NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 18: Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Cole Spence #16 runs after making a catch during a game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Louisiana State Tigers, October 18, 2025, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe second most difficult to fill hole on this roster from 2025 is at Tight End. Eli Stowers went in the second round of the NFL draft as the 54th overall pick. He won the John Mackey Award as the countrys top TE and was named First Team All-American by nearly every major outlet, including the AP, USA Today, CBS Sports, the Footwall Writers Association of America, and the American Football Coaches Association. Stowers caught 62 passes for 769 yards in 2025 to follow up a 49-reception and 638-yard 2024 season. Quite simply, when Vanderbilt needed a big play through the air, Eli Stowers was generally option 1 and 2, if not 3, for Diego Pavia to find. He was 3rd on the team in receiving yards (37 off 1st) but led the team in receptions by 8.Vanderbilt was busy in the transfer portal with 3 acquisitions. None of them were big splashes who can come close to replicating what Stowers brought to the offense. There is one key returner, and Brycen Coleman will likely cover some of the receiving responsibilities Stowers had from split out positions. It will make the offense slightly easier to personnel match.The Post PlayerCole Spence stands out everywhere he goes at 67. He had a knack for slipping free in critical situations as attention shifted to the higher profile options of Stowers, Sherrill, and Richardson. He was 5th on the team in receiving yards at 233 from only 15 receptions. LHis 15.5 yards per reception was 2nd on the team for players with more than 3 catches on the season. Only Tre Richardsons 17.5 yard average was better. Coleman with 3 for 67 and Dominic Rezac with 1 for 35 topped him if you open it to every play.It will be interesting to see how Spences role shapes up as he was the primary backup to Stowers. He was typically the man attached to the line while Stowers would play in-line or flexed into the slot. Spence has good athleticism for his size and would be a nightmare for slot corners to try to cover at his height. He more than doubled his yardage in 2024 (101) but only caught 5 more passes. Optimistically, that statistic says he got more explosive as he got into a better place physically after missing 2023 with an ACL tear, but it could also be read that he was mainly a beneficiary of an explosive offense pulling defensive attention away from him, which is much less likely as TE1.My expectation would be for Spence to approximately double his yardage again to the 500-yard range. The efficiency will go down as he becomes a more primary option and gets into the 40s in receptions. Spences best game was the win over then-#10 LSU when he had 5 catches for 56 yards. He led the team in both categories that day.The Transfer TrioJayvontay Conner (ECU) and Maurice Veney (Morehouse College) are both taking a huge step forward in competition as they come to Vanderbilt. Walter Taylor III returns to West End with a new position. Conner is by far the most highly touted. He was ranked as a Top 10 TE in the transfer class. He most fits the body type of Stowers with identical listed height and weight, but he likely is not going to match the NFL Combine-record setting explosiveness of Stowers.Taylor was 90th by 247 and 132nd by On3 while Veney was essentially inverted at 120 (247) and 90 (On3). Veney is a big unit at 64 and 270 pounds. Taylor is very tall but more slight at 67 and 235 pounds.Conner broke out in 2025 after only 1 catch each season in 2023 and 2024 with a total of 9 yards gained. He snagged 23 passes for 333 yards in 2025. Veney had similar numbers at NCAA D-II Morehouse College with 32 catches for 381 yards. Taylor has not recorded a statistic since he left Vanderbilt with stops at Colorado (2024) and Ball State (2025).Conner impressed at times during spring ball, including a soundbite moment where he caught a TD pass and declared, Waffle House! then later clarified it is because he is open 24/7, man. Veney is likely more of a blocker who can make the occasional catch, especially as he slips away on play action. Taylors height and athleticism, which made him a threat as a runner at QB previously, are very intriguing, but Taylor only has 1 year of eligibility with the position change.Next GenerationTilden Riley and Adam Gehm were sought after recruits that both chose to come to West End. Riley was rated one spot higher at #48 by 247s Composite (#14 by 247s internal rankings) than Gehm at #49 (#70 internal). Rivals industry