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UF draft tracker: LB Ventrell Miller heads to Jacksonville Jaguars

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller is staying close to home after the Lakeland native spent the past six years in Gainesville with the Gators.The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Miller No. 121 overall during the NFL draft’s fourth round, allowing the 24-year-old to play before a fan base well familiar with his hard-hitting style, physical toughness and production at UF.“It feels good … being in my backyard,” he said. “It ain’t bad, definitely excited.”Miller also was relieved.December surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot kept him out of the Senior Bowl, the NFL Scouting Combine and Florida’s Pro Day.Because he was unable to go through the draft process, Miller did not expect to hear his name called so early. Some pundits predicted he would be an undrafted free agent.“I was surprised a little bit, knowing I didn’t do anything,” he said. “When they called me, they told me they skipped up some picks to get ...

Dolphins signing several undrafted free agents, including local QB James Blackman

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier was not joking when he said he was immediately bolting upon conclusion of his draft wrap-up press conference to get to work on undrafted free agent additions Saturday night.After the Dolphins’ four-pick draft haul between Friday