Michael Spiers
On The Clock
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, the Jacksonville Jaguars have the entire league guessing. Sitting at the No. 5 overall pick, they’ve become one of the hardest teams to predict, maybe even the hardest.
What once seemed like a sure thing now feels wide open, and nobody really knows what they’re going to do.
For months, the Jags were closely tied to Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham.
That talk didn’t slow down before or after the NFL Combine, or even once free agency hit.
But now? Doubts are creeping in. ESPN’s Adam Schefter, one of the most plugged-in voices in football, recently said on the Unsportsmanlike Podcast that he no longer thinks Jacksonville is going to take Graham at No. 5.
“I don’t believe Mason Graham will go No. 5,” Schefter said. “I feel pretty comfortable in saying that.” Instead, he hinted that the Jags could be looking at offense. Names like Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan have started getting thrown around as possible targets.
It’s a bit of a shock, especially considering how consistently Graham’s name had been tied to Jacksonville. But not everyone is sold on Graham’s fit, especially among analytics-driven teams. Ole Miss tackle Walter Nolen is a higher-ranked prospect, but Nolen has some character red flags to clear up.
There’s also talk that Jaguars head coach Liam Coen wants to bring in another offensive weapon to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence. That would make sense. Lawrence has had a lot on his plate, and adding a dynamic playmaker, whether it’s a running back like Jeanty or a wide receiver like McMillan, could help take some of the pressure off him and last year’s rookie sensation, wideout Brian Thomas Jr.
Other options on offense include LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou if they’re looking to beef up the O-line instead. But no matter who it is, it’s clear that offense is on the table in a big way.
Another twist? Jacksonville might not even stay at No. 5. Some pundits see the Jags as a team that could trade down, and that’s something that starts to make a lot of sense once you look at their roster.
Right now, they’ve only got 59 players under contract, the fewest in the NFL. Even if they use all 10 of their picks, they’ll still be relying on a bunch of undrafted free agents just to fill the team out. Trading back and getting more picks could help with that.
James Gladstone, the Jags’ new GM, comes from the Rams, where he helped turn things around with a massive draft haul of 24 picks over two years.
He’s already said he wants to build through the draft, so don’t be surprised if he tries something similar in Jacksonville.
Then there’s the Travis Etienne situation. Schefter named him as one of the players who could be traded during draft week. No one’s saying the Jags are definitely shopping him, but it’s interesting that his name came up at all.
Etienne hasn’t exactly lit it up lately, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry over the last two seasons, and the O-line hasn’t helped much. Still, he’s been a big part of the passing game and could be a fit in Coen’s offense.
But if the Jaguars do take a running back early, it could mean fewer carries for Etienne, and maybe even a fresh start elsewhere for him.
The running back position is important in Coen’s system, so if they’re planning a change, they’ll have a replacement ready.
The Jaguars are a great example of what makes the NFL draft so interesting. They could really go in any direction with their current No. 5 pick by drafting for offense, for defense, by trading down, or maybe even a surprise move I haven’t even thought about yet.
One thing’s for sure though, with a new coach, a new GM, and a franchise QB still looking to fully break out, this pick has to count. And until they’re on the clock, the mystery rolls on.
Show Me The Money
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I don’t know about you, but college football is my favorite sport.
It’s my favorite sport to watch, it’s my favorite to talk about, and it always been my favorite to report on.
Guys used to play the game by giving all they had, dreaming of the riches that may come for those fortunate enough to play in the NFL.
The collegiate game is definitely changing and looks more like the NFL because of Name Image and Likeness (NIL) money, and the ease of changing schools through the Transfer Portal.
Nico Iamaleava’s messy exit from Tennessee might’ve just shown us what college football’s new normal is going to look like.
After trying to renegotiate his NIL deal from around $2.2 million up to $4 million for the upcoming season, Iamaleava skipped a spring practice without telling anyone.
