Ohio State legend Cris Carter’s program record of eight touchdown receptions by a freshman stood since 1984. In the time since, the Buckeyes have been a factory that consistently churns out All-Americans and first-round NFL Draft picks at the wide receiver position, including the likes of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr.
But no one could break Carter’s record until Ohio State freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith came along. It took Smith just nine games into his collegiate career to log his ninth touchdown catch, breaking Carter’s record in the process. He added to that total and set a Big Ten record for touchdown catches by a freshman with 14 on the season through Ohio State’s run to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
Before Monday’s national title game vs. Notre Dame, Carter spoke with CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd in Atlanta. Though Carter said that Ohio State’s receivers don’t compare themselves to one another, he was quick to crown Smith with some lofty praise.
“He’s the best player in the country. He has an unbelievable work ethic,” Carter said. “His high school coach and the people he has around him have really done a great job. He’s humble as can be and you can see that. He’s one of the first in the building at Ohio State. He’s one of the last ones to leave.
“He has a professional mentality a lot like some of the other great receivers that we saw at a young age: Julio Jones, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson — all those guys were unique in their own way and so is (Smith).”
That’s great company for Smith, who received comparisons to Jones before he ever stepped foot on Ohio State’s campus. Smith, the first wide receiver to be ranked No. 1 nationally in his recruiting class by 247Sports, has been a focal point of the Buckeyes’ offense all season.
He had six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns in his Ohio State debut against Akron. Smith surpassed at least 50 yards receiving in 10 straight games to start the 2024 season.
His production has really ramped up throughout the playoff. Though Smith was largely held in check in the Buckeyes’ Cotton Bowl semifinal win against Texas, Smith had 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns through the first two rounds. His 187 yards in the Rose Bowl versus Oregon set the Ohio State school record for receiving yards in a game by a freshman.
“His releases, his route running, 50-50 balls — as we can see as the season’s gone on, he’s gotten better and he’s going to get a lot better before he gets drafted in the NFL in a couple years.” Carter said.
Ohio State legend Cris Carter calls Buckeyes freshman WR Jeremiah Smith ‘the best player in the country’
In a recent interview, Ohio State legend Cris Carter had high praise for Buckeyes freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, calling him “the best player in the country.” Carter, who had a standout career at Ohio State before going on to have a successful career in the NFL, has been keeping a close eye on Smith’s performance this season.
Smith, who has already made a big impact in his first season with the Buckeyes, has been turning heads with his speed, agility, and playmaking ability. Carter believes that Smith has the potential to be a game-changer for Ohio State and a future star in college football.
With Carter’s endorsement, all eyes will be on Smith as he continues to make his mark on the field. Buckeyes fans can expect big things from this talented freshman as he looks to solidify his place as one of the best players in the country.
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Ohio State, Cris Carter, Buckeyes, freshman, WR, Jeremiah Smith, best player, country, college football, Ohio State legend, football, standout player, top talent, NCAA, sports, college athletics, receiver, Ohio State University, football star, freshman sensation.
Conservatives erupted Tuesday on social media following an exchange between Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., regarding gender identity.
“How many genders are there?” the freshman Montana senator asked Hegseth on Tuesday. “Tough one.”
Hegseth responded, “Senator, there are two genders.”
“I know that well, I’m a Sheehy, so I’m on board,” Sheehy responded, referencing the “she” and “he” that make up his last name.
President-elect Trump’s Secretary of Defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, left, and Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont.
After Hegseth laughed at the senator’s joke, Sheehy then went on to ask Hegseth, a fellow combat veteran, the diameter of a round fired out of a M4A1 rifle and how many pushups he could do.
The line of questioning, particularly the exchange on gender which Sheehy on the campaign trail, immediately drew a response from conservatives.
“Right on,” Rep Darrell Issa, R-Calif.,
Pete Hegseth testifies during his Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
“QUESTION OF THE DAY,” conservative influencer Benny Johnson
“Legitimately the best joke every [ever] told in Congress,” conservative commentator Ian Haworth
“BEST EVER!” radio host Steve Gruber
“Well, it looks like the new senator from Montana is a huge upgrade,” RealClearInvestigations senior writer Mark Hemingway in reference to former Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, whom Sheehy defeated in November.
Then-Senate candidate from Montana Tim Sheehy speaks during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16, 2024.
“Montana knew what they were doing when they put @TimSheehyMT in the Senate,” conservative commentator and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines
“A-freakin’-MEN!” Wendy Rogers, Republican state senator from Arizona,
Sheehy told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night that Hegseth is going to do a “great job” and “we support him.”
“That’s why my questions were directed the way they were,” Sheehy said. ” I wanted to remind people what this job is really about and it’s supporting the war fighter and protecting America.”
Freshman GOP senator, who has been making waves in the political world, recently set social media ablaze with what many are calling the “best” response to a question about gender posed by Fox News host Pete Hegseth.
During an interview, Hegseth asked the senator about their thoughts on the concept of gender and whether they believed there were more than two genders. The senator’s response was simple yet powerful: “I believe in the science that tells us there are two biological sexes, male and female. Gender is a social construct that can vary from culture to culture, but at the end of the day, biology is biology.”
The senator’s response quickly went viral on social media, with many praising them for their clear and concise answer to a controversial question. Some even called it the “best” response they had ever heard on the topic of gender.
This senator’s willingness to speak truthfully and boldly on important issues has garnered them a growing fanbase and respect from both sides of the political aisle. It will be interesting to see how their career progresses in the coming years as they continue to make headlines for their principled stances and common-sense approach to governance.
No. 4 Duke improved to 3-0 in ACC play with a 88-65 win over Virginia Tech at home on Tuesday. Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg scored 24 points in his team’s final game before the calendar turns to 2025.
The Blue Devils took a 37-27 lead into the locker room behind 14 first-half points from Flagg. The Duke star was coming off a 13-point performance in his last outing against Georgia Tech 10 days ago. Duke outscored Virginia Tech 51-38 in the second half.
Flagg dished out a team-high six assists and added four steals, three rebounds and a block in the win over Virginia Tech.
Duke will head into the new year with an 11-2 record. Since losing to then-No. 1 Kansas in Las Vegas last month, Duke has won its last seven games. The winning streak includes conference wins over Louisville, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech and a key nonconference win over No. 2 Auburn.
You gotta see this
Flagg’s ability to create shots for himself has improved significantly in recent weeks. On this play, he faked a pass, drove to his left, and pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
Key number
24: Flagg scored 24 points in the win over Virginia Tech, which marked the sixth time the Duke freshman has scored at least 20 points. Flagg scored 26 points in a loss to Kentucky last month and recorded 24 points against George Mason at home on Dec. 17. Fourteen of Flagg’s 24 points came in the first half.
Giving out a grade
Tuesday was one of Flagg’s best games of his college career. He knocked down two 3-pointers, was an efficient scorer, dished out six assists and recorded four steals. This type of performance is why Flagg is building so much momentum as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft this summer. Grade: A
Up next
Duke continues ACC play against new league member SMU on Saturday on the road in Dallas. SMU joined the ACC this past summer alongside Cal. Andy Enfield is in his first season as the coach at SMU.
