(This story has been up to date with new info).

Blue-chip quarterback recruit Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis, the top-ranked uncommitted participant in 2025, introduced his dedication to Colorado soccer and coach Deion Sanders on Thursday by way of “The Pat McAfee Present.”

Lewis, who had been dedicated to USC over a 12 months, decommitted from the Trojans on Sunday after taking current visits to Georgia and Colorado. The Carrolton, Georgia, native additionally confirmed curiosity in Indiana amid the Hoosiers’ 10-0 begin below first-year coach Curt Cignetti.

REQUIRED READING:Colorado’s Deion Sanders ‘ain’t going nowhere’ as Michael Irvin suggests transfer to Cowboys

Lewis is a four-star recruit in 247Sports’ Composite rankings. Nonetheless, he’s listed because the No. 2 total participant by ESPN and No. 6 participant by Rivals. Lewis is the No. 35 total participant and No. 6 quarterback within the class, in accordance with 247Sports’ Composite rankings.

Lewis, initially a 2026 recruit, reclassified in January and introduced he was graduating early and skipping a 12 months of highschool soccer. The Carrolton Excessive Faculty product accomplished 186 of 280 passes for 3,094 yards with a whopping 48 touchdowns to 2 interceptions as a sophomore final season.

The 6-foot-1 sign caller ought to have an opportunity at beginning for the Buffaloes subsequent season, as they’re set to lose second-year starter Shedeur Sanders, who’s projected to be the primary quarterback chosen within the upcoming NFL draft. Lewis is about to hitch an offense that ranks twenty sixth in scoring offense this season.

Here is every thing to find out about Lewis after asserting his dedication to Colorado on Thursday:

Why did Julian Lewis decide to Colorado?

Lewis provided perception into his resolution on Thursday, noting the power to succeed a profitable quarterback in Shedeur Sanders, together with the chance to probably play early in his profession.

“In fact, it was huge for me simply coming in after Shedeur (Sanders) and seeing what he has executed at Colorado, what he has turned it into,” Lewis mentioned on “The Pat McAfee Present.”

Lewis later added:

“Coach Prime at all times says one of the best males are gonna play, and that is actually what I needed was to come back in and compete and begin as a freshman. I would not have a lot enjoyable sitting on the bench, so I wish to are available someplace and have an opportunity to play. So, he is gonna let me compete for that and that was huge for me.”

Julian Lewis 247 ranking

• Star ranking: 4
• Nationwide rating: No. 35
• Positional rating: No. 6 QB
• State rating: No. 6 participant from state of Georgia

In accordance with 247Sports’ Composite rating, Lewis is a four-star recruit and the No. 35 total participant within the 2025 recruiting class. He is the No. 6 quarterback and No. 6 participant from the state of Georgia.

Lewis would rank because the third highest-rated recruit of Sanders’ tenure at Colorado, following cornerback Cormani McClain (No. 14 total) in 2023 and offensive lineman Jordan Seaton (No. 13 total) in 2024.

Julian Lewis stats

Listed here are Lewis’ year-by-year highschool stats, in accordance with MaxPreps:

• 2024: 200 of 257 passing for two,842 yards with 40 touchdowns to 4 interceptions
• 2023: 186 of 280 passes for 3,094 yards with 48 touchdowns to 2 interceptions
• 2022: 283 of 432 passing for 4,118 yards with 48 touchdowns to 12 interceptions

Colorado soccer 247 ranking

Lewis is Colorado’s eleventh commit of its 2025 class, which ranked 78th nationally earlier than he dedicated.

The Buffaloes are possible establishing their class for an enormous switch portal group, which has been the case in Sanders’ first two seasons.

The 58th CMA Awards have been held Wednesday night time in Nashville, with artists like Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, and Submit Malone all nominated for numerous awards. Right here’s the place you will discover all of the winners.

