News

Fabrizio Romano confirms two forwards coming when Gakpo is sold

Liverpool’s long-stated aim in this summer’s transfer window is adding one-v-one quality out wide.

The plan was to add Yan Diomande but after RB Leipzig knocked back the Reds’ bid the Ivorian 19-year-old joined Real Madrid instead.

Since then the focus has been on bringing in Bradley Barcola. It’s proving to be a tricky task indeed however with Paris Saint-Germain intending to ask for £145m before letting the 23-year-old go.

Separately to the deal for Barcola it is believed that Liverpool are also chasing a move for Ibrahim Mbaye. The 18-year-old - a PSG teammate of Barcola - woud come in significantly cheaper but he is a far lesser proven player than the France international.

Gakpo could be sold to fund winger deal

An added complication is that Richard Hughes has already spent around £100m in this summer’s transfer window so far. Victor Munoz has been onboarded for £34m from Osasuna and Jeremy Jacquet came in for £60m from Rennes.

Ronald Araujo has been brought in on loan with a significant pay packet - meaning money is at a premium for the Merseysiders.

Sales will mean added spending money with Curtis Jones putting £30m in the cash register upon his sale to Inter Milan.

And one other solution could be to sell Cody Gakpo to Tottenham. The Dutchman, 27, inked a new contract deal last year worth around £250k per week - tying him to the club until 2030.

That means Liverpool are quite well protected from a transfer fee perspective and a deal to take the Netherlands forward to North London has been estimated at around £60m.

Two wingers coming if Gakpo is sold confirms Romano

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that a deal for Gakpo to go to Spurs is still alive - adding that the versatile forward’s exit would mean TWO extra wideman coming into Anfield this summer.

“For Cody Gakpo, Tottenham remain in conversations,” he tells his YouTube audience.

“I know in the last 24, 48 hours, the rumours around the story are that the deal is not happening, the deal is off, the deal is not going through.

“But my understanding is that the negotiation for Cody Gakpo to Tottenham is still ongoing. Cody Gakpo is open to joining Tottenham and personal terms are not a problem.

“So the deal remains on. The deal remains underway and Cody Gakpo to Tottenham Hotspur is still absolutely on.

“Then they need to reach a financial agreement, and that’s not a detail. Remember that if Gakpo is going to Tottenham, Liverpool will sign two wingers, top target Bradley Barcola plus one.

“So it’s still a long story in a short time because now there are less than two weeks of the summer transfer window. We’ll be following the situation. These days, anything can happen.

“But what I can guarantee at this time on Tuesday is that nothing has changed yet. There is no deal off. The conversation remains ongoing and we have to follow the situation to understand what’s going to happen.”

Liverpool could sign Mbaye and Barcola

It’s believed Iraola would like to have five winger options at his disposal this season. Munoz and Rio Ngumoha are locked in with Federico Chiesa’s place in the squad in doubt amid interest from elsewhere.

Gakpo leaving the club would spark two more signings - Barcola and perhaps Mbaye or else Yankuba Minteh from Brighton. That in turn would leave one place up for grabs with Lewis Koumas likely to be offered increased first-team minutes this season.

Premier League 2026/27 matchday 1 predictions: New era beckons as Newcastle vs Liverpool headlines opening weekend

The 2026/27 Premier League season is finally here, with the opening weekend set to offer the first taste of another thrilling campaign.

From Arsenal’s bid to retain their crown to a host of new managers and promoted sides looking to make their mark, Matchday 1 promises to provide an early glimpse of what could lie ahead.

Arsenal vs Coventry City

Buoyed by a 3-0 rout of Manchester City in the FA Community Shield, Arsenal kick off their Premier League title defence against newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.

Frank Lampard’s men head into proceedings as massive underdogs, looking to end the Gunners’ all-time competition record of 45 consecutive unbeaten home games against newcomers.

This will be the first top-flight meeting between the sides since 2001, but Coventry’s dismal run of just one win from their last 14 such clashes against Arsenal speaks volumes.

Prediction: Arsenal to win

Hull City vs Manchester United

Hull City’s promotion was nothing short of miraculous, yet their first Premier League campaign since 2016/17 starts against a side they have not beaten in the league since 1974.

Manchester United’s formidable record against the Tigers offers them plenty of encouragement as they bid to build on a strong finish to the 2025/26 season under Michael Carrick.

With no side boasting more victories on the opening matchday in Premier League history than the Red Devils’ 22, the stage looks set for the visitors’ statement win right from the outset.

Prediction: Man Utd to win

Everton vs Crystal Palace

Everton’s second season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium commences with a favourable clash against Crystal Palace, whose new manager Pierre Sage hopes to impress on his Premier League debut.

