The QB1’s
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Five quarterbacks embody the SEC with their blend of elite production, high-end talent, and promising upside.
Entering the 2025 season, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier holds the top spot as both the most productive and experienced returning QB, while Texas’s Arch Manning’s first full year as a starter brings blue-chip intrigue.
Meanwhile, Florida’s DJ Lagway and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers provide nothing but high ceilings with dual-threat play.
Taylen Green rounds out the group with a strong body of work and he’s a dangerous fit within Arkansas’s offense.
#1 Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): Nussmeier slides in as the SEC’s most accomplished returning signal-caller.
After replacing Jayden Daniels, he threw for over 4,000 yards and 28+ touchdowns. Nussmeier is ranked first because of his command, willingness to take chances, and growth within Brian Kelly’s system.
In addition, LSU has an experienced supporting cast, which Nussmeier will utilize to lead a potent offense. He may stake a claim as a Heisman contender.
Productivity & experience: SEC-leading attempts, completions, and yardage in 2024.
Elite arm talent & playmaking: Ranked top-10 in big-time throws nationally.
Offensive continuity: Solidified command entering his fourth year in Kelly’s offense
#2 Arch Manning (Texas): Manning enters his first full season as the Texas starting QB after limited action in 2024.
He completed 73 of 112 attempts for 939 yards, 9 TDs, and only 2 INTs.
Despite a modest role, his pedigree, downfield accuracy, and athleticism show promise, even among the SEC’s elite. I predict a breakout year with Arch Manning running Steve Sarkisian’s quarterback-focused system.
Ceiling: Manning is projected to grow into one of the SEC’s top QBs due to raw talent .
Foundation & Support: Coaching, strong offensive line additions, and returning weapons on both sides of the ball.
Readiness: Manning has already shown composure and success stepping in mid-season.
#3 DJ Lagway (Florida): After stepping up as a freshman in 2024, Lagway delivered 1,915 yards and 12 touchdowns across seven games.
Known for a strong arm and mobility, he sparked a second-half turnaround for the Gators. Florida’s coaches have embraced his skillset entering year two.
Freshman breakout: Multiple 300-yard games early in career.
Potential: His physical gifts and arm strength make him a modern SEC prototype.
Momentum: Off‑season confidence from coaches, teammates, and fans .
#4 LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina): Sellers became a star as a dual-threat in 2024, finishing with 2,534 passing yards and 18 TDs, plus 674 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs.
His leadership, athleticism, and steady improvement in crucial moments have consistently ranked him among the SEC’s top 2–4 QBs by multiple outlets.
Dual-threat capabilities: A real ground and air threat.
Rising trajectory: Showed consistent growth and poise.
Leadership: Enters 2025 as THE offensive centerpiece.
#5 Taylen Green (Arkansas): Wrapping out the top five is Green, the true dual-threat who threw for over 3,100 yards in 2024 while contributing significantly on the ground.
In a Petrino system built around his skillset, he has the experience and supporting cast to sharpen his consistency and cut turnovers.
Proven production: Second-year SEC starter with big passing and rushing numbers.
System fit: Well-suited to Arkansas’ offense.
Upside: If he minimizes mistakes, he could quietly ascend.
Quarterbacks to keep your eyes on: Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), John Mateer (Oklahoma), Austin Simmons (Ole Miss) and Gunner Stockton (Georgia).
The SEC is breaking in several new quarterbacks with several Heisman conversations in the preseason. QB1 is the most important position, and playoff dreams depend on which quarterback shines the most.
The New Dawgs
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are absolutely rolling right now when it comes to recruiting.
June was a huge month, packed with big commitments, and Georgia now sits with the number two ranked 2026 class in the country. And they are not done yet.
In just the last month, Georgia landed 16 new commitments for the 2026 cycle, pushing their total to 26. They also picked up a couple of early pledges for the 2027 class. Out of those 26 players, seven are ranked in the top 100 nationally, and a few others are knocking on the door.
Leading the way is five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, who gives Georgia a strong foundation. But more help could be on the way very soon.
Tight end Kaiden Prothro and running back Derrek Cooper are both top tier prospects who will announce their college decisions on July twelfth. Georgia is right in the mix for both.
Prothro is especially important after the Bulldogs missed out on another top tight end, Mark Bowman. Cooper, meanwhile, has Georgia going head-to-head with Miami, Ohio State, and Texas.
