Southern Sports Edition
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.
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.
Rising Up?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
First year for the new regime for the Atlanta Falcons hit the first landmark with the NFL Draft this past weekend.
Ian Cunningham as the GM spearheaded his first draft week in line with new Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Director of Football Matt Ryan and made an impact especially on the defensive side of the ball.
After the deal last season to trade up and pick Michael Penix Jr, the Falcons didn’t have a first-round pick in 2026, so the Birds didn’t make a selection until the 48th overall pick in the 2nd round.
The Falcons went to the ACC for their first selection with a cornerback from Clemson and kept the football in the family. Avieon Terrell, younger brother of current Falcons DB AJ Terrell, became the newest Falcon after 3 years with Clemson, including an All-ACC season last year for the Tigers.
In 2025, Terrell had a nose for football forcing a Clemson single season record 5 forced fumbles to go along with 9 pass breakups, 4.5 TFLs and 3 sacks. There are questions where Terrell will land if he stays at corner or comes inside at safety but could be an impactful piece for the Falcons in the fall.
In the 3rd round, Atlanta kept it close to home with pulling Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch off the board.
Branch molded into a slot receiver who can turn a medial gain into an explosive play with his speed in his time in Athens. Branch brings a multitude of weapons to the NFL both as a receiver but also on special teams as a kick/punt returner. There is some fine tuning of routes and mechanics that NFL scouts have pointed out, but Branch expects to contribute early for the Falcons.
The page turned to the 4th round and the Falcons had pick number 134. With that 4th round selection, Atlanta turned to Oklahoma to snag former Sooner linebacker Kendal Daniels.
Daniels converted from safety to linebacker in his time at Oklahoma and earned a reputation in the SEC as being able to use his speed to fill the gap in run defense. After 4 seasons at Oklahoma State, Daniels moved to Norman and racked up 9 TFLs in 13 starts in the middle of the Sooner defense.
Without a selection in the 5th round, the Falcons made a move to pick up an extra 6th round selection.
With the first 6th round pick, the Falcons looked to beef up the defensive line that made a huge step forward in 2025 and added Washington D-Lineman Anterio Thompson.
Thompson spent his time at Washington as a defensive tackle on the interior of the D-line, but may see a move to the edge in the NFL. The leaps that Thompson has made in his time in college profiles him to be able to do it.
What, in my opinion, could be most impactful pick for the Falcons in 2026 when it’s all said and done came with the second 6th round pick when the ATL called upon the LSU Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. Perkins missed all of 2024 with an ACL tear but was the key to the LSU success in his time in Baton Rouge.
The Falcons wrapped up the draft with their 7th round pick and the 231st overall selection of O-lineman Ethan Onianwa from Ohio State. The 6’6” 333 pounder tackle looks to give depth to the Falcons O-Line and progress under leadership and experience of Jake Matthews on the Falcons’ front.
While there’s not the first round, high profile talent in the draft class, but an extremely solid class that could prove to be impactful in the near future as a whole for the ATL.
Welcome To Duuuuval
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When the Jacksonville Jaguars walked into the 2026 NFL Draft, they were already operating under a different set of circumstances than most teams.
For the first time in franchise history, Jacksonville didn’t have a first round pick.
But that wasn’t an accident. That pick had already been spent a year earlier in a deal with the Cleveland Browns that helped the Jaguars land one of the most electric young players in football, Travis Hunter, with the second overall pick in 2025.
So, when you look at Jacksonville’s 2026 draft, you can’t judge it the same way you judge most draft classes.
There wasn’t going to be a splashy headline pick. Instead, this draft was about building the roster out and giving quarterback Trevor Lawrence more help. And honestly, that’s exactly what the Jaguars tried to do.
Jacksonville started in the second round by selecting Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher. That pick makes a lot of sense when you think about what this offense needs.
For years, the Jaguars have been trying to get more production out of the tight end position, and Boerkircher brings a nice mix of pass catching ability and blocking. In other words, he’s the kind of player who can stay on the field for all three downs.
Then in the third round, Jacksonville went back to Texas A&M again and grabbed defensive tackle Albert Regis. This one felt like a classic “get bigger and tougher” type of pick.
The Jaguars have had stretches where they struggled to control the line of scrimmage, especially against the run, and Regis adds some muscle inside.
But if there’s a pick Jaguars fans should really pay attention to, it might be offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon from Oregon.
If this franchise is serious about getting the most out of Trevor Lawrence, protecting him has to be priority number one. Pregnon brings versatility along the offensive line, and depth up front is never a bad thing in the NFL.