Sage, who replaced Oliver Glasner at the end of last season, will also look to become only the third Eagles boss ever to win their first Premier League game in charge of the club.

David Moyes could go eight straight league games without a win for the first time as Everton manager, but with Palace winning just once in their last 23 top-flight matches against them, that may not happen.

Prediction: Draw

Ipswich Town vs Sunderland

Portman Road sets the stage for the first Premier League showdown between Ipswich Town and Sunderland since 2001, with the visitors seeking a third consecutive opening-day triumph.

Gary O’Neil will be keen to stop the Black Cats in their tracks on his Premier League return, as he replaced Kieran McKenna in the summer after a decent Ligue 1 stint with Strasbourg.

However, Sunderland finished last season on a high, winning their final two league outings, which puts them in a position to claim three successive top-flight wins for the first time since 2014.

Prediction: Sunderland to win

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United

After winning the Europa Conference League with Palace last term, Glasner has been entrusted with leading Nottingham Forest into life without Elliot Anderson, but the City Ground may not be an ideal place to start his new adventure.

Forest emerged victorious from just one of their last nine home league fixtures, yet Leeds United’s visit could help change that narrative. The Tricky Trees have won both Premier League home clashes against this opposition in the 21st century.

The Whites’ unenviable return of just two away league victories last season makes the hosts a far more appealing option to start the season with three points.

Prediction: Forest to win

Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur

The first of the two opening-day London derbies takes place at the Gtech Community Stadium, where Brentford take on a new-look Tottenham Hotspur in an unfavourable match-up for the home team.

Despite finishing well above Spurs in the last two seasons, the Bees have won just one of their ten historical Premier League matches against them and are still waiting for their first home victory over them in the top flight.

Keen to avoid another embarrassing campaign, Spurs have spent big this summer to sign Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke, showing a clear statement of intent.

Prediction: Tottenham to win

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion’s five-game unbeaten opening-day run in the Premier League perhaps best illustrates the magnitude of the task awaiting Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium this weekend.

Unai Emery inspired Villa to Europa League glory last term, but it’s anyone’s guess how they will fare after losing Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers this summer,

Villa have lost just two of their 14 previous Premier League meetings with the Seagulls, which should boost their confidence ahead of the game.

Prediction: Villa to win

Manchester City vs Bournemouth

Enzo Maresca blamed Riccardo Calafiori’s early opener for Man City’s chastening Community Shield defeat, and he’ll look to atone on his competitive debut at the Etihad Stadium.

Bournemouth could not have imagined a worse place to begin life without Andoni Iraola than the Etihad, where they’ve lost all nine Premier League visits, conceding three or more goals in eight of those losses.

It’ll be up to new boss Marco Rose to buck that ominous trend, but the odds are heavily stacked against the Cherries for a reason.

Prediction: Man City to win

Newcastle United vs Liverpool

Liverpool travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United without Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, who have left this summer.

It’s a new dawn following an underwhelming title-defending campaign last term, and Virgil van Dijk has confirmed that ‘everyone is up for the challenge‘ during the pre-match conference.

Liverpool’s strong run of 19 consecutive unbeaten league matches against Newcastle does little to inspire confidence for the home side. Neither do the high-profile summer sales of Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Tonali.

Prediction: Liverpool to win

Fulham vs Chelsea

Matchday one ends at Craven Cottage, where former Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa begins his new chapter in English football against a Chelsea side hoping to turn the page under Xabi Alonso.

Fulham appointed the Spaniard in the wake of Marco Silva’s move to Benfica in a desperate attempt to improve on last season’s 11th-place finish and bounce back from an erratic end to the campaign.

Chelsea finished last season narrowly ahead of the Cottagers, highlighting just how much work awaits Alonso if he is to meet the lofty expectations at Stamford Bridge.

Prediction: Draw

Santos FC host Aldeia Shanenawá at Vila Belmiro

On Wednesday (19), Santos FC welcomed four members of the Shanenawá Village to Estádio Urbano Caldeira. Teka, Vyca, Tuma, and Puyan visited Vila Belmiro and toured the Memorial of Achievements, the locker room, and the pitch of the Sacred Temple. The village is located in Feijó, in the state of Acre, and its territory holds a strong connection to the forest and its ancestors.

The Shanenawá are known as the people of the blue bird, and the four members came to the city of Santos to carry out various ceremonies with indigenous medicines throughout the month of August.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Corona Centennial senior quarterback Jaden Jefferson showcased his talents on three plays that didn’t count in the team’s season opener against Servite on Thursday night.