The biggest name still out there for Georgia might be linebacker Tyler Atkinson. He is the top player in the state and the number one linebacker in the country. He has visited Georgia more than any other school and has been a major target for years. Oregon, Clemson, and Texas are still pushing hard, but Georgia looks like it is in a strong position.
One interesting trend in this class is how many family ties are coming into play. The Bulldogs landed Zachariah and Zion Branch, who came over from Southern California.
PJ Dean committed recently and is the younger brother of former Georgia lineman Jared Wilson.
They also added Justice Fitzpatrick, whose brother Minkah is a star in the NFL. Georgia clearly values those family connections and is using them to build chemistry and depth.
Coach Smart has always said he wants players who truly love football. It is not just about rankings or offers or money.
He made that clear again this spring when he said Georgia is focused on guys with fire, passion, and energy. That mindset is helping the Bulldogs stay strong even as college football continues to change around them.
Since Smart took over in 2016, Georgia has never finished lower than fourth in the national recruiting rankings. That consistency continues.
The Bulldogs went into Texas and grabbed defensive back Chace Calicut, then beat out in state rivals Florida and Miami for defensive lineman James Johnson. Georgia is pulling talent from everywhere.
And things are still heating up. July will bring some major decisions, and Georgia is in position to land even more top players. If they do, they could easily take over the top spot in the 2026 rankings from Southern California.
Kirby Smart understands better than anyone that great players build great programs. Even with all the new twists in the sport, Georgia is sticking to what works. Recruit hard. Build relationships. Target kids who live and breathe football. That approach has Georgia sitting near the top once again.
The message is clear. Georgia is not just keeping up in the new era of recruiting. It is setting the pace.
What’s Not The Problem?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As we turn the calendar into July, the Braves have been sitting on the line teetering around 10-15 games back in the NL East race for the past few weeks which lead to the question…What’s the problem with the Braves?
While all wanna-be managers on social media know exactly how to solve the issues overnight, I think a bigger question may be “what’s not the problem?”
When I ask, “What’s not the problem?” I fully realize that there are many problems that the Braves are facing through 2025 (and stem from issues in the past couple of years), but there are remedies that Braves Country are calling for that aren’t the answer.
The biggest flawed remedy that many are shouting from the tops of the mountains is Michael Harris II and the lack of production at the plate.
While that’s true, his .215 average is a career low, but “Money Mike” is not the issue. In my eyes, Harris’ defense makes up for a lot of lack at the plate, but I also believe that he can be an integral part of the offense if used correctly.
I think Harris would be best suited in the struggling lineup in the leadoff spot. Harris got on base the best this season (.268 OBP) in the 13 games in the leadoff spot.
Yes, I know some of you are wondering “has this guy seen what Acuna has done in the leadoff spot?” and the answer is YES, I get it that Acuna is crushing it in the leadoff spot right now. That said, I would love to see how much the lineup gets lengthened by having Harris leadoff ahead of Acuna batting second.
Over the past decade, baseball has adopted the thinking of the team’s best hitter batting second in a “best of both worlds” mindset. With Acuna batting second, it would allow him more at-bats on average throughout the season than hitting third or clean-up but also putting him in more situations to hit with runners on base than the leadoff spot.
At the end of the day, it’s no secret that the main issue facing the Braves the past few years is the fact of living and dying by the long ball along with the “big names” in the lineup not producing as expected.
Atlanta has seen how exciting and magical this lineup can be with the record setting offensive production in 2023, and the World Series run in 2021.
2023 saw a microcosm of what the past two seasons have been with the live and die by the homer mentality. The Braves tied the MLB record with 307 homers with Matt Olson set the Braves single season record with 54 long balls. All of that accumulated in 104 wins, the first team to clinch a playoff berth in MLB and so much excitement coming into the playoffs.
That would be spun on it’s head with a quick exit with the Braves being beaten in three of four games against the division rival Phillies while scoring just three runs combined in the three losses.
For someone that is an old-school baseball purist at heart, while a 500-foot homer is great when it’s happening, it’s excruciating to watch when it’s not for an extended period of time and also magnifies struggles.
To me, the biggest issue has been brewing for a couple years with Atlanta and it’s the inability to manufacture runs.
This may be an old-school approach, but getting on base, using productive outs, and stringing together hits is what leads to sustained success in an organization, and that’s what has been missing from this lineup especially in 2025.