formula was more friendly to Riley at #33 with Gehm at #52, but Rivals itself has Gehm at #31 while Riley was down at #66.The problem is always projectability. Riley is 65 and 217 pounds. Gehm is 66 and 235 pounds. Tight Ends often need to add significant weight to handle the position in college. For example, Spence was 66 and 220 pounds out of high school, so he has tacked on 35 pounds. They will face LBs and DBs who can combine athleticism, skill, and intelligence to overcome the height problem these tall TEs present that most high school defenders cannot.I have not heard anything significant about either of them, and they likely will only have special teams roles behind Spence and Conner. Gehm may have some role as an extra blocker, but 235 is still fairly light.Blocking and Special TeamsPalmer Riley (no relation to Tilden) is an intriguing freshman. He was ranked as the #123 EDGE by 247s composite. I cannot find a rating from Rivals/On3, and ESPN did not rate him. He is listed at 65 and 250 pounds, so combine that with the recruiting profile and get a player almost certainly destined for work in heavy packages and special teams.Elijah Rooney is a 65 and 230 pound converted high school QB. He did not play at all as a freshman then made a debut against Georgia State but has not recorded any stats.The Final VerdictCole Spence is a unique body that can be trouble for opponents, and Jayvontay Conner should be a useful option. Veney will be a powerful blocker who can make a catch or three each game for useful, likely short yardage.Stowers just had athleticism that no one can match. He broke the NFL Combine broad jump and vertical jump records. He also ran in the 96th percentile for Combine TEs at 4.51s in the 40-yard dash. He was a freak.At least here, the depth is the question. Tight End is generally not a position where you need much except blocking from options 3 to 5. If they can get anything through the air out of Walter Taylor or one of the freshmen, that will be a big boost.

Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty ImagesAfter spending the majority of his career at Barcelona and following a two-year stint for Cesc Fbregas at Como, Sergi Roberto has reached a verbal agreement with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, according to Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto. Sergi Roberto to LA Galaxy, here we go! Verbal agreement done for former Bara and Como player to join MLS side.Sergi accepted the proposal with formal steps now to follow, as @MatteMoretto reports. pic.twitter.com/BJvIyujgxv Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2026After a long and successful career with Bara, which peaked with the historic winning goal in the 6-1 win against PSG in the Champions League, Roberto moved on to Italy where he played the role of veteran mentor for a young Como team.Now Sergi moves to MLS where he can still play at a high level at the age of 34 and enjoy the final years of his career. Roberto will reunite with former Bara teammate Riqui Puig, who is currently recovering from knee surgery, and will also share the field with Borussia Dortmund legend Marco Reus.Good luck in MLS, 6ERG1!!!

Roberto Soldic has entered free agency after his ONE Championship contract expired, the 31-year-old veteran announced Friday.The former KSW two-division champion only fought three times under the ONE banner between 2021 and 2025, stopping Dagi Arslanaliev in spectacular fashion (watch here) in his most recent bout after a no-contest against Murad Ramazanov and a loss to Zebaztian Kadestam in previous appearances. Robocops latest competition was a Sept. 2025 boxing match in Poland, when he knocked out Tomasz Adamek.Thank you for the journey, Soldic wrote in a statement posted on social media. My time with ONE has come to an end as my contract has officially expired. I want to thank ONE Championship from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity and the incredible experience. Every fight, every challenge, and every moment inside the cage has pushed me to become a better warrior and a better person.Ive gained more than just fights Ive gained knowledge, respect, and memories that will last a lifetime. To my fans, thank you for your unconditional support through every high and low. You are the reason I keep fighting. This is not the end. This is the beginning of whats next. See you soon.Soldic had a stellar run in KSW before joining ONE, winning eight of nine bouts and capturing belts at welterweight and middleweight. The sole loss in the KSW was a knockout against future UFC champion Dricus Du Plessis, one he avenged six months later with a knockout to recapture the 170-pound belt.