First, Jefferson ran from one sideline to the other in the backfield, evading would-be defenders. He finished the run at the one-yard line before a holding call gave Servite a respite.

On the next play, Jefferson threw the ball into the chest of a receiver at the one-yard line, only for another holding penalty to negate the play.

At this point, it was becoming ridiculous. So coach Matt Logan decided to do something even more ridiculous with his playcalling.

Jefferson threw a lateral to senior wide receiver Gavin Lorge, who threw it back to Jefferson. The QB then slalomed through the entire Servite defense as the first-half clock ran out, finding his way to the end zone. Alas, the touchdown didn’t count because of another penalty.

Jefferson had plenty of plays that did count, however, in Centennial’s 41-21 win at Orange Coast College. He completed 19 of 24 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns while adding 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in a stunning performance.

Perhaps his biggest feat — and one that wasn’t called back — came when he threw out of the end zone and connected with wide receiver Quentin Hale. The USC commit jumped over two defenders, bringing down a one-handed catch.

In casual terms, Hale pulled off an Odell Beckham Jr.-style catch while Mossing his opponents.

Jefferson, however, is used to pulling off the impossible with Hale, a transfer from Cathedral.

“We’ve been making crazy plays our whole life, so it’s nothing new to us,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson, who is committed to Hawaii, also connected with Hale on a 46-yard touchdown pass. Hale finished with seven catches for 159 yards and a touchdown.

For Servite, it was a difficult night for Rick Garretson, who was making his coaching debut for his alma mater. Garretson was an All-CIF selection his senior year and worked as the passing game coordinator and then offensive coordinator for Servite during a fifteen-year stretch that ended in 2004.

Back on the sideline with the Friars for the first time in more than two decades, Garretson said Servite needed to be strong in the trenches in order to win. “That’s how this sport is won and lost,” he said.

Garretson was counting on strong performances from the linebacker group, specifically from senior Isaiah Leilua and junior Allen Kennett. However, Centennial was able to rush for more than 250 yards via a committee that included 67 yards and a touchdown from senior Braylin Drake and another 50 yards from junior Malaki Davis.

It wasn’t all negative for Servite, as the team found success through the ground game. Each of the team’s three touchdowns came off the run, and junior running back Jorden Wells dominated, gaining 110 yards and scoring a 55-yard touchdown.

JSerra transfer Gino Wang made his debut at quarterback for Servite, and the junior signal-caller showed flashes of what could come this season, making multiple incisive passes and pulling off a big 20-yard run on fourth down. Those successes, however, were sporadic and he ultimately had a shaky performance, completing 14 of 29 passes for 90 yards.

There was a brief glimmer of hope Servite would come back when it scored a touchdown to make the score 34-21 with five minutes left. However, a roughing the kicker call on a Centennial punt ended Servite’s hopes of a rally. It was a frustrating end to a frustrating game for Garretson.

For Logan, it was a great start to the season — though his annoyance with Centennial’s offensive penalties was palpable.

Still, the Centennial coach, who has won more than 300 games and 10 Southern Section division championships, was pleased with what he saw from Jefferson and Hale, perhaps the most talented duo he has ever coached.

“Our quarterback is absolutely dynamic, and [Hale] is unbelievable,” Logan said. “If you were gonna build a receiver on a Madden game, he’d be the guy.”

Centennial may have some on-field discipline issues to work out as the season progresses, but with Jefferson, Hale and plenty of other offensive weapons, it could be in for another impressive season.

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Santos FC earn draw in Ecuador, qualify for CONMEBOL Sudamericana

Santos FC drew 0-0 with Macará in Ecuador in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16. Carrying a 2-1 result from the first leg at Vila Belmiro, Thursday’s (20) goalless draw secured Peixe’s place in the quarterfinals, where they will face Atlético Mineiro.

The first half of the match was marked by balance between the two teams. Gabriel Brazão was crucial for Santos during the period, making a great save as early as the 11th minute.

In the second half, Peixe remained solid in defense. Brazão was called into action in the 13th minute, but he stopped Posse’s low shot.

Peixe managed to threaten Rodrigo Rodríguez’s goal while constantly battling the altitude. In the 10th minute, Caballero went for goal, but his shot went wide.

Late on, in stoppage time, Pedro Assis had Santos FC’s best chance of the match. The Menino da Vila debutant found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the ball bounced before the shot and his effort went wide.