I know I’m not breaking news with this revelation, but contrary to popular opinion, Michael Harris isn’t the problem in this lineup, Austin Riley has struggled at times but has also been one of the more productive hitters at times as well.
It’s time to step back and really look at the big picture that has been being painted over the last two plus seasons and will come to fruition around the trade deadline depending on what the Braves do roster wise over the next month.
Omaha Kings
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Once again, Omaha turned into a second home for LSU as the Tigers locked up their eighth national championship at the Men’s College World Series.
On a blistering Nebraska Sunday afternoon, with thousands of purple-and-gold faithful singing along to “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” the Tigers held off a red-hot Coastal Carolina team to finish the job. They didn’t just win, they reminded everyone that no program has done it better over the last 40 years.
Sure, the University of Southern California still holds the record for the most titles with 12, and Texas has more total wins in Omaha.
The difference, though, is that those programs peaked decades ago. USC won their last CWS title in 1998.
LSU didn’t even make its first College World Series until 1986. Since then? Eight titles, 22 trips to Omaha, and 2 championships in the last three years. And they’ve done all of that in the middle of the toughest conference in the country.
Skip Bertman started this thing back in the ’80s. Paul Mainieri kept it rolling. Now Jay Johnson has it in overdrive. Johnson has been at LSU just four years and already has two national titles. That’s not just success. That’s dynasty-level stuff.
There were 26 newcomers to the Tigers’ baseball team this past season, but even with a roster full of new faces Johnson found a way to bring them together.
It wasn’t always pretty, and it was absolutely a grind to get through a tough SEC schedule, but once they found their rhythm nobody could stop them.
And it’s not like they’re slowing down. Sure, they’ll lose some big names to the MLB draft in guys like potential number one overall pick Cade Anderson, and Anthony Eyanson, but stars like Derek Curiel, Steven Milam, and Casan Evans are coming back. Don’t be surprised if LSU’s back in the title game again in 2026.
The 2025 tournament also marked the 75th anniversary of the College World Series in Omaha, and it had a little bit of everything.
There was Cinderella magic from Murray State, a fun mix of teams from all over the country, and some real drama in the later rounds.
Coastal Carolina gave LSU all they could handle in the final, even after the Chanticleer’s bloviating head coach, Kevin Schnall, was ejected in the first inning. I could write an entire article about how I feel about him and his bully, tough-guy style of coaching but I’m trying to keep this article positive.
In the end, LSU did what LSU does. The Tigers are the 2025 college baseball National Champions.
And let’s not forget the other crown they claimed in Omaha, the Rocco’s Jell-O Shot Challenge.
Once again, Tiger fans drank the competition under the table, slamming down 52,390 shots. That’s more than five times what Coastal fans managed.
LSU fans now hold the top two totals in the event’s history. Is it silly? Sure. But is it also a sign of how wild and passionate the fanbase is? Absolutely.
Ben McDonald, LSU’s first big baseball star and a former No. 1 overall MLB draft pick, said it best, “LSU just knows how to adapt. They know how to keep up with the times.” And that’s exactly what Jay Johnson is doing. He is navigating the chaos of the transfer portal and NIL while still putting a winning team on the field.
LSU might not have the oldest records in the book, but what they’ve done since the mid-80s is unmatched. They’ve kind of become the Yankees of college baseball. You either love them or love to hate them. Either way, you have to respect what they’ve built.
College baseball has had plenty of great programs, but right now LSU is king. That crown isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Titan-Ing Up
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Heading into the 2025 season, there may be more buzz around the Tennessee Titans than there has been since Steve McNair was calling shots.
Second year Head Coach Brian Callahan led the Titans last season to a 3-14 record after the Mike Vrabel tenure ended in Nashville following the 2023 season.
There has been a ton of turnover in players, coaches, front office, and virtually every aspect of the team since the three straight playoff seasons from 2019-2021 under Vrabel and quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
The biggest addition to the Titans heading into the 2025 season is the man who heard his name called first in this year’s NFL Draft.
Cam Ward was selected first overall by the Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft and ever since the expectations have only been exceeded.
Everyone saw what Cam Ward can do on the field in his final collegiate season for the Miami Hurricanes and through all of the pre-draft workouts, but the biggest news coming out of the Titan’s OTAs have been the dedication, work ethic, and leadership that Ward has already built in Nashville and inside the building.
