Bishop Media Sports Network
Atlanta Falcons Flying Upward?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Right at a month away from Flowery Branch, Ga being a bustling well-oiled machine with Preseason Training Camp for the Falcons opening the last week of July, much has changed for “the birds” since wrapping up the 2025 season.
Not only does the franchise have a fresh look with the newly refurbished uniform combinations debuted in early April, but with virtually an entire new hierarchy on the football side, how so much change is dealt with will be interesting to follow this year.
Atlanta began the change with a change in the leadership of the team with Rich McKay, Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris all being either fired or “reassigned” after the 2025 campaign. Enter a familiar name as Matt Ryan, former Atlanta quarterback great (and many, including me, that believe was the last true starting quarterback for the franchise) taking the reigns as the Director of Football and building the roadmap that gets Atlanta back to division titles and beyond.
The first moves were bringing in Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Ian Cunningham.
The roster also undergoes a good amount of change from a year ago.
Kirk Cousins was released in mid-March, Darnell Mooney’s contract was terminated, Ruke Orhorhoro was traded to Jacksonville just to name a few of the departures from a year ago from the ATL.
So, who fills those holes? Strangely there seem to be more additions than subtractions (at least in numbers).
Tua Tagovailoa was signed to the quarterback room for the Falcons. Tagovailoa spent the past six seasons with the Miami Dolphins but has struggled to stay healthy at times and has also struggled with turnovers.
Once Michael Penix Jr gets fully healthy after rehabbing back from a partially torn left ACL which he suffered last November, Penix and Tua will battle for the QB spot, with the expectation that it’s Penix’s to lose.
One addition that has gotten overlooked this offseason that I think could have an enormous impact for the Birds this year is the return of Olamide Zaccheaus at wide out.
The former Virginia Cavalier spent the first four NFL seasons in Atlanta with 8 scores in the four years.
Zaccheaus bounced around with the Eagles in 2023, Washington for the 2024 season before spending 2025 with the Bears. Zaccheaus has steadily grown his numbers over his career and could slide into the vacated role the Falcons have with Darnell Mooney’s contract being terminated to free up $7.4 million.
Both sides of the trenches have also seen some additions with trade acquisitions.
On the offensive line, the Falcons traded a 6th round 2027 draft pick to the Chiefs in exchange for a 7th rounder and offensive tackle Wanya Morris to bolster the offensive line depth that has been severely lacking for several years now.
On the defensive side, a swap of pass rushers with Jacksonville saw Ruke Orhorhoro headed to Duval in exchange for defensive tackle Maason Smith. The 6-5, 306-pound D-Lineman brings 3 career sacks in 2 years with the Jags in limited playing time, but the upside is off the charts for Smith.
There are a few other supporting cast acquisitions for the red and black this offseason, but the main question is “how do all of these new pieces fit together?”
To me, it all hinges on one thing. The quarterback (I know, that’s not really a state secret in the NFL). If the Falcons want to take the step in the right direction, they have all the pieces on offense with Bijan Robinson, along with new contracts for Kyle Pitts and Drake London.
The fans saw the enormous step forward last year on the defensive side of the ball, but it all comes back to one thing…Can the Flacons get consistent quarterback play at a high level?
In my mind, it must come from Michael Penix Jr. He had a roller coaster rookie year that ended with the injury but got to knock off the rookie rust.
Now he must get healthy and be the signal caller that the Falcons have desperately searched for since trading Matt Ryan to the Colts in 2022.
Give Him A Raise?
By: Capers Childs
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Every time Ronald Acuña Jr. steps to the plate, Braves fans are reminded that Atlanta may have one of the best deals in baseball. He’s one of baseball’s biggest stars, and he can change a game with just one swing or one stolen base.
However, injuries have repeatedly threatened his career. And the question remains: Should the Braves pay him more despite the risks?
Ronald Acuña Jr. is a star outfielder for the Braves. He made his MLB debut in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the most talked about players in the sport.
He is best known as the only player in baseball history to hit more than 40 home runs and steal more than 70 bases in a single season.