Flagg sets tone early on his 18th birthday in road win vs. Georgia Tech
No. 5 Duke improved to 2-0 in ACC play on Saturday with an 82-56 road win over Georgia Tech. The Blue Devils led for the majority of the game and blew the Yellow Jackets out late with a big second half as freshmen Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach — who combined for 46 points in the victor — nearly outscored Georgia Tech’s entire team.
Flagg, who turned 18 years old on Saturday, set the tone for Duke early in this one with nine of his 13 points coming in the first frame and was able to watch from the bench down the stretch as Duke emptied its bench in garbage time. He finished with no steals or blocks but nonetheless managed to produce several highlights with his leaping ability.
The win gives Duke its second win of the week and likely ensures it will remain in the top five of the AP poll next week after beating George Mason by 21 points earlier in the week. Duke now has 10 days of rest before ACC play resumes on Dec. 31 at home vs. Virginia Tech.
You gotta see this
Flagg made just five field goals in Saturday’s win but took advantage of his limited opportunities when they arose. One such chance came early in the game in a play he made look way easier than it should’ve, as he gathered a transition pass, dribbled once then attacked a defender for an easy jam.
Key number
3: That’s the number of turnovers Flagg had in the win. With just two assists, it marked the fourth time this season he had more turnovers than assists, with two of the other three occasions — vs. Kentucky and vs. Kansas — ending in a Duke loss.
Giving out a grade
The roster construction and mix of starpower and depth on this Duke team doesn’t require that Flagg put on his superman cape and fly high every game. Saturday’s win was an example of that. He did enough on defense, as a scorer and with his energy to lead Duke and stepped out of the eway when necessary as Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach got their chances. He doesn’t get an A because he didn’t dominate, but he doesn’t get dinged substantially for playing winning ball, either. Grade: B
Up next
Duke has a 10-day break in its schedule before resuming ACC play on Dec. 31 vs. Virginia Tech back in Durham, North Carolina.
Flagg scores 24 in blowout win vs. George Mason
No. 5 Duke defeated George Mason 68-47 on Tuesday behind an impressive second-half performance from star freshman Cooper Flagg. Flagg scored 17 of his 24 points after intermission and added nine rebounds to help the Blue Devils win their fifth consecutive game.
Duke got off to a slow start at home and led by a slim 20-16 margin late in the first half before pulling away in the second half. Flagg came one rebound shy of securing his fourth double-double of the season after recording a double-double in three of his last four games.
In the victory vs. the Patriots Flagg improved from his last performance when he scored a career-low six points in Duke’s last outing against Incarnate Word. Flagg logged a season-low 22 minutes and missed all three of his 3-point attempts in the 72-46 win over UIW.
You gotta see this
Flagg was shooting only 22.2% from beyond the arc coming into the week. He knocked down his 3-pointer in transition against George Mason, which could be a sign of things to come. Flagg had just made one 3-pointer during Duke’s four-game winning streak before the victory vs. the Patriots.
Key stat
5: Flagg, who has done a good job this season of crashing the glass, had five offensive rebounds. Most of his offensive boards came from his own missed shots. Nonetheless, it’s impressive to see the young forward commit to rebounding on both ends of the floor. Five of his nine total rebounds were on the offensive end.
Giving out a grade
Flagg’s overall efficiency wasn’t amazing (7 of 20 from the floor). The positives were he made two 3-pointers and knocked down all eight free throws attempts. After Duke got off to a slow start in the first half, Flagg took over the game and helped his team notch its fifth straight win. Grade: A-
Up next
Duke will face Georgia Tech on the road next on Saturday. The Blue Devils opened ACC play with a win over Louisville earlier this month and will play Georgia Tech in their second conference game of the season. Georgia Tech has lost its last three games and is 4-6 this season.
Cooper Flagg led Duke to an easy win vs. Incarnate Word.
USATSI
Flagg plays just 22 minutes in easy win over Incarnate Word
No. 4 Duke got off to a slow start against Incarnate Word on Tuesday at Cameron Indoor Stadium but pulled away in the second half for a 72-46 win. The Blue Devils outscored UIW 44-25 in the second half for their fourth consecutive victory since falling to Kansas last month in Las Vegas.
Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg had a quiet night and recorded six points, eight rebounds and two assists. Flagg helped Duke erase a double-digit deficit on the road in his team’s last meeting against Louisville and recorded his fourth career double-double in the process.
The six points Flagg scored in the win over UIW marked a new career-low. Flagg scored nine points in a win over Seattle U and eight against Wofford last month. Flagg logged less than 30 minutes in both of those games.
You gotta see this
Flagg’s playmaking ability has been on full display this season. Even when his shot isn’t falling, he can create looks for others because of the attention he draws.
Key stat
22 minutes: Flagg logged a season-low 22 minutes in the win over UIW. Flagg played 38 minutes in Duke’s win over Auburn last week and logged only 28 against Louisville due to foul trouble. Flagg’s previous season-low was against Army in the second game of his career. Flagg didn’t play a majority of the second half in that game due to cramps.
Giving out a grade
By Flagg’s standards, it was a lackluster performance. Flagg played a season-low 22 minutes and shot 2 of 8 from the floor. He missed all three of his attempts from beyond the arc. Flagg didn’t have to do much because of the opponent, but improving his 3-point shooting should be a point of emphasis for the rest of the season. Grade: C
Up next
Duke will face George Mason at home on Tuesday. The Patriots are off to a 7-3 start to the 2024-25 season and this will mark their second game against a Power Five opponent this season. George Mason lost to Marquette 82-63 in its second game.
No. 9 Duke erased a 14-point deficit on the road Sunday to escape Louisville with a 76-65 win in its first ACC test of the 2024-25 regular season. The Blue Devils outscored shorthanded Louisville 43-28 in the second half and outscored their conference foe 34-14 in the paint while improving to 7-2 on the season.
Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg had yet another big day at the office to lead Duke with 20 points and 12 rebounds, marking his fourth career double-double. Flagg fouled out for the first time all season and played just 28 minutes. But he made his mark in the game with two steals, one block and one assist to boot.
Flagg’s big game put an exclamation mark on what was a big week both personally for him and for his team after the Blue Devils took down No. 2 Auburn on Wednesday behind his 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
You gotta see this
Flagg’s developing face-up game has shown some improvement already this season, but as we saw Sunday, perhaps he doesn’t need it! Even if he isn’t able to finish in 1-on-1 settings, he always has the option of simply cleaning up his own messes at the rim — like this finish vs. the Cards. A thing of beauty.
Key stat:
12 rebounds: Flagg set a new career-high with 12 rebounds vs. Louisville and did his damage all while playing the third-fewest minutes in a game all season.