One of the first illustrations of this is at the press conference after signing his rookie contract, Titans (formerly Oilers) Hall of Famer Warren Moon spoke with a glowing endorsement by allowing Ward to wear his number “1” that had been retired by the franchise since 2006.
“I have a lot of respect for this young man right here,” said Moon who started his pro career in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos. “A lot of our journey is similar as far as all the things he was told throughout the journey about not being good enough, nobody wanted to give him that great opportunity. But he just kept fighting, kept working, kept showing leadership, perseverance, and here he is today, the No. 1 overall pick in the National Football League draft. So that’s the reason why I wanted to be here to let him know how proud of him I am. As far as the number and everything is concerned. I wore the number 1 for a lot of various reasons, and I wore it for a long time, starting back to 1976 when I was in college. I think I wore it very honorably for the Houston Oilers organization to the point to where I created a Hall of Fame career for myself. Now, I’m part of the Tennessee Titans family. My Houston Oilers jersey will probably never be worn again, I hope it won’t. But the Tennessee Titans jersey is going to be worn by Cam, and Cam will be starting a new freshness in this organization to kind of revitalize it and get it back to where it was a number of years ago, one of the more successful organizations in the league. So, I am excited to see what he is going to do with his legacy wearing this number, and I am proud of the things I did to establish my legacy with the time I wore that number.”
All of the hype that has followed Cam Ward has created a buzz around the team, but does that translate to wins? Only time will tell.
Another key part of the equation that failed the Titans last year was the offensive line. Brian Callahan has been known as an O-Line guru in all his stops in football and has been a huge point of emphasis in the off-season.
The Titans not only brought in a couple of veterans to the mix but also are getting several linemen back from injury, especially Lloyd Cushenberry at center that was riddled with injuries last season.
In the shadows of the construction of the new stadium across the parking lot from Nissan Stadium, that will open in 2027, the Titans are trying to make an enormous step forward in 2025, and I truly believe that with Cam Ward and additions like veteran receiver Tyler Lockett and others, the Titans will be in playoff contention in year one of the rookie phenom and look to settle back as a force in the AFC South for years to come!
Cross Roads
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Entering Year 4, McDaniel finds himself in an NFL pressure cooker.
Historically, no Dolphins coach has survived a fifth season under owner Stephen Ross.
The last coach to last four full years was Dave Wannstedt back in 2004. In Miami’s modern era, sustained tenure is a rarity.
McDaniel is now operating without the leash he once had: expectations are high, mess-ups won’t be ignored, and patience is nearly gone.
After strong seasons in 2022 (9–8) and 2023 (11–6), Miami stumbled to an 8–9 finish in 2024 and missed the playoffs entirely.
That losing record was their first since 2019. The team claimed to have reset the culture in 2024, but veteran leadership admitted it was all surface-level.
Now McDaniel must convert talk into traction to avoid being labeled a coach whose first two seasons were a mirage.
Bradley Chubb shot down the façade of culture change, slamming it as half‑hearted. McDaniel himself admitted that players took advantage of leniency. Discipline must be rebuilt from scratch, and unless the coach enforces authority, the “good‑ole‑boy” vibe that alienated veterans won’t recede.
Fan consensus and coaches agree: Miami hasn’t been nasty in the trenches. General Manager Chris Grier’s early 2025 picks leaned into beefier linemen, but critics remain skeptical of systemic solutions.
McDaniel must prove the line is more than draft window-dressing. Without a stout OL and identity, the offense sputters.
The franchise backed Tua Tagovailoa with a $212 million extension, signaling full confidence. But injuries have persisted, including a concussion early in 2024, which cost him six games and hurt team momentum.
Tagovailoa must stay healthy and play smart. If he falters again, Miami’s season will crumble, again.
Backup Zach Wilson has inspired no confidence with two interceptions and a pick-six in minicamp. Relying on a clearly unconvincing QB depth chart won’t instill trust. McDaniel must manage Tua’s workload and rally a pass-friendly unit.
Reports suggest veteran players—like Tyreek Hill and Calais Campbell—have soured on Miami; several have left in free agency.
Coach McDaniel’s methods are partly blamed. If internal loyalty erodes further, he’s left without support from within which remains grim sign in NFL coaching circles.
Kickoff in Spain: a bold international opener LOOSENS zero-sum stakes.