Acuña is also a five-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year. His power, speed, and athleticism make him a rare talent that few players are able to match.
Acuña’s impact goes far beyond statistics. Whenever he is in the lineup, the Braves have a greater chance of winning.
Fans enjoy watching him play, and his jersey is one of the most recognizable in baseball. As the face of the franchise, he has become a huge part of the Braves’ success over the past several seasons.
Players who can influence games like this are difficult to replace, making Acuña one of the organization’s most valuable assets.
However, a major risk of keeping Acuña on the team is his injury proneness. In both 2021 and 2024, he tore his ACL and that forced him to miss significant playing time.
An injury like this can affect a player’s speed, agility, and overall athleticism, which is detrimental to someone whose game relies heavily on his quickness and explosiveness.
Just as Acuña seemed unstoppable, another injury would strike, raising questions about his future durability. Because of this, some people argue that giving him a larger contract could be a gamble.
Still, elite players are rare, and Acuña has consistently shown that he can overcome adversity. After recovering from his first ACL injury, he returned to have one of the greatest seasons in baseball history and won the National League MVP Award.
His ability to bounce back demonstrates his talent, his determination and work ethic.
The Braves know exactly what kind of player and teammate they have in Acuña, which makes investing in him less risky than taking a chance on an unknown player.
Injuries may always be part of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s story. But when he is on the field, few players can match his talent, energy, or influence on a game.
For the Braves, paying Acuña more would not simply reward past success…it would be an investment in the future of the franchise and the player who has become its face.
Southern Soccer Explosion
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For decades, soccer in the United States was viewed as a niche sport. It was something kids played on Saturday mornings before eventually moving on to football, baseball, basketball, or another traditional American sport.
If you asked most sports fans where soccer was strongest in America, they probably would have pointed to California or the Northeast. Not anymore.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds across North America, one thing has become increasingly clear. The Southeast is rapidly becoming the center of soccer growth in the United States.
Just look at the host cities. Atlanta, Miami, and other Southern venues have become major destinations for World Cup matches and fan events.
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium has established itself as one of the premier soccer venues in the world, regularly drawing crowds that rival those seen in Europe and South America. Miami has become an international soccer hotspot, attracting global attention through both club and international competition.
What’s remarkable is how quickly this transformation has occurred. Twenty years ago, many sports fans across the South viewed soccer as an afterthought. Football ruled Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays. Baseball was woven into the fabric of communities across Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and the Carolinas. Soccer simply wasn’t part of the sports conversation.
Today, that’s changing. Youth soccer participation throughout the Southeast continues to grow. Communities like mine here in Camden County have thriving recreational and travel soccer programs.
Weekend tournaments routinely bring hundreds of families together, filling hotels, restaurants, and sports complexes. Young athletes who once may have focused exclusively on football or baseball are now dedicating themselves year-round to soccer.
The growth isn’t limited to youth sports.
Atlanta United helped prove that professional soccer could thrive in the South. Since entering Major League Soccer, the club has drawn some of the largest crowds in the league and created an atmosphere that rivals many traditional American sports franchises.
Nashville SC has experienced similar success, while Charlotte FC has quickly developed a passionate fan base of its own.
The result is that an entire generation of young Southern sports fans is growing up viewing soccer differently than previous generations.
And then there’s the World Cup. The excitement surrounding the tournament has given soccer another significant boost.
Southern cities have embraced the event with enthusiasm, welcoming fans from around the world and showcasing the region on an international stage.
I think for many Americans, this World Cup is the first opportunity to experience the energy, passion, and global significance of soccer up close.
What makes the Southeast uniquely positioned for continued growth is that soccer isn’t replacing traditional sports. It’s joining them.
Football remains king throughout much of the South. College football Saturdays still dominate the sports calendar. High school football remains a cultural institution in communities large and small. But soccer has carved out its own place alongside those traditions.
In many ways, soccer fits perfectly within the Southeast’s sports culture. Fans appreciate passionate competition, community pride, and family-friendly events. Soccer delivers all three.