The Jaguars kept addressing needs later in the third round when they selected Maryland defensive back Jalen Huskey, a guy who picked off four passes last season. Jacksonville has clearly been trying to add more playmakers in the secondary, and Huskey fits that mold.
Once day three rolled around, the Jaguars shifted into what you might call roster building mode. They even traded up in the fourth round to grab Duke edge rusher Wesley Williams, which tells you he was a player they specifically wanted.
The rest of the class added more depth across the board. Houston tight end Tanner Koziol, Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron, Stanford receiver CJ Williams, Washington edge rusher Zach Durfee, and linebacker Parker Hughes out of Middle Tennessee State.
Now let’s be honest. None of those picks are going to dominate the national headlines.
That’s just the reality when you don’t have a first round pick.
But here’s the thing Jaguars fans should remember. A lot of really good NFL teams are built on day two and day three of the draft.
You don’t always need the flashy pick. Sometimes what you really need are solid players who fill roles, compete for snaps, and develop over time. And that’s what Jacksonville seems to be aiming for here.
This draft felt less like a blockbuster and more like a roster tune up. Add a weapon for Trevor Lawrence. Strengthen the offensive line. Get bigger up front on defense. Bring in competition at receiver and in the secondary.
It might not be the kind of draft that gets fans jumping out of their seats right now.
But if even a few of these players turn into reliable contributors, the Jaguars might look back a couple of years from now and realize this class quietly helped push the team forward.
Flying To New Heights?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the first time since the 2022-23 season, the Atlanta Hawks have marched into the postseason as the 6-seed in the Eastern Conference side of the NBA Playoffs bracket.
The Hawks finished the regular season with a 46-36 overall record and with a late push in the second half of the season propelled their way to the South Division title finishing with a 20-6 record after the All-Star Break.
As odd as it sounds, the shift in the season came when the Hawks traded away All-Star Trae Young in the first half of the year, but the team molded together.
Thanks in part to emerging stars CJ McCollum & Nickeil Alexander-Walker along with a commitment to the defensive side of the ball, the Hawks found the secret sauce in the ATL.
Now don’t get me wrong, one of (if not the single) headlines for Atlanta was Jalen Johnson who paced the team with 22.5 points per game, 10.3 rebounds and just shy of 8 assists per game in his first All-Star selection year.
As much as defense can be optional at times in the NBA, that wasn’t the case for Atlanta this year. Led by Dyson Daniels, the Hawks turned in a top 10 defensive rating this season.
In the Opening round of the NBA Playoffs, the Hawks drew the 3-seeded New York Knicks who finished the season 53-29 and secured the home court advantage in the opening round.
Game one of the series at Madison Square Garden went the way of the Knicks who leaned on the back of Jalen Brunson who scored 28 points along with Karl-Anthony Towns who helped seal the game with 19 of his 25 points coming in the second half of the game.
The second game of the series from “the Garden” came with dramatics. The Knicks led by 12 after three quarters, but the Hawks chipped back until taking a lead with 2:09 to play at 101-100.
A back-and-forth affair the last 2 minutes of the game traded baskets until Jalen Johnson slammed one home with 10 seconds left to make the game 107-103 Hawks.
Brunson would knock down a 3 to cut it to a 1-point game. The Knicks fouled CJ McCollum (who finished with 32 points on the night) with 6 seconds remaining.
As McCollum tried to ice the game at the line, he would end up missing both free throws. The Hawks would be able to take a sigh of relief as a Knicks’ fadeaway jumper would miss and give the Hawks the win and even the series at one each with the 107-106 final.
The series would come home to the ATL for game three on, but the dramatics would make the plane flight too. CJ McCollum once again found the ball in his hand at the end and would connect.
After the Hawks led by as many as 18 in the first half, the Knicks rallied to take the lead 108-105 with 1:03 remaining, but a few possessions later with 12.5 seconds left, CJ McCollum hit a 15-foot fadeaway to put the Hawks back on top and secure the Game 3 win 109-108.
Game four in Atlanta would swing the pendulum back in the way of New York with a 114-98 Knicks win. The Knicks would lead virtually the entire game thanks in large part to Karl-Anthony Towns finishing with a triple-double (20pts/10reb/10ast) to knot the series at 2 games apiece and send the series back to New York for Game 5.
The Hawks haven’t advanced past the Opening Round of the NBA Playoffs since the 2020-21 season but will rely on Jalen Johnson and CJ McCollum to try to change that in 2026 with a couple road wins at Madison Square Garden.
The Jason Bishop Show April 24 2026
