Bishop Media Sports Network
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Buzzing Into ACC Baseball Tournament
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Some (me included) would argue that Postseason Baseball is some of the best times of the year, and it begins this week.
This week the ACC flocks to Charlotte for the 2026 ACC Tournament at Truist Field, the home of the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox Charlotte Knights.
The 1-seed for the ACC is the back-to-back ACC Regular Season champions in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. First-year Head Coach James Ramsey opened his head coaching career by bringing home the ACC Coach of the Year award and a 45-9 overall mark and 25-5 conference record.
Georgia Tech tied a program record with 5 First Team All-ACC selections when the postseason awards were handed out by the league office Monday afternoon including Ramsey as Coach of the Year along with catcher Vahn Lackey taking home the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
The Jackets tied the ACC record with 25 conference wins after sweeping 6 ACC Series throughout the year.
The white and gold have been laser focused on team goals that they’ve written on the bathroom mirror in the clubhouse with the top reading the word “Omaha,” but the team-minded squad has raked in the individual accolades in 2026.
Shortstop Carson Kerce reset the GT record for single season doubles with 28. Second baseman Jarren Advincula recorded 100 base hits for the first Jacket since 2005 to do so. Drew Burress sits tied for the program record for career homers with Jason Varitek with 57 career long balls.
While the regular season has been historic for the Ramblin Wreck, the time this team has been waiting for is just beginning. The regular season title was just the first milestone to check off the to-do list, and now each weekend provides an opportunity for another which begins this week with the ACC Tournament.
With the single-elimination format for the bracket in the ACC, the top four teams in the tourney earning double-byes straight to the quarterfinals as 1-seed Georgia Tech, 2-seed North Carolina, 3-seed Florida State and 4-seed Boston College will watch the first two days of the action in Charlotte until Thursday and Friday for the quarters.
Of the teams not in the top four, in my mind, there are only 2 additional teams that could make a push for a title with the 7-seed Virginia Tech that won their final four ACC series to wrap the regular season. The other would be the 8-seed Virginia under first year Chris Pollard that comes over from Duke prior to the season and have looked good down the back stretch of the season.
Obviously, Georgia Tech and North Carolina are the two leaders in the clubhouse to leave Charlotte with a trophy, and it’s been those two that have stood above the rest by a considerable margin. Those two have jockeyed back and forth all season. Carolina was the only team to beat Georgia Tech in a series all season. That said Georgia Tech won the ACC regular season by three full games.
Charlotte is a phenomenal location for the ACC Tournament. Flawless ballpark, elite surroundings around the park all to go along with high level baseball all week. While the SEC gets touted by the national media as the best league in the country, the ACC is very much in the conversation too.
Postseason baseball is the best. It’s the marathon from the beginning of February to now turning into a sprint for the next month for the lucky teams that make a run deep into June, but it begins with conference tournaments this week.
2027 College Football Breakout Players
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I want to take a look at some of the top prospects around the South that should be drafted high in the 2027 NFL Draft.
RB Nate Frazier, Georgia: The junior was a four-star recruit and attended national powerhouse Mater Dei Catholic High School in Santa Ana, Ca. He was on the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2024.
Last season he played in 14 games and he started 10 of them. He rushed for 861 yards with 6 touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. He also had 13 receptions for 74 yards and a TD.
Frazier re-aggravated an ankle injury in the G-Day Spring Game but it’s reported as a minor injury. As a feature back in 2026 he should have a big year.
OT Jordan Seaton, LSU: The 6’5, 307 pound Seaton spent his last two seasons with Colorado. He was a five-star recruit coming out of IMG Academy (Florida). He was Second-team All-Big 12 in 2025. His season ended due to injury after nine starts.
He’s great at pass blocking. He’s given up 5 sacks in 940 career pass blocking snaps. He’s a very good athlete that needs to improve his run blocking.
S Keon Sabb, Alabama: He played at Michigan his first two years before transferring to Alabama. The redshirt senior is 6’1, 208 pounds. He started all 15 games in 2025 and had 54 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 pass breakups and 1 interception.
WR T.J. Moore, Clemson: He’s 6’3, 205 lbs. so he’s a big, physical receiver. He was the only Clemson receiver that started all 13 games in 2025. He had 52 catches for a team-high 837 receiving yards and 4 scores. If he gets more consistent quarterback play, he should have a breakout year in 2026.
S KJ Bolden, Georgia: Bolden attended Buford (GA) High School, which is an elite program in Georgia. He started all 14 games last season and made 76 tackles, 32 solo, 2.5 TFL, 5 PBU, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and a blocked punt. He made the Coaches All-SEC Second Team.