The sport’s accessibility also makes it attractive. All a child really needs is a ball and a patch of grass to begin developing a love for the game.
The World Cup will eventually leave North America, but its impact is likely to remain. Young players inspired by what they’ve seen this summer will sign up for youth leagues.
Families will continue attending professional matches. Communities will continue investing in soccer facilities and programs.
The Southeast’s sports identity is evolving. Football will always be at the heart of it. But soccer is no longer an outsider looking in.
It has become part of the conversation, part of the culture, and increasingly, part of the future.
The rest of the country may still be catching up, but the evidence is becoming impossible to ignore: when it comes to the growth of soccer in America, the Southeast is leading the way.
All-Time ACC Players
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We’re going to take a look at some of the best ACC players of all time.
I want at least one player to represent each team. Some of them may have played in a different conference before their respective school joined the conference. This will also be part one because there are 17 schools and I can’t fit them all in one article.
Boston College: Doug Flutie (1981-84) won the Heisman Trophy and was a Unanimous All-American in 1984.
He led the Eagles to a 10-2 that season and they finished ranked #4 in the Coaches Poll. That also features one of the most famous game winning Hail Mary’s at #12 Miami.
In his career he passed for 10,579 yards and 67 touchdowns. He also rushed for 739 yards and 7 scores.
Cal: Marshawn Lynch (2004-06) was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and a First-team All-American in 2006. In 2005 he rushed for 1,246 yards and 10 TD’s.
In 2006 he rushed for 1,356 yards and 11 touchdowns. For his career he averaged 6.6 ypc. He also caught 68 passes for 600 yards and 6 scores.
Clemson: Deshaun Watson (2014-16) was a 2x Davey O’Brien Award winner, 2x Manning Award (2015-16), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2016), ACC Player of the Year (2015), 2x ACC Athlete of the Year (2015-16) and First-team All-ACC (2015).
In 2016, he led the Tigers to a National Championship win over #1 Alabama. He was named the CFP National Championship Offensive MVP.
In his career he passed for 10,163 yards and 90 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,934 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Duke: Clarkston Hines (1986-89) is the only player in ACC history to lead the league in receiving yards three consecutive seasons. He had over a thousand yards and double-digit touchdowns in his final 3 seasons. As a Blue Devil he caught 189 passes for 3,318 yards and 38 scores.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Hines was a Unanimous All-American (1989), First-team All-American (1988), ACC Male Athlete of the year (1990), ACC Player of the Year (1989) and 3x First team All-ACC (1987-89).
Florida State: The Seminoles have several players that could be considered the best in program history. I’m going to go with Peter Warrick (1995-99).
He helped lead the 1999 Seminoles to an undefeated season and the national championship. He played in 9 games that year because he was suspended for 2 games. He still had 71 catches, 934 yards and 8 TD’s. He also rushed for 96 yards and 3 touchdowns.
He won the Paul Warfield Trophy (1999), Unanimous All-American (1999), Consensus All-American (1998) and 2x First-team All-ACC (1998-99). In his career he had 207 receptions for 3,517 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Georgia Tech: Joe Hamilton (1996-99) was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. He won the Davey O’Brien Award (1999), NCAA Quarterback of the Year (1999), ACC Player of the Year (1999), Consensus All-American (1999), ACC Offensive Player of the Year (1999), 2x First team All-ACC (1998-99) and 2x Gator Bowl MVP (1999-00). He also finished second in 1999 for the Heisman Trophy.
Hamilton passed for 8,862 and 65 scores. He also rushed for 1,758 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Louisville: Lamar Jackson (2015-17) won the Heisman Trophy in 2016. He was a Unanimous All-American (2016), ACC Athlete of the Year (2018), 2x ACC Player of the Year (2016-17) and 2x ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2016-17).
Jackson had 9,043 passing yards and 69 TD’s. He rushed for 4,132 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Byron Buxton Coming Home To Atlanta Braves?
