2025 NFL Draft Prospect Preview: Highlighting Top Defenders at Each Position | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

2025 NFL Draft Prospect Preview: Highlighting Top Defenders at Each Position | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

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Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesOverall Rank: 9th DL Rank: 1st2023 Stats: 36 total tackles, 3 sacks, 7.5 TFLStrengths: There’s a lot to like about Graham’s game as he could rival Jalen Carter as the best defensive tackle prospect in the last few years. The Wolverine is quick off the ball and has impressive movement skills to get penetration when slanting and be an effective pass-rusher, especially on line games.Also, he’s strong and physical at the point of attack to hold his ground versus one-on-one blocks as a run defender and is solid at absorbing contact to avoid getting washed out of the gap versus double teams or combo blocks.Areas of improvement: Graham does have a habit of standing up out of his stance, which could cause him issues against the run and when bullrushing at the next level. Additionally, he’s still learning how to use his hands and often will get caught with them down by his waist.Overall Rank: 10th DL Rank: 2nd2023 Stats: 55 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 12.5 TFLStrengths: Walker has a basketball background which shows up in his movement skills as he’s fairly nimble for a near 350-pounder. That’s a big reason why he was a productive pass rusher as the Kentucky product has a nice swim move that he can win with. He also uses that to defeat blocks versus the run and is hard to move when solo-blocked.Areas of improvement: While he is an effective run defender against most college offensive linemen, Walker does tend to play high which got exposed against combo blocks when playing against better competition. Also, he could afford to slim down to improve his conditioning as the Wildcat appeared to run out of gas quickly last year.Tyleik Williams, Ohio StateOverall Rank: 22nd DL Rank: 4th*2023 Stats: 53 total tackles, 3 sacks, 10 TFLStrengths: Williams has impressive upper body strength to win and stand up offensive linemen at the point of attack. That helps him shed blocks against the run and collapse the pocket when bull-rushing. He also has a handful of finesse moves he can win with as a pass-rusher like a hand swipe, stick, swim and rip moves for a good arsenal.Areas of improvement: Consistency was an issue for the Buckeye last season as he would disappear in the middle of games which could be tied to a conditioning issue. His block recognition is also a work in progress as he’d often get caught off guard against down blocks and double teams.*NMDD lists Georgia’s Mykel Williams as a defensive lineman but at 265 pounds, he’s more of an edge, making Tyleik Williams the next true defensive lineman on the site’s rankings.

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Penguins Sign Tanner Howe on Heels of Prospect Camp

Penguins Sign Tanner Howe on Heels of Prospect Camp

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In the first move after the Pittsburgh Penguins wrapped up their 2024 development camp, they announced the signing of forward Tanner Howe on Wednesday.
Howe, taken in the second round, 46th overall, at the NHL draft last month, signed a three-year, entry-level contract.

He had a strong showing during the development camp, displaying the calling cards that got him drafted — skill and a hard-nosed edge. In the camp-ending tournament Wednesday, he scored twice, both times from right in front of the net.
Part of his game is going hard on the forecheck and getting under opponents’ skin, including with his net-front presence. He told PHN during the camp that he relishes that part of his game.
Howe spent the past four seasons playing junior hockey for the Regina Pats, last season as team captain. He totaled 92 goals, 233 points in 207 career games. That includes leading the Pats last season with 68 games, 28 goals, 49 assists and 77 points.
Because he turns 19 in November, the 5-foot-10, 183-pounder could turn pro next summer — unless he first makes the Penguins roster and plays in more than nine NHL games in the coming season.
Howe is expected to be at training camp in September.

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Mets prospect Ryan Clifford records career-high six RBIs