The Los Angeles Kings announced on Friday that they are retiring the jersey of Anze Kopitar and erecting a statue of the franchise great outside of Crypto.com Arena, securing his place in LA history.Kopitar, who hails from Slovenia but spent his entire 20-year NHL career with the Kings, holds franchise records for games played, assists and points.Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar (11) during a stop in play against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Come Feb. 24, 2027, hell receive what the team described as the organizations highest individual honor.Anze Kopitar joins all-time LA greatsKopitars No. 11 is being retired and the team is putting up a bronze statue of him, only the fourth King to receive both honors after Wayne Gretzky, Luc Robitaille and Dustin Brown.Four others Rogie Vachon, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor and Rob Blake have had their jerseys retired but did not receive a statue.To have my number retired and a statue unveiled by the LA Kings is an incredible honor, and one that is difficult to put into words, said Kopitar in the teams announcement. When I arrived in Los Angeles 21 years ago, I simply hoped to earn the opportunity to play in the NHL. I never imagined something like this. I have been fortunate to spend my entire career with one organization, surrounded by amazing teammates, coaches, staff and fans who have made this journey so special. I share this honor with everyone who has been part of it, especially my family, whose love and support have meant everything to me. I am truly grateful to be recognized in this way by an organization that has given me so much.View this post on InstagramA post shared by LA Kings (@lakings)Robitaille, president of the Kings, praised Kopitar for defin[ing] what it means to be a Los Angeles King for the past two decades.His leadership, consistency and commitment to excellence have helped shape the identity of our franchise, both on and off the ice, he said. He has earned the respect of everyone who has had the opportunity to play with him, coach him or watch him compete. Anzes legacy extends far beyond the records, awards and championships. He has inspired generations of Kings fans and left an indelible mark on our franchise, and the Los Angeles and Southern California community.Now Kopitar joins some all-time greats, including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Oscar De La Hoya, in the pantheon of LA sports.The post Kings to Honor Anze Kopitar, Cementing Him in Los Angeles History appeared first on LA Sports Report.

Who did it better to make the 36-hole cut at the 2026 Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jordan Spieth or Peter Malnati?Spieth, who is safely in the playoffs despite failing to record a top 10 this season, fanned his tee shot to the right and hit a provisional before finding his ball. He punched out, wedged on and, in a do-or-die situation, refused to go down for the count, holing a 24-foot par putt to shoot even-par 70 and manage to survive the cut.One hole left. Par to likely make the cut.With -190 odds to play the weekend, Jordan Spieth punches out of the trees and drains the do-or-die 24-foot par putt @WyndhamChamp.(Odds via @DKSports) pic.twitter.com/sBuDfg7hmu Golfbet (@Golfbet) August 7, 2026Malnati is No. 171 in the FedEx Cup and would need a victory to make the playoffs. That looked doubtful when he started Friday 4 over through his first five holes and still was three shots off the cutline with four holes to go before going on a birdie spree. He canned an 11-footer at 15, wedged inside 3 feet at 17 and then dripped in an 18-footer at the last. Clutch city. Were going to give the edge to Malnati, who was convinced his birdie putt had stopped short the one thing he couldnt do with the cut on the line and tossed his putter high in the air. Plus, we've come to expect such heroics from Spieth, even if this one ranks high on the list for its degree of difficulty. But Malnati was so focused on catching his putter that he failed to notice that his ball trickled in the hole. He had an incredible, wait, what just happened, did I just do that?' reaction and threw his arms in the air. Making the cut with a 71 was a victory of sorts for Malnati, who needs every FedEx Cup point he can get and perhaps it will spur him on to a big weekend.Life is hard. Be happy anyway.Peter Malnati makes three birdies in his final four holes Friday @WyndhamChamp to charge inside the current cut line. PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/iKm1zHTGG7 PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 7, 2026Defending champion Cameron Young