MATCH DETAILS

CONMEBOL Sudamericana – Round of 16CD Macará 0 (1) x (2) 0 Santos FC

Venue: Bellavista Stadium, Ambato (ECU)Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026Time: 7:00 p.m.Referee: Cristian Garay Reyes (CHI)Assistants: Carlos Enrique Poblete Roa (CHI) and Wladimir Muñoz Figueroa (CHI)VideoAssistantReferee: Rodrigo A. Carvajal Molina (CHI)Yellowcards: (CDM) Bolaños (SFC) Gustavo Henrique and Rony

CDM: Rodrigo Rodríguez; Denilson Bolaños, Etchebarne, José Marrufo and Jordan Mohor; Jean Estacio (Martin Tello), Jose Casares and Matías Miranda; Agustin Campana (Luca Ferro), Mateo Viera (Jose Klinger) and Franco Posse. Head coach: Guillermo Sanguinetti.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer of the Dallas Cowboys Getty

It wasn’t a pretty scene between the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints in Oxnard this week, as their joint practice devolved into a series of skirmishes, kerfuffles and outright brawls in a session that saw Donovan Ezeiruaku sent off the field for throwing punches. The NFL got hold of tapes from the practice and on Thursday, announced it had issued some hefty fines to the teams.

In addition to the Ezeiruaku punch, there was a punch thrown by cornerback Caelen Carson, there was a Cowboys helmet thrown and there was New Orleans’ Brock Rechsteiner, son of famed WWE wrestler Scott Steiner, throwing down Jalen Thompson with a textbook body slam.

From the league office: “The Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints have each been fined $500,000 for the actions that took place at the joint practice between the teams earlier this week. The Competition Committee has made sportsmanship — including at joint practices — a point of emphasis over the past several years. All clubs were reminded by memo prior to training camp of their responsibility in preventing unsportsmanlike behavior at joint practices that has the potential to result in injury.”

Cowboys Fight Fine Was ‘Pretty Stiff’

Little doubt that the fights in joint practice–media accounts of the session counted between six and eight altogether–qualified as unsportsmanlike. Even Cowboys owner Jerry Jones agreed with that.

But Jones, in assessing just how much the league doled out in fines, felt the Cowboys were hit too hard. He agreed that punishment was warranted, but not a half-a-million’s worth.

“That’s pretty harsh, I mean, pretty stiff, not harsh, but stiff,” Jones said. “But it does make the point that it’s a serious matter, and it starts with everybody at all levels of a club, and the clubs in this case who are practicing together, it really emphasizes the league’s intent to control it from the very top, which when they start dealing out those kinds of fines, they get your attention.”

View this post on Instagram Cowboys Concerned With Donovan Ezeiruaku Fights

Specifically, the Cowboys were most concerned about Ezeiruaku, the second-year pass-rusher whom the team wants to play with a fierce edge. But Ezeiruaku has gotten into the habit of making that edge a bit too fierce–he was ejected from a Cowboys practice earlier this month.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said that Ezeiruaku has been given a talking-to.

Asked about Ezeiruaku, Jones said: “I think that you have to have consequences and that needs to register. In other words, we all know whether you’re playing a game or out here in society, if you aren’t sensitive about the consequences of your behavior, then you’ll get brought to your knees pretty quick. And so this is something that I, knowing him, I think he has the capability of being sensitive to consequences.”

Donovan Ezeiruaku Vows More Sacks

The Cowboys are hopeful on Ezeiruaku this season, a big one for the second-year man who was adequate as a rookie but finished with only 2.0 sacks. Ezeiruaku, who led the ACC with 16.5 sacks in 12 games at Boston College in 2024, has vowed to get to the quarterback more.

As he said: “They don’t draft edge rushers to not get any sacks … Especially for me the way I take pride in what I do and what I want to do to help this football team.”

Like HEAVY's content?Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Cowboys Vow to Fight ‘Stiff’ NFL Punishment After Saints Brawl appeared first on HEAVY.

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers can't beat the force out at first base by Brent Headrick #47 of the New York Yankees during the sixth inning in game two of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on July 19, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 18: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers can't beat the force out at first base by Brent Headrick #47 of the New York Yankees during the sixth inning in game two of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on July 19, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) Getty

Nick Swisher remembers when the New York Yankees were the big, bad dynasty on the big-league block, and he misses those days.

The Yankees special assistant lamented the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ recent run of dominance and explained why their ongoing success “bothers the s—” out of him.

Swisher spent four seasons with the Yankees (2009-12) and was the starting right fielder the last time New York won the World Series, in 2009. His tenure with the club was tied for the longest he spent with any team â matching his four years with the Oakland Athletics â and he joined the Yankees’ front office shortly after announcing his retirement from professional baseball in 2016.

Nick Swisher: The Dodgers ‘Have Created a Super Team’

In Swisher’s day, the Yankees ran out a lineup of Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Jorge Posada and Swisher himself, backed by a loaded pitching staff and bullpen.