Mets prospect Ryan Clifford records career-high six RBIs

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Ryan Clifford’s introduction to Double-A in mid-June began with a 1-for-20 slump. But ever since the calendar flipped to July, MLB’s No. 71 prospect has been hard to keep off the bases.
That was the case in Double-A Binghamton’s 8-5 win over New Hampshire on Wednesday night at Delta Dental Stadium. The 20-year-old homered twice and drove in a career-high six runs on a 3-for-5 night. The Mets’ No. 4 prospect has nine hits in his past 10 games, including seven extra-base hits in the last seven.
After driving in his first run on a double to right field in the second inning to tie the game, Clifford stepped up to the plate in the seventh with the bases loaded off Blue Jays righty Braydon Fisher and took a mighty swing. The ball carried well into center, but the North Carolina native wasn’t sure if he got enough of it.
The ball bounced above the top of the brick wall and was eventually ruled a home run. Clifford exhaled a sigh of relief as he trotted around the bases and reunited with his teammates at home plate as he gave Binghamton a three-run lead.
“I’ve been working some counts a little better,” he said. “Getting the two strikes and being able to pick up a couple knocks here and there just to give myself a fighting chance by getting my best swing off early, but also trying to do good damage.”
Clifford belted his 12th homer of the season off righty Juan Nunez in the ninth for his sixth RBI of the night. Even though it was a career night for the left-handed hitter, that wasn’t his top priority.
“It’s something cool to look back on maybe later,” Clifford said. “I’m not necessarily worried about night, tonight, trying to get more and more RBIs. For me at the end of the day, did we come out on top? Did we get a win?
“If I’m able to contribute to that offensively, great. If not, find a way to help out on defense. At the end of the day, we’re looking to win the second half, so we’ve got to come out with some wins.”
Clifford’s turnaround has been a victory for the organization. He and Drew Gilbert, MLB’s No. 39 prospect, were part of the Mets’ Trade Deadline acquisition last year that sent Justin Verlander to the Astros.
Gilbert’s transition to his new club was smooth as he hit .325 with an OPS of .984 with six homers and 21 RBIs at Double-A. Clifford slashed .188/.307/.376 with 51 strikeouts in 117 at-bats at High-A in his organizational debut. The struggles carried into 2024 with a .216/.412/.304 line back with Brooklyn, but he was bumped up to Double-A after 31 games.
“Sometimes going through a struggle like that can help propel you forward,” Clifford said.
And it has. The 2022 11th-round pick attributes his upswing to being able to read the fastball more while focusing on each at-bat like he’s having an 0-for night.
With his performance trending upward, Clifford wants to continue making strides to ensure he is living up to the high expectations he’s felt since joining the organization.
“I feel like there’s more of a spotlight on me at all times,” he said. “That pressure can really form you into an all-around complete player. Just making sure that you take care of all aspects of the game, it’s been really fun. The support has been great, looking to keep it in that direction going forward.”

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Dodgers pitching prospect suffers another injury

Dodgers pitching prospect suffers another injury

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Multiple injuries created an opportunity for Kyle Hurt to be included on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series and he remained with the team at the start of their domestic schedule.
Hurt only appeared in two games before getting optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City at the end of March. He made two starts in the Minor Leagues and returned to the Dodgers roster in the middle of April to fill an opener role.
Hurt then was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on April 20. Seven days later the Dodgers transferred him to the 60-day IL.
Hurt was activated June 21 and resumed pitching with Oklahoma City. He had been faring very well since returning from injury, with just one run allowed in 6.1 innings.
However, Hurt likely is now heading back to the injured list after leaving his most recent relief appearance due to elbow soreness, according to Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic:
Kyle Hurt has been shut down from throwing due to elbow soreness, according to a league source.
Hurt entered in the seventh inning on the Fourth of July and struck out the first two batters faced. But he was then checked on by a trainer and taken out of the game.
The extent of Hurt’s injury is currently unknown, so there is still a chance he can be available for the Dodgers down the stretch, but there doesn’t appear to be much optimism.
The team has other bullpen options they anticipate returning this season, such as Joe Kelly, Brusdar Graterol and Ryan Brasier. But Hurt could have been a good insurance option in case something goes awry during any of their respective recoveries.
Kyle Hurt’s games with Dodgers
Hurt flashed the ability to be an interesting bullpen piece for the Dodgers in his brief time at the Major League level this season. His three appearances were all multi-inning outings, with two of them coming as a reliever. Overall, he pitched 6.2 innings with three strikeouts, a 1.35 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.
Hurt was excelling out of the bullpen despite the Dodgers publicly declaring they viewed him as a starting pitching prospect.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

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Seattle Mariners place OF on IL, recall toolsy prospect from minors