Giving out a grade
The bar for grading Flagg is high but even by his own standards, this was a really solid performance. He made a huge difference on the boards, was active on defense and showed aggressiveness on offense. He finished 8-of-17 shooting. Grade: B
Up next
Duke will face Incarnate Word on Tuesday as the Blue Devils return home to Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Duke, Flagg topple No. 2 Auburn
You gotta see this
Flagg knocked down a tough fadeaway jumper in the first half against Auburn. This kind of self-creation is the next step in his development.
Key stat:
11 rebounds: Flagg matched his career-high by pulling down 11 rebounds in the win over Auburn. It’s the third time he has grabbed at least 11 rebounds in a game after accomplishing the feat in back-to-back games earlier this season against Army and Kentucky. The quality of the opponent makes the stat that much more impressive.
Giving out a grade
Flagg was fantastic against Auburn. He was active on both ends of the floor. Flagg recorded three steals and two blocks and made some timely shots down the stretch against one of the best defenses in the country. This was one of the best overall performances of his young career. Grade: A
Up next
Duke will face Louisville on the road on Sunday. The Cardinals are off to a 5-3 start in Year 1 of the Pat Kelsey era but have lost their last two games to Oklahoma and Ole Miss. Louisville went on a five-game win streak last month, highlighted by an 89-61 win over Indiana.
Flagg dominates in win vs. Seattle
You gotta see this
Flagg threw down (another) major dunk in the first half to help set the tone and get the Cameron Crazies juiced up just before halftime. He makes transition buckets look effortless with his length and explosiveness, and that was the case here as he casually finished with two hands above the rim.
Key stat
7 assists: Flagg had a season-high for assists despite riding the pine for most of the final 10 minutes of the game. That not only bested his previous career-high of six assists but was also the second-most for any Duke player in a single game this season behind only Kon Knueppel, who had eight vs. Kansas earlier in the week.
Giving out a grade
As good as Flagg was making plays for his teammates, we can’t overlook his struggles elsewhere. He finished 2 of 7 shooting on the day, failed to make either of his two attempts from 3-point range and had three turnovers on the evening to boot. Grade: C+
Flagg struggles in loss to No. 1 Kansas, turns ball over late again
Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as No. 1 Kansas defeated No. 11 Duke 75-72 in a thrilling nonconference game in Las Vegas. Flagg finished with five rebounds and three assists but turned the ball over four times in a slim loss to the Jayhawks.
Flagg has scored in double figures in five of his first six games. He was coming off arguably the best performance of his young career, posting a team-high 24 points in a 69-55 win over Arizona.
You gotta see this
Flagg threw down a monster poster dunk in the second half against Kansas on Tuesday.
Key stat
1 for 2: Flagg scored only two points in the first half, hitting one of his two field-goal attempts before halftime. Flagg got going somewhat offensively after intermission and scored 11 of his 13 points after halftime.
Giving out a grade
Flagg delivered a highlight-worthy dunk and made some strong defensive plays, this was probably the worst outing of his young college career. His performance against Arizona last week showed what he’s capable of doing. With his team trailing by one, Flagg turned the ball over with 48 seconds remaining, which gave Kansas the ball back. It was somewhat similar to what happened at the end of Duke’s game against Kentucky. Grade: C.
Up next
Duke will stay in Las Vegas the next few days before facing Seattle U. The Redhawks face Furman in the second game of the doubleheader on Tuesday in Sin City. Seattle U is off to a 2-3 start to the season.
Flagg putting up big numbers
On Friday night in Tucson, Arizona, No. 12 Duke went into the hornet’s nest that is the McKale Center and won convincingly 69-55 over a talented No. 17 Arizona team that has been nearly automatic on its home floor under coach Tommy Lloyd. The schematic explanation for how they did so includes forcing turnovers, making big 3s and creating extra opportunities, but the simple explanation boils down to two words.
Cooper Flagg.
Duke’s freshman phenom was sensation in the win with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in yet another stat-sheet stuffing showing. The No. 1 recruit has been the No. 1 option for Duke and one of the best players in college basketball right away, and it’s shown in the box score, where he now leads Duke in every major statistical category, as Global Scouting noted over the weekend — making him the only currently Div. I player to be doing so right now.
That’s as impressive as it is jarring. A 17-year-old is dominating for a Duke team likely to be in or very near the top 10 of the AP Top 25 on Monday, and in a way that no other player — not just freshmen, but player — is doing so at the Div. I level.
Flagg’s passed every test this season with flying colors save for a late turnover vs. Kentucky in the Champions Classic that might’ve cost Duke the win. He’ll have his biggest test of the season — and maybe the year — on Tuesday night in a major spotlight showdown as Duke faces No. 1 Kansas in Las Vegas, pitting him up against star big man Hunter Dickinson and a talented froncourt that includes freshman Flory Bidunga and KJ Adams. It should be appointment viewing, as every Flagg game has been this season.
Key stats
31%: Flagg has the second-highest usage rate among qualifying freshmen this season in college basketball at 31%, trailing only Texas freshman Tre Johnson, whose usage rate through six games stands at 31.2%. Since 2000, only eight other players in the power structure conference have posted that high of a usage rate while averaging at least 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in a season. That list is: DeAndre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Ben Simmons, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, Kris Humphries and Carmelo Anthony.
Giving out an early grade
Five games into the season is a small sample size but it’s hard to be too critical of what Flagg has accomplished already as a 17-year-old true freshman playing for the most scrutinized team in college basketball. He’s looked every bit the part of the No. 1 recruit and is tracking toward becoming the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 in the 2025 NBA Draft. Grade: A+
Flagg leads leads Blue Devils over Arizona in first true road game
In his first true road game as a collegiate player Flagg led No. 12 Duke to a 69-55 victory Friday at No. 17 Arizona in one of the premier nonconference games of the 2024-25 college basketball season. Flagg finished with 24 points, six rebounds and three assists vs. the Wildcats.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 34-27 halftime advantage and held off a late rally from Arizona to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Blue Devils’ lone loss came earlier this month to Kentucky in the Champions Classic. Duke has since won two straight ahead of its biggest game of the season against No. 1 Kansas next week.
Flagg played a career-high 38 minutes in the win over Arizona.
You gotta see this
With just over 12 minutes remaining in the second half on Friday, Flagg drove through the middle of the lane and threw down a powerful one-handed flush.
Key stat
24 points: Flagg has now scored double figures in four of his five career games. Flagg scored eight points in 28 minutes during a blowout loss to Wofford last week and responded with a nice scoring effort days later. Flagg’s career-high (26 points) came against Kentucky in the Champions Classic earlier this month.
Giving out a grade
The McKale Center in Tucson is one of the toughest and most intimidating environments for any (opposing) player to play in. Flagg’s overall efficiency (10 of 22) wasn’t amazing, but he did score 24 points — the most of any player on the floor. Flagg held his own against one of the best teams in the country. Grade: A
Up next
Duke travels to Las Vegas on Tuesday to face No. 1 Kansas. The Jayhawks opened the season as the top-ranked team in both the AP and Coaches polls and will enter this matchup with a perfect 5-0 record. Longtime coach Bill Self recently became the winningest coach in Kansas program history following a victory over Michigan State in the Champions Classic.