He’s a great player that can do everything.
LB/Edge Suntarine Perkins: He’s a bit undersized at 6’1, 220 pounds. In 2024 he had 10.5 sacks, 2 FR and an interception. Last season he had 81 tackles, 41 solo, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 FR and 1 pick.
He has good coverage for a linebacker. I think he’d be good at the next level for a defensive coordinator that will primarily use him at linebacker.
WR Ryan Williams, Alabama: He was great as a freshman. He’s most known for the game against #2 Georgia when he had 6 catches, 177 yards and a score. In 2024 he had 48 receptions, 865 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also had 2 rushing touchdowns. He was a Freshman All-American and First-team All-SEC.
Last season he regressed. He had 49 catches, 689 yards and 4 TD’s. I’m expecting him to bounce back this season.
CB Zabien Brown, Alabama: He’s 6’0, 194 pounds, so he’s a bigger corner. He recorded two pick-sixes that were 99 and 50 yards. He also had 39 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF and a team-high 6 PBU.
He’s a press-man corner that has good speed and length.
New Camden Wildcat QB Transfers In
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There is suddenly a whole lot more intrigue surrounding the 2026 season for the Camden County Wildcats.
Just days before the 2026 Spring Game against Columbia High School, Columbia’s starting quarterback is reportedly making the move to Camden County.
According to reports out of Lake City, Class of 2027 quarterback Xavier Collins is transferring from Columbia High School to Camden County and participated in his final practice with the Tigers in the middle of May.
That is a significant pickup for the Wildcats. Collins has been a three-year starter at Columbia and has already put together an impressive high school résumé.
Over the last three seasons, he has thrown for more than 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns while becoming one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the region.
The 6 foot 2, 185 pound signal caller is coming off the best season of his career. Last year at Columbia, Collins completed 140 of 249 passes for 2,033 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He also currently holds a college offer from Ave Maria University in southwest Florida.
The move also fills a major need for Camden County after the Wildcats lost quarterback William Jackson during the offseason.
Jackson transferred to Evans High School after putting together a strong junior campaign for Camden in 2025.
Last season, Jackson completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,923 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. He also added more than 250 rushing yards and 3 scores on the ground.
So now, Camden enters the Tucker Pruitt era with a new quarterback under center and a player who already brings extensive varsity experience to the offense.
For Camden County fans, it is another fascinating storyline as the Wildcats continue adjusting to a new coaching staff, new systems, and now a new quarterback leading the offense into the 2026 season.
And based on the numbers Collins put up at Columbia, Camden may have landed a player capable of making an immediate impact.
Jason Bishop Show May 14 2026
Camden County Wildcat 2026 Hall Of Fame
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The legends of Camden County athletics are about to take center stage once again.
The Camden County High School Athletics Hall of Fame has announced its second induction class, and it is a group filled with iconic names, championship pedigree, and unforgettable memories that helped shape the rich tradition of Wildcat athletics.
The 2026 induction ceremony is scheduled for June 20 at the Camden County High School Fine Arts Building, and for longtime Wildcats fans, the evening promises to be both a celebration and a walk through decades of sports history.
This year’s class honors three legendary individuals along with two state championship teams that helped establish Camden County as one of Georgia’s premier athletic programs.
Among the headliners is the late J.C. Outlaw, better known throughout southeast Georgia as “The Voice of the Cats.”
For nearly four decades, Outlaw’s voice became synonymous with Camden County athletics. Beginning in 1982, he broadcast Wildcat football and baseball games and became a fixture in the community through his work with the Camden County Quarterback Club and youth sports.
For generations of Camden fans, Friday nights simply sounded different because of Outlaw. Whether the Wildcats were making a playoff run or battling through the regular season, his passion and energy brought the action to life for listeners across the region.
His induction serves as recognition not just for his broadcasting career, but for the impact he had on the culture surrounding Camden County athletics.
The class also includes Tyrone “Ty” Jones, one of the greatest football players to ever come out of Camden County.
Jones built a remarkable professional career in the Canadian Football League after starring at Camden County High School and later at Southern University.
Jones became a CFL legend during a nine year career that included multiple All-Star selections, Grey Cup championships, and a Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.
He still holds Winnipeg Blue Bombers franchise records and remains one of the most decorated defensive players in CFL history.
His journey from St. Marys to professional football stardom remains one of the greatest success stories in Camden County sports history.
Joining Jones in the Hall of Fame class is Kenneth “Ken” Ellis, another football standout whose career reached the highest levels of the NFL.