By: Joseph Stuckey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Former Appling County Pirate Byron Buxton has really been making a splash with the Minnesota Twins in recent years.
This season, as of 6/23, he has a .275 batting average and is 3rd in home runs with 25. He is making a strong case to represent the Twins and the American League in the All-Star Game in Philadelphia on July 14th.
The Baxley native was drafted by the Twins as the 2nd overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft and made his MLB debut for them on June 14th, 2015.
He has played his entire career for Minnesota and has established himself as one of the best players in baseball. He is arguably a top-5 outfielder who not only has a .300+ on-base percentage but should also eclipse the 200 home run mark before the end of the 2026 season.
Many locals consider him one of the top players ever to come out of South Georgia, alongside players like Buster Posey and Adam Wainwright.
He has also won a Gold Glove Award (2017) and a Silver Slugger Award (2025). If he were to make the All-Star Game this July in Philadelphia, it would be his 3rd appearance (2022 and 2025).
Buxton truly has become the face of the franchise for the Minnesota Twins; however, there are a lot of news articles and speculation that he could be headed back home to Georgia shortly.
Buxton is 32 years old, and it is highly unlikely the Minnesota Twins will make a World Series run anytime soon, so if Buxton has his eyes set on the World Series trophy, it may have to happen in another uniform.
Even though the Twins could go on a spending spree to build around Buxton, that is also highly unlikely. The big key to this is for Buxton to waive his no-trade clause; many baseball insiders have speculated for years that the team he may be willing to do this for is in his home state of Georgia.
The Atlanta Braves are considered to be a title contender this year and would love to upgrade their outfield before the postseason push. Even though the Braves should get injury-prone superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. back shortly, Buxton would make a fine addition to the Braves’ star-studded lineup.
The Braves have built a comfortable lead on the Phillies in the NL East and have the second-best record in baseball, only trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In most people’s minds, things would have to go really badly for the Braves to lose the National League East division title, let alone miss the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins have a sub-.500 record and can only hope to squeak into the playoffs with a Wild-Card berth at this point.
So, as I mentioned above, if the Baxley native has his eyes set on the World Series trophy, he may not want to look too far from home.
Don’t Throw Your Clubs
By: Ron Reagin
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
At the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Joaquin Niemann threw his club in frustration on the sixth hole during the first round. It wasn’t just any toss. The USGA deemed it “serious misconduct” under the new majors’ Code of Conduct and Rule 1.2b, handing him a two-stroke penalty that turned a triple-bogey 9 into an 11.
Niemann owned the mistake afterward and responded with a strong second round, made the cut and finished tied for 7th at +1, only 5 shots off the lead. But the real story wasn’t one player’s frustration. It was the governing bodies finally enforcing standards.
This wasn’t isolated. Rory McIlroy destroyed a tee marker at Oakmont last year after a poor drive. Sergio Garcia melted down at the 2026 Masters, slamming his driver into a cooler off the tee box and breaking the club. He received a code-of-conduct warning, reportedly the first of its kind at Augusta.
The message from the USGA and the majors is clear: the days of unchecked outbursts are over, from players and fans. The new 2026 conduct policies are being applied in real time, with real consequences.
And just this week at Shinnecock, some fans had to be removed for immature or disruptive comments aimed at players. Good for the USGA.
Professional golf deserves better than turning into a sideshow, and the US Open winner proved the right approach works. Wyndham Clark, who faced his own accountability moment after the 2025 Oakmont locker incident, closed out a hard-fought victory to win the 2026 U.S. Open. Redemption looks good on him.
The Golden Era Standard: The legends of golf’s golden years, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and those who competed alongside them, played with fire but always respected the game, the course, the host club, and their competitors.
They let their clubs and scores do the talking. Warnings and penalties like we see today were extremely rare.
Golf Is Booming — But at What Cost?: Golf is riding high right now. Ratings are strong, equipment sales are up, viewership is solid, and new players are flooding the game.
“Grow the game” has been the mantra for years. But some of the antics we’re seeing from top players, and the influence of viral YouTube golf content, risk growing the game in the wrong direction.