That was the final straw for head coach Josh Heupel, and now the once highly touted QB is in the transfer portal, looking for a new team and a bigger payday.
This wasn’t totally out of the blue. Iamaleava originally made headlines back in high school with an $8 million NIL deal, setting a new bar for recruits.
But now, with top quarterbacks like Carson Beck and Darian Mensah landing $4 million deals at Miami and Duke, Iamaleava’s camp, mainly his dad and agent, wanted to get him a raise to stay competitive.
The problem? It’s April, and most teams already have their rosters set. Plus, SEC rules mean he can’t transfer within the conference and play right away.
Options like North Carolina and Tulane were mentioned, but they’ve either backed off or just don’t have the budget for a $4 million quarterback.
All this has caused a lot of debate. Holding out is a move we’re used to seeing in the NFL, not college.
But with how NIL works right now, or doesn’t work, it’s kind of inevitable. There are no real rules or structure.
Deals vary wildly from one school to another, promises sometimes fall through, and the NCAA hasn’t done much to bring order to the chaos.
Without contracts that actually mean something or rules that apply to everyone, it’s a free-for-all.
Some folks say the fix is simple: treat players like coaches. Coaches sign contracts with buyouts. If they leave early, someone pays a fee. It could be the coach or the school hiring him, but that money changes hands.
That system doesn’t stop movement, but it does slow things down, maybe even helps with renegotiations or smoother exits.
If NIL deals worked the same way, with built-in buyouts, players and schools might think twice before jumping ship or playing hardball.
But that kind of fix only works if all the major schools are on board.
If some schools do it and others don’t, players will just follow the money to the places with fewer restrictions. And as long as athletes aren’t considered employees, there’s no collective bargaining to create consistent rules.
The NCAA keeps hoping Congress will step in, but let’s be real, that’s probably not happening. And any attempt to enforce tighter rules is likely to get challenged in court, like everything else the NCAA tries.
This isn’t about blaming Iamaleava or calling players greedy. It’s about recognizing that the system is broken and something has to give.
Right now, college football is stuck in this weird space where players have more power than ever, but the infrastructure hasn’t caught up.
Boosters and collectives are throwing around big money, but without guardrails, stories like this will keep popping up.
Iamaleava might not get the deal he wants this time around, but more players are going to try. This isn’t the end of college football, but it is a sign that the game’s rules, both on and off the field, are changing fast.
It’s time to stop reacting with shock every time something like this happens and start figuring out real solutions.
Championship Chomp
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Florida Gators are national champs, and they absolutely earned it.
This wasn’t one of those lucky runs or feel-good Cinderella stories. Florida took the hard road, the kind that leaves no doubt about who deserves the trophy.
They battled through the SEC, the toughest conference college basketball has ever seen, which somehow managed to send 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament.
Then they won the conference tourney. And from there? They tore through a stacked NCAA bracket that saw all four No. 1 seeds make the Final Four. That almost never happens.
To even reach the championship game, the Gators had to take down UConn, a team that had won back-to-back national titles.
Then they found themselves down 12 points in the second half against Houston, a team that led for most of the game. But Florida didn’t blink. They chipped away at the lead, made big-time plays down the stretch, and pulled off a gutsy 65-63 win to claim their third national title.
It wasn’t always pretty, but it was gritty, and that fits this team perfectly.
Florida didn’t get here by stacking up five-star freshmen. They built this roster with savvy transfers—guys who had already proven themselves elsewhere.
Walter Clayton Jr. started at Iona. Alijah Martin played most of his college career at Florida Atlantic. Will Richard came over from Belmont. None of them were top 100 high school recruits, but together, they formed one of the best and most well-rounded squads in the country.
Clayton was a star all tournament long. Martin brought leadership and toughness from his deep run with FAU last year. Richard, who scored the most in the title game, showed up big when it mattered most. These weren’t one-and-done prospects. They were veterans who knew how to win.