But the Dodgers have taken the Yankees’ old blueprint and run with it over the past decade-plus. Aside from reaching the World Series five times since 2017, and winning three of them, they have loaded their roster with former MVPs Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman and added big-ticket pitchers like Tyler Glasnow, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Edwin Diaz and Tanner Scott.

“I just think in general, with what the Dodgers are doing, man, they have created a super team, and they are the team to beat,” Swisher told Casino.ca. “It bothers the s— out of me because we used to be the team to beat, and now they are. So tides have turned.”

The Yankees are favored to win the American League and have somehow banked a 99.7% postseason probability despite missing captain Aaron Judge for nearly three months.

This has also been a resurgent year for New York sports thanks to the Knicks‘ title run, and Swisher thinks the Yankees should take a cue from them.

“We just need to get ourselves back to that glory land, man. Because it’s been since ’09 since we won this thing, baby, and we need to party with these young thunder cats,” Swisher said. “They have never seen us party before. They see what the Knicks can do, but when the Yankees win, bro, it’s a whole different level.”

Nick Swisher: The Yankees’ Season ‘Looks Very Good For Us’

The Yankees have arguably the best pitching staff in the majors â and it could look even more dangerous in October.

That, Swisher argues, is what makes this the Yankees’ year.

“Having the ability to have four quality starters going into the playoffs, then all of a sudden you have the ability to move someone like a Ryan Weathers to the bullpen. You have the ability to move a Will Warren to the bullpen if needed, because having those swing-and-miss guys there, early part of the bullpen, back end of the bullpen,” Swisher said. “However [manager Aaron] Boone decides to use those guys, we’ve got a lot of guys with a lot of skills that are coming back, and if we can continue to keep ourselves afloat with where we are right now, the end of the season looks very good for us in my mind.”

Like HEAVY's content?Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Former Yankees World Series Champ Explains Why Dodgers’ Dominance ‘Bothers the S—‘ Out of Him appeared first on HEAVY.

It’s one of the most interesting Heisman races in a long, long time.

Lots of future NFL quarterbacks for national championship-caliber teams, an all-time great wide receiver, and a few hopefuls who might just rise and surprise.

They’re our preseason Heisman favorites, and here’s our preseason prediction for how the race for the greatest trophy honoring an individual in sports will go.

2026 Heisman Trophy Watch: Preseason Top 12 Predictions

26 for 2026
26: Winningest Programs Yet To Make the CFP
25: ACC Key Questions
24: Big 12 Key Questions
23: Big Ten Key Questions
22: Top 2027 NFL Draft Prospects
21: SEC Key Questions
20: What’s Next in Realignment?
19. Ranking all 30 New Head Coaches
18. Who Has the Easiest Schedules?
17. Who Has the Hardest Schedules?
16. Who Might Be the Next Indiana?
15. Group of Six Teams with Best CFP Shot
14. 5 Teams Due For a Letdown
13. 5 Programs Under the Most Pressure
12. 26 Bold Predictions
11. 5 Teams We’re Disrespecting
10. 5 Hottest Head Coaching Prospects
9. Biggest Games of the Season
8. Coaches On Hot Seat
7. Teams About to Surprise
6. 10 New Superstars
5. Top Quarterback Battles
4. Top 26 Transfers

12. The Field

Why Anyone But the 11 on this List Will Win the Heisman 
The Heisman race always produces players who come from out of nowhere.  Fernando Mendoza and Diego Pavia weren’t on anyone’s list going into last year.

No one had Ashton Jeanty in the 2024 mix, and Travis Hunter was a crazy call. Jayden Daniels in 2023? A flier at very best. Max Duggan as the runner-up to Caleb Williams in 2022, Aidan Hutchinson and Kenny Pickett behind Bryce Young in 2021, and … you get the idea.

Why the Field Won’t Win the Heisman
In an NIL and transfer portal era, the stars end up with the biggest programs. It’ll take something outside of the norm – like Daniels and Hunter – to raise enough interest to be in the Heisman race.

Projected Heisman Finish
Top three, but who will it be? New LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt? If he’s healthy enough. The starting Alabama quarterback – the race is still on. USC QB Jayden Maiava? Yeah, he should probably be in the top ten. Miami WR Malachi Toney? He doesn’t play corner like Hunter did. That’s the fun of the Heisman race – the stars of the season have yet to show themselves.

11. Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia

Why He Will Win the Heisman
He’ll be the star quarterback for another great Georgia team that will be in the SEC and National Championship hunt all season long.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
The stats won’t be there – Georgia won’t have the passing game. He’ll have some big moments in big games, which might be enough to get him in the top ten, but it won’t be enough to hold the Trophy.