Social media has made every club toss and every curse word instantly visible. There’s also been a noticeable uptick in reports and viral videos of on-course altercations, fights, slow-play disputes, and general disrespect at public and private courses nationwide.
YouTube Golf, while entertaining and bringing in younger fans, sometimes glorifies the “look at me” flash over the quiet dignity the game was built on.
Supporting Enforcement: I’ll be the first to admit my own guilt. I’ve broken plenty of clubs and dropped more than my share of profane language on the course. But working on the mental side of the game has been one of the best things I’ve done. It’s taken strokes off my score and made rounds more enjoyable for me and my buddies.
The USGA, PGA Tour, and majors shouldn’t have to play referee, but they are, and they’re doing it transparently. This mirrors what we’ve seen in baseball with taunting enforcement. Every healthy sport has a code of conduct. The best ones actually enforce it to protect the integrity of the game.
For a while, with LIV Golf in the picture, players seemed to hold the upper hand.
But LIV is struggling, and the PGA Tour remains the clear standard. Enforcing these rules now, while golf is riding high in popularity, is the right move.
It teaches the next generation the right way and reminds everyone that this game is a privilege, not a platform for personal tantrums.
Brandel Chamblee, Paul McGinley, and Rich Lerner hit on these themes during U.S. Open coverage, the need for composure and protecting the game’s image.
Some voices are even calling for “shrinking the game” in response to shifting attitudes and incidents. Those concerns are valid when antics undermine the traditions that built golf.
The USGA is right to draw the line. Accountability isn’t punishment, it’s preservation in its purest form. Golf at its best is about respect: for the course, the rules, your opponents, and yourself.
Heze Kent Finding His Way
By: Thomas Tedder
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There is a quiet confidence about freshman tight end Heze Kent as he walks the practice fields at the University of Florida.
The former high school standout is no longer the biggest or fastest player on the field simply because of his talent. Now, he is learning what it means to be a complete football player in the rugged world of Southeastern Conference football. And that journey may be exactly what helps the Florida Gators climb back into relevance.
At 6-foot-5 and approximately 280 pounds, Kent possesses the size, athleticism, and natural hands that made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the Gators’ recruiting class.
Yet, as he quickly discovered, college football demands far more than raw ability.
“On the field, the biggest adjustment has been playing faster,” Kent said. “The college game is a lot faster.”
That statement reflects the reality facing every freshman entering the SEC. The windows are tighter. The defenders are bigger and stronger. The margin for error disappears quickly.
For Kent, adapting to the speed of the game has become his primary focus as he works to earn the trust of Florida’s coaching staff.
The adjustment hasn’t ended when practice is over. “Off the field, just watching what I eat,” Kent explained. “I need to watch my weight and keep it down. I am currently 280.”
That maturity is encouraging for a Florida program attempting to reclaim its place among the SEC’s elite.
Championship programs are built on players who embrace the daily disciplines that occur behind the scenes—the nutrition, conditioning, recovery, and film study that transform talented athletes into dependable contributors. Kent appears to understand that process.
Perhaps the biggest transformation has come in his approach to playing tight end itself. “I take pride in blocking now,” Kent said. “I wasn’t attached in high school and at Florida I am now an attached TE. If you don’t block, you are going to be taken out the game.”
That mentality could make him invaluable to the Gators moving forward. Florida has long been known for explosive offenses and dynamic skill players, but in the SEC, championships are often won at the line of scrimmage. Tight ends who can block defensive ends, seal the edge in the running game, and still create mismatches in the passing game are worth their weight in gold.
Kent is embracing the physical nature of the position rather than avoiding it. That willingness to do the dirty work is precisely the type of culture Florida must cultivate as it attempts to compete with perennial conference powers.
The Gators have shown flashes of brilliance in recent years but have lacked the consistency and physical identity that once defined the program. Players like Kent can help change that narrative.