Head coach Todd Golden deserves a lot of credit for putting it all together. In just his third year with the Gators, he’s built a team that thrives in today’s transfer-heavy landscape.
That said, his season wasn’t without controversy. Golden was the subject of a Title IX complaint before the season started, involving accusations of stalking and harassment.
The university later said there was no evidence to support the claims and closed the investigation in January. Golden hasn’t said much about it, and neither has the school, but after this season it’s likely his next big headline will be about a contract extension.
Now, as impressive as Florida’s run was, it also says something bigger about where college basketball is heading.
This year’s tournament? Not exactly the wild ride we’ve come to expect. No buzzer-beater upsets. No Cinderella crashing the party. The lowest seed in the Sweet 16 was a No. 10 from, you guessed it, the SEC. It was a tournament full of top dogs, and Florida, with its battle-hardened group of transfers, came out on top.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I firmly believe players should have the freedom to move, get paid, and find the best spot for themselves. It’s just… different.
The charm of March Madness has always been its unpredictability, the chance to watch tiny schools knock off the giants. But when all the best mid-major talent ends up at places like Florida, those magical moments might become a lot rarer.
Still, none of that is Florida’s fault. They just played the hand they were dealt better than anyone else. They didn’t just adapt to the new world of college hoops. They owned it. And now they’ve got another championship banner to show for it.
So, while this year’s tournament might’ve been a little short on the “madness,” it was full of high-level basketball.
Florida’s path was as tough as it gets, and they passed every test. Like it or not, this is what winning in college basketball looks like now. And Florida? They’ve set the standard.
Crisis Level: High
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Oxford dictionary defines the word nightmare as “a frightening or unpleasant dream”, and “a person, thing, or situation that is very difficult to deal with”.
Major League Baseball’s opening day has come and gone and that definition fits the Atlanta Braves perfectly.
The Braves’ early season has already gone from bad to worse. The Braves got another gut punch when outfielder Jurickson Profar was hit with an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.
Hours later, they placed starting pitcher Reynaldo López on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Then, they lost 6-1 to the Dodgers, extending their winless start —Atlanta’s worst since 2016.
The Braves signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million deal in January, expecting him to be a key part of their offense after a breakout 2024 season with San Diego. Now, he’s out until late June and won’t be eligible for the postseason.
In a statement, Profar said he would “never knowingly take a banned substance” but accepted the suspension.
The Braves, clearly blindsided, said they were “surprised and extremely disappointed” but support MLB’s drug policy.
Profar’s absence leaves a big hole in an already struggling lineup. Atlanta made a quick move, acquiring outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Reds.
With Ronald Acuña Jr. still recovering from ACL surgery and likely out for another month, the Braves now have to lean on Bryan De La Cruz.
As if losing Profar wasn’t enough, the Braves also lost López to a shoulder injury. The right-hander struggled in his first start against the Padres, and after experiencing soreness in a bullpen session, the team decided to shut him down. Lopez will undergo surgery and will miss several months.
To fill his spot in the rotation, Atlanta called up Bryce Elder from Triple-A Gwinnett. Elder was an All-Star in 2023 but had a rough 2024 season, finishing with a 6.52 ERA.
If Elder struggles, the Braves may have to turn to top prospect Hurston Waldrep or another minor-league arm to stabilize their rotation.
To this point every game has followed the same frustrating script for Atlanta. The offense can’t solve opponents pitching.
The good news is that it’s still very early, but the Braves’ start has been a disaster. They were supposed to be World Series contenders, but instead, they’re dealing with a suspended star, an injured rotation, and an offense stuck in neutral.
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos is already facing tough questions. He signed Profar expecting his 2024 numbers to be legit, but now there’s doubt.
The Braves are on the hook for that $42 million, and if Profar can’t produce clean, this deal could turn into a disaster.
