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🏈 Greetings, especially to …
THE CBS SPORTS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
Following the release of the preseason rankings (CBS Sports 136 here, AP here, Coaches here), we’re excited to present the individual preseason accolades. Namely, the CBS Sports preseason All-America teams and the preseason award winners.
With significant quarterback changes among the leading teams — No. 1 Texas‘ Arch Manning is under considerable scrutiny — an experienced veteran gets the nod as our first-team All-America quarterback, according to Chris Hummer.
- Hummer: “QB: Cade Klubnik, Sr., Clemson — Last year, no quarterback in the nation handled pressure with greater skill than Klubnik. He topped the FBS with an 80.9 PFF grade in high-pressure situations, guiding Clemson to an ACC title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. After a season of 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns, expectations are even loftier for the former five-star prospect in 2025. He’s the linchpin for a Clemson team harboring renewed national championship aspirations.”
Just one player achieved unanimous selection: Ohio State standout sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. He’s also our preseason Player of the Year, as elaborated by Shehan Jeyarajah.
- Jeyarajah: “Smith, the highest-rated wide receiver recruit in college football history, immediately made his mark with an outstanding season, recording 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. … … His performances in the College Football Playoff were truly defining moments, showcasing his talent to the world. Across his first two games, Smith amassed 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns … As he enters the year, Smith is the face of college football, poised to potentially rewrite the record books.”
Our choice for preseason Coach of the Year might be facing the most pressure in the sport (aside from Manning). After all, he’s the only coach with three first-team selections on his roster. It’s certainly a fascinating situation.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the SEC and the Big Ten dominate the first-team selections, with 11 and eight players, respectively. In total, seven teams boast multiple first-team selections.
👍 Noteworthy mentions
😔 A less favorable start to the day for …
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SHEDEUR SANDERS AND THE CLEVELAND BROWNS
Following a Week 1 preseason performance featuring two touchdowns, the Shedeur Sanders hype appeared unstoppable. However, the momentum slowed a few days later. The highly touted fifth-round pick from Colorado sustained an oblique injury early during the Browns‘ joint practice with the Eagles, leading to his absence from practice and casting doubt on his participation in Saturday’s Week 2 preseason game.
According to coach Kevin Stefanski, Sanders was beginning to receive increased practice repetitions, despite remaining fourth on the unofficial depth chart. Cleveland’s quarterback lineup includes veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, rookies Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, recent addition Tyler Huntley, and, technically, holdover Deshaun Watson.
Unfortunately, both Pickett and Sanders have been hampered by hamstring issues, and Sanders has also experienced arm soreness and now an oblique injury. What could be the cause of these issues in Cleveland?! (No need to answer that.) Gabriel is anticipated to see significant playing time this weekend, assuming he’s deemed healthy.
This situation led to an uncomfortable scene during practice, as described by Jeff Kerr.
- Kerr: “The initial rep saw Flacco with the first team. With no Sanders present, there were no immediate concerns. Reporters assumed the 40-year-old veteran would get the first look. Then Gabriel joined the second team. … The Sanders excitement faded, along with his opportunities to further enhance his position in the evolving quarterback competition in Cleveland. … ‘It’s a bit challenging,’ Flacco acknowledged. ‘We all aspire to be out there, getting reps. That’s what training camp and football entail, but sometimes these things happen. You just have to deal with it.'”
👎 Less favorable mentions
⚾ The NL West division race is tightening between the Padres and Dodgers
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If you happened to take a break from sports during the summer months (which is perfectly understandable!), the current NL West standings might come as a surprise.
The Padres, riding a five-game winning streak, have overtaken the Dodgers, who have lost four in a row. This shift occurred after Los Angeles held a nine-game lead in early July.
Since July 3, the Dodgers have a record of 12-21, while the Padres are 23-12. This marks the latest point in a season since 2010 that the Padres have held the division lead!
The two teams are scheduled to face off another six times in the upcoming week and a half, beginning with a three-game series in Los Angeles tomorrow. Mike Axisa analyzed the key factors that could decide the division champion, including …
- Axisa: “San Diego’s notable strength lies in their bullpen — Was the decision to trade shortstop Leo De Vries, a highly regarded prospect in baseball, for a short-term reliever in Mason Miller an overpayment? Some might argue it was, particularly since the Padres already possessed quality relief options. However, one can never have too many reliable relievers, and Miller is not just any reliever. … I believe it’s fair to say that the Padres have four relievers (Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, Miller, Adrian Morejon) who outperform the Dodgers’ top reliever.”
⚽ PSG edges Tottenham in a penalty shootout to claim the UEFA Super Cup
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After enduring a trophy drought spanning nearly two decades, Tottenham found themselves on the verge of securing their second trophy in just four months.
Then PSG mounted a comeback. And when Les Parisiens are in form, they’re difficult to stop. Overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the 85th minute, PSG scored twice to force a penalty shootout, where they ultimately prevailed, 2-2 (4-3), to win the UEFA Super Cup.
- Mickey van de Ven capitalized on a rebound to give Tottenham a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute, and Cristian Romero extended the lead in the 48th minute with a header from a free kick.
- PSG initiated their comeback in the 85th minute when substitute Lee Kang-In scored with a well-placed shot into the opposite corner of the net.
- Then, in the 90+4th minute, Ousman Dembele delivered a cross that Goncalo Ramos — another substitute by Luis Enrique — headed home.
- Tottenham took an early lead in the penalty shootout, but Lucas Chevalier saved van de Ven’s attempt in the third round, and Mathys Tel missed the target in the fourth. Nuno Mendes sealed the victory.
Despite the stereotype that Tottenham struggles to win trophies, Thomas Frank is already demonstrating his significant managerial influence, according to Pardeep Cattry.
📺 Upcoming viewing for Thursday
⚾ Tune in to the Little League World Series. Find viewing details here.
⚾ Mariners at Orioles, 1:05 p.m. on MLB Network
⚾ Diamondbacks at Rockies, 8:40 p.m. on FS1