Seattle Mariners place OF on IL, recall toolsy prospect from minors

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The Seattle Mariners placed outfielder Dominic Canzone on the 10-day injured list and recalled outfielder Jonatan Clase from Triple-A Tacoma, the team announced Wednesday.
A World Series winner can be the blueprint for Seattle Mariners
Canzone was moved to the IL with a right adductor strain after undergoing an MRI on Wednesday morning. The 26 year old was replaced in right field by Victor Robles during the bottom of the fifth inning in Tuesday night’s 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres.
MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer reported the injury was suffered when Canzone made a diving catch in right field during Sunday’s matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays. This is the second stint on the IL for Canzone this season. He also missed 30 games after suffering a left AC joint sprain in mid-April.
In 54 games this season, the left-handed hitting outfielder is slashing .211/.289/.394 with five doubles, seven home runs, 14 RBIs and a 94 wRC+.
Clase is back up for his third stint with the team after making his major-league debut earlier this season. He’s the No. 10 prospect in Seattle’s organization, according to MLB Pipeline.

The speedy switch-hitter has been a quick riser in the Mariners’ farm system over the past few seasons, making the jump from Single-A Modesto in 2022 to debuting in the big leagues this season. He has posted a .274/.373/.483 slash line with 11 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 34 RBIs and 26 stolen bases in his first year at the Triple-A level. He also had 79 combined stolen bases and 20 home runs last season between his time with High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas.

In 15 games with the Mariners this season, the 22 year old is hitting .175/.200/.206 with one double, three RBIs and two stolen bases. Clase last appeared for Seattle on June before being optioned back to the Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners and the trade deadline
• Salk: Mariners have two types of hitters to target at trade deadline• Insider: Deep, young farm system gives Mariners ammo for deadline• Seattle Mariners Trade Target: A hot-hitting infielder from Reds• Which prospect is Seattle Mariners’ best trade chip? MLB insider explains• Could Seattle Mariners lure a star away from Blue Jays in trade?
Follow @ZacHereth

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Sharks Goalie Prospect Christian Kirsch Gives Candid Assessment of Mackenzie Blackwood

Sharks Goalie Prospect Christian Kirsch Gives Candid Assessment of Mackenzie Blackwood

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The San Jose Sharks got the best goalie on their board.
Christian Kirsch, selected by Mike Grier with the 116th pick of the fourth round, had a 2.32 goals-against average in 30 games with Zug U20 of the Swiss Elit league. In his five games with Switzerland at the U18 World Championships, he put up an .872 Save %.
San Jose Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse said that Kirsch was the No. 1 goalie on their list.

Also, San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy shouted out Kirsch’s prospects scrimmage performance at the end of Thursday’s development camp.

Next season, the 18-year-old will transition to North America and play for the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers before joining the University of Massachusetts for the 2025-26 season.
In his availability after the draft, Kirsch shared his feelings on being drafted, his main strengths, and a candid assessment of Sharks’ goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.
Kirsch, on his feelings after being drafted:
Yeah, I think it was a huge relief. It’s awesome. The Sharks are [an] awesome team. So, that was a great moment. Really excited.
Kirsch, on if he watched fellow Swiss player Timo Meier and the San Jose Sharks:
Not really, to be honest. I always loved the logo as well, the colors of the team, obviously Timo Meier is one of the best Swiss players played there. So I watched him quite a lot, but maybe not the main team because I don’t think they really had the best goalies until Blackwood was there. I do think he’s an awesome, so I do watch him quite a lot.
Kirsch, on Blackwood’s playstyle:
Just the way he moves, it looks so smooth. He’s so flexible, and I think he’s so good at everything. I think as soon as he has better guys in front of him, better defenders [to] help him a bit more, it’s gonna be an awesome team.
Kirsch, on his main strengths:
My skating. My skating, my feet [are] really good. It just helps me move around the crease really quick because I’m an explosive skater who can control his big body. I think a lot of big goalies, they’re more like blockers, can’t skate that well. So, that really helps as well.

Kirsch, on when he started playing goalie:
When I was seven. I loved the gear; you look like a Transformer. When you’re small, you look huge… It was really the gear that got me to the position.
Kirsch on his experience on smaller North American ice and the adjustments he will need to make:
We played a few tournaments over there. I practiced a few times with Green Bay. They had a camp there, where we played games. So, I do have experience with it, but it’s a change. Bigger ice is a bit slower. You get used to it.
It’s the angles, the speed. Everything just happens a bit faster than the bigger ice. There’s more high-quality chances, the shots come more from inside the boards. Everything’s closer.