For now, Atlanta just needs to stop bleeding. Asked about how the team is handling everything, Austin Riley kept it simple: “We’ve just got to focus on today.”
Let’s hope that we can all wake up, pass our drug screens, and move on from this nightmare.
NL East Beasts
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It’s a glorious time for a sports fan, even without the NFL.
We are down to the Sweet 16 in March Madness and the Masters starts soon. Heck, even the United Football League (UFL) is supposed to start the season this week. The most important of all…the MLB season starts.
This is Braves country, but with so much National League East talk about the Mets and Phillies this offseason, it’s easy to forget that the Braves, even with a rough year, still won 89 games and made the playoffs in 2024. By our standards, that was a down season.
The biggest reason? Health. Last season, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider missed most of the year, and while neither will be ready for Opening Day, both should be back early in the season.
Other players like Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and Ozzie Albies have durability concerns, but it’s hard to imagine the Braves dealing with worse injury luck than they did in 2024.
The rotation has some holes to fill with Max Fried and Charlie Morton gone, leaving a big workload to replace. Young guys like AJ Smith-Shawver and Grant Holmes, will have to step up early while Strider works his way back.
The bullpen also took a hit, losing A.J. Minter to the Mets and Joe Jiménez to injury. The Braves always seem to find solid relievers, and I think Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson, and Aaron Bummer will be key.
What makes Atlanta dangerous, though, is their offense. Michael Harris II is a breakout MVP candidate, the addition of Jurickson Profar adds depth, and if Austin Riley and Matt Olson play to their potential, this lineup can carry them. If Acuña comes back at full strength, the Braves could be the most balanced team in the NL.
The NL East is shaping up to be the toughest division in baseball. Three teams—the Braves, Phillies, and Mets—made the playoffs last season, and all three expect to be back.
Throw in an improving Nationals squad, and it’s going to be a battle all year long.
The Phillies finally won the NL East last season but got knocked out early in the playoffs by the Mets.
Their core, including Bryce Harper, is still strong, but they’re is getting older. The big question is consistency. They started last year red-hot but faded in the second half. Which version will show up in 2025? If they stay steady, they’re good enough to win the division again, but if age starts catching up, they could take a step back.
The Mets made a deep playoff run last season, knocking out the Phillies before falling to the Dodgers. Then, they made a huge splash by signing Juan Soto in the offseason, giving them a stacked lineup with Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo.
I think in 2025, their biggest question is pitching. Their bats are strong, but if the pitching falters, they could be stuck fighting for a Wild Card spot.
The Washington Nationals have been rebuilding. Young stars Dylan Crews and James Wood are the future, and adding veterans Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Bell should help them compete.
The rotation has potential, with MacKenzie Gore and former Brave Michael Soroka looking to bounce back. I don’t think they’re playoff-bound yet, but they could be a tough matchup, especially late in the season.
Miami has struggled and could be headed for another 100-loss season. If they get off to a slow start, expect them to trade away any valuable players by midseason.
Sandy Alcántara is back from injury, and young ace Eury Pérez should return after the All-Star break.
The 2025 NL East is going to be a dogfight. The Braves, Phillies, and Mets all have the talent to win the division, while the Nationals are a team to watch for the future. The Marlins? Not so much.
Atlanta looks ready for a comeback, but with Philly and New York in the mix, nothing will come easy. Expect a tight race, plenty of drama, and some must-watch matchups all season long.
SEC Madness
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
March Madness is finally here! Selection Sunday just locked in the 68 teams for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and the excitement is off the charts.
Back-to-back champ UConn is looking to make history with a three-peat, something we haven’t seen since John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty won seven straight from 1967 to 1973. But this time around, the Huskies aren’t the clear favorites after a tough regular season.
That opens the door for teams like Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston—powerhouses that have been rolling all year—to step up and take the crown.
Back in November, I wrote an article about the Southeastern Conference having nine ranked teams in the preseason Top 25. I wondered if it would even be possible for the 16 teams that make up the conference to end the regular season with as much fanfare as it began with.