The 2024 CMA Awards winners record:
Entertainer of the Yr
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen – WINNER
Lainey Wilson

Single of the Yr
“A Bar Tune (Tipsy),” Shaboozey
“Dust Low-cost,” Cody Johnson
“I Had Some Assist,” Submit Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
“Watermelon Moonshine,” Lainey Wilson
“White Horse,” Chris Stapleton – WINNER

Album of the Yr
Deeper Nicely, Kacey Musgraves
Fathers & Sons, Luke Combs
Larger, Chris Stapleton
Leather-based, Cody Johnson – WINNER
Whitsitt Chapel, Jelly Roll

Tune of the Yr
“Burn It Down,” Parker McCollum (Hillary Lindsey, McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose)
“Dust Low-cost,” Cody Johnson (Josh Phillips)
“I Had Some Assist,” Submit Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen) (Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Good-looking, Hoskins, Austin Submit, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters)
“The Painter,” Cody Johnson (Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins)
“White Horse,” Chris Stapleton (Stapleton, Dan Wilson) – WINNER

Feminine Vocalist of the Yr
Kelsea Ballerini
Ashley McBryde
Megan Moroney
Kacey Musgraves
Lainey Wilson – WINNER

Male Vocalist of the Yr
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton – WINNER
Morgan Wallen

Vocal Group of the Yr
Woman A
Little Large City
Outdated Dominion – WINNER
The Pink Clay Strays
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Yr
Brooks & Dunn – WINNER
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The Battle and Treaty

Musical Occasion of the Yr
“Cowboys Cry Too,” Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan)
“I Had Some Assist,” Submit Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
“I Keep in mind All the things,” Zach Bryan (ft. Kacey Musgraves)
“Man Made a Bar,” Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church)
“You Look Like You Love Me,” Ella Langley (feat. Riley Inexperienced) – WINNER

Musician of the Yr
Tom Bukovac, Guitar
Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
Paul Franklin, Metal Guitar
Rob McNelley,  Guitar
Charlie Worsham, Guitar – WINNER

Music Video of the Yr
“Dust Low-cost,” Cody Johnson
“I Had Some Assist,” Submit Malone (Feat. Morgan Wallen)
“I’m Not Fairly,” Megan Moroney
“The Painter,” Cody Johnson
“Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” Lainey Wilson – WINNER

New Artist of the Yr
Megan Moroney – WINNER
Shaboozey
Nate Smith
Mitchell Tenpenny
Zach Prime
Bailey Zimmerman

5-star quarterback Julian Lewis, the No. 2 recruit within the 2025 ESPN 300, dedicated to Colorado on Thursday, securing Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes a doubtlessly transformational prospect within the 2025 recruiting class.

Lewis introduced his dedication on “The Pat McAfee Present” Thursday, sealing his pledge to Colorado simply 4 days after ESPN’s No. 2 quarterback prospect decommitted from USC on Sunday. Lewis will signal with Colorado when the early signing interval opens Dec. 4 and plans to enroll early with this system in January, sources instructed ESPN.

“I am excited for the chance to get to work and compete,” Lewis instructed ESPN. “Colorado wasn’t recruiting me till I reclassed, so it actually was excellent timing. That is solely the start. I belief Coach Prime and [offensive coordinator Pat] Shurmur to assist me grow to be the participant that I need to be.”

The dedication of the coveted quarterback from Carrollton, Georgia, marks a monumental recruiting victory for Colorado and secures the Buffaloes a promising quarterback the ultimate weeks of Sanders’ second season as coach.

Colorado emerged as an instantaneous front-runner for Lewis on Sunday after the 6-foot-1 passer pulled his long-standing pledge to USC and have become the nation’s prime uncommitted prospect within the closing weeks of the 2025 cycle. Lewis had been linked carefully with the Buffaloes since his official go to to this system in June, and mutual curiosity continued by way of the autumn to Lewis’ return journey to Colorado for its 34-23 win over Cincinnati on Oct. 26.

Georgia, which hosted Lewis for an unofficial go to Nov. 16, stood as one other contender. Indiana additionally remained concerned in Lewis’ recruitment following his official go to in Could.

With Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders — Deion’s son — certain for the NFL after this season, Lewis will land on campus in 2025 with a transparent path towards early enjoying time with the Buffaloes. And matched with Colorado’s on-field success this fall, Lewis’ pledge may very well be simply the primary domino in a late-cycle recruiting surge as this system continues to focus on a handful of elite prospects within the closing days earlier than the early signing interval, together with top-100 recruits London Merritt (Ohio State pledge), Michael Carroll (Alabama) and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (uncommitted). As issues stand, Lewis is the top-ranked member of a 2025 Buffaloes class that features 10 different 2025 commits, all from exterior the ESPN 300.