overcame a balky putter in the opening round to shoot 66 on Friday and earn a weekend tee time. Matt Wallace and Tony Finau also rallied with 66s to make the cut on the number too. Keegan Bradley kept his streak of 15 straight appearances in the FedEx Cup playoffs alive for now with three late birdies in a four-hole stretch to grind out his ninth straight made cut. In all, 81 golfers, including amateur Kihei Akina, shot 3-under 137 or better to remain in the trophy hunt and with a shot to make the playoffs.Not everyone was so fortunate. Mac Meissner, who entered the week at No. 71 and needed a minimum solo 44th, took three putts from 43 feet at his final hole to make double bogey. His missed 4-footer for bogey at 18 meant he dropped to 2 under to go from the right side of the cut to the wrong side and end his chances of making the playoffs.Let's take a closer look at some of the other notables in the field who were "MC Hammer" this week at the Wyndham Championship.Jason DayThe Aussie missed the cut with rounds of 71 and 73 and will miss the FedEx Cup playoffs for the first time in his career, a streak that spanned 18 straight seasons. Day didnt make a birdie until his 13th hole in the first round. On Friday, he birdied his first hole of the day at No. 10 but that was the last birdie of the week. He did make an eagle at the fifth but by then, his fate was already sealed.I'm looking forward to taking some time off. My body's been really awful actually this year, so just to try and grind through it has been tough. The last two days have been pretty hard to try and get my body ready. I wanted to play like 3M and Detroit and unfortunately I couldn't do anything there, Day said. Yeah, it was a good streak obviously, but I would have loved to keep the streak going. But things happen, you know. You're not going to keep everything going forever. Best to kind of take some time off, get my body sorted and try and come out next year and play well.Ryo HisatsuneLike Day said, all good things must come to an end, including Hisatsune's streak of 21 straight made cuts. He shot 73 on Thursday with two double bogeys and a 68 on Friday wasn't enough to overcome the hole he had dug. He needed to make a 24-foot birdie putt at No. 9, his final hole, to extend his streak but it wasn't to be. His last MC?The Sony Hawaiian Open in January, the very first tournament of the 2026 season. Hisatsune entered the week tied for the second-longest streak on Tour.Brian HarmanThis one will be a tough one to swallow for the Georgia Bulldog who had a rollercoaster 1-over 71 on Friday to miss the cut by one. Harman tripled the first hole and doubled the seventh. He made six birdies in the second round, including three in a row at Nos. 15-17 but couldnt sink a 36-footer at 18. He entered the week at No. 63 in the season-long points race and should be safe for Memphis but will have his work cut out for him next week. It was just his fifth missed cut in 21 starts this season.Ryan GerardThe North Carolina native was hoping to enjoy some home-cooking but despite ranking first in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, he was sent packing early (67-71). His iron game didnt take advantage of his stellar driving and he ranked No. 137 in SG: Around the Green. On Friday, he made three bogeys on the back nine and despite making a bounce-back birdie each time he did so, it cost him. He shot 1-over 71 and missed the cut by one. Perhaps some Cook Out or Bojangles will soothe the pain.Ben GriffinThe North Carolina Tar Heel shot a pair of 69s to miss the cut by one. It marked Griffins second straight missed cut and sixth in 18 starts this season. Griffins putter was cold as he ranked 100thin SG: Putting. He entered the week at No. 36 in the FedEx so hes still in good position to make a run to East Lake and potentially a spot on the U.S. Presidents Cup team. But a weekend off wont help those efforts.Harris EnglishAnother Georgia guy with the weekend off, English opened with 73 to dig himself a hole. Hes projected at No. 51 so he will be in a precarious position next week. Hell need to straighten out his approach game, which ranked dead last on Thursday and 140thfor the two days.Blades BrownThe 19-year-old sensation shot a pair of 72s. It was a tough putting week as he ranked No. 141 in SG: Putting, losing more than 4 strokes on the greens on Friday. He was just 1-of-9 for the week in scrambling too.Nick DunlapThe driver yips continue to plague Dunlap, a two-time Tour winner, who has struggled mightily in his third season on Tour. He shot 82 on Friday, making every score from 2 through 9 on his card, and missed his 10thcut in 17 starts this season. His only top-25 finishes this season as an individual were both in opposite field events. He entered the week at No. 165 in the FedEx Cup and has slipped to 386th in the world.Adam Schupak is a senior writer for Golfweek, covering the PGA Tour.This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Who missed the cut at the 2026 Wyndham Championship? 8 notables who won't play the weekend