Ever since then? The SEC has completely taken over college basketball. Coaches have been raving about just how brutal the competition has been. Coaches have called having to play within the conference everything from a gauntlet to a meat grinder. Georgia’s head coach, Mike White, summed it up by saying the SEC is “the best league in the history of college basketball.”
Turns out, they weren’t just talking. The SEC made history this year by sending 14 of those 16 teams to the NCAA Tournament—shattering the previous record of 11 set by the Big East in 2011.
With an 87.5% participation rate, it’s the highest percentage of teams from a single conference to ever make the tournament.
The only teams left out? South Carolina and my beloved LSU Tigers (at least there is always baseball!). Meanwhile, new conference members Texas and Oklahoma wasted no time proving they belong, both punching their tickets in their first year in the league.
But now, it’s time to back it up. Was this just a dominant regular season, or can the league turn this into something bigger?
Garth Glissman, the SEC’s associate commissioner for men’s basketball, knows the real challenge is just beginning. “Our regular season speaks for itself,” he told CBS Sports. “But that doesn’t guarantee anything in the postseason. We’ve got to take care of business.”
So, what does “taking care of business” actually look like? Do a certain number of SEC teams need to reach the Sweet 16? Does the conference need multiple Final Four teams? According to Glissman, there’s only one real goal: winning it all.
Of course, March Madness is unpredictable. Anything can happen. But for a conference that dominates in almost every other sport—football, women’s basketball, baseball—winning big in men’s hoops is the one thing that’s been missing. The last SEC team to cut down the nets? Kentucky, back in 2012.
“I’ll be the first to admit that in the SEC, ultimately, we’re measured by national championships,” Glissman said.
There are plenty of SEC teams capable of making a deep run. Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee are legit contenders, while a few others could sneak into the Final Four.
No matter what happens, the SEC owned the regular season. A 14-2 record in the ACC-SEC Challenge and a 59-19 record against high-major teams prove just how dominant the conference was this year.
Not long ago, the SEC was considered a football-first conference, with basketball playing second fiddle. From 2013 to 2016, the league had multiple seasons where only three teams made the tournament. But that’s changed in a big way. The SEC sent eight teams dancing in both 2023 and 2024, setting the stage for this year’s historic breakthrough.
Now, there’s only one thing left to prove. Can the SEC finish the job and bring home a national title? March Madness is about to give us the answer.
Immortal Wildcats
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Camden County High School will celebrate its rich athletic history with the inaugural induction class of the Camden County Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The event will take place at the CCHS Fine Arts Building in Kingsland, Georgia, honoring individuals and teams who have made a lasting impact on Wildcat athletics.
This inaugural class of inductees represents some of the most accomplished athletes, coaches, teams and contributors in Camden County’s history. This year’s class will include the following five inductees:
1960 Ralph J. Bunche High School State Championship Football Team: The Ralph J. Bunche Hornets made history by winning the first high school football state championship in Camden County history.
The school, which opened in 1951 to serve Black students in the area, started playing football in 1954 as part of the Georgia Interscholastic Association.
After semifinal appearances in 1958 and 1959, the Hornets broke through in 1960, dominating Henry County Training 45-2 to claim the Class A state title. Following integration in 1970, Ralph J. Bunche High School became part of Camden County High School, but the Hornets’ championship legacy remains a cornerstone of local sports history.
1985 Camden County High School Girls Track and Field Team: This team made history as the first-ever state champions in any sport at Camden County High School.
Their victory paved the way for future Wildcats, demonstrating that Camden County athletics could compete at the highest level. Their success remains a significant milestone in the school’s athletic legacy.
Frank Smith – “Mr. Wildcat”: Frank Smith was more than just a fan—he was the heart and soul of Camden County football.