Projected Heisman Finish
Just outside of the top ten – he finished seventh last season. Georgia will be great, but there will be far more good candidates than last year.
– Georgia 2026 Team Preview

10. Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan

Why He Will Win the Heisman
He will have lots and lots of opportunities for the big moment, starting with the date against Oklahoma, and Penn State, and Indiana, and Oregon, and Ohio State.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
He’ll be very good against all of those teams, but won’t do enough to pull out the wins to get to a high Heisman level.

Projected Heisman Finish
Fringe top ten. He’ll range from not even close if he’s not amazing right away against OU on the low side, to good enough to receive a few votes with a few magical moments in at least one high-profile victory.
– Michigan 2026 Team Preview

9. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

Why He Will Win the Heisman 
Magical in last year’s College Football Playoff run, he’s among the most exciting players returning. A must-see each week, this is his Ole Miss team now to run. On sheer entertainment value, everything is there to be on the highlight reels each week.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
Can and will Ole Miss be that good again? This only works if Chambliss is fantastic and Ole Miss gets by Lane Kiffin and LSU early on, and lights up Louisville in the opener – with everyone watching – and beats Texas, and Oklahoma, and Georgia, and …

Projected Heisman Finish
Easily inside the top ten. He might be great again, and that will be enough to get him plenty of votes. There will be too many Ole Miss losses, though, to push past all the other stars up top.
– Ole Miss 2026 Team Preview

8. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore walks off the field during the Oregon Ducks annual spring game on April 25, 2026 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn

Why He Will Win the Heisman
The Ducks are about to go on a World Tour of Domination, and Moore will be the star. The NFL Draft types are ready to pounce, the attention will be there all season, and he’ll be in just enough shootouts to look like the star that he is.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
The numbers won’t be quite good enough. The talent is there, but everyone will be looking for a bit more, considering he’s a presumptive top-five overall pick. He and the Ducks will come up just short when everyone is watching in the giant showdown at Ohio State.

Projected Heisman Finish
Comfortably in the top ten and just outside of being a finalist. Like last year, when he averaged 238 yards per game, the numbers won’t be quite where they need to be to overcome the one big loss.
– Oregon 2026 Team Preview

7. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Why He Will Win the Heisman
The veteran quarterback who finished fourth in the Heisman balloting last year will either make or break his campaign at Texas early on, at Indiana and at USC in the middle of the season, and against Oregon in early November. Once again, his stats will be amazing. However …

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
The numbers won’t be quite as eye-popping. He led the nation with a 77% completion rate – over four percentage points higher than Carson Beck – and was just behind Fernando Mendoza in quarterback ranking. That still wasn’t enough to make the top three.

Projected Heisman Finish
Outside of the top five. He’ll have a few great games on the big stages, but he won’t be the star of the show with all of the other Buckeye weapons. With that said, if he rips it up and the Buckeyes roll through their schedule, this projection will change fast.
– Ohio State 2026 Team Preview

6. John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

Why He Will Win the Heisman
This year he’ll start to look and play more like the all-around statistical superstar he was at Washington State, and less like the fighter who tried to play through a wrist injury over the second half of last season.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
To be deep in the Heisman mix, he needs to be strong against Michigan and Georgia early on – both of those will be on the road. Throw in Texas, Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M – there are too many landmines to sidestep.

Projected Heisman Finish
Call this a placeholder ranking, at just outside of the top five. If he’s just okay against the Wolverines and Bulldogs in the two monster September road games, and OU wins, he’s in it. If he’s amazing in close losses, he’s still alive, but any hope of being in the finalist mix will be tied to a team that needs to be in the College Football Playoff chase.
– Oklahoma 2026 Team Preview

Make CFN a Preferred Source on Google (you’ll get our picks, predictions, and content faster). Click here to make us a trusted source (please!)

5. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Why He Will Win the Heisman After a few years of holding the designation of being among the best – if not the best – non-quarterback in college football, he’s set to take his game to a whole other level. He doesn’t have to lead the nation in receiving as long as he blows up at the right times with everyone watching.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
It’s almost impossible to win a Heisman now if you’re not a quarterback. DeVonta Smith of Alabama was able to do it in 2020, and Travis Hunter pulled it off a few years ago, but he was a corner, too.

Projected Heisman Finish
Top five. Last year he finished sixth after catching 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. He might not have quite the same stats, but he’s a lock to be a finalist if he comes close. This year, though, the quarterbacks are too good.