Strong U23 performance against Cologne goes unrewardedPlayer ProfilesOn Matchday 2, U23 coach Daniel Rios was once again without goalkeeper Silas Ostrzinski, Takato Yamamoto, and Ayman Azhil. The trio will remain with the Bundesliga teams training squad until further notice. In their place, Arne Wessels made his first appearance of the season after returning from the trip to Japan with the first-team squad. Alongside the attacking player, Elias Benkara and Connor Krempicki also made the starting lineup. The Black and Yellows goal was once again guarded by 18-year-old Aaron Held. And the two youngsters, Luke Fahrenhorst and Fadi Zarqelain, earned Rioss trust again following their strong performance in the 1-1 draw in Bochum.Match SummaryThe 5,336 spectators at Rote Erde Stadiumincluding 674 visiting fanscreated a special atmosphere for the first home game of the new season. Against this backdrop, Dortmund played more attractively than FC in the opening stages. Luke Fahrenhorst, in particular, proved to be a key asset in central midfield, repeatedly trying to spark the offense as a target man and playmaker.However, it was a Cologne player who created the first dangerous opportunityalbeit unintentionally. While building up play, FC goalkeeper Mikolai Marutzki played the ball straight to Tim Degeners feet, but his touch was too sloppy (10). In the ensuing play, BVB showed tenacity in one-on-one duels, won the ball back frequently, and repeatedly made an impact on offense. Seven minutes after the first chance, a murmur rippled through the stadium following a nice pass from Bennedikt Wstenhagen, as Malik Hodroj, who had pushed forward, surprised Colognes keeper with a shot from a tight angle. The ball, however, flew out of bounds. Another long-range attempt by Hodroj (31'), which was dangerously deflected, marked the third opportunity for the home team. This phase of the game made it clear that Rioss team still lacked the necessary decisiveness and cutting edge in the final third.Defensively, meanwhile, the Black and Yellows allowed hardly any dangerous shots on goal. It wasnt until just before halftime that Aaron Held had to make his first save, following a free kick by Emin Kujovic from about 18 meters out in a central position (36').After the break, BVB immediately took control again and pressed for the opening goal. First, Arne Wessels tried his luck with a long-range shot (46'), then Marutzki tipped a header from Elias Benkara over the crossbar with his fingertips. But then the moment finally arrived: BVB captain Jesper Verlaat headed a cross from the left flank down to Degener, who blasted the ball into the right corner with his left foot for a well-deserved 1-0 lead (59').After conceding the goal, Cologne suddenly looked much more determined and created their first chances. Malek El Mala, the older brother of Colognes rising star Said El Mala, capitalized on one of them to tie the game at 11 (67'). Shortly afterward, Finn Fuchs could have put BVB back in the lead. The left back found himself alone in front of the FC goal after a neat one-two with Degener, but from a few meters out, he sent the ball just wide of the left post.Cheered on by the BVB fans, who vociferously supported the team throughout the match, BVB mustered all their strength once more in the closing stages but failed to create any clear-cut chances. The score thus remained 11.Post-match comments for playersDaniel Rios (U23 Head Coach): I think the team gave it their all. Of course, its frustrating when you put in so much effortboth with and without the balland then only come away with one point. That doesnt feel great. In the first half, there were periods when we were too erratic in the final third. We did better in that regard at times in the second half. We also won the second balls there, which is something we lacked a bit in the first half. But overall, it comes down to the details. Scoring goals is the hardest thing in soccer. But well work on it, and Im convinced that in the future, the lads will reward themselves with three pointsnot just one.OutlookU23: Held Fuchs, Verlaat, Benkara (83 Quiala), Hodroj Fahrenhorst, Degener, Krempicki (76 Boyamba) Zarqelain, Wstenhagen (69 Ngambia), Wessels (69 Mutove)Goals: 10 Degener (59), 11 El Mala (67.)