Ellis, a former Green Bay Packers star and Packers Hall of Fame inductee, earned All Pro honors and multiple Pro Bowl selections during his professional career.
Ellis’ accomplishments helped pave the way for future generations of Camden athletes dreaming of playing football at the next level. His success on Sundays brought national recognition to southeast Georgia long before Camden County became known statewide for its football dominance.
The Hall of Fame class will also honor two championship teams that occupy special places in Camden County sports lore.
The 1999 Camden County boys track and field team captured the Georgia High School Association Class AAAA state championship and cemented itself as one of the top athletic teams in school history.
Meanwhile, the legendary 2003 Camden County football team will finally receive its place in the Hall of Fame after delivering one of the greatest seasons ever seen in Georgia high school football.
Coached by Jeff Herron, the Wildcats finished a perfect 15-0 season and captured the program’s first state championship by defeating Valdosta 21-7 in the Class 5A title game.
That team’s dominance was staggering. Camden allowed only 47 total points all season and helped launch what would become one of the most successful football dynasties in the state.
For many Wildcat fans, the 2003 championship remains one of the defining moments in Camden County sports history.
The evening will begin with a VIP and honorees reception from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are currently available for both the VIP experience and the ceremony itself.
More than anything, the event represents an opportunity for the Camden County community to celebrate the athletes, teams, and voices that helped build the tradition Wildcats fans still cherish today.
NFC South New Additions
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Let’s take a look around the NFC South and give power rankings for each team that includes the rookies that were added in the draft.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons needed WR, OL, DL, CB and LB.
They selected CB Avieon Terrell, WR Zachariah Branch, LB Kendal Daniels, DT Anterio Thompson, LB Harold Perkins Jr. and OT Ethan Onianwa.
I give their draft a B- grade. They did not have a first-round pick because it was traded to the LA Rams last year.
They picked Terrell (Clemson) who is the younger brother of current Falcon A.J. Terrell.
Branch (Georgia) should be able to contribute right away.
Atlanta has questions at the most important position, quarterback. They signed Tua Tagovailoa in free agency and he played poorly in 2025. Michael Penix tore his left ACL in November so I’m not sure if or when he will play this season.
For that reason, I expect them to finish last in the division.
Carolina Panthers: Their biggest team needs heading into the draft were OL, S, WR, TE and DL.
They drafted: OT Monroe Freeling, DT Lee Hunter, WR Chris Brazell II, CB Will Lee III, G/C Sam Hecht, S Zakee Wheatley and LB Jackson Kuwatch.
I give their draft grade an A.
They signed left tackle Rasheed Walker (Green Bay) in free agency to fill-in while Ikem Ekwonu is coming back from a patellar tendon injury.
Freeling (Georgia) was a Second-team All-SEC left tackle last season. I think he can come in and start right away. Nose tackle Hunter (Texas Tech) was a First-team All-American last season.
The Panthers won the division last season with an 8-9 record. QB Bryce Young drastically improved in his third season. Rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
I think Carolina is the second-best team in the division but I think they will have a winning record in 2026.
New Orleans Saints: Their biggest team needs were WR, Edge, CB, DL and OL.
They picked: WR Jordyn Tyson, DT Christen Miller, TE Oscar Delp, G/C Jeremiah Wright, WR Bryce Lance, S Lorenzo Styles Jr., WR Barion Brown and CB T.J. Hall.
I give their draft grade a B+. They needed another WR to compliment Chris Olave so they drafted Tyson (Arizona State). He was First-team All-Big 12 in 2024 and 2025. He’s very talented but he dealt with injuries in college.
Miller (Georgia) was First-team All-SEC last season.
The Saints found their new franchise QB with rookie Tyler Shough. They signed RB Travis Etienne in free agency.
I think they’ll improve in 2026 and finish third in the division.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Their biggest pre-draft needs were Edge, CB, LB, OL and DL.
They drafted EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Josiah Trotter, WR Ted Hurst, CB/S Keionte Scott, DT Demonte Capehart, G/C Billy Schrauth and TE Bauer Sharp.
I give their draft grade an A-.
Bain (Miami) was great in the College Football Playoffs. He won the Ted Hendricks Award and he was a Consensus All-American last year. He was also the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. I think he’s going to drastically improve the pass rush.
Trotter (Mizzou) was First-team All-SEC in 2025. His father is former NFL linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and his older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is also in the NFL.
They lost veteran WR Mike Evans in free agency to San Francisco. They hope Baker Mayfield can play like he did in 2024. Rookie WR Emeka Egbuka started the season strong last year but his play dropped off.