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Wild prospect Charlie Stramel taking a ‘chip on my shoulder’ to Michigan State after trying year at Wisconsin

Wild prospect Charlie Stramel taking a ‘chip on my shoulder’ to Michigan State after trying year at Wisconsin

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Charlie Stramel said all the right things Tuesday, mostly that this is now on him and he’s going to have to determine if he’s going to make it to the next level and perhaps one day have a successful NHL career.He made no excuses about what led to his second straight sub-par season at the University of Wisconsin, not blaming early season injuries for his season-long lack of production nor Mike Hastings for playing him down near the bottom of the Badgers’ lineup.Instead, the Wild’s 2023 first-round pick tried to keep the focus on the future and his transfer to Michigan State, calling it a “no-brainer” to leave Wisconsin and attempt to prove all his naysayers wrong during a clean slate under one of his former USA Hockey coaches, Adam Nightingale, with the Spartans.“I’m pumped,” Stramel, the Rosemount, Minn., native, said. “Playing with a chip on my shoulder this season and looking forward to it. … I was always thinking, ‘If I’m ever going to leave, I’m going to go somewhere where I trust somebody and with Nightingale and Michigan State … upcoming here, it was a no-brainer to go there.’”
Charlie Stramel says it was a “no brainer” to transfer to Michigan State and that he’ll be playing with a “chip on my shoulder” this season pic.twitter.com/dO4P7LAMHq
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 9, 2024Stramel, 19, scored three goals and eight points in 35 games during his second year with Wisconsin after having five goals and 12 points in 32 games as a freshman.That lack of productivity and his usage mostly at fourth-line right wing sure didn’t quiet the critics who were already scrutinizing the Wild’s decision to skip skilled forward Gabe Perreault on their draft list and take a leap at Stramel.Stramel was drafted as a center, and at 6-foot-3 with a power game in his arsenal, the Wild were intrigued by the overall package because there’s no doubt that has long been an organizational need.Granted he’s young and it’s way, way too premature to hurl him into the pile of failed Wild first-round picks, Stramel feels the pressure to prove himself now. The Wild have supported him since drafting him. They stick up for him every chance they get.Now he must prove them correct in their faith.He knows it.So, first things first, it’s that power game that Stramel hopes to rediscover at Michigan State.“I think getting back to my identity,” he said. “Just getting back to the power forward, 200-foot center, winning draws, good at the net front. Not straying away from that. I think at times I strayed away from that at Wisconsin and it hurt me. I’ve got to stick to the player I am and the player I’m hopefully going to be at the next level.”Wild director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett believes being reunited with Nightingale after spending two years together at the U.S. National Team Development Program will do wonders.“To be back with a coach he has trust and confidence in is what he needs right now,” Brackett said. “He needs to go in feeling sure of himself, his ability and where his role and opportunity is going to be, but now it’s up to him to perform. It’s a clean slate. It’s the right fit. It’s a great opportunity. But now the rubber’s gotta meet the road. He’s got to do it.”GO DEEPERRusso and Smith: Wild keeping faith in Charlie Stramel, but Judd Brackett says, ‘We want to see progress’Stramel said he learned a lot during his trying season with the Badgers, mostly that it’s up to “you” to work your way out of adverse situations. He had to endure plenty of them last season, from the early injuries to a new coach who didn’t recruit him and seemed to want to rely on veteran players the way he used to during his successful stint as Minnesota State’s coach.Stramel says he has worked hard this offseason to be in better shape and improve his first three steps in his stride. He’ll head to Michigan State after the Wild’s development camp, which wraps up Thursday.“This is a big year,” Stramel admitted. “I think confidence helps a lot in any player. You don’t always have it. You’re always working to get more of it. I think this summer even these first two months of the summer I’ve already felt like my confidence is up a lot more. I’m trying to carry that momentum into State.”Stramel does his best to avoid reading articles or the sometimes mean banter on social media from fans already labeling him a bust. First-round pick Marco Rossi was also smart enough to distance himself from that during his rough start to his NHL career. He worked his butt off last summer, scored 21 goals in his first full NHL season and last month was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team.And, by the way, Rossi is three years older than Stramel.“It definitely helps put a chip on my shoulder. I’m coming into this season with something to prove,” Stramel said of the criticism and worry about his future. “Like I said, I didn’t have a great season this year overall. I think everybody knows that. But (the Wild) have been every step of the way — player development, management — super supportive getting me back to the player they drafted and the player I want to be at the next level.”(Photo: Jason Kempin / Getty Images)