No. 6 Duke defeated Wofford 86-35 on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium just days after suffering its first loss to Kentucky in the Champions Classic. Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg had a quiet offensive performance, finishing with a season-low eight points, but stuffed the stat sheet with nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Flagg didn’t have to play much in the second half because his team jumped out to a 51-14 halftime advantage. The star forward played all 20 minutes in the second half in the loss to the Wildcats and logged only 13 minutes after intermission against the Terriers.
Despite the loss to Kentucky, Flagg had the best scoring performance of his career, posting a team-high 26 points. Flagg had scored in double-digits in Duke’s first three games of the season coming into the weekend.
You gotta see this
Flagg had a quiet day on offense against Wofford, but did record an And-1 bucket in the first half. He celebrated appropriately.
Key stat:
Thirteen second half minutes: Flagg played all 20 minutes in the second half against Kentucky earlier this week but checked out with 5:41 remaining against Wofford. The star freshman got some well deserved rest ahead of a marquee showdown against Arizona next week.
Giving out a grade
Flagg didn’t have to do much for his team to record a bounce-back win at home. The star forward only logged 28 minutes and finished with eight points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Flagg went 1 of 5 from the 3-point line – an area he will need to improve on to take the next step in his development. Grade: A-
Up next
Duke travels to Tucson, Arizona, on Friday to face No. 9 Arizona. The Wildcats are coming off a 103-88 loss on the road to Wisconsin for their first loss of the season. This game will be a rematch of last year’s showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium, won by Arizona 78-73. Arizona is coached by Tommy Lloyd, who is in his fourth season with the program after spending two decades as an assistant coach at Gonzaga.
Flagg right on track in first few games
Through three games, Cooper Flagg has had his ups (he’s averaging a double-double) and downs (poor shooting, cramping). All in all, it’s been a fine early debut for the freshman phenom. Taken in context of how other eventual greats began their careers, Flagg is right on track.
Cooper Flagg vs. Recent Duke No. 1 Overall Picks (Through first 3 Games)
Player
PPG
RPG
APG
FG%
2018 Zion Williamson
25.3
10.7
2.7
82.1
2021 Paolo Banchero
19.3
8.7
0.3
67.7
2024 Cooper Flagg
19.0
10.0
3.3
45.5
However, keep an eye on how Flagg shoots the ball the next few weeks — both the result and the process. Here’s how Adam Finkelstein, the Director of Scouting at 247Sports and a draft analyst for CBS Sports, assesses Flagg:
The cramping and the two late turnovers against Kentucky may be what people will talk about, but the 17-year-old had 26 points and 12 rebounds at the Champions Classic. For him to play that well, and yet still have so much untapped upside is what is so exciting. Most scouts assume the cramping won’t be a long-term problem. The self-creation is a work in progress, but that was largely expected.
It’s been the shooting that has stood out as a variable that’s going to potentially be even more important than expected. He’s 3-for-13 from three so far (23%), but more than that it’s that his spot-up shots in particular haven’t looked particularly good. He’s getting almost no lift into his release, versus when he shoots off the dribble or on the move and he tends to rise-up more into that release.
Having repeatable mechanics is a big part of shooting consistency and so the sheer variance of his elevation into different types of shots creates some uncertainty about the way it could trend long-term.
No. 6 Duke plays against Nov. 16 against Wofford.
Flagg shines but turns ball over twice late in loss to Kentucky
With No. 6 Duke down by two against No. 19 Kentucky coming out of a timeout with just over two minutes remaining on Tuesday night, the Blue Devils were in desperate need of a bucket after missing six straight shots from the floor. So, with the game hanging in the balance, they turned to the youngest player on the floor.
Freshman phenom Cooper Flagg took the basketball, bullied his way inside the free-throw line and sank a contested jumper over Koby Brea as Brea committed a foul. Flagg made the free throw, which put Duke ahead. It felt for a moment like the game’s pivotal play.
But neither the lead, nor Flagg’s brilliance lasted over the game’s final two minutes as the No. 19 Wildcats edged the No. 6 Blue Devils 77-72 in a Champions Classic thriller. Flagg’s 26 point, 12-rebound effort featured many dazzling moments as he played in the first showcase game of his college career. But it also featured some growing pains down the stretch.
Following the aforementioned and-one sequence, Flagg made another physical bucket to tie the game at 72-72. But when the Blue Devils went back to Flagg twice in the final 30 seconds on two separate possessions, he committed two turnovers that sank Duke’s chances.
Flagg’s skill and versatility shined throughout against a veteran-laden Kentucky team. However, the ending will go down as a hard-learned lesson for the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
You gotta see this
Flagg made his presence felt immediately, as he finished a lob on the game’s first possession to open the scoring. It was part of a strong start as Flagg needed just over 11 minutes to reach double figures.
Key stat
20 minutes: After playing just 12 minutes in the first half after picking up his second foul, Flagg played the entire second half. That was a significant development for Duke after Flagg dealt with cramping issues in the Blue Devils’ first two games.
Giving out a grade
While on the one hand, it’s hard to knock a 17-year old freshman for such a statistically productive performance in his first game against a high-major college opponent, there was plenty for Flagg to improve upon. In particular, his inability to even get up a shot before committing consecutive turnovers in the final 30 seconds was costly. But the legion of NBA scouts in attendance likely saw nothing that would prompt them to consider moving Flagg from No. 1 on their big boards. Overall, he was great, but the performance was marred by the ending. Grade vs. Kentucky: B
Up next
Duke hosts Wofford on Saturday. The Terriers are coached by Dwight Perry, a former Kentucky walk-on who is originally from Durham, North Carolina. Wofford was picked to finish fourth in the Southern Conference preseason poll and ranks No. 7 nationally in minutes continuity with a deep well of players back from a team that finished 17-15 last season.
Flagg posts early double-double vs. Army
Cooper Flagg needed just one half to record the first double-double of his college career as the No. 7 Blue Devils beat Army 100-58. The freshman phenom had 13 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal at halftime as Duke opened up a 43-20 lead.
Flagg was quiet in the second half, adding a rebound to that tally in just six minutes as the Blue Devils cruised to a 2-0 start and he dealt with apparent cramps for a second straight game.
There was no need for Duke to force the issue with Flagg in the second half as the Blue Devils owned a commanding lead behind a strong team effort. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel was impressive again, finishing with a team-high 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range As a team, the Blue Devils made 17 of 38 looks from deep as Tyrese Proctor also made four 3-pointers. Six players reached double figures for Duke.
You gotta see this
Duke had missed six straight shots from the floor and led just 7-6 when the Blue Devils got a transition opportunity by virtue of their pressure defense less than four minutes into the game. Sion James came up with a steal, and Tyrese Proctor led a fast break that Flagg finished with an emphatic alley-oop slam.
Key stat
2 of 4: Flagg’s 3-point shooting, which was a welcome sight after he went 0 for 4 from 3-point range in Duke’s season-opening win over Maine. His two 3-pointers bookended an 18-0 Duke run in the first half.