Division face-offs: rematches with Buffalo, New England, New York await — all hold huge implications.
Five games vs 2024 playoff teams (three at home). No excuses.
McDaniel’s objectives: Playoff return: missing again is untenable. Win a playoff game: validation is overdue (last win was in 2000). Tough identity: beat better teams or risk being “bowl fodder”.
Fans believe playoff wins (especially versus quality opponents) dictate job security. A middling 9–8 season, even with improvement, may not suffice — especially if it lacks postseason success.
A Phinsider poll challenged fans: what’s enough? Most answered similarly — win playoff games, dominate the division, or productive football culture. Mike McDaniel’s fate isn’t just tied to W-L; it’s about dismantling the “soft” label and proving Miami can out-fight as well as out-play.
The front office showed faith — owner Stephen Ross publicly retained McDaniel and GM Grier after their disappointing 2024.
But that’s pre-2025. Now the money, draft picks, and expectations are real. If the Dolphins flop again, a shakeup is almost certain.
Mike McDaniel inherited a burgeoning franchise in 2022, brought imaginative offense, and helped Miami climb out of a postseason drought. But that honeymoon ended in an 8–9 relapse, disjointed culture, and injuries.
If his squad fails to stay disciplined, win meaningful games, and show character under fire, this season is likely his last. For McDaniel and the Dolphins, this is a career crossroad.
Duval Swag
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jaguars are officially entering a bold new chapter. I don’t think it will be anything like what we’ve seen come out of Duval before.
This team is younger, faster, and more aggressive. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence remains at the center of it all.
The front office and coaching staff have made it clear that 2025 is all about getting the most out of their franchise QB.
The first major sign that things were changing came in the draft, when Jacksonville made waves by trading up to the No. 2 overall pick to grab Travis Hunter.
The rookie from the University of Colorado is an electrifying two-way star who’s expected to line up at wide receiver and cornerback.
The move stunned just about everyone and showed exactly how head coach Liam Coen and new GM James Gladstone plan to run things: bold, fast, and with no fear.
Coen, just 39, brings an offensive style built around balance, speed, and play-action which are all designed to take pressure off Lawrence. He’s paired with 29-year-old offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, who helped build high-powered attacks in Minnesota.
The idea for Lawrence is simple. Get the ball out quick, use the run game to set things up, and let Trevor cook.
To make it all work, the Jaguars made big changes to their offensive line, signing veterans like center Robert Hainsey and guard Patrick Mekari, and drafting Wyatt Milum to add depth. Lawrence may finally have adequate protection and should be able to get the ground game going again.
Lawrence, now healthy after an injury-riddled 2024, has more help than ever. He’s got Hunter as his new top target, second-year wideout Brian Thomas Jr. ready to explode, and free-agent pickup Dyami Brown bringing more deep speed.
The Jags added two rookies, Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., to the backfield. They both bring serious burst and either could push veterans Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby for touches. Expect a steady rotation to keep defenses guessing.
Behind Lawrence, the quarterback room has also gotten smarter. Nick Mullens and John Wolford know this system well and can help Trevor with the transition. Rookie Seth Henigan might be a project, but the team sees potential there too.
On the other side of the ball, it’s all new. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has taken over a unit that struggled big-time last year. He’s bringing a 4-3 system that leans on zone coverage and lets the front seven get after it.
Pass rushers Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen lead the way, with Arik Armstead moving inside where he’s most comfortable.
Second-year tackle Maason Smith is someone the team’s really excited about after flashing late last season. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun is back to anchor the middle, but the run defense has to get better.
In the secondary Tyson Campbell is the top guy, but he’s got to stay healthy. Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray bring veteran leadership, and rookie safety Caleb Ransaw could earn a starting spot.
And yes, I think Travis Hunter will get defensive snaps, too. Especially in key passing situations where his ball skills could help generate turnovers, something this team badly needs after finishing last in takeaways in 2024.
Special teams will be as solid as ever. Punter Logan Cooke and long snapper Ross Matiscik both made the Pro Bowl, and kicker Cam Little has a cannon for a leg. That trio gives Jacksonville one of the most reliable special teams units in the league.
Everything’s different in Jacksonville this year, and that’s a good thing. The Jags are faster, younger, and playing with some serious swagger.
If Trevor Lawrence can stay healthy and the new offensive pieces click, this team has a real shot to make noise and go after the AFC South crown.
