Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty ImagesBen Roethlisberger admitted he was pleasantly surprised by Drew Allars debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Drew Allar arrived in the NFL after serving as the starting quarterback for the Penn State Nittany Lions, as the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the third round (76th overall) of the 2026 draft.And he got off to a brilliant start with his NFL career, shining against the Green Bay Packers. Taking over in the second half of a 28-9 win, the rookie quarterback completed 10-of-13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, as well as adding a rushing touchdown on a read-option and leading three scoring drives.Starting QB Aaron Rodgers sat out to rest, which is standard for established veterans in the preseason. Backups Mason Rudolph and Will Howard handled the first half, leaving Allar to take over in the second half as part of head coach Mike McCarthys plan to evaluate the young signal-callers.Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty ImagesBen Roethlisberger left impressed by Drew Allars debutSpeaking on Footbahlin, Ben Roethlisberger liked what he saw from Drew Allar, as well as teammate Will Howard, predicting big things for the future in the NFL.I would be incredibly encouraged as a Steelers fan to say I think our future is here, but lets be certain. I love the fact that we have two options. You cant afford to put one of them on a practice squad as somebody will come scoop them up.I feel the same way about Drew. Like I want him to get more reps I was pleasantly surprised. I thought he was super consistent. Just like Will, he made good decisions with the ball and didnt turn it over.Ben isnt the only one impressed by what he saw with Allar, as Pittsburgh Steelers fans called for Aaron Rodgers to retire after the youngsters debut.Read more:NFL suspends Atlanta Falcons star James Pearce Jr. following alleged Rickea Jackson incidentMore dudes ditching dates for the TV Fans go wild as Super Bowl LXI lands on Valentines DayDeshaun Watson faces a harsh reality check as NFL radio host weighs in on potential comeback

Penn State's 2026 season will feature a completely overhauled roster following an offseason of significant transition. A coaching change led to a flurry of activity in the transfer portal, which led to a number of new faces on the program. We have taken some time to profile each player on the roster this season, but now it is time to dig a little deeper on the 25 players who will play the largest roles on the roster.Penn State's success on offense will start with the offensive line. The line features some key returning players from last year's roster but also welcomes some big pieces to add to the mix in 2026. Among the new additions for the offensive line is Trevor Buhr, a transfer from Iowa State who followed Matt Campbell to Happy Valley.2025 in reviewTrevor Buhr started six games and played in eight games for Iowa State last season. In his time on the field, Buhr did not allow a sack in 219 pass-blocking attempts, largely protecting new Penn State starting quarterback Rocco Becht. He also played a key role in allowing the Iowa State running game to do some damage. Buhr was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention at the end of the 2025 season.Biggest question for 2026The addition of revor Buhr to the Penn State offensive line does not come with too many questions, which is a good thing. But it is fair to wonder if the overall level of play of Big Ten defensive linemen will be a challenge for Buhr compared to the defenses typically faced in the Big 12. Buhr will be going up against some deeper and more athletic defenses this season, but it may not be too much of a leap for Buhr overall.2026 will be a success if...Trevor Buhr's 2026 season will go down as a success if he remains a fixture in the offensive line as a full-time starter and continues to protect Rocco Becht and pave the path for the running game. The success of Buhr and the offensive line will directly be judged by how well the passing game and running game perform this fall.2026 will be a disappointment if...This fall will be a disappointment if the offensive line as a whole does not find its identity early on. If Trevor Buhr is not a regular contributor to the offensive line all season, that will fall below expectations this year.Realistic outlook for 2026There are solid expectations for Trevor Buhr and the entire offensive line for Penn State this season. In fact, the offensive line unit may be the most overlooked solid asset this team has going for it coming into the season. Buhr will fit right in at guard and there appears to be little competition for his starting job at the start of the season. The former honorable All-Big 12 player should be in position to play at an All-Big Ten caliber level this season, even if he is not recognized as such at the end of the season.Penn State Top 25 Players in 2026Previous: DL Max GranvilleKevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him onBlueSky,Threadsorany of these other platforms.FollowNittany Lions Wire on XandFacebook.This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State Top 25 players for 2026: Trevor Buhr