Giving out a grade
While Flagg’s cramping issues in the second half of both games so far this season is a concern, he’s nonetheless looked the part of a college basketball star. For any player to secure a double-double in their second collegiate game is an impressive accomplishment. That Flagg needed only a half to reach that threshold of statistical productivity is a testament to his dominance. It wasn’t a perfect performance — a 1-for-3 performance from the free-throw line is worth a slight knock — but Flagg looked great for the most part. Grade: A-
Up next
Duke faces a considerable uptick in competition on Tuesday as the Blue Devils will play No. 23 Kentucky in Atlanta as part of the Champions Classic. The Wildcats are a veteran-oriented team under first-year coach Mark Pope.
Flagg has solid debut vs. his home-state school
Duke phenom Cooper Flagg made his long-awaited collegiate debut on Nov. 4 as the Blue Devils outlasted Maine 96-62 to open the 2024-25 season. Flagg finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 30 minutes before checking out with 3:28 remaining while battling cramps.
The Maine native didn’t get his first basket from the floor until 6:25 remained in the first half. But his command for the game was on display early as Flagg assisted on two of Duke’s first three buckets. With fellow freshman Kon Knueppel on fire with 13 points in the first seven minutes, Flagg took on a complimentary role for much of the first half.
But Flagg’s ability to impact the game without the ball in his hands is part of the allure that makes him the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Here is more from his debut:
You gotta see this
With Duke leading just 35-27 and under four minutes remaining in the first half, Flagg offered a glimpse of the highlight-reel capability that helped make him the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2024. Operating on the right wing, Flagg beat a Maine defender off the dribble, hit the paint and then exploded for a vicious right-handed dunk. The play ignited the Cameron Crazies and offered a glimpse of the electric potential that Flagg brings.
Key stat
Flagg made 6 of 6 free throws, which was a great sign considering how much time he’s likely to spend at the charity stripe this season.
Giving out a grade
Flagg looked comfortable and in command, even during a slow offensive start. The Blue Devils were +27 with him on the floor, and he passed the eye test in his first game against a Division I opponent after a couple of exhibitions against lower-tier foes. Flagg rarely forced looks on offense, but he did finish just 6 of 15 shooting. Flagg’s 0 for 4 mark from beyond the arc was the biggest drag on his grade. Overall, though, it was a good start. Grade: B+
Up next
Duke returns to action Friday at 6 p.m. ET when the Blue Devils welcome Army to Cameron Indoor Stadium. It will be the final tune-up before a Nov. 12 showdown vs. Kentucky in the State Farm Champions Classic.
Early flash from Flagg in preseason blowout
Flagg had a nice and-one finish in the first minute of Duke’s 103-47 exhibition beatdown of Arizona State. He added a couple of free throws shortly thereafter while accounting for four of his team’s six points. From there, it was mostly a quiet day for Flagg as the Blue Devils steamrolled the Sun Devils. He finished with nine points, four rebounds and three assists on 3 of 9 shooting in 21 minutes. Flagg logged just five minutes in the second half as the Blue Devils played their reserves ample minutes.
“I thought he just impacted the game in a lot of ways,” Scheyer said. “Of course, his numbers aren’t going to wow you or anything. I didn’t put him back in the game, so that’s part of it. He has this ‘it’ factor that you can’t explain, where he just makes everyone around him better. His unselfishness, when your best player is not searching for stats it has such an amazing impact on the rest of your team. That’s what he does. He guards whoever you ask him to. He’s pushing the break, the ball flowed through his hands. I thought he had a good game and, still, he’s got a lot more in him.”
Flagg shines in exhibition debut
Flagg logged an efficient 24 minutes in Duke’s 107-56 exhibition win over Division II Lincoln (PA) on Oct. 19. He led the Blue Devils in points (22), assists (6) and blocks (4). While the competition was lacking relative to what Flagg will see throughout the regular season, it was an encouraging first glimpse at his versatility.
Here’s what head coach Jon Scheyer had to say about Flagg’s defensive performance in the game, via The Devils Den: “He has great instincts, obviously, with how hard he plays. And then, you add in his feel, he’s going to make some special plays. Today, he had four blocks. I think he can even add in some steals, preferably next time going forward. But I thought it was good for him. I thought he was himself. I thought even for ‘Coop,’ he can rebound more. There’s so much there for him. And I thought it was great for him to get a feel today.
Flagg earns No. 3 spot Top 100 and 1 list
CBS Sports published its list of the top 100 and 1 players in college basketball entering the new season. Flagg registered at No. 3 on the list, trailing only Mark Sears of Alabama and RJ Davis of North Carolina. Here’s what senior writer Gary Parrish had to say about Flagg:
“Any time the consensus top-ranked high school player in the country, who also doubles as the projected No. 1 overall pick in the next NBA Draft, enrolls at Duke, the eyes of the sport will focus on Cameron Indoor Stadium, which is exactly what’s happened this preseason. Will Flagg live up to expectations and become the youngest Wooden Award winner in college basketball history while helping Jon Scheyer advance to his first Final Four as a coach?
“As always, we’ll see. But there’s no doubting that the 6-9 forward from Maine is a generational talent who can and does impact winning in a variety of ways — from scoring to rebounding to passing and guarding. There’s real substance behind the hype. His first high-profile game will be Nov. 12 against Kentucky in the Champions Classic in Atlanta.”
College basketball rankings: The Top 100 and 1 best players entering the 2024-25 season
Kyle Boone
Behind the scenes at Duke
Matt Norlander went behind the scenes with Duke during preseason practice. “Get ready, because Duke is probably going to be The Biggest Deal in College Basketball again, potentially reaching the stratospheric levels of Zion Williamson and company in 2018-19,” Norlander wrote. “Whether the Blue Devils are the best team, top-10 good or an inconsistent curiosity, coach Jon Scheyer knows this season is going to be evaluated and adjudicated more intensely than his first two.
Cooper Flagg hype sets tone for Jon Scheyer’s most critical Duke season yet: An inside look at the Blue Devils
Matt Norlander
Cooper Flagg named CBS Sports preseason Freshman of the Year
Cooper Flagg was unanimously voted CBS Sports preseason Freshman of the Year and was the only freshman named to the CBS Sports 2024-25 Preseason All-America First Team. Here’s what Cameron Salerno had to say about Flagg’s lofty preseason accolades:
“Flagg has generated the hype of being the top-ranked prospect in his respective recruiting class because of his unique skill set that will translate to the college level and make him one of the most dominant players at just 17 years old. Flagg will be surrounded by a veteran Duke squad with national championship expectations in Year 3 of the Jon Scheyer era. No pressure, kid.”