With all of these changes and a new attitude, I can envision a 2025 season where the Jags could go 9-8 with a shot at the playoffs.
Buckle up, Duval! This could be fun.
Flying With The Wind?
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Falcons were 8-9 last season. They started 6-3, which was their best start since 2016. They looked like a playoff team before the wheels fell off.
Head coach Raheem Morris is looking to improve in his second season with the Falcons. Atlanta signed QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in March of 2024.
They drafted QB Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) the next month in the NFL draft with the eighth pick. That move seemed like a head scratcher then but it may make more sense now.
Cousins started hot but his play got worse as the season progressed. The team had a four-game losing streak that was snapped in Week 15 against the Raiders.
Atlanta won the Monday Night Game 15-9. Las Vegas was 2-12 at that point and Cousins struggled so he was benched for Penix after that game.
Penix went 1-2 and both losses were in overtime. He has great potential but the success of this team will rely on him being above average.
“Michael is going to do great; he’s going to have a great career,” Cousins said of Penix. “He’s off to a great start. He has all the tangibles and intangibles you need to be successful. I’m just here to support him as he needs it. But I also don’t need to be in his ear so much that I’m another voice. I just want to be as supportive as I can, and he knows that.”
The focal point of the offense is Pro Bowl RB Bijan Robinson. He had a breakout second year with 1,456 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 61 receptions for 431 yards and a receiving TD.
“It’s crazy. I don’t even know how to explain it,” Penix said. “If he touched the ball every play and the defense knew every play, he’d still make big-time plays. He’s just that guy. He’s that guy when you go to a little-league game, there’s one kid who stands out who never gets tackled. He scores every time he touches the ball. That’s him in the NFL, so think about that. He does unreal stuff I’ve never even seen. He’s a special player, and as many times as we can get the ball in his hands, we’re going to do it.”
They also have a very good offensive line, led by Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstorm. receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney are one of the best duos in the league.
Kyle Pitts is the highest drafted tight end in history but he has not lived up to the hype. He disappears for entire games. Pitts has all of the measurables including size and speed. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract and he has trade rumors around him that he could be dealt before the season begins.
“He’s become more of a complete tight end, so to speak,” Morris said. “It’s just that it’s always hard to accomplish the goals that everybody else wants for him.”
The defense does not have any Pro Bowlers. The Falcons always struggle to rush the passer and they addressed that need in the draft. They drafted linebacker Jalon Walker (Georgia) with the 15th pick and defensive end James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) with the 26th pick. Walker won the Dick Butkus Award in 2024.
I do not have high expectations for rookies but I think they can make an impact this season.
The season starts September 7th at home against Tampa Bay. I believe the Falcons will be 9-8 in 2025. If Penix plays great I think they will win an extra game.
Tall Texans
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The past two seasons at NRG Stadium in Houston have been electric under Head Coach DeMeco Ryans who took over the reigns of the franchise in January of 2023.
When Ryans took over, the Texans had just completed a 3-13 season in 2022 (with one tie as well).
Since taking charge of the team, Ryans has led the Texans to back-to-back 10-7 seasons while securing the NFC South Division titles in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
With that said, all the praise can’t be directed at DeMeco Ryans (although a lot of it should be). Houston also secured the number two and three overall picks of the 2023 draft to bring in franchise quarterback CJ Stroud from Ohio State and former Alabama linebacker Will Anderson to answer many questions that had been around the organization for the previous years.
While the past two years have been great for Texans fans with Stroud taking the NFL by storm with almost 8,000 passing yards in his 1st two seasons in the NFL, the brass within the organization believes that the best is just coming to fruition.
That’s some pretty tall words with Stroud and Ryans becoming the first quarterback/head coach duo in NFL history to win the division in each of their first two years together, but the organization made some key moves in the offseason to firm up some soft areas of the depth chart going into the 2025 campaign.
A familiar name around the Georgia area is headed to strap on the navy and red as the most recent transaction on the list for Houston is the free agent signing of Nick Chubb, the former Georgia Bulldog.
Chub was drafted in 2018 to the Cleveland Browns and over the last seven seasons with Cleveland, Chubb has accumulated 6,843 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns.
The question mark around Chubb is health. Chubb has only played 10 games combined over the previous two years with the Browns with only 130 carries in two seasons because of various injuries.