More importantly, his development extends far beyond football. When asked who has had the greatest impact on his life, Kent doesn’t mention a famous athlete or coach. Instead, he points to his spiritual mentor. “My Pastor, Mark Baker, has always told me that my life is like walking on a mine field,” Kent said. “I can’t go everywhere, and I can’t hang around the wrong crowd.”
Those words reveal a young man with perspective—a freshman who understands that success at Florida will depend as much on his character as his athletic ability.
That mindset matters.
The SEC is filled with gifted athletes. What separates the great ones is often their discipline, humility, and ability to remain grounded amid enormous expectations. Kent’s reliance on faith and wise counsel gives him a foundation that should serve him well as his role expands.
Florida fans may have to be patient as he continues to adjust to the speed and physicality of college football. Freshman seasons are rarely perfect.
But there is something promising about watching a young player embrace the difficult aspects of his position. There is something encouraging about hearing a freshman talk about blocking before touchdowns and discipline before accolades.
Heze Kent is still finding his way at the University of Florida. And if his growth continues at this pace, the Gators may discover that their path back to prominence in the SEC runs right through the development of a young tight end who is learning to embrace every challenge placed before him.
Sorsby and The Supplemental Draft
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
So much has been swirling within the Brendan Sorsby saga that is unchartered territory for many folks following the story. One of the widely unknown elements that has cropped up a few times has been the NFL Supplemental Draft.
The biggest reason that the Supplemental Draft is an unknown commodity in the NFL is due to the fact that it’s been lightly used since it’s inception in 1977.
In the 49 previous years of the Supplemental Draft, there have only been 46 players selected with multiple players being taken nine times before 2000.
There hasn’t been a player even selected since Jalen Thompson was taken by the Arizona Cardinals after being declared ineligible at Washington State for his senior season due to NCAA Rules Violations. One step forward, the NFL hasn’t had a player apply to be considered in the Draft since 2023.
So, what exactly is the Supplemental Draft and how does it work?
The NFL Supplemental Draft is a separate draft that happens in the summer designed for players who were not in the regular first-year player draft in April and ends up losing his college football eligibility.
The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement has language that the draft has to take place “on or before the seventh calendar day prior to the opening of the first training camp that League Year,” and also prohibits players from electing on their own to bypass the draft for which they are eligible to apply for in order to participate in the Supplemental Draft.
One of the biggest deterrents, and the main reason for the limited selections, especially in recent years, is if a club selects a player in the Supplemental Draft, they forfeit a choice in the corresponding round in the next year’s main draft.
For example, if a team takes Sorsby this year in the third round of the Supplemental Draft, that team would lose their third-round selection for the 2027 First-Year Player Draft.
While the official date of the Supplemental Draft hasn’t been set yet, with the rules outlined in the CBA, it would have to be on or before July 16.
One reason the date hasn’t been set yet is that technically Sorsby isn’t in the field yet. Sorsby’s camp has applied to be in the Supplemental Draft, but league officials must approve each player to be in the selection pool.
Most league officials believe it will be a foregone conclusion that Sorsby will be admitted, but the formality hasn’t happened yet.
Much like other professional league drafts, the NFL Supplemental Draft order gets determined by a lottery, or better yet, three different lotteries.
The NFL will group the teams into three separate groups the first group are teams that won 6 or fewer games, the next group won 7 or more games but missed the playoffs last season, with the final group as teams that played in the postseason. Within each of those groups, the lottery will determine the draft order.
The draft rules are different than the normal draft. In each round of the draft, every team goes “on the clock.” If a team wishes to pick a player in that round, they will put a “bid” in for that player. If only one team submits a pick in that round, they would get the player. If there is more than one team that submits a pick in that round, the player is awarded to the highest team in the Supplemental Draft order.
If there are no picks in that round, all teams are informed that the next round begins, and the same procedure commences. The draft lasts 7 rounds or until all eligible players are selected (whichever comes first).
In the history of the NFL Supplemental Draft, only one player has been selected then go on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as Chris Carter was selected in the 1987 NFL Supplemental Draft then elected to the Hall in 2013.