Trey Waters absolutely killed it in his first fight outside the UFC.The former UFC welterweight had a successful PFL debut, putting away Trukon Carson in a first-round TKO stoppage at 4:37. The two opened up the PFL Charlotte card, which took place Friday at Bojangles Coliseum in North Carolina.From the very first second, Waters (10-2) and Carson (6-2) threw haymakers in a wild back-and-forth that had both fighters hurt in different parts of the round. Waters did get the better of the exchanges, dropping Carson a total of three times, busting him open before getting the stoppage win by ground-and-pound.Below you can check out Water's wild finish, plus other exchanges of the fight:First Round fireworks to start us off in Charlotte!#PFLCharlotte | Prelims LIVE NOW on the ESPN App | Main Card 10PM EST on ESPN pic.twitter.com/b5SUWRrmRb PFL (@PFLMMA) August 7, 2026TREY WATERS DIDN'T WASTE ANY TIME A first round finish to start our night in Charlotte.#PFLCharlotte | Prelims LIVE NOW on the ESPN App | Main Card 10PM EST on ESPN pic.twitter.com/sqssvdLNkM PFL (@PFLMMA) August 7, 2026This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: PFL Charlotte video: UFC vet Trey Waters stops Trukon Carson in wild car crash

The New England Patriots announced that they have released defensive tackle David Blay and signed safety Eric Butler on Friday.Blay was signed as an undrafted rookie out of Miami back in May. He had an uphill climb in a room full of talented defensive tackles, including starters Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. As a senior, he appeared in 13 games and racked up 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one pass deflection. Butler worked out for the Patriots in late July before signing with the team. The rookie free agent played for four seasons at San Diego State, finishing with 119 tackles, one interception, one sack, 5.5 tackles for a loss, one pick-six, nine pass deflections and one forced fumble in 48 games. The #Patriots swap undrafted rookies on their roster: released DT David Blay Jr and signed S Eric Butler. Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 7, 2026Butler will have a chance to make an impact with the preseason right around the corner. The Patriots have talented playmakers at safety, including All-Pro defender Kevin Byard and second-year standout Craig Woodson. It will fall on Butler to prove he's worthy of sticking around as a depth option for the team.Follow Patriots Wire onTwitterandFacebook.This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots release undrafted rookie DT, announce new defensive signing

From former second-round draft picks hoping for another chance to rookie free agents looking for their big break, the New Orleans Saints brought in a dozen defenders for tryouts during training camp. Linebacker, defensive linemen, and defensive backs all gathered at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Friday and a couple of them left with contracts in hand. Here's what you need to know.LinebackersAndre Carter, ArmyDeion Jones, LSUKeli Lawson, Central FloridaBaylon Spector, ClemsonJones signed a one-year deal with the Saints after this tryout, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The No. 52 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones earned a Pro Bowl nod in his second season with the Atlanta Falcons but struggled to meet those heights later in his career. Last year, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he logged more snaps on special teams than defense for the first time in his career. Read more here.Defensive linemenSeth Coleman, Illinois (EDGE)Kahlil Saunders, Kentucky (DT)Brien Taylor, Florida (DT)DeMarcus Walker, Florida State (EDGE)Malakai Williams, Boise State (EDGE)Taylor signed after the tryout, per NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill. The former Florida Gator transferred to the SEC powerhouse after two years at Blinn College in Texas, where he developed into a pocket-pusher with pro size at a listed 6-foot-5 and 294 pounds. The Saints needed more depth on the defensive line after losing Bryan Bresee, a starter, and Keeshawn Silver, a rookie free agent, to season-ending injuries. Read more here.Defensive backsGlendon Miller, Maryland. A former safety at Maryland, Miller spent more snaps in the slot (737) than anywhere else at the college level before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs as a rookie free agent last spring. He tried out for the Chicago Bears this summer and has spent time in