Lewis was the highest prospect within the Class of 2026 when he initially dedicated to USC on Aug. 22, 2023. He later reclassified into the 2025 cycle earlier this yr and remained the cornerstone of the Trojans’ ninth-ranked recruiting class as much as his decommitment. Shortly after Lewis pulled his pledge, USC secured a dedication from four-star quarterback Husan Longstreet, a former Texas A&M pledge and ESPN’s No. 4 pocket passer within the 2025 class.

After a 4-8 end final season, Sanders has Colorado tied atop the Massive 12 standings at 8-2 with two video games remaining within the common season. And in Lewis, Sanders has his newest recruiting boon.

Lewis represents Sanders’ highest-ranked pledge since he flipped Travis Hunter from Florida State to Jackson State because the No. 2 total prospect within the Class of 2022. Lewis now follows offensive sort out Jordan Seaton and cornerback Cormani McClain because the highest-rated of the three five-star prospects who’ve dedicated to Colorado since Sanders took over in late 2022. When he indicators subsequent month, Lewis will mark the Buffaloes’ highest-ranked addition since Colorado landed working again Darrell Scott because the No. 9 total prospect within the 2008 class.

The Buffaloes climbed to No. 16 on this week’s School Soccer Playoff rankings. Colorado visits Kansas on Saturday and might clinch a spot within the Dec. 7 Massive 12 championship sport with a fifth straight win and losses from Iowa State and Arizona State.

Nation music’s largest stars had been honored on the 58th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday evening.

Morgan Wallen, who led the evening with seven nominations, took residence the night’s high award, entertainer of the yr.

Chris Stapleton, who entered the evening with 5 nominations, gained tune of the yr and single of the yr for “White Horse” and was additionally named male vocalist of the yr for an eighth time.

Lainey Wilson took residence music video of the yr for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” whereas Cody Johnson gained album of the yr for “Leather-based.”

The ceremony, hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Wilson, aired reside from Nashville’s Bridgestone Enviornment on ABC and can be out there to stream on Hulu beginning Thursday.

See the whole listing of 2024 CMA Award winners under.

Entertainer of the yr

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen – WINNER
• Lainey Wilson

Feminine vocalist of the yr

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Ashley McBryde
• Megan Moroney
• Kacey Musgraves
• Lainey Wilson – WINNER

Male vocalist of the yr

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton – WINNER
• Morgan Wallen

Vocal duo of the yr

• Brooks & Dunn – WINNER
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Maddie & Tae
• The Struggle and Treaty

Album of the yr

• “Deeper Properly” – Kacey Musgraves (Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian) (Combine Engineers: Shawn Everett, Konrad Snyder)
• “Fathers & Sons” – Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton) (Combine Engineer: Chip Matthews)
• “Larger” – Chris Stapleton (Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton) (Combine Engineer: Vance Powell)
• “Leather-based” – Cody Johnson (Producer: Trent Willmon) (Combine Engineer: Jack Clarke) – WINNER
• “Whitsitt Chapel” – Jelly Roll (Producers: Andrew Baylis, Brock Berryhill, Zach Crowell, Jesse Frasure, David Garcia, Kevin “Thrasher” Gruft, Austin Nivarel, David Ray Stevens) (Combine Engineers: Jeff Braun, Jim Cooley)

Vocal group of the yr

• Woman A
• Little Massive City
• Outdated Dominion – WINNER
• The Pink Clay Strays
• Zac Brown Band

Music video of the yr

• “Grime Low cost” – Cody Johnson (Director: Dustin Haney)
• “I Had Some Assist” – Put up Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen) (Director: Chris Villa)
• “I am Not Fairly” – Megan Moroney (Administrators: Jeff Johnson, Megan Moroney)
• “The Painter” – Cody Johnson (Director: Dustin Haney)
• “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” – Lainey Wilson (Director: Patrick Tracy) – WINNER

New artist of the yr

• Megan Moroney – WINNER
• Shaboozey
• Nate Smith
• Mitchell Tenpenny
• Zach High
• Bailey Zimmerman

Musician of the yr

• Tom Bukovac – Guitar
• Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
• Paul Franklin – Metal Guitar
• Rob McNelley – Guitar
• Charlie Worsham – Guitar – WINNER

Track of the yr

• “Burn It Down” – Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Parker McCollum, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
• “Grime Low cost” – Songwriter: Josh Phillips
• “I Had Some Assist” – Songwriters: Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Good-looking, Hoskins, Austin Put up (aka Put up Malone), Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
• “The Painter” – Songwriters: Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, Ryan Larkins
• “White Horse” – Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Dan Wilson – WINNER