I think the Bucs will win the division.
Jason Bishop Show May 7 2026
What Ronald Acunas Latest Injuries Means For Atlanta Braves Long Term?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There is a certain moment Braves fans have come to recognize, and unfortunately, it played out again over the weekend.
Ronald Acuña Jr. pulling up on his way down the first base line brought a familiar wave of concern, the kind that settles in quickly when a player of his caliber grabs at a leg and walks off the field.
The reaction was understandable. This is a player whose career has already been interrupted by multiple lower body injuries, and any sign of trouble in that area feels magnified.
The good news, though, is that this time it appears to be as minor as it could be.
Acuña has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, the least severe version of the injury, and while it will require a stint on the injured list, the expectation is that he could return within a matter of weeks.
Even so, there is no such thing as a simple injury when it comes to Acuña. His history makes it difficult to view any setback in isolation.
Every missed game carries a little more weight, not just because of what he means to the lineup, but because of what he represents to the organization and its long-term aspirations.
What makes this situation different is the position the Braves find themselves in as a team. Atlanta is not trying to stay afloat. The Braves have opened the season as the best team in baseball, with the top run differential in the league.
They have created early separation in the standings and have done so while already dealing with injuries on the pitching side. That context shifts the conversation from survival to sustainability.
Acuña’s absence will be felt, regardless of how long it lasts. He is not simply another productive bat in the lineup. He is the tone setter, the player who can change the course of a game with one swing, one stolen base, or one burst of energy that lifts the entire team.
Even in a season when his traditional numbers have not fully taken off, the underlying metrics show he remains an elite presence at the plate.
The challenge now is not to replace him, because that is not realistic. Instead, the Braves must absorb the loss collectively.
That responsibility spreads across the roster, from the outfield rotation to the middle of the order.
Players like Michael Harris II become even more important, and others, including Austin Riley, find themselves under a brighter spotlight as the team looks for steady production.
Moments like this tend to reveal the true makeup of a team. The Braves have built a reputation for their ability to withstand adversity, often finding ways to maintain momentum despite injuries to key players. That resilience has become part of their identity, but the expectations surrounding this team have changed.
This is no longer a group trying to prove it belongs. This is a team expected to contend deep into October.
That expectation raises the stakes, but it does not require panic. Atlanta has the depth and balance to navigate a short-term absence from its biggest star.
It may mean a slight shift in approach, whether that involves manufacturing runs, leaning more heavily on pitching, or asking different players to step into larger roles.
In the larger picture, this stretch without Acuña should not define the Braves’ season. If anything, it presents an opportunity to reinforce what has already made them successful.
A team built for the long haul must be able to endure moments like this without losing its footing.
Ultimately, the focus remains on where this team is headed. The goal is not to dominate early, but to be at full strength when it matters most.
If Acuña returns healthy and the Braves continue to perform at a high level in his absence, this injury may become just a brief interruption in what still has the potential to be a special season.
AFC South Draft Newcomers
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2026 NFL draft is now over. We will take a look around the AFC South and see how each team did and give power rankings based on these moves.
Houston Texans: The biggest needs entering the draft were OL, DL, LB, edge and DB.
Draft picks: G/C Keylan Rutledge, DT Kayden McDonald, TE Marlin Klein, G/C Febechi Nwaiwu, LB Wade Woodaz, S Kamari Ramsey, WR Lewis Bond, LB Aiden Fisher.
Rutledge (Georgia Tech) was picked in the first round with the 26th pick. He’s 6’4, 316 lbs. and he has a lot of experience. He plays relentlessly through the whistle, finishing blocks with the ability to put defenders on their back. The Texans need the strengthen the offensive line so this was a good pick.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud has gotten worse in each of his three seasons. He made the Pro Bowl (2023) as a rookie but has struggled to play like that again.
Houston added running back David Montgomery (Detroit) in free agency. They have also overhauled the offensive line.
Houston has an elite defense that ranked first in total defense in 2025. Drafting defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) will strengthen the interior defense and help stop opponents from running the ball.
I think they’re the best team in the division and that’s considering inconsistent quarterback play. If Stroud can play like he did in 2023, the Texans will be Super Bowl contenders.
Indianapolis Colts: Their biggest team needs before the draft were edge, LB, S, OL and WR.
Draft picks: LB C.J. Allen, S A.J. Haulcy, G/C Jalen Farmer, LB Bryce Boettcher, EDGE George Gumbs, EDGE Caden Curry, RB Seth McGowan, WR Deion Burks
The Colts did not have a first round pick this year or next because they traded that to the Jets for CB Sauce Gardner.