4. Arch Manning, QB, Texas

Why He Will Win the Heisman
It took a year to get his feet wet as a full-time starter, and now, off we go. Yes, he’s as good as the hype, and yes, he’ll get his shot to make a massive statement early on against Ohio State. Throw in the addition of star receiver Cam Coleman from the transfer portal, and the stats will match the attention.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
He and Texas have to actually win against Ohio State. And at Tennessee, and against Oklahoma, and at LSU and Texas A&M, and in the SEC Championship on the way to the College Football Playoff. One slip will be enough to cost him the Heisman.

Projected Heisman Finish 
Third or fourth. He’s the real deal, and so is Texas. The Longhorns will win most of those games just listed, and Manning will be one of the main reasons why. He might be a Manning, but he happens to be a top Heisman candidate in a loaded field.  
– Texas 2026 Team Preview

3. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami

Why He Will Win the Heisman
The stats are about to go off the charts. Outstanding at Tulane and better at Duke, with the weapons he’ll have in the Miami offense, he could push for 4,000 yards – last year he threw for 3,973 with 34 scores with the Blue Devils.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
At Notre Dame on November 7th. If the Hurricanes lose to the Fighting Irish, it’ll be tough to pull off the Heisman, no matter what the stats. He would have to be phenomenal in defeat.

Projected Heisman Finish
The top four. Cam Ward finished fourth in 2024 with over 4,000 passing yards. That’s about what it would take to get Mensah close. If he and the Canes beat Notre Dame, the dynamic changes, and he’ll have a real shot to take the Heisman – but we’re predicting the Irish.
– Miami 2026 Team Preview

2. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before a NCAA football game against Texas A&M at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in South Bend. Michael Clubb/South Bend Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Why He Will Win the Heisman
Start with this – Notre Dame should win the showdown against Miami. Even if there’s a down game against someone else, if Carr is terrific against the Hurricanes – in his first game, he threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-24 thriller of a Miami win to open last season – it might not be his Heisman for the taking, but he’ll have won the right game at the right time.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman 
Even without Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, this will still be a running team. Carr won’t put up astronomical numbers – he’ll probably get to around 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns – so it’ll be about the big moments. There aren’t many on the Notre Dame schedule.

Projected Heisman Finish 
Second or Third. If he’s great and Notre Dame beats Miami, the call is that he’ll end up somewhere in the top three. Even if the Irish lose at BYU he could still be in the hunt. He won’t have the stats, though, to take the Heisman home.
– Notre Dame 2026 Team Preview

1. Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana

Why He Will Win the Heisman
Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman despite averaging just 221 yards per game – he threw 33 touchdown passes before the College Football Playoff.

Hoover played in five fewer games at TCU than Mendoza did at IU, but he threw for almost as many total yards, finished fourth in the nation in passing yards per game, and he’s about to put up better numbers than Mendoza did.

Why He Won’t Win the Heisman
The same magic won’t be there. That’s asking for too much out of anyone. It wasn’t just that Mendoza was great, but there weren’t any other real options – Diego Pavia and Jeremiyah Love were fine, but … nah. Mendoza also had the magical comeback against Penn State, and the Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State after being rocked early.

Projected Heisman Finish
IU for two. Alabama won back-to-back Heismans in 2020 (DeVonta Smith) and 2021 (Bryce Young). Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray did it for Oklahoma in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

USC did it (Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush), Archie Griffin won two in a row for Ohio State, and Yale got two straight with Clint Frank in 1937 and Larry Kelley in 1938.

Hoover will be on center stage with all the pressure in the world on his shoulders, and he’ll come through just fine. The stats, the wins, and the big moments will all be there.
– Indiana 2026 Team Preview

Real Madrid summer signing names Cristiano Ronaldo his idol: ‘The pictures say everything’

Real Madrid signed talented Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig this summer for a mammoth fee of €140 million.

That price tag was a clear reflection of the kind of faith Los Blancos had in the teenage sensation who had taken the Bundesliga by storm last season.

After signing for Madrid, Diomande reiterated that he was honoured to play for the Spanish club and that he was not feeling the pressure of the price tag.

‘Cristiano Ronaldo is my idol’

Now, speaking to Sporty TV in an interview, the African winger has admitted that he idolised Cristiano Ronaldo growing up.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is my idol,” Diomande said.

The winger is now walking through the same training facilities where Ronaldo spent some of the greatest years of his career, and the photographs around the club have clearly made an impression on Madrid’s new signing.

“When I go to training, I look at his pictures. The pictures say everything,” he explained.

“The walk, the aura. I’m proud to play in the club my idol played in.”

For a young attacker arriving at Madrid with enormous expectations, there could hardly be a more appropriate reference point.

Following Ronaldo’s footsteps at Madrid

Ronaldo’s legacy at Real Madrid needs little introduction.