Aug. 15MOSCOW On the 14th day of Idaho football's fall camp Friday, the Vandals took their training to the outdoor practice field.Throughout camp, senior quarterback Joshua Wood has looked increasingly comfortable in the offense that he'll be asked to lead this season.Under second-year head coach Thomas Ford Jr., Idaho has spent the first couple weeks of camp building identity on offense, centered around new offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker's system and Wood's ability to command it.Ford said that Wood has been "phenomenal" throughout fall camp, and pointed to his attention to detail, improved footwork and a growing understanding of what Ford and Shoemaker have envisioned for the offense.Plus, we'll look at the offensive line starters, with their depth, and how this year's camp feels fundamentally different for Ford in these Vandal Notes:Joshua Wood's development in a new offenseThe most crucial player at any position on the Vandal offense is Wood. His season could make or break Idaho's success this year.With that being said, he is entering more of a leadership role with a brand-new offensive scheme, with Shoemaker stepping in as the Vandals' OC.Ford called Wood a guy who is going to show up early and stay late. After last year's 4-8 season, he believes Wood had a poor taste in his mouth, feeling he could have done more to help Idaho be more successful."I know that his development since (then) has been incredible," Ford said of Wood. "He's obviously an incredible leader. He's a super talented athlete. But what I've really noticed throughout fall camp is just his attention to detail, his improvement and his footwork, and his true understanding of what coach Shoemaker is trying to do when he calls any given play, and so I think that understanding, the ability to make plays, is going to be a difference maker for us."Wood said earlier in the offseason that there is a big emphasis on explosive plays in this new offense, and on Friday he said that those have been showing throughout all of fall camp.Wood explained that he feels like he is capable of being the "very best" of what he wants to be under Shoemaker."(I feel) very comfortable," Wood said. "I mean, the playbook I know like the back of my hand, so it's just being able to be that comfortable in the offense and being able to take control of everything, so it feels great."Wood said he enjoys working under Shoemaker and that the offensive coordinator is very thorough and comprehensive when working with the offense."He's great. He communicates, (he's) very detailed and he's going to take control," Wood said. "He's going to make sure everyone's listening, paying attention, and very detailed into the orientation of how the offense needs to be on what concept and what route."Ford said the offense has made great progress and is "inching towards what we want.""The guys, I think, conceptually have started to really pick up what we're trying to do," Ford said on Thursday. "Now it's all about handling the wrinkles. How can we handle all the stuff that is the nuance, like we talked about this week? Just really getting better at the little things and intricacies in the offense."How do they iron out those wrinkles? Study, film, meetings, install, walkthrough basically everything, Ford said.Offensive line taking shapeStarters are not set in stone quite yet across multiple positions, but the offensive line is starting to come together for the Vandals.Five guys have appeared just about every series with the No. 1s, although Ford said there are eight or nine guys who could see playing time.Those five standouts includes senior left tackle Howard Stedford, senior left guard Tyler Skinner of Moscow High, senior center Layton Vining, junior right guard Leon Evans and senior right tackle Kiegan Henson.Ford mentioned three of those players Vining, Skinner and Henson as having some of the best camps in the trenches.Ford called Vining "Steady Eddie." The center stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 285 pounds."Sometimes you forget he's even in there because he just doesn't really make a ton of mistakes," Ford said. "He might be the smartest football player I've ever coached, and so having his leadership and his ability to be so consistent I think is huge at center."Henson, from Meridian, is 6-5 and 290 pounds."He's had a really, really good camp," Ford said of Henson. "He's really tried to improve his physicality throughout camp."Skinner stands at 6-4 and weighs 306."And then hometown guy Tyler Skinner," Ford said. "Tyler Skinner is really having a great camp as well. But like I said, we probably have four or five other guys that I'm not mentioning that really are going to make a difference for us."After practice on Thursday, Ford said that the plan is to travel 11 offensive linemen with the team for road games and trying to figure out those final spots is crucial."