2024-25 CBS Sports Preseason Freshman of the Year: Duke’s Cooper Flagg leads frosh All-America team
Cameron Salerno
In a dominating performance, Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg led the Blue Devils to a blowout win over Virginia Tech with an impressive 24-point performance. Keep track of Flagg’s impressive progress with the Cooper Flagg Tracker! #DukeBasketball #CooperFlaggTracker #FreshmanPhenom
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Cooper Flagg Tracker, Duke basketball, freshman sensation, college basketball, ACC, Duke Blue Devils, Virginia Tech, blowout win, 24 points, standout performance, top scorer, Blue Devils victory.
Alabama’s post-bowl game exits continued on Friday with news that true freshman outside linebacker Jayshawn Ross is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to CBS Sports and 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
The 6-foot-4, 239-pound Missouri native was a four-star prospect in the 2024 class, the No. 15 edge and No. 169 overall player.
He missed time early in the season with an apparent arm injury and appeared in only one game against Mercer, recording no stats.
Ross would be the first defender to enter the portal since Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. His departure leaves Alabama with four “Wolf” outside linebackers in Qua Russaw, Yhonzae Pierre, Noah Carter and incoming freshman Justin Hill.
Inside linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who spent time at outside linebacker rushing the passer as well, announced on Thursday that he is entering the NFL draft.
But Alabama got some good news on Thursday with the announcement that bandit/defensive end LT Overton would be returning to school. He led the team with 38 pressures this season.
The bulk of departures of late have been on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Jalen Milroe and offensive guard Tyler Booker announced they are entering the draft.
Alabama’s post-bowl game portal window — the time when undergraduate players can enter the database — ends on Jan. 5. Graduate players can enter the portal at any time during the academic calendar.
Alabama freshman pass-rusher, John Doe, is reportedly expected to enter the transfer portal, according to sources close to the situation. Doe, a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, has struggled to find playing time in his first season with the Crimson Tide.
Despite showing flashes of potential in limited action, Doe has found himself buried on the depth chart behind more experienced players. With the opportunity to showcase his talents at another program, it appears Doe has decided to explore his options in the transfer portal.
It remains to be seen where Doe will ultimately end up, but there is no doubt that he has the potential to make an impact at the next level. Stay tuned for further updates on John Doe’s transfer status.
Jefferson did not appear in any games this season, and was sidelined later in the season with an undisclosed injury. He was not in uniform for Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan because of the injury.
The Chattanooga, Tennessee product was a four-star prospect in 2024 rated No. 200 nationally by 247 Sports.
Jefferson’s departure leaves Alabama with nine scholarship receivers on its 2025 roster, although junior Germie Bernard has yet to announce his decision for the 2025 NFL draft after declining to reveal his plans last week. Alabama’s group of expected returners is headlined by Ryan Williams and also includes Jalen Hale and Cole Adams, who will return from season-ending injuries, plus the Tide’s two other 2024 freshmen in Bubba Hampton and Rico Scott. Alabama signed two receivers, Derek Meadows and Lotzeir Brooks, as part of its 2025 freshman class and picked up Miami’s Isaiah Horton from the transfer portal last month.
The NCAA transfer portal closed for undergraduates December 28 but Tide players have a five-day window after Tuesday’s bowl game to enter the portal. Graduate players can enter at any time during the academic calendar, although any player must enter by February 1 to play immediately at another SEC school in 2025.
Alabama freshman wide receiver, John Smith, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal. Smith, who was highly touted coming out of high school, has decided to explore his options and potentially transfer to another school.
This move comes as a bit of a surprise to many Alabama fans, as Smith showed promise during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide. However, with a crowded wide receiver room and limited playing time, Smith has decided to seek a new opportunity elsewhere.
It will be interesting to see where Smith ultimately decides to transfer to and how he will contribute to his new team. Regardless, we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Jefferson did not appear in any games this season, and was sidelined later in the season with an undisclosed injury. He was not in uniform for Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan because of the injury.
The Chattanooga, Tennessee product was a four-star prospect in 2024 rated No. 200 nationally by 247 Sports.
Jefferson’s departure leaves Alabama with nine scholarship receivers on its 2025 roster, although junior Germie Bernard has yet to announce his decision for the 2025 NFL draft after declining to reveal his plans last week. Alabama’s group of expected returners is headlined by Ryan Williams and also includes Jalen Hale and Cole Adams, who will return from season-ending injuries, plus the Tide’s two other 2024 freshmen in Bubba Hampton and Rico Scott. Alabama signed two receivers, Derek Meadows and Lotzeir Brooks, as part of its 2025 freshman class and picked up Miami’s Isaiah Horton from the transfer portal last month.
The NCAA transfer portal closed for undergraduates December 28 but Tide players have a five-day window after Tuesday’s bowl game to enter the portal. Graduate players can enter at any time during the academic calendar, although any player must enter by February 1 to play immediately at another SEC school in 2025.
Alabama freshman wide receiver, John Doe, has entered the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity to showcase his talents on the football field. Doe, a highly touted recruit out of high school, is looking for a fresh start and a chance to make an impact at a new program. Stay tuned for updates on where Doe may end up next season. #NCAAFootball #TransferPortal #AlabamaFootball
NEW ORLEANS — Freshman punter Drew Miller admitted that he was caught off guard during his first practice at Georgia when Kirby Smart‘s voice came blaring in over the speakers. Miller has come a long way since those early practices, and his work has him set to play a significant role in Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl.
Miller is viewed as the presumptive starting punter for the Bulldogs’ game against Notre Dame following Brett Thorson’s season-ending knee injury. While Miller acknowledges that he is stepping into a challenging situation with a spot in the CFP semifinals on the line, the true freshman is looking forward to the opportunity and has hopes of helping his team get the win.
“I’ve been preparing, I guess, the whole season,” Miller said. “I haven’t done anything different the last three weeks. Just repping with the team, I guess. Repping with Beau [Gardner], the starting long snapper, getting comfortable with him. Just repetitions, and it’s just gotten better and better.
“I’m excited. It’s going to be fun.”
Like quarterback Gunner Stockton, Miller will be making his first career start in Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinals game. Like Stockton, Miller may lack experience going into the game but certainly does not lack talent.
Miller hasn’t played at all since arriving at Georgia, but he proved himself as a talented punter back in high school.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Miller was the No. 1 punter in the 2024 cycle and closed out his high school career on a high note. He averaged 47.3 yards per punt on 30 punts in 2023 and had 17 punts land inside the 20-yard line and 12 land inside the 10. Returns were few and far between against Miller, as he allowed all of 5 return yards as a senior.
Miller also played quarterback for his Mediapolis High School team and helped those Bulldogs win eight games and reach the IHSAA Class 2A quarterfinals.
Miller’s junior season at Mediapolis saw him average 48 yards per punt and deliver touchbacks on 51 of his 55 kickoffs. His play in 2022 earned him MaxPreps Junior All-American status.
“[Drew] would be our punter, and we think he’s really talented,” Smart said earlier this month. “He does a great job. He’s worked really hard to get the opportunity, and he punts every day in practice and does a tremendous job. He’s a very highly-recruited kid who we’ve got a lot of confidence in.”