Single of the yr

• “A Bar Track (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey (Producers: Sean Prepare dinner, Nevin Sastry) (Combine Engineer: Raul Lopez)
• “Grime Low cost” – Cody Johnson (Producer: Trent Willmon) (Combine Engineer: Jack Clarke)
• “I Had Some Assist” – Put up Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen) (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Good-looking, Hoskins) (Combine Engineer: Ryan Gore)
• “Watermelon Moonshine” – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce) (Combine Engineers: Jason Corridor, Jay Joyce)
• “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton (Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton) (Combine Engineer: Vance Powell) – WINNER

Musical occasion of the yr

• “Cowboys Cry Too” – Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan) (Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Alysa Vanderheym)
• “I Had Some Assist” – Put up Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen) (Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Good-looking, Hoskins)
• “I Bear in mind Every thing” – Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves) (Producer: Zach Bryan)
• “Man Made a Bar” – Morgan Wallen (feat. Eric Church) (Producer: Joey Moi)
• “you seem like you’re keen on me” – Ella Langley (feat. Riley Inexperienced) (Producer: Will Bundy) – WINNER

Disney is the mum or dad firm of Hulu, ABC Information and “Good Morning America.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-0 since pulling the plug on Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson. A controversial resolution on the time, Mike Tomlin’s dedication to Russ has been vindicated, towards all odds. All of us held low expectations for Wilson going into the season, however he’s executing Arthur Smith’s scheme at an especially excessive degree.

There may be potential draw back to hitching your wagon to Russ, in fact. For the Steelers, that draw back is primarily rooted in what might have been with Fields. Whereas Wilson has been the superior quarterback this season, he is additionally a decade older. Judging from the present panorama, we will count on the Steelers to re-sign Wilson. That has short-term attraction, however what’s the way forward for the QB place in Pittsburgh?

Fields a minimum of offered a way of official long-term fairness on the quarterback place. Now eligible to bolt in free company, odds are the 25-year-old will go in search of a extra secure alternative subsequent spring. A number of QB-needy groups will probably be desirous about Fields with such a weak quarterback class within the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. For all his struggles up to now, Fields was 4-2 in Pittsburgh earlier than hitting the pine. Faraway from the toxicity of the Chicago Bears group, Fields seems a lot competent.

He performed environment friendly, if not overly explosive soccer earlier than his demotion, providing dual-threat capacity that serves as a real ace within the OC’s again pocket. There simply aren’t too many quarterbacks who can transfer in addition to Fields. Ought to Fields go away in free company, the Steelers could remorse their resolution to financial institution on Wilson’s current contributions whereas sacrificing his counterpart’s future.

Listed below are just a few significantly disastrous potential touchdown spots for Fields subsequent offseason.

Final season was proof optimistic that Shane Steichen would not want a lot to engineer a productive offense. The Indianapolis Colts have been within the thick of the postseason race with Gardner Minshew beginning below heart. Sadly in 2024, Indianapolis has been brief on competent quarterbacking. Anthony Richardson, 10 begins into his profession, was briefly benched in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco. It has been a large number.

Ideally, Richardson begins to ascertain himself as the plain QB of the longer term in Indianapolis. That’s the type of funding the Colts made within the former No. 4 decide. That mentioned, if Richardson’s mistake-prone nature persists, there is a good likelihood Steichen begs the entrance workplace for a extra bankable various. Enter Fields, who can execute most of the identical dual-threat packages as Richardson with out committing the identical quantity of unforced errors.

Fields would not have half the arm that Richardson does, to be frank, however the latter is simply too erratic together with his decision-making for that to matter proper now. There’s nonetheless loads of time for Richardson to enhance, however Fields is barely a pair years older with current success in a beginning gig. He a minimum of offers Indy an actual QB competitors in coaching camp, with the potential for Fields to emerge as a viable chief for a postseason-bound Colts crew. The Steelers do not need to see Fields within the playoffs.

Each quarterback seems higher within the Sean McVay offense, as confirmed by all of the quarterbacks who’ve discovered success below McVay’s myriad disciples across the league. Matthew Stafford’s contract expires on the finish of the season and he is getting near retirement. The Los Angeles Rams would love to stay aggressive with Stafford for a pair extra years, but it surely will not be lifelike.