His combination of goals, personality, relentless ambition and ability to perform under pressure transformed him into one of the defining players in the club’s history.

Diomande is obviously at the very beginning of his own Madrid journey, and comparisons between the two would be premature.

However, if Diomande could even imbibe some of the mentality that Ronaldo showed, it would set him up for success in a massive way.

A dream becoming reality for Diomande

Yan Diomande is Real Madrid’s record signing. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)

The Ivorian has made no attempt to hide what joining Madrid means to him.

He previously described the club’s call as a dream, admitting he could barely sleep after learning of their interest.

Now he is training surrounded by reminders of the player who helped shape that dream in the first place.

There will inevitably be pressure and difficult moments ahead. Diomande is young, the expectations are enormous and Jose Mourinho has serious competition throughout his attack.

However, if there is something Diomande can learn from his idol, it is that failures are always stepping stones to success.

Ronaldo never gave up in spite of the numerous times that he was written off and, perhaps, Madrid fans are getting ready to see Diomande write the next iconic chapter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (15) catches a pass against Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Tony Jefferson (23) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

INGLEWOOD - An aging San Francisco 49ers roster, star-studded for years, has needed new talent. Early signs of a promising draft class were easy to spot in Thursday night's 41-17 preseason win against the Chargers. Wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling was a sight for eyes that grew sore looking at Danny Gray and Ronnie Bell. Running back Kaelon Black, the third 49ers draft pick at the position in three years, flashed what could finally pass as Christian McCaffrey backup material. About time.

Get used to the last name Stribling. Or third-and-De'Zhaun. "The Flyin' Hawaiian" is Mac Jones' not-so-original nickname for the rookie wide receiver. Whatever you want to call him, 49ers quarterbacks could not stop throwing to No. 15 on third down, the money down.

Stribling finished with four catches for 46 yards, two of which converted a third down and another that went for 11 yards to set up a manageable third-and-short.

Sometimes the 49ers did not need a third down, thanks to Black, a compact 5-foot-10, 208-pound back with the apparent power and verticality that once made Jordan Mason the most successful McCaffrey sidekick. Black had back-to-back runs of eight and nine yards, moving the sticks on his own, and advancing the offense into Chargers territory. The surprise third-round draft pick recorded a respectable 33 yards on eight carries in his preseason debut.

All told, Stribling should've had a touchdown. He created a ton of separation for an over-the-shoulder fade pass from Jones but his helmet got in the way.

Black could've benefited from improved offensive-line play. Carver Willis, also a rookie who played tackle in college, was installed at left guard with Connor Colby, a 2025 seventh-round draft pick who fumbled his headstart in the left guard competition, at right guard.

All-Pro wideout Mike Evans (quad tightness) was one of several starters who did not suit up Thursday, along with McCaffrey (unspecified tightness). Evans is 32 years old and coming off a campaign without 1,000 receiving yards, for the first time in his 12-year career, due to injuries. McCaffrey, 30, just set a new record for single-season touches (450 including playoffs) last season. Games this time of year don't count, until your team is in the middle of November with an injury report that spills onto the second page.

The upside of guys such as Stribling and Black, particularly at positions anchored by older players, could leave a closing window slightly ajar.

He can stay: The return game could make or break whether a player makes this 49ers team. Skyy Moore brilliantly handled kickoffs and punts last season but left in free agency. General manager John Lynch basically introduced Deebo Samuel as a punt returner, among other things, when the former fan favorite returned as a splashy camp signing. But his place on the roster is perhaps obviously written in already.

Jacob Cowing, on the other hand, probably needed to give more reason for the 49ers to keep him. His first two NFL seasons were a sunken cost. He caught four passes as a rookie, returned 28 punts with mixed results and missed his entire sophomore year after a torn hamstring.

He finally got his feel-good moment Thursday. Cowing broke free for 83 yards and a punt return touchdown. It was the kind of breakthrough you see in movies.

In reality, it may have secured his spot on the 53-man roster.

Purdy plays: One blink, and you likely missed most of the Brock Purdy cameo at SoFi Stadium. A glimpse of his third-down throws to Stribling, at most. The 49ers' franchise quarterback got his first and likely last series of the preseason, spanning 12 plays, 4-for-6 passing and 29 yards.

One of his incompletions spiraled way behind Samuel on a play-action pass concept. Try not to lose sleep over it. Purdy looked sharp for much of camp.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan just let him stretch his legs a bit before that long Australia flight.

SubscribeThere’s more to San Francisco with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.

This article originally published at Will this 49ers rookie class be the one? De'Zhaun Stribling, Kaelon Black shine against Chargers.

Main menu

Sports

Pages

US Market

Pages

World

Pages

Error message

Contact Us