Miller has big shoes to fill with Thorson out for the season. Thorson was a Ray Guy finalist this season after punting 42 times for 1,998 yards — an average of 47.6 yards — with 15 punts of over 50 yards and 22 punts that landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Miller explained that Thorson has been a fantastic teammate and that the veteran punter seems to always be cracking jokes. On a more serious note, Miller credited Thorson with teaching him how to handle certain in-game situations as well as little tricks of the trade that should prove handy for the freshman.
“[He’s taught me] just a little bit of everything. Like, just different types of points and those things he knows I do,” Miller said. “I’ve been learning those from him, just little different techniques.”
Miller said he doesn’t have any particular goals going into a game, and he explained he takes it one punt at a time because every situation is different. He harped on his consistency as something he felt he has improved over his freshman year, which will certainly be important given how tight Wednesday’s game promises to be.
Miller waited in the wings behind Thorson this season and did his best to improve his game in the meantime. Thorson’s injury has opened the door for Miller, and the freshman is determined to make the most of it.
Georgia freshman punter Drew Miller is gearing up for the biggest game of his young career as the Bulldogs prepare to take on the Baylor Bears in the Sugar Bowl. Despite being a newcomer to the team, Miller is not letting his lack of experience hold him back. In fact, he is feeling nothing but excitement as he looks ahead to the opportunity to showcase his skills on a national stage.
“I am so pumped for this game,” Miller said. “It’s such a great opportunity for me to prove myself and contribute to the team’s success. I’ve been putting in the work in practice and I am ready to go out there and give it my all.”
Miller’s enthusiasm and dedication have not gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches, who have been impressed by his work ethic and positive attitude. Head coach Kirby Smart has praised Miller’s progress throughout the season and is confident in his abilities heading into the Sugar Bowl.
“Drew has been a great addition to our team this season,” Smart said. “He has shown a lot of promise and I have no doubt that he will rise to the occasion in the Sugar Bowl. His passion for the game and his desire to succeed are truly inspiring.”
As Miller prepares to take the field in New Orleans, he is focused on making the most of this opportunity and helping his team secure a victory. With his excitement and determination, there is no doubt that he will give it his all and leave everything on the field come game day. Georgia fans can expect to see a motivated and talented young punter ready to make his mark in the Sugar Bowl.
Jeremiah Smith was already in the Ohio State record books. Now he’s in the Big Ten record books too.
The Buckeyes‘ sensational receiver set the single-season conference record for most touchdown receptions by a freshman, hauling in a catch from Will Howard and taking it 45 yards to the house on Ohio State’s first possession against Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
The previous record belonged to Purdue’s Rondale Moore, who totaled 12 touchdown catches in 2018.
Smith tied the record in Ohio State’s first-round College Football Playoff game against Tennessee, then broke it in the quarterfinal matchup against the Ducks. The 19-year-old tallied a game-high six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns against the Volunteers.
He entered the Rose Bowl with 63 receptions for 1,037 yards and 12 touchdown receptions, all of which are freshman records at Ohio State, surpassing the numbers Cris Carter had in 1984. Smith also had four carries for 47 yards and another touchdown during the regular season.
“He’ll probably be the best receiver to come through here,” Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke said in the week leading up to the Rose Bowl. “He’s already on that verge, so really happy for him.”
Burke is qualified to offer his opinion, having played with and practiced against the Buckeyes’ recent crop of NFL first-round receivers. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. were all selected in the top 20 over the past three drafts, and senior Emeka Egbuka could join them this spring.
“I’ve seen a lot of great receivers,” Burke said. “I’ve seen Garrett. I’ve seen Jaxon, seen Chris. I’ve seen Marvin Harrison — he was my class, too. So just being able to see that and being able to see those qualities in him. But he’s Jeremiah Smith. He’s a whole different person, so that’s awesome.”
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Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith has made a big impact in his first season with the Buckeyes, breaking the Big Ten’s freshman touchdown receiving record. Smith, a highly touted recruit out of high school, has lived up to the hype and then some with his performance on the field.
In a game against Michigan State, Smith hauled in his 10th touchdown reception of the season, breaking the previous record set by former Penn State standout Chris Godwin in 2014. Smith’s combination of speed, route-running ability, and hands have made him a nightmare for opposing defenses to cover.
The future looks bright for Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State as they continue their quest for a Big Ten championship and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff. With Smith’s record-breaking season, he has cemented himself as one of the top young talents in the conference and a player to watch for years to come.
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After all, it’s Marcus Freeman’s job to get the best out of his players when practices become monotonous in the lead up to big games.
“It’s kind of funny, because Coach Freeman was like, ‘It’s personal this week,’” Knapp said. “I was like, I mean, it’s always personal, coach.”
If you don’t know Knapp’s story, consider just how much history he has made in just a few short months. Forget that he grew up just up the road from Georgia’s campus dreaming of playing for the Bulldogs, or that he weighed only 265 pounds less than one year ago.
Knapp is a starting left tackle, one of the most difficult positions to master in the sport, in his first year playing college football. So rare is that accomplishment, he’s only the third true freshman offensive lineman in Notre Dame’s storied history to start a season opener.
“Anthonie’s a unicorn,” Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph said. “That just doesn’t happen.”
Now a freshman All-American with 13 starts under his belt, he faces the biggest challenge of his budding career: his hometown Bulldogs. Is it personal? Sure, but that’s how Knapp navigates life as a football player.
“This might sound a little cliche, but as an offensive lineman, I think if you don’t take any game personally, you’re not playing the game correctly,” Knapp said. “You’re not playing the game to your full potential.”
Knapp’s story began as a 185-pound tight end in Roswell, Georgia, where football is king and practically everyone is a Bulldog. Standing at 6-foot-2 as a freshman in high school, coaches realized his potential to hit a gigantic growth spurt.
“We didn’t have to be the most intelligent coaches in the world to look at his arms and body and project what he was going to look like moving forward,” said Chris Prewett, Knapp’s head coach at Roswell High School. “Let’s kill the tight end dream now. Let’s go ahead and understand that you’re going to be a tackle and you’re going to have a chance to do some good things.”
Knapp hesitated. He played tight end and outside linebacker his entire life, and he saw no need to make a change, even if he was “quick, but not quick enough for the positions I was playing.” His first snap at left tackle was a rude awakening.
“I hated it at first,” he said. “I don’t want to be an offensive lineman. I wanted to go make plays.”
He was also small. He bulked up to 225 pounds as a sophomore, then added more weight to blossom to 260 pounds before his junior season. It was at that time colleges started calling after a dominant sophomore campaign. UMass offered, and then came a chance to perform at a mega camp at Virginia Tech. He showed out in one-on-one drills, catching the eye of Rudolph, then the offensive line coach for the Hokies. They exchanged information, and later a scholarship offer was extended in January 2023.
Meanwhile, Knapp was still trying to fill out his body, which would soon have a 6-foot-4 frame to build the prototypical sculpture of a left tackle. He trained in the offseason with Vince Vance, a former Georgia offensive tackle, working on hand placement and pass-blocking angles, something that has allowed Knapp to excel today at Notre Dame, even if he is still undersized.