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Travis Bazzana, The MLB Prospect Who Chose Baseball Over Cricket

Travis Bazzana, The MLB Prospect Who Chose Baseball Over Cricket

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Australia baseball player Travis Bazzana, playing for Oregon State in his final college season is in the pipeline to be the No.1 prospect in the Major League Baseball draft on July 14, years after deciding to switch from cricket.Who is Travis Bazzana?
Ranked fifth national in the batting average charts, the second baseman of Oregon State, Bazanna is being tipped to become the No.1 pick in the upcoming MLB draft, which would make him the first Australian to be selected in the first round.
Now 22, Bazzana was recently declared the MVP in the Cape Cod League, the esteemed baseball summer league, and saw his home runs jump from 11 to 28 this year. He also set an Oregon State record with 84 runs scored and 74 walks in a single season, and was a finalist in the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, given to the top amateur baseball player. He won the Pac-12 Player of the Year this year, given to the most outstanding athlete in the United States.
Bazzana’s tryst with cricket
Like many Australians, Bazzana played cricket in his school days while in the country. He turned out as a wicketkeeper-opening batter for Turramurra High School, and captained his team to their first New South Wales state championship. But, by 15, he was certain of wanting to switch to baseball. He made his debut for the Sydney Blue Sox in 2018 and was the youngest in the league that year.
Bazzana reflected on the switch towards taking up professional baseball and the challenges it posed. He told on The Book of Joe podcast: “I think a lot of my best friends were playing cricket and I was playing with them and enjoying it thoroughly, but I was always putting in the extra work for baseball. I’d be hitting baseballs before I went to go play my cricket game. But yeah, I had a great time playing cricket and did miss the sport after I fully kind of committed to baseball at sixteen.”
While talking to ESPN Australia, Bazzana expanded on his decision further: “I guess from a young age, cricket in the backyard, baseball in the field and then at 10, I started playing cricket. Like, actually in clubs and representatively. But, baseball just was more, I was more passionate about it. If there was extra time for me to put practice into something, it was baseball and I loved it and I’d say I was probably a little bit better at baseball than I was at cricket. So, it made it a little easier.”
He also credited cricket for improving his baseball skills: “I always took a lot of extra reps hitting in baseball, but playing cricket from a really young age to 16 years old, it’s just more bat-to-ball work. I think that had a true impact on what I can do now on the field.”
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds. 

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Which 2025 NFL Draft prospect Las Vegas Raiders should already be considering

Which 2025 NFL Draft prospect Las Vegas Raiders should already be considering

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The 2024 NFL season is just around the corner, and with a new regime in place, the Las Vegas Raiders will be looking to end their long drought of a postseason victory.Aside from the front office, all that matters to Las Vegas is the present, as it is time to start getting locked in for the season to come. But of course, in the NFL world, the NFL Draft is always going to be a topic hovering in the background.Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema recently revealed an offensive draft prospect every team should be considering before next year’s NFL Draft.With the uncertainty of how third-year Raiders running back Zamir White performs in his first season as a full-time starter, Sikkema believes Las Vegas should be thinking about the running back position.”2024 will be a big prove-it year for Zamir White,” Sikkema wrote. “If he can show good production and efficiency this season in a starting role, perhaps the Raiders won’t look at running back much in the 2025 NFL Draft.”In the opposite case, Omarion Hampton should be on their radar.”At 6-foot and 220 pounds, Hampton, who earned an elite 90.6 PFF rushing grade in 2023, has the build of a starting NFL back. He possesses the explosiveness and long speed for the role, too. He has truly elite leg drive for yards after contact but needs to be a bit more patient with his run lanes before lowering the shoulder.”Hampton led the ACC with 1,504 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns last season. He added 222 receiving yards and a touchdown reception as well. Hampton was named to the All-ACC First Team for his efforts.White showed at the end of last season that he is more than capable of filling the void left behind by former Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. He concluded the 2023 season with 451 rushing yards, 397 of which came in Las Vegas’ final four contests, including 145 in the Raiders’ victory over the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.If White’s 2023 showing can translate to the 2024 season, the running back position should be far from the Raiders’ top priority in the 2025 NFL Draft.Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss another breaking news story again.Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

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