Only 8 players have been Supplemental picks and selected to the Pro Bowl with Josh Gordon being the most recent. These numbers don’t include the 1984 Special Supplemental Draft for college seniors that had already signed with the USFL or Canadian Football players when 3 players were drafted and went on to Hall of Fame careers with Steve Young, Garry Zimmerman & Reggie White in 1984.
Where does Sorsby land? The thought right now around the NFL front offices is that Sorsby (who is also the only known player to have applied for the Supplemental Draft) likely lands in the third round of the Supplemental Draft.
That being said, if a playoff team from last year (the lowest tier in the draft hierarchy), thinks that Sorsby could develop to an impact quarterback, they may forego a 2nd round pick next year for him.
GIAA Powers
By: Joseph Stuckey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With the high-school football season right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to examine the state of GIAA teams across the area.
GIAA stands for Georgia Independent Athletic Association, otherwise known as the private school league here in Georgia.
I follow GIAA sports very closely as I am the play-by-play broadcaster for the Bulloch Academy Gators football team.
One thing I became aware of last year, with the Gators making several trips up Interstate 16, is that there is a belief among football fans in that area that you have to beat out the Middle Georgia teams to win a GIAA state title.
What I mean by this is that you can always count on a Middle Georgia area team making a push into the Final Four and State Championship game of the GIAA playoff brackets.
Last year, 3 of the 4 state titles went home to Middle Georgia teams. Brentwood Academy in Sandersville brought home the AA title for the second straight season. John Milledge Academy added another trophy to its very large trophy case. And finally, Stratford Academy won the big prize of the AAAA state title, even though they did lose to John Milledge handily in the regular season, 51-13.
Another powerhouse in the Macon area is First Presbyterian Day, which reached the final four in 2025 and lost to Bulloch Academy in the State Championship in 2024.
Also, there is Strong Rock Christian, which is in Locust Grove, that made the elite eight the past 2 seasons.
So, as you can see, there is some backing to the claim of having to beat out Middle Georgia teams to win a GIAA state title.
Southeast Georgia was able to claim 1 of the 4 titles this past season, with Robert Toombs in Lyons winning the A State Championship.
Robert Toombs beat Edmund Burke Academy in the rematch of the 2024 State Championship, which Edmund Burke won.
Right down the road, there is Pinewood Christian Academy in Bellville, which made the elite eight in 2025.
Then, finally, there is the premier GIAA region in Southeast Georgia, which consists of Frederica Academy, Bulloch Academy, St. Andrews, and the newest addition from GHSA, Savannah Country Day.
Pinewood has been in this region in years past, but they are moving down to an A/AA region starting this season. This region consists of AAA/AAAA teams, and the last 3 champions have been Frederica Academy (2025), Bulloch Academy (2024), and Bulloch (2023).
Not only did Frederica win the region last year, but they also reached the Final Four in the AAA playoffs before losing to John Milledge.
Bulloch Academy is celebrating 3 straight seasons of reaching the Elite Eight or beyond (2023-Final 4, 2024-State Championship, 2025-Elite 8) and has its sights set on another State Championship run in AAAA with a loaded senior class.
The unknown in this region is Savannah Country Day, which is coming from GHSA after going 4-7 last season.
Anytime a GIAA school plays a GHSA school, most would think it would be a tough victory. However, GIAA schools have been holding their own; Frederica beat Savannah High School last season 34-7, and Bulloch Academy has gone 4-0 against GHSA schools over the last 2 seasons.
So, with all of that being said, this should be a very exciting year of GIAA High School Football!
The Baseball Celebration Epidemic
By: Ron Reagin
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In the heat of the Athens Regional final, University of Georgia third baseman Tre Phelps delivered a massive two-run home run that flipped the script against Liberty in a must-win game.
It was definitely a huge momentum swing. But as Phelps rounded the bases, what should have been a moment of pure athletic accomplishment turned into controversy.
Phelps gestured toward the Liberty dugout on the first-base side and, after rounding first, waved again toward the first baseman and other players as he rounded the bases.