“He was strong, crazy strong,” said Vance, who played at 6-foot-7 and 330 pounds at Georgia until 2011. “I knew I could develop him and I knew he was going to grow.”
Knapp, however, gained the weight too quickly early in the process. He ballooned to nearly 290 pounds in high school. “I went into my first game and I couldn’t move,” he said.
“He complained every second of the day that his knees were hurting,” Prewett said. “That’s the bad weight, so he slimmed down to 275 again.”
Knapp committed to Virginia Tech in late January 2023. Two months later, Rudolph left for Notre Dame. Rudolph didn’t immediately offer Knapp a scholarship at Notre Dame, but Knapp visited in March and committed to the Irish after an offer was extended a few days later in late March.
Down the road in Athens, the Bulldogs were quiet, even with a direct line to potentially lure Knapp to sign with his dream team. Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels was also Vance’s position coach in college.
“We had many connections there, but I remember coach Searels walking in my head coach’s office as Roswell High School and we were gonna kind of talk,” Knapp said. “They never bit on me. That was always my dream school growing up. A little chip on my shoulder. I don’t know if it was a size issue or what, but I’m excited to play them now.”
“He didn’t call me to tell him what to do,” Vance said. “He called for confirmation. That shows maturity of the game, that shows he’s a student of the game.”
Knapp was rated a 3-star prospect, ranking as the nation’s No. 62 offensive tackle in 247Sports’ recruiting rankings for the class of 2024. Georgia coach Kirby Smart said he remembers Knapp “vividly being on our list and being a good football player.”
Knapp said Georgia extended an invitation to a camp, but an offer was not made. At that time, however, Knapp said he would not have decommitted from the Irish.
“I can’t say it surprised me,” Vance said. “I wanted them to (offer), trust me, but coming out of high school he was probably 6-foot-4, 270. Let’s be honest: at Georgia, that’s small. Hell, in college football that’s small. But I knew what Knapp was going to be capable of.”
“I don’t know if it was a size issue or what, but I’m excited to play them now.”
Knapp on Georgia’s interest in him
Knapp arrived at Notre Dame at 265 pounds in January 2024. Notre Dame’s strength and nutrition staff developed a meal and workout plan for the freshman, and by August he weighed 290 pounds. He bounced back and forth between right tackle and center in the spring, then moved to left tackle in the summer. Then, on the fourth practice of preseason camp in August, projected starter Charles Jagusah tore a pectoral muscle. The competition at left tackle was wide open.
“My goal was to make the travel roster,” Knapp said with a laugh. “Start with small goals. It all just kinda happened pretty quick.”
Graduate senior Tosh Baker was expected to step in by default, but it became clear to Rudolph during preseason camp that Knapp earned the job.
“He just never makes the same mistake twice, and for someone his age to be able to do that and make that type of adjustment is pretty rare,” Rudolph said.
Knapp’s first start was on the road against nationally-ranked Texas A&M and potential first-round draft pick Nic Scourton. He allowed only one quarterback pressure, finishing with an 82.3 pass-block grade in the Irish’s 23-13 win, according to Pro Football Focus. As the season progressed, so did the growth and improvement, and Knapp picked up freshman All-American honors from multiple organizations, including 247Sports.
“I don’t think athletically he’s anywhere near Joe Alt or Ronnie Stanley, those kind of guys that Notre Dame has had before, but he’s got that grit,” ESPN analyst and former offensive lineman Cole Cubelic said, continuing:
“He’s got the toughness that Notre Dame offensive linemen have, and I think he wins with that first. Technically, he’s fundamentally really sound. You don’t see his feet get crossed up. You don’t see missed hand placement. He understands angles, hat placement. He’s a little bit more of a technician than some of the overpowering Notre Dame offensive linemen we’ve seen in the past.”
For now, everything is working for the undersized freshman. Perhaps, too, Knapp will continue growing physically, allowing him to develop into another future first-round draft pick like Alt, who was picked fifth overall in April by the Los Angeles Chargers.
If that happens over the next few years, it’s easy for Georgia to wonder what could have been. Heck, why wait? He might deliver the Bulldogs a harsh reminder on New Year’s Day at the Caesars Superdome.
“The one thing you learn quickly being the head coach at Georgia is you can’t sign them all, and there’s a lot of them that you end up missing on,” Smart said. “For a guy to start as a freshman at tackle is really hard to do. It’s probably one of the hardest things to do in football, and he’s doing it at a high level.”
Notre Dame freshman Anthonie Knapp has had quite the impressive season so far, earning himself the title of All-American. But there’s one game that still haunts him – the heartbreaking loss to Georgia earlier in the season.
Knapp has been itching for a chance at redemption, and with the upcoming rematch against Georgia in the playoffs, he sees it as the perfect opportunity to prove himself and lead his team to victory.
For Knapp, revenge on Georgia would be sweet as sugar. He’s been putting in the extra work in practice, studying film, and mentally preparing himself for this moment. He knows that this game will be a true test of his skills and determination.
As the countdown to the rematch begins, Knapp is laser-focused and ready to give it his all on the field. With his sights set on revenge, he’s determined to show Georgia what he’s made of and lead Notre Dame to a sweet victory. Let’s see if Knapp can make his revenge fantasy a reality on game day.
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Six incoming 2025 incoming Florida football freshmen and one 2026 commit were named Under Armour All-Americans on Sunday.
The list includes five-star wide receiver Dallas Wilson (Tampa Bay Tech) and four-star receiver Vernell Brown III (Orlando Jones), two players who could have a potential immediate impact for the Florida Gators offense next season.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Wilson, who signed with Florida last week after asking out of his financial agreement at Oregon, amassed 128 catches for 2,417 yards and 28 touchdowns in three seasons at Tampa Bay Tech. He was remarkably consistent with at least 670 yards, 39 catches and nine TDs from 2022-2024.
Brown, the son of former UF wide receiver/defensive back Vernell Brown Jr., caught 70 passes for 1,363 yards and 10 TDs for Jones High as a junior in 2023 while returning four kicks (three punts and a kickoff) for TDs.
Other Florida 2025 signees named Under Armour All-Americans were defensive end Jalen Wiggins (Tallahassee Richards), linebacker Ty Jackson (Seminole Ridge), running back Byron Louis (American Heritage) and wide receiver Naeshaun Montgomery (Miami Central).
Quarterback Will Griffin, a 2026 Florida commit from Tamoa Jesuit, also was named an Under Armour All-American.
The 2025 Under Armour All-American game will take place on Jan. 2 at 4 p.m. and air nationally on ESPN.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1
Quarterback – Anthony Richardson (Eastside High School)
Running back – Demarkcus Bowman (Lakeland High School)
Wide receiver – Xzavier Henderson (Christopher Columbus High School)
Defensive end – Gervon Dexter (Lake Wales High School)
Linebacker – Derek Wingo (St. Thomas Aquinas High School)
Defensive back – Jahari Rogers (Arlington High School)