At that time, it is time to canvass the league for a substitute. Stetson Bennett will not reduce it. Why not Fields, whose dual-threat capacity may unlock thrilling new packages in McVay’s playbook? The Rams actually do not need to wager on a weak draft on the QB place and McVay is not one to draw back from a postseason pursuit. Fields ensures some degree of speedy competence with potential but untapped.

That is in all probability the absolute best touchdown spot for Fields from a schematic and personnel standpoint. The Rams have been beset by accidents all season, however a wholesome Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp is a superb security blanket for any quarterback. It isn’t arduous to think about Fields going to L.A., successful the beginning job, and acting at a excessive degree for a aggressive Rams crew with current Tremendous Bowl pedigree.

LA is not an instantaneous risk to the Steelers within the NFC, however watching Fields flourish in an optimum setting might elicit emotions of remorse for Pittsburgh’s entrance workplace and training workers.

The Cleveland Browns are 2-8 this season behind persistently disastrous QB play from Deshaun Watson and Jameis Winston. It is a misplaced marketing campaign for the Browns, however we aren’t too far faraway from Cleveland profiling as the very best protection within the NFL. Kevin Stefanski (or whoever coaches subsequent season) has items to work with.

The Watson contract is a significant albatross across the Browns’ neck, however changing him with the imminently reasonably priced Fields is a justifiable — even perhaps really helpful — motion. At a sure level, Cleveland simply wants to chop its losses. Watson is best as an costly bench decoration than an lively deterrent to the Browns’ aggressive aspirations. Fields can step in and brighten up the Cleveland offense together with his dynamic operating and customarily mistake-averse play.

It is arduous to think about a extra nightmarish final result from the Steelers’ perspective. If Fields leaves and finds success, that is one factor. If he leaves and actively tortures Pittsburgh in its personal division, that is a troublesome beat. Fields would absolutely relish the possibility to beat Russell Wilson head-to-head twice per season. The Browns in all probability aren’t as unhealthy as their report suggests with correct well being and a palatable quarterback. Simply saying…

Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, and Parker McCollum additionally salute the “King,” this 12 months’s recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

This text is from Scoop Metropolis, The Athletic’s each day NFL e-newsletter. Join right here to obtain it immediately in your inbox.

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Good morning. At present, we’re speaking QB enchancment, one thing that has lengthy eluded the Bears (however maybe not for for much longer, with Thomas Brown as OC, as Kevin Fishbain explains right here).

• Russell Wilson and Sam Darnold
• What modified for Bo Nix
• Ballot outcomes

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QB Turnarounds: Improved, or simply successful?

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe is the grasp of quarterback rankings. With Russell Wilson and Sam Darnold ending 2023 on the bench, all of us agreed with Jeff’s Week 1 inventory report, which ranked each veterans among the many league’s worst QBs.

Alongside got here a 2024 revival. After 4 begins, Darnold was 4-0 and thirteenth in Jeff’s rankings. He’s now 18th, one spot behind Wilson, who’s an analogous 4-0 throughout his first 4 begins.

The parallels proceed. Each are backed by top-10 defenses that ease the stress on the offense. And each are working with offensive coordinators who maximize strengths.

In addition they every have a just-throw-it-up No. 1 receiver. Justin Jefferson in Minnesota and George Pickens in Pittsburgh respectively rank second and fourth in receiving yards this season. There’s room for error.

Wilson and Darnold are additionally on one-year contracts, suggesting they’ll headline the 2025 free agent quarterback class.

The plain query lingers: Are Wilson and Darnold higher quarterbacks than they’d been currently, or simply in higher conditions? Let’s rapidly have a look at each, evaluating this season with their two most up-to-date earlier years through which they began 10-plus video games.

2024 Russell Wilson

By most goal measures, the 35-year-old is an analogous participant to 2023 (when he wasn’t dangerous in Denver!). His QBR, passer ranking, completion proportion and adjusted internet yards per cross try all resemble his time there.

The tape exhibits Pittsburgh’s run-first, play-action offense seems to be much like Wilson’s early years in Seattle and is completely suited to his strengths, together with his patented moonball.

However it’s not all constructive. In his 4 begins, the Steelers have produced a landing on solely 38.9 p.c of their pink zone alternatives. As Mike DeFabo notes in his look into why Pittsburgh is struggling there, Wilson has accomplished 68 p.c of his passes exterior the pink zone, however that determine drops to 29.2 p.c contained in the 20.