I like the CJ Allen (Georgia) pick because they have a vacancy at middle linebacker. They traded LB Zaire Franklin to Green Bay for DT Colby Wooden. Franklin averaged 161 tackles over the last four seasons.
Indy started the season 8-5, then QB Daniel Jones went down on December 7, 2025 against Jacksonville with a torn Achilles. That injury typically takes one year to come back from so he should miss most of the 2026 season.
I pick them to finish third in the division.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The biggest team needs were LB, edge, DL, OL and S.
Draft picks: TE Nate Boerkircher, DT Albert Regis, G/C Emmanuel Pregnon, S Jalen Huskey, EDGE Wesley Williams, TE Tanner Koziol, WR Josh Cameron, WR C.J. Williams, EDGE Zack Dufree, LB Parker Hughes
Their first pick was at No. 56, where they drafted blocking tight end Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M). The best player they drafted was OG Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon). He has potential to become a starter right away.
The Jags hope Travis Hunter can return from his torn LCL and make a big impact in 2026.
They did lose their leading rusher Travis Etienne in free agency when he signed to New Orleans.
They should be second in the division but I’m not sure they’ll make the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans: The biggest team needs were OL, edge, WR, RB and LB.
Draft picks: WR Carnell Tate, EDGE Keldric Faulk, LB Anthony Hill Jr., G/C Fernando Carmona, RB Nicholas Singleton, DT Jackie Marshall, G/C Pat Coogan, TE Jaren Kanak
Carnell Tate (Ohio State) was the first receiver drafted at No. 4. It’s good they paired a weapon with second year QB Cam Ward. I think they drafted extremely well but they’re still a bad team.
Tennessee will finish last.
Out Of A Legend’s Shadow?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Kalen DeBoer may have a long way to go to step out of Nick Saban’s shadow, but he is now guaranteed to surpass Saban in one area: Salary.
Alabama gave DeBoer a seven-year contract extension that will pay the coach $12.5 million this year.
That’s more than the $11.1 million Saban earned during his final season in 2023 — when he was the highest-paid coach in college football.
DeBoer’s first two seasons have led to some angst in the Alabama fan base and talk of a hot seat.
Athletic director Greg Byrne’s contract extension seeks to quiet that talk: DeBoer’s previous contract called for Alabama to owe him 90 percent of the remaining value of the contract if it fired him without cause.
Assuming that remains the case for this contract, Bryne is doubling down on his belief that DeBoer is the right man for the job.
DeBoer, 51, was hired to replace the retired Saban and earned $10.8 million in his first season, with his contract calling for raises of $125,000 per year through 2031.
Alabama’s first two seasons under DeBoer have been modestly successful: 9-4 his first season, missing the College Football Playoff; 11-4 his second season, making the CFP quarterfinals, where the Crimson Tide lost to eventual champion Indiana.
Saban coached Alabama to six national championships, most recently during the 2020 season, and in his final season had the Crimson Tide in the CFP semifinals, the final year of the four-team playoff.
When he retired, Byrne went outside the Saban coaching tree and the Alabama family to hire DeBoer, who had just coached Washington to the national championship game.
DeBoer’s new contract takes him through the end of the 2032 season, ending on Jan. 31, 2033.
“We are pleased to extend Coach DeBoer and are proud to have him leading the Crimson Tide football program,” Byrne said in a statement. “He is an excellent coach and has done a commendable job developing our student-athletes.”
Alabama hauled in the nation’s No. 2-ranked high school recruiting class for the 2026 cycle, continuing in the Saban tradition.
But the Crimson Tide also lost key pieces in the transfer portal, and the portal class did not rank among the top 25 in rankings.
DeBoer said in late January that he expected his team to be relatively young again, perhaps setting the expectations a bit lower once more.
Now he has a new contract that would seem to give him more leeway, though Alabama, like any SEC school, isn’t exactly hurting for money.
“This University has become a special place to us, and I look forward to working to ensure that Alabama football remains at the forefront of college football,” DeBoer said in a statement. “This program has a long history of success and an unmatched tradition that I was eager to be a part of two years ago, and I cannot wait to keep coaching our guys and bring more championships to Alabama.”
Alabama also announced a contract extension for men’s basketball coach Nate Oats, also through the end of the 2031-32 season.
Oats’ previous deal was set to expire after the 2029-30 season and pay him $6.02 million this year. His salary was increased to $6.275 million this year, with gradual increases to $7.25 million by the end of the deal.
Oats, 51, has led Alabama to five Sweet 16 appearances since being hired in 2019, including a Final Four two years ago.
