. The 220 pound bruiser scored 25 rushing touchdowns combined his last two years at Washington and could find himself in the end zone a lot as a rookie. Bonus longshot: Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, Baltimore RavensWhenever a third round pick is compared to both Michael Thomas (by offensive coordinator Declan Doyle) and Deandre Hopkins (running back Derrick Henry) in training camp, it's usually a sign to pump the brakes. But every once in a blue moon, it's not, and you wind up drafting a league-winning season from Puka Nacua in the 14th round. Lane is a huge target with sticky hands who could make an immediate impact.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 fantasy football breakout picks you need to know for 2026

The NBA offseason is pretty much wrapped up, so let's take a fresh look at some of the league's worst deals

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