(Maybe that’s the place Justin Fields is available in? We’ll see tonight, when the Steelers go to the Browns at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime.)

Even when Wilson fails to enhance close to the objective line, in his thirteenth season, he’s an efficient starter. That’s in all probability it, however it’s all Pittsburgh’s protection (and kicker) want. As Jeff wrote, “They’re placing him in good conditions and never asking him to play past his means, which is strictly the way it ought to be.”

2024 Sam Darnold

This isn’t a case the place the numbers fail to align with what Darnold seems to be like in motion. You’d be onerous pressed to seek out any stretch from 2018 to 2022 when he regarded this assured throwing the soccer.

However after a stretch that evoked years previous — 5 interceptions in Weeks 9 and 10 — his penchant for turnovers (10 INTs, fourth-most) stays a evident flaw. He’s grow to be a greater model of Sam Darnold, which is sweet for a league-average QBR (and an 8-2 document, due to an elite supporting solid).

It’s cheap to imagine Darnold’s arm expertise and athleticism, alongside together with his 2024 staff’s win-loss document, will intrigue a few of the 12 groups with potential QB openings in 2025. Many might be deciding between Darnold, Wilson and prospects like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward. However these groups ought to bear in mind: Even a QB with Wilson’s resume nonetheless wants the proper environment.

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What Dianna’s Listening to: Bears put Caleb Williams again heading in the right direction

Bears followers, for as soon as, there may be excellent news: The change at offensive coordinator, with Thomas Brown changing Shane Waldron, has given this staff a lift.

In Brown’s first sport as a play-caller, final weekend’s nail-biter loss to Inexperienced Bay, Caleb Williams accomplished 74 p.c of his passes, a greater than 20 proportion level enhance over his three earlier video games.

Probably the most vital adjustments has been improved communication in the course of the sport, significantly with regards to the velocity at which performs are referred to as. The 4-6 Bears haven’t resolved all their points, however consider they’re higher on offense. As Williams put it: “We’re going to have that mindset to go on the market and kick some tail.”

Chicago will want that mindset, with the 8-2 Vikings on Sunday and 9-1 Lions days in a while Thanksgiving.

🎧 ICYMI from the “Scoop Metropolis” podcast: Are the Giants attempting to tank?

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Bo Nix’s Emergence: What’s totally different in Denver?

When Sean Payton introduced his Week 1 starter, we realized that Bo Nix was set to grow to be the primary rookie QB to start out for the Broncos since John Elway. It solely added to the expectations for this 12 months’s No. 12 decide, however he’s exceeded all of them.

As we enter Week 12, Nix has performed an equal quantity of video games as Elway — a primary general decide — did in his rookie 12 months (11), giving us a stage taking part in area to match the 2. (In fact, we should issue within the differing play type in 1983 and the truth that Elway typically break up video games with Steve DeBerg.) A blind pattern of the stats would counsel we’re taking a look at one future celebrity and one struggling rookie:

Clearly, that goes to indicate: So much can and can change. Nonetheless, nice begin.

Success wasn’t instant for Nix, nevertheless. His profession began 0-2, with zero touchdowns, 4 interceptions and a completion charge within the 50s.

However all the pieces has modified for the reason that season’s first 4 video games, which Payton known as “a race to enhance.” Nick Kosmider offers perspective on Nix after the the 24-year-old’s finest efficiency but (307 yards and 4 touchdowns on Sunday towards Atlanta):

“Because the begin of October, a span of seven video games, Nix is finishing 69 p.c of his passes. He has thrown 13 touchdowns and solely two interceptions — and he’s rushed for 2 extra scores. He has posted a 106.3 passer ranking. The one quarterbacks in the identical statistical ballpark throughout that span: Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow.”

Nick additionally beforehand defined the enhancements he’s seen from Nix. Right here’s one which stood out:

“Nix has taken an enormous leap as an intermediate passer. Since Week 5, he’s finishing passes between 5 and 15 yards past the road of scrimmage at a mark that’s top-10 within the NFL. His completion charge on these throws by means of the primary 4 video games of the season was 37.5 p.c, which ranked final out of 33 certified passers.”

Sean Payton has performed an important function, scheming open receivers to make life simpler for Nix. His latest work with Marvin Mims is a primary instance of what has Nix on monitor to grow to be the most effective rookie quarterback in Broncos historical past. After that, a spot subsequent to Elway would greater than suffice.