the UFL while drawing attention from the CFL's Calgary Stampeders.Wande Owens, New Hampshire. Owens played cornerback at Yale as a college teammate of Saints wideout Mason Tipton, but transferred to New Hamsphire in 2024 and was moved to safety, where he roamed all over the field. He signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2025. He recently worked out for the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins.Xavier Williams, Cincinnati. After earning All-Conference USA recognition at Middle Tennessee State, Williams transferred to Cincinnati for his senior year and held his own guarding the middle of the field. He played quarterback as a redshirt freshman at Charlotte before transferring to UCF, where he switched to safety. He continued to see snaps on offense as a two-way player at MTSU in 2024.The Saints haven't signed any of these defensive backs yet, but they're clearly interested in more help in the secondary.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL free agents: Saints try out a dozen defenders on Friday

Nothing but bangers! Check out the week's shirt launchesFriday (7) is here and, as has already become tradition, its time for OneFootball to bring you the big roundup of the weeks kit releases.Both in Brazil and abroad, clubs and sportswear manufacturers went all out with plenty of beauty and boldness.After all, most of the kits released are alternate ones, or the kind teams usually wear away from home.So, without further ado, check out the standout releases below!Oh! And let us know in the comments which one you thought was the best-looking and which one went a bit too far. Boca JuniorsThe Argentine giants unveiled their new home shirt for the season.Tradition speaks for itself, right? Did our neighbors nail it or not?Photo: Boca Juniors/Disclosure BenficaThe hugely traditional Portuguese club took a bold approach with its third kit, featuring a contemporary effect that mixes black, red and even purple.Did you like it, or did they miss badly?Photo: SL Benfica/DisclosurePhoto: SL Benfica/Disclosure Inter MiamiThe team of Messi, Luis Surez and Casemiro is known for the pink color of its main kit.The look is elegant, with white as the dominant color, but with touches of pink, mint green and black throughout the kit.Photo: Inter Miami/Disclosure RomaAnd what can you say about this away shirt unveiled by Roma?Retro style and plenty of quality in the Italian clubs kit, huh!Photo: AS Roma/DisclosureAC MilanAnd the red-and-black side of Italy didnt fall behind when it came to making a statement!Just look at this Milan third kit for the 2026/27 season!Black shirt with gold details and red trim! They absolutely nailed it!Photo: AC Milan/Disclosure JuventusSticking with the third kit trend, Juve went with black as the dominant color, but added a flame graphic in shades of graphite, while also featuring gold on the shoulders and sleeves.Photo: Juventus/Disclosure ArsenalThe current Premier League champions released a predominantly yellow third kit.The navy blue and burgundy details on the shoulders and sleeves give the shirt an even more special touch, dont they?Photo: Arsenal/Disclosure Manchester CityThe Citizens will begin the post-Guardiola era in black!At least when the team is playing away from home in Manchester.Citys away kit also features golden-yellow accents that give it a very understated look.Photo: Manchester City/Disclosure RB BragantinoMassa Bruta really showed out with this third kit, with red as the dominant color and black details, right? Athletico-PRSpeaking of red-and-black clubs, Furaco also unveiled its third kit with plenty of presence.A black shirt with red details in diagonal front streaks.Photo: Athletico-PR/Disclosure InternacionalLike the others, Colorado unveiled its third kit for the season.The shirts dominant color is a dark red, almost burgundy, with graphics that resemble Eastern art in different shades of red.Did you like it, fan? CruzeiroDespite being the third kit, it strongly resembles Raposas traditional away shirts.In other words, a white kit, but with blue and yellow details on the sleeves.The highlight here is the return of Cruzeiros full crest.Photo: Cruzeiro/Disclosure FlamengoFinally, the Rio red-and-black club unveiled its third kit with red as the dominant color.Some wavy diagonal lines give the shirt a different feel.The retro style is also present with the rowing crest on the left side of the chest.Photo: Flamengo/DisclosureThis article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.