(I) feel really good about kind of those top eight guys, maybe nine guys that could all play," Ford said. "And (offensive line coach, Loren) Endsley, I think, has done a great job of giving those guys different groups. You're not always going to play the same five, but like he says, we're trying to play as a nickel, not five pennies."A fundamental difference from last year's campOn the first day of camp, Ford said that last year was like a crash course. He said when he got the job in January 2025 he was trying to hire a new staff and trying to get 30 or 40 players out of the transfer portal in a very quick manner. The second-year head coach said a lot of it felt like "drinking through a fire hose."He said that practice has finally felt like practice this year, rather than worrying about something they may have missed, and that preparation feels better and easier.Ford said that with the players, camp feels fundamentally different than last year."I think this group of guys is just a lot more focused," Ford said. "We talked a lot about discipline over motivation, and I think what you're seeing now, you're in the 13th practice of fall camp. Everybody's sore, everybody's tired, but to have the discipline to come and do hard things when you don't want to is what we're all about, and I definitely think this group is doing it."Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X @TrevorJunt.

Florida State football is looking to bounce back after two back-to-back losing seasons. They are hoping that both the newcomers to the program, from the high school recruiting class and the transfer portal, will help them do that.With this in mind, who might be a name to watch this upcoming season? The Athletic's Antonio Morales recently wrote a piece on the most intriguing newcomers to each FBS program. At Florida State, that is offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin from Auburn.Here's what Morales had to say about Chaplin:Chaplin has started 37 games over the past three seasons and was a highly touted transfer last offseason but had a disappointing year at Auburn. Can he revert to his 2024 form (when he was a standout at Virginia Tech) and help the FSU offensive line?The senior started all 12 games for the Auburn Tigers last season, and he earned a grade of 90 percent or higher in five games. In three seasons at Virginia Tech, he was an honorable mention All-ACC in 2024, as well as ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Boston College. In 2023, he was also a third-team All-American.Florida State has just one returning player on its offensive line; Chaplin is part of four newcomers to the trenches this season that are expected to start.FSU opens its 2026 season against the New Mexico State Aggies on Aug. 29. Fans can catch the game on the CW Network at 7:00 p.m. ET.Contact/Follow us @FSUWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of FSU news, notes, and opinions. Jacob Smith is a contributor for FSU Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. You can also follow Jacob on X at @jsmith_sports.This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: See the most intriguing newcomer on Florida State's roster

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Zion Young doesnt need the preseason to secure a place on the Baltimore Ravens roster. The second-round pick does need it to establish how large his role can become during his rookie season. Young will receive his first NFL game test when the Ravens host the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore plans to sit its established starters, creating additional snaps for younger players competing for positions in the rotation.The Ravens selected Young with the 45th overall pick after considering a trade up to acquire him. That investment reflects how highly the organization values his combination of size, power and physicality.Saturday will begin revealing how quickly those traits can translate into production.Zion Young must affect the quarterbackYoung produced 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hurries during his final season at Missouri. His pass-rush plan is built around power, long arms and a relentless motor rather than relying exclusively on speed around the corner. The Ravens have already experimented with moving Young inside during passing situations. His ability to overpower guards and collapse the pocket could create opportunities for Baltimores quicker edge defenders.Young has flashed that potential throughout the offseason. During organized team activities, he used an interior power rush to create pressure, defeated a blocker to disrupt a screen and tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage.Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver described Young as as good as advertised after watching his physicality appear before the Ravens put on pads.The Eagles should provide a useful test. Rookie right tackle Markel Bell, Cameron Williams, John Ojukwu and Philadelphias other reserve linemen will be playing extended snaps and undergoing evaluations of their own.Young doesnt need multiple sacks to produce an encouraging debut. Consistently compressing the pocket, forcing quarterbacks off their spot and creating opportunities for teammates would demonstrate that he can contribute to Baltimores pass-rush rotation immediately.This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Zion Young gets first chance to earn a prominent role in Ravens' rotation

MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 10: Joao Palhinha of FC Bayern Mnchen poses during the official UEFA Champions League 2026/27 portrait session at Allianz Arena on August 10, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty ImagesNewcastle Uniteds search for an experienced midfielder has already produced its share of frustration, with the Magpies pursuing several options as Matthias Jaissle attempts to add leadership to a squad barren of it.Aston Villa appeared to have moved ahead of Newcastle in the race for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha heading into the weekend. The situation, however, took an unexpected turn after negotiations between the clubs collapsed.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed on Friday that an agreement with Aston Villa is now off.Youve read that Aston Villa contacted us regarding Joao. That is true, but we wont reach an agreement with Aston Villa, Eberl confirmed. It simply wont work. We arent in a position where we have to do everything others try to impose on us.Marcas Diego Pico subsequently reported that, knowing about the development, Newcastle had returned with a stronger proposal to Bayern while offering Palhinha a three-year contract.The disagreement with Villa seems to center on the structure of the transfer, as the Premier League side wanted to take Palhinha on loan, while Bayern is seeking approximately 30 million (26 million) for a permanent sale after paying around 51 million (44 million) to sign him from Fulham in 2024.Theres no chance of an agreement, Eberl added, regarding that loan proposal.Pico reported that Newcastle has entered strongly the situation and is offering both a permanent transfer and a multi-year contract to Palhinha.Changes in the future of Joao Palinha. @NUFC entered strongly and offers a transfer and a three-year contract to the player, Pico reported. @AVFCOfficial ran out of options.All that said, there is one rather significant obstacle for Palhinha to play for Newcastle: his own preference, as reported by CNN Portugal, is only to return to the Premier League by way of Aston Villa, and he has already rejected any potential move to the Magpies in advance.That leaves two conflicting developments to resolve. For one, Bayern has publicly closed the door on Villa unless the terms of the change from a loan deal to a permanent transfer. And for two, while Newcastle is apparently prepared to offer the deal Bayern wants, the player doesnt seem too happy about moving to Tyneside.Would you still pursue Palhinha despite the report that he prefers Aston Villa, or should Newcastle immediately move to another midfield target? Share your thoughts below!Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account at Coming Home Newcastle and get:Create community posts on The Feed for everyone to readComment on all articles and community postsRec comments and community postsEnjoy a new, improved notifications systemFewer ads

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 23: Patrick NgongbaII #21, Kon Knueppel #7, Tyrese Proctor #5, CalebFoster #1, and CooperFlagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils huddle against the Baylor Bears during a second round game of the men's NCAA basketball tournament at Lenovo Center on March 23, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesWe didnt see this Friday, but CBS Sports has its projected starting Duke lineup posted. Their expectation: Caleb Foster and John Blackwell at guard, Pat Ngongba at center, and Dame Sarr and Cameron Williams at forward. That seems about right, but Dukes depth, however, means that things could change at any time. Cayden Boozer really came on at the end of last year, and we could imagine him taking a spot. Same for Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, who is, to say the least, ahead of the curve. Theres no particular reason why Deron Rippey couldnt start, and he clearly has a gear that most guys will never have. And if Bryson Howard turns out to be an absolute dog, he could barge in, too. Theres a sort of verbal meme going around this summer that Dukes second team would be ranked, too. Its gotten to be somewhat of a tired idea already, but it does underscore one thing: Duke practices are going to be absolutely brutal and, at times, more intense than the games to follow. Go to the DBR Boardsto find Blue Healer Auctions||Drop us a line