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Ballot Outcomes: The state of star corners

Yesterday, we checked out the seeming decline of the celebrity cornerback, and I requested you if we are going to see a return of the star nook.

In line with practically 40 p.c of votes, “they by no means left,” with Jalen Ramsey and Pat Surtain II holding it down in at present’s sport. The sure/no votes have been break up an equal 24 p.c every, signaling that the established order is the expectation shifting ahead.

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Across the NFL

Welcome to HarBowl Week. Vic Tafur picks all of the weekend’s video games, together with the John vs. Jim brothers brawl.

It’s someway within the sport. Saquon Barkley’s backward hurdle is now in Madden. Appears annoying.

Benching the GOAT? The Ravens don’t plan to sit down the struggling Justin Tucker.

Yesterday’s most-clicked: Why Jets GM Joe Douglas by no means stood an opportunity.

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(Grey Information) – Iconic musician George Strait is being offered the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award throughout “The 58th Annual CMA Awards” on Wednesday.

Strait’s profession spans over 40 years and consists of 31 studio albums with 60 No. 1 hit singles.

The 72-year-old Texas native has obtained 83 CMA Award nominations; essentially the most ever for a rustic artist.

“There have been few different artists as authentically Texas and authentically nation as George Strait, and nation music followers everywhere in the world have been higher for it,” Sarah Trahern, CMA chief govt officer, mentioned. “As a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Yr and essentially the most nominated artist of all time, he serves as an inspiration and icon to lots of the nice, new artists we all know at present.”

Luke Bryan, the ceremony’s co-host, referred to as Strait “The King of Nation Music” in the course of the present’s opening.

Earlier musicians honored with the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award for his or her musical contributions, humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, and information gross sales embody Johnny Money, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Copyright 2024 Grey Native Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Jelly Roll is pleased with the outcomes of his laborious work. The nation and hip-hop star just lately attended this yr’s Nation Music Awards alongside his spouse, Bunnie XO. The occasion marked his first look since he revealed that he’d misplaced 100 kilos over the previous yr.

Jelly Roll was photographed along with his spouse and the nation singer Megan Moroney. Whereas he and Bunny wore black for the pink carpet, he opted for a extra comfy look following his onstage efficiency.

He wore a black shirt, matching pants, and a gray button-up. Rounding out the look was a thick silver chain.

Over the previous yr, Jelly Roll has been celebrating his skilled success and his psychological and bodily well being, which he is made a precedence. “I’m nice, I am down like 120 kilos now,” he mentioned in an look at The Pat McAfee Present. 

“I have been kicking ass on this tour. We’re residing, man. It’s been actually cool to see the boys rally behind me.”

Extra particulars about Jelly Roll’s weight reduction journey

Jelly Roll’s dietician Ian Larios broke down a number of the modifications Jelly Roll has adopted with a purpose to enhance his well being and drop some pounds in a sustainable method. 

He revealed that Jelly Roll was practising totally different sports activities he favored and a brand new way of life change that allowed for higher consuming habits. “We’re taking away the oil and the batter from it, we’re nonetheless having a excessive protein meal,” mentioned Larios in a video shared on Jelly Roll’s account. He spoke to the digicam as he ready a lower-calorie model of fried hen and broke down a number of the snacks he’d been making.

For his half, Jelly Roll appeared thrilled by his laborious work and his outcomes. “Subsequent yr when y’all see me, you received’t acknowledge me,” he mentioned on the video. “I’m going to get below a pile of weights in a manner that I by no means have.”

The Parole Board of Canada says it’s “working to accommodate” the households of the victims murdered by infamous serial killer and rapist Paul Bernardo to seem at his upcoming parole listening to in individual, after the households’ lawyer stated that they had been barred from attending.

Bernardo, who’s serving a life sentence and was transferred from maximum- to medium-security jail final yr, is scheduled to seem for a parole listening to subsequent week at Quebec’s La Macaza jail.

“The Board is presently working to accommodate the in-person presentation of statements by victims on the November 26 listening to of Paul Bernardo, for these victims who want to take action,” stated a press release from the Parole Board of Canada to World Information late Wednesday.

The assertion got here hours after World Information reported on a letter from Tim Danson, the lawyer representing the households of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, who have been murdered as youngsters by Bernardo, that claimed his shoppers’ authorized proper to attend the listening to and browse their sufferer influence statements in individual had been denied.

