LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The days of walk-ons in college football and other sports are numbered because terms of the looming House vs. NCAA antitrust lawsuit settlement requires Football Bowl Subdivision teams to pare their rosters to 105 players. Nebraska has had one of the most well-known walk-on programs since the 1960s and traditionally has had some of the largest rosters in the country. Derek Wacker was among the walk-ons who participated in a scrimmage Saturday and doesn't know if he will still be on the team come fall. He said he's a die-hard Huskers fan and has no regrets about walking on.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Jim Knowles is making himself right at home after moving closer to home. The Philadelphia native is in his first year as Penn State's defensive coordinator after leaving the same position at Ohio State. Knowles says he's learned a lot during the Nittany Lions' spring drills and believes there's no reason Penn State's defense can't pick up right where it left off in 2024 when it ranked among the best in the country. The Nittany Lions will have to find a way to replace edge rusher Abdul Carter, who was taken third overall by the New York Giants in the NFL draft.
UNDATED (AP) — Ohio State rode the deepest, most talented roster in college football to a national title last season. NFL evaluators took notice. Seven Buckeyes were selected in the first two rounds of the NFL draft, matching the program record set in 2016. That was two more than any other school in rounds 1 and 2 this year; Texas had five players selected. Receiver Emeka Egbuka, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and offensive lineman Josh Simmons were chosen during Thursday's first round. Running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson and edge rusher JT Tuimoloau went during the second round on Friday.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick Derrick Harmon’s mother, Tiffany Saine, died shortly after Pittsburgh selected the defensive lineman from Oregon with the 21st overall pick. Harmon said after he was drafted that he planned to visit his mother, who he said was on life support. Saine had endured several brain surgeries and a stroke in recent years. Harmon pointed to his mother as an inspiration for him to keep going as he made his way from Michigan State to Oregon.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Earlier this month, Maryland made Malik Washington available to reporters during spring practice. Washington is a top quarterback recruit who signed with the Terrapins in December. His availability to the media was a sign of how highly coach Mike Locksley thinks of Washington’s maturity and poise. It was also an acknowledgement of just how much he could mean to the future of this program. It’s not unreasonable to suggest Washington’s performance could make or break Locksley’s tenure at Maryland after the team went 4-8 last season.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — University of Southern California basketball recruit Alijah Arenas has been involved in a vehicle accident. The university's men's basketball coach called for prayers for Arenas and his family in a Thursday social media post. Arenas is a Los Angeles high school basketball star and the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. The Los Angeles Police Department says officers responded shortly before 5 a.m. to a single-vehicle collision in the San Fernando Valley. Police said an 18-year-old was transported to the hospital in stable condition. Multiple news outlets including the Los Angeles Times and ESPN said Arenas was the driver, citing sources.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones is switching schools in Los Angeles, going from Final Four team UCLA to Southern California. The 5-foot-4 guard was a 3-point threat during her three seasons with the Bruins, who lost to UConn in the national semifinals earlier this month. Jones started 31 of 37 games and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention. She led the Bruins in 3-pointers with 37 and averaged 8.5 points and 1.8 assists last season. Jones leaves Westwood owning the school’s single-season 3-point record with 87 as a sophomore. She also made made the Pac-12 All-Freshman team.