Umpire Javerro January saw it as taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct directed at an opponent. The crew promptly ejected the junior standout under NCAA Baseball Rule 2.26.f.
Head coach Wes Johnson, fiercely defending his player, was tossed as well. Georgia won the game 6-1 and advanced, but Phelps sat out Game 1 of the Super Regional.
The Call, the Debate, and the Rulebook: Social media exploded. Some called it a soft ejection, typical of over-sensitive umpires trying to kill emotion in today’s game.
Others praised the enforcement, arguing that bat flips, chest-thumping, and directed gestures cross into disrespect that has no place in baseball.
Coach Johnson later explained that Phelps was waving to family in the stands, but the umps interpreted the actions as taunting the opposition.
Most found that explanation laughable from Johnson. However, he had to do something, and trying to justify taunting is a tough spot for him. All of this could have been avoided if he had prepared his team for success.
The NCAA has drawn a clear line here. Rule 2.26 and related unsportsmanlike conduct provisions (including 5-17 in the rulebook) prohibit actions designed to intimidate, distract, or show poor sportsmanship toward opponents or umpires.
A player (non-pitcher) ejected gets an automatic one-game suspension on top of the ejection. The goal? Keep the game moving cleanly without escalating into benches-clearing brawls or turning every big play into a personal showdown.
Not an Isolated Incident: Ejections Across the Regionals: This wasn’t the only high-profile ejection during the 2026 NCAA Regionals. Tensions boiled over in multiple brackets, with six players and coaches tossed across three different regionals (Athens, Hattiesburg, and Lincoln).
In the Hattiesburg Regional elimination game, Virginia pitcher John Paone was ejected for verbal taunting against Southern Miss.
Teammate Kyle Johnson was also ejected during that same chaotic contest, tied to emotions on a home run trot (possibly involving profanity or similar unsportsmanlike language). Virginia still pulled out a wild 15-11 victory in 10 innings to eliminate the Golden Eagles.
In the Lincoln Regional, Arizona State’s Landon Hairston, the Big 12 Player of the Year, was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after flipping his bat dramatically following a strikeout. These incidents underscore how quickly emotions can spill over in postseason play.
Preserving the Game’s Integrity: This isn’t about killing joy. Home run trots, high-fives, and dugout celebrations are part of the excitement that makes college baseball special.
But there’s a difference between celebrating your success and directing mockery and verbal jabs at the other team.
Baseball has long prided itself on a certain decorum that separates it from sports where trash-talk and in-your-face antics have become somewhat normalized. We can hope that other sports take notice and make changes accordingly for fans, players, coaches, and officials.
Critics argue the rule is inconsistently applied or overly punitive, especially with the automatic suspension (and harsher penalties for pitchers). Supporters counter that without a significant penalty, we risk a slippery slope where every big moment becomes an immature taunting contest.
Umpires have discretion but they’re expected to maintain order, especially in highly competitive moments.
Georgia moved on without Phelps in Game 1, proving depth and resilience. But the incident, along with the others, sparked broader, tougher conversations: How much emotion is too much? Where’s the line between emotion and disrespect?
My Take as a Baseball Fan: Across the SEC and all of baseball, we love loud and competitive games. We cheer the big swings and the comebacks.
But we also respect the game’s traditions, the post-game handshake line, and the idea that you let your bat do the talking.
All these players are talented athletes who will have plenty more moments to shine and celebrate accordingly. These incidents served as a reminder that even in victory or defeat, how you carry yourself matters. We can all learn from that.
The NCAA isn’t trying to turn college baseball into a library. They’re trying to prevent it from becoming a sideshow.
By upholding the rules firmly across multiple regionals, the NCAA is sending a message that the game’s integrity comes first, no matter how big the moment, how heated the at-bat, or how passionate the player.
Here’s hoping these high-profile players and events help coaches, players, and officials make better decisions in tense moments. Baseball needs its stars playing, not sitting. Baseball and other sports as a whole benefit when the focus stays on competition, not confrontation.