The letter, shared with World Information, was dated Tuesday and addressed to Joanne Blanchard, the chairperson of the Parole Board of Canada, Correctional Service of Canada commissioner Anne Kelly and Public Security Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

“We have now simply been suggested that the households’ statutory proper to be bodily current at Mr. Bernardo’s November 26, 2024 parole listening to and to learn their Sufferer Influence Statements in individual, within the bodily presence of Mr. Bernardo and the Parole Board panel, has been denied,” Danson wrote within the letter.

“Apart from a bald reference to the PBC being ‘unable to make sure security and safety of all listening to attendees,’ we now have not been supplied with any additional particulars.”

Danson argued that this doesn’t meet the standards said within the Corrections and Conditional Launch Act.

In keeping with the act, the parole board can deny an individual from attending a assessment listening to if the “safety and good order of the establishment through which the listening to is to be held is more likely to be adversely affected by the individual’s presence.”

The parole board’s assertion Wednesday didn’t say why the households’ requests to talk in individual have been denied. It stated the board “should take into accounts a variety of things” when scheduling hearings, together with “the Board’s capacity to accommodate all observers” in a listening to room, “to make sure the protected proximity of all attendees through the listening to, or operational issues corresponding to listening to administration.”

The assertion stated victims who want to take part remotely can even accomplish that by videoconference.

“Sufferer statements, whether or not submitted in writing, by way of video or audio recording, or offered at a listening to in individual or by videoconference, carry the identical weight and are thought of in the identical approach by Board members of their decision-making,” it stated.

Danson wrote the denial of an in-person look was “unacceptable” and “remarkably insensitive” to the Mahaffy and French households.

“It was nothing wanting gut-wrenching to expertise the painful and heartbreaking response of Debbie Mahaffy and Donna French once they realized that the PBC was prohibiting them from representing their daughters (and themselves), and denying them the correct to confront Paul Bernardo, in individual, by the studying of their Sufferer Influence Statements,” the letter stated.

“This was really a shock to their system. It was bone chilling – an insult so deep and hurtful that, (figuratively talking), it set victims’ rights again to the stone age.”

“It’s unbelievable how the ‘system’ is there to help and profit Canada’s most infamous sadist, sexual psychopath and assassin, however not his victims, who are suffering on daily basis,” Danson wrote.

Danson urged that Bernardo’s parole listening to be adjourned to December or a later date to accommodate the households and counsel to allow them to journey to La Macaza.

In an emailed assertion to World Information Wednesday, Gabriel Brunet, a spokesperson for LeBlanc, stated the parole board is an arms-length quasi-judicial physique and its “choices are made independently.”

“Our hearts exit to the households of the victims, who proceed to reside with the trauma attributable to this particular person’s abominable crimes,” Brunet stated.

“Minister LeBlanc has been assured by the Chairperson of the Parole Board she is reconsidering and exploring all potential various choices to make sure the victims have the power to learn statements in individual.”

Throughout query interval Wednesday, Conservative Chief Pierre Poilievre accused the Liberal authorities of “blocking” the French and Mahaffy households from the listening to and requested why LeBlanc didn’t intervene within the parole board’s resolution.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded by saying Poilievre was utilizing the problem for political functions.

“The chief of the opposition is aware of full nicely these are choices taken by the arms-length parole board and the minister is engaged on this subject,” Trudeau stated. “Nevertheless it gained’t stop him from instrumentalizing the grief and anguish of households who’re victims of crime for his personal slender private achieve.”

Bernardo has been serving a life sentence for the kidnappings, tortures and murders of French and Mahaffy within the early Nineties close to St. Catharines, Ont. He and his then-wife Karla Homolka additionally killed her youthful sister, Tammy Homolka.

Bernardo, 60, was transferred to a medium-security jail in Quebec in June final yr, a transfer that set off a firestorm throughout the nation, and engulfed the Liberal authorities in controversy.

Bernardo had been residing out his sentence in maximum-security prisons till then.

A assessment into his controversial switch concluded that the choice to maneuver Bernardo was “sound.”

On the time, Danson stated his shoppers weren’t informed in regards to the transfer beforehand. The incident in the end prompted a assessment into the Correctional Service of Canada’s sufferer companies, together with its notification protocols.

—With recordsdata from World’s Shallima Maharaj