Known affectionately as “Mr. Wildcat,” Smith was a dedicated supporter who never missed a game, home or away, for over 40 years until his passing in 2012.
As the longtime president of the CCHS Quarterback Club, his passion for Wildcat football was unmatched. His legacy is honored every year with the Frank Smith Classic, held at Chris Gilman Stadium during the Wildcats’ first home game in September.
Jeff Herron – Legendary Head Coach: Few names in Georgia high school football carry as much weight as Jeff Herron.
Over his 32-year career, Herron built a reputation as one of the best coaches in the country, compiling an overall record of 334-69, including 312-54 in Georgia.
His remarkable 85.3% winning percentage ranks second in Georgia history and among the top 35 in national high school football history.
During his 15 seasons at Camden County, Herron transformed the Wildcats into a powerhouse, winning three state championships (2003, 2008, 2009).
Under his leadership, Camden dominated the region for 12 consecutive years, set a state record with a 58-game regular season winning streak, and was ranked in the USA Today Top 25 six times. ESPN even named the Wildcats the Program of the Decade in Georgia (2000-2010).
Beyond Camden, Herron won state championships at Oconee County (1999) and Grayson (2016). His coaching excellence is now being recognized on a national scale—this summer, he will be inducted into both the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Hall of Fame and the National High School Football Hall of Fame.
Lyvonia “Stump” Mitchell – Camden’s NFL Star: A true Camden County legend, Lyvonia “Stump” Mitchell left his mark at every level of football. After a standout career as a Wildcat running back, he continued his dominance at The Citadel, where he still holds school records for rushing yards in a season (1,647) and career (4,062).
In 1981, Mitchell was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. He played in the league for a decade, spending nine years with the Cardinals (1981-1989) before finishing his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990.
Following his playing days, Mitchell transitioned to coaching, leading Morgan State University (1996-1998) before taking on NFL coaching roles with the Seahawks, Redskins, Cardinals, Jets, and Browns. His long and distinguished career in professional football is a testament to the talent that has come from Camden County.
The Camden County Athletics Hall of Fame will serve as a tribute to the incredible athletes, coaches, and supporters who have shaped Wildcat sports. This inaugural class represents a mix of historic achievements, legendary figures, and community icons, each of whom played a vital role in building Camden County’s athletic tradition.
With this event, Camden County will not only honor its past but also inspire future generations of Wildcats to leave their own mark on the field, track, and beyond.
Wildcat Wrestling
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Camden County’s boys’ wrestling team isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
The Wildcats dominated in Macon two weekends ago, locking up their 11th straight state championship with a runaway 303.5-point performance—more than 80 points ahead of second-place Buford.
Leading the charge were three-time champs Bradley Patterson and Ryder Wilder, along with first-time winners Isaac Santos and Brock Weaver.
But it was a full-team effort that made the difference, with 14 wrestlers earning top six finishes and eight making it to the finals.
For an understanding of Camden Wrestling’s continued dominance, consider that the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) created the 7-A classification in 2016, and the Wildcats have won the state championship in wrestling every year since 2014.
The GHSA did away with the 7-A classification at the end of the 2024 school year, making 6-A the highest classification in the state. This means that in the history books of Georgia high school wrestling, Camden County will remain the ONLY squad to have ever won a 7-A wrestling state championship.
Camden set the tone early and never looked back, outscoring every team across all classifications. Head coach Jess Wilder knew his team had the firepower to finish the job, but he didn’t want them getting too comfortable.
“Two years ago, we were down by 28 points going into the last day, and a lot of these guys remember that because they were freshmen,” Wilder said. “We came back and won that year, so we knew we couldn’t take our foot off the gas.”
Camden finished with four individual champions: Patterson (113), Wilder (190), Santos (120), and Weaver (157).