That said, if Chubb can get his legs back underneath him (and healthy legs after battling knee and foot injuries) he is still an elite back in the NFL. Chubb is just one of ten active running backs with at least 6,500 yards and had 30 games of 100+ yards in the first 6 years before being hampered by injuries.
The Texans didn’t pull the trigger on any huge names coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it was a busy few days for the front office.
General Manager Nick Caserio made seven trades of picks including trading away the 25th overall selection to pick up an additional 2nd round pick.
Caserio has made 20 trades of straight draft picks which is the most of all active GMs in the NFL. The Texans picked up a pair of second, third, sixth and seventh round selections to go along with a singular fourth rounder in this years first year player draft bringing in a couple of wide outs with a second and third round pick.
The last two seasons have been a renaissance of football in Houston that hasn’t been seen in the NFL in quite some time and the job that DeMeco Ryans, CJ Stroud and company have done is phenomenal, but that group isn’t satisfied with the quick success, they have eyes sighted for a deep playoff run, and they believe it’s coming much sooner than once thought.
Carolina Respect
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2025 NFL season coming off a mediocre 7-9 season and panthers fans seem to be filled with disappointment from recent failures, yet excited with a positive outlook in hopes they can change things around with what the team has done this offseason.
Since 2017, they’d stumbled through coaching swaps, heartbreaking finishes, and morale‑sapping losses, but as spring arrived in Charlotte, there was an unmistakable shift: young voices building chemistry on the practice fields, defensive reinforcements arriving in waves, and a confident quarterback ready to prove he belongs.
Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick back in 2023, now stands at the heart of this team. Year 3 isn’t just another chapter, it’s pivotal to the confidence of Young and this Panthers’ team.
After a sophomore year that saw flashes of brilliance towards the end with three straight weeks of 20+ fantasy points and some late‑season magic—Young earned another opportunity at getting the starting job back.
Front office whispers have now confirmed young would be their guy going forward and that there would be no QB controversy in 2025.
Still despite the growth from Young, most have to believe the 2025 season is the make-or-break year for him. If he doesn’t perform this year, I think the Panthers may have to once again become a team back on the market for a new starting quarterback.
The offense the Panthers have constructed around him is very compelling. The front office added a plethora of new playmakers like Tetairoa McMillan, who they drafted in Round 1 of this past draft.
McMillan is believed to be a go‑to receiving target for Young right out of the gate. I’m excited to see how McMillan and Xavier Legette are going to pair up together and if they challenge each other to work harder for that #1 spot.
They also grabbed former Colorado Buffalo, Jimmy Horn Jr in the 6th round and signed former Las Vegas Raider Hunter Renfrow.
In the backfield they added Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne for some quality extra depth behind starter Chuba Hubbard .
Switching over to the defensive side of the ball, they had a tragic story of their own. The Panthers defense had a disastrous 2024 season, surrendering 534 points over the season, which was bad enough to put them as the worst in the NFL.
So, the Panthers went in and added some much needed muscle and skill to their defensive unit.
They brought in Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III to fill up the interior of the D-Line, Patrick Jones II and rookie edge rusher Nic Scourton to bring some pressure off the edge, and brought in safety Tre’von Moehrig
They were able to extend Jaycee Horn with a four-year $100 Million contract, which made him the highest paid defensive back in NFL history, while Mike Jackson also earned a contract extension of his own.
Even though they have these two guys locked down for some time now, there are still some voices out there saying their cornerback depth is still too “thin” especially in the nickel and strong safety spots.
But on a more positive note, Sharp Football Analysis ranked the Panthers 2025 schedule as the 7th easier in the entire NFL. So maybe they can take advantage of the lack of difficult opponents and try to get some early season momentum started up.
Now with the preseason quickly approaching, the story almost feels cinematic.
They had a young promising QB with a statement to make, along with some new weapons to help him, a defense that was eager to shake off its embarrassment from last season, and a schedule that leaves fans to have a more optimistic outlook.
It seems like for this 2025 Panthers squad it isn’t just about the statistics but about getting redemption and giving the Carolina faithful with what they’ve been waiting for.
When September 7 comes around and the Panthers take a trip down to Jacksonville for the season opener, I’m sure you can expect to see eager Panthers fans lined up to see how this 2025 season will kick off.
They’re not there chanting for a Super Bowl banner, they just want to see stability, and competitive games to give them real hope at their first winning season since 2017.