They also had four runners-up—Cane Smolarsky (126), Rod Zow (144), Jamaal Coppedge (165), and Brian Wright (175)—plus several other key contributors. Brandon Higgins (132), Hunter Prosen (138), and Joseph Schulze (285) placed third, Waylon Rozier (150) and Caleb Gaskin (215) finished fourth, and Clayton Newton (106) took fifth.
Buford had the same number of finalists as Camden, but their lack of depth hurt them. “That’s why we win state,” Wilder said. “Our depth is what separates us. Our guys who battled back through the consolation rounds made a huge difference.”
Wilder and Patterson were nearly untouchable. Wilder pinned his finals opponent in just 27 seconds, with his other two pins lasting 31 and 49 seconds.
Patterson was just as dominant, racking up two pins in 25 seconds total before winning his semifinal and final by technical fall, including a 16-0 shutout in the championship match.
Santos fought through a tough semifinal before rolling to a 16-0 title win, while Weaver capped off his run with an 11-3 major decision.
Other Wildcats put together strong performances as well, with Smolarsky, Zow, Coppedge, and Wright all making the finals.
Higgins had one of the fastest pins of the tournament—just five seconds—before winning third place with a clutch 3-1 decision.
The boys weren’t the only ones making headlines. Breanna Higgins tore through the girls’ 100-pound bracket, pinning all four of her opponents to claim a state title.
She finished things off with a second-period pin in the finals after making quick work of the competition leading up to it.
With 15 total state placers between the boys’ and girls’ teams, Camden County once again showed why it’s the top wrestling program in Georgia.
The Wildcats keep setting the bar—and they don’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon.
The Combine
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It’s that time of year again. NFL Combine week is here!
As a long-suffering fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the end of February is when hope springs eternal. The annual scouting showcase kicks off in Indianapolis, bringing together top college prospects, NFL coaches, scouts, and media for a jam-packed week of workouts, interviews, and nonstop rumors.
While most fans tune in for the 40-yard dashes and bench press reps, this event is just as much about front-office chatter, draft strategy, and free agency buzz.
The combine runs from February 24 to March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium, with on-field workouts starting Wednesday. Players will be split into different position groups throughout the week:
Wednesday, Feb. 26 – Kickers & Punters (Workouts) | Punters, Kickers, DL, LB (Media)
Thursday, Feb. 27 – Defensive Linemen & Linebackers (Workouts) | DBs & TEs (Media)
Friday, Feb. 28 – Defensive Backs & Tight Ends (Workouts) | RBs, WRs, QBs (Media)
Saturday, March 1 – Running Backs, Wide Receivers & Quarterbacks (Workouts) | O-Line (Media)
Sunday, March 2 – Offensive Linemen (Workouts) | No Media Availability
For Jaguars fans, this is a big week. Head coach Liam Coen and new GM James Gladstone, who spent the last nine years as the scouting director with the Los Angeles Rams, spoke to the media on Tuesday, giving us insight into their offseason plans and how they envision the new-look Jags to come together.
Executive VP Tony Boselli is due to speak to the media on Wednesday. This will be one of the first real updates from the new leadership since Coen’s introductory press conference.
While the combine is all about scouting draft prospects, there’s always free agency talk going on behind the scenes.
The official free agency period starts March 12 at 4 p.m., but teams can begin negotiating March 10.
The franchise tag deadline is March 4, so this week will be a key time for teams to decide whether to lock up their biggest free agents before they hit the market.
For Jacksonville, offensive line, defensive line, and secondary are top priorities. Running back isn’t a huge need since Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby are under contract, but with Etienne set to hit free agency in 2026 and a deep RB class in this draft, the Jags could still grab one for the future.
Jacksonville holds nine picks in the 2025 draft, including the No. 5 overall selection. They’re expected to focus on the trenches, especially the defensive line. Here are a few big name D-line prospects to keep an eye on:
Mason Graham (DT, Michigan) – He’s been one of the most popular mock draft picks for the Jags. If he puts up big numbers at the combine, he could solidify himself as the best defensive tackle in the draft.
Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan) – Another Michigan beast on the D-line. He’s huge and athletic, and if he tests as well as expected, his draft stock could explode.
Cam Jackson (DT, Florida) – The Jags love drafting Gators, and Jackson could be the next in line. He ended his college career strong and could boost his stock with a solid performance this week.
Once the combine wraps up, all eyes turn to free agency (March 12) and the NFL Draft (April 24-26).
This week will give us a better idea of what the Jaguars might do, whether it’s locking in their draft strategy or making moves in free agency.
Get ready for a week of rumors, scouting reports, and plenty of buzz around the future of the franchise. Can this long-suffering Jags fan dare to dream?!
Another Shake Up
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Now that it’s been almost a month since the conclusion of the first ever 12-team college football playoff format, leaders of the two most powerful conferences are set to meet today in New Orleans, and those meetings could have a major effect on the product we watch over the next few years.
College football’s playoff system is about to get another shake-up, with serious talks of expanding to 14 or even 16 teams as early as 2026.
The Big Ten and SEC are leading the charge, pushing for automatic bids for their teams, and it looks like they’re going to get their way.
The most likely format would guarantee four spots each for the SEC and Big Ten, two each for the ACC and Big 12, and one for the highest-ranked Group of Five team. Notre Dame would also get a guaranteed spot—if it finishes in the top 14.
That means if the playoff stops at 14 teams, there might not be any extra at-large spots some years.
In this setup, the top two teams would get byes in a 14-team field, but if they go to 16 teams, nobody gets a bye—just straight into the action.
The selection committee would also take a backseat, with rankings deciding the seeds instead of a room full of administrators debating which 8-4 team is “better.”
One big change could be how conferences handle their schedules. The SEC has been debating whether to move to a nine-game conference schedule for years, and with automatic bids locked in, they might finally do it. The Big Ten already plays nine, and the ACC and Big 12 might follow.
There’s also talk of a scheduling agreement between the SEC and Big Ten, setting up big non-conference matchups like Georgia-Michigan, Texas-Ohio State, or LSU-Oregon every year. That would be great for fans, TV ratings, and—of course—revenue.
With automatic bids taking center stage, conference championship games could change or even lose some importance.
The SEC and Big Ten are looking at new ways to determine their four teams, like play-in games where, say, the third-best team plays the sixth best, and the fourth-best plays the fifth best, with the winners grabbing the last two playoff spots.
Meanwhile, the ACC and Big 12 aren’t thrilled about the SEC and Big Ten grabbing the biggest share of auto-bids.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips says the playoff should be “a true championship, not an invitational,” but let’s be real—the CFP has always been more of an invite system than a true playoff.
It is also important to consider the fact that ESPN is shelling out $1.3 billion a year for CFP broadcast rights starting in 2026, so they have a big say in all of this.
There are concerns that a playoff dominated by the SEC and Big Ten could push fans from other conferences away.
If the field expands to 14, there will be two extra first-round games in December, competing with the NFL.
A 16-team format would add four extra games, which could mean renegotiating TV deals to bring in even more money.
This playoff expansion is just part of a bigger power shift in college sports. The SEC and Big Ten have already secured more control over the CFP’s format and money, and they’re looking to take that influence even further.
Beyond football, these conferences—and others—are pushing for more control over things like the NCAA basketball tournament, which could also expand.
Everything is being driven by TV deals, revenue sharing with athletes, and the battle for financial dominance in college athletics.
Decisions are expected soon, but one thing’s for sure—change is coming. Whether the playoff grows to 14 or 16 teams, the SEC and Big Ten are making sure their teams are taken care of.
Conference championships might look different, scheduling could get a shake-up, and TV money will continue to drive the sport’s future.
At the end of the day, this is all about two things: more playoff spots for the biggest conferences and more money for everyone involved. Buckle up—college football’s postseason is about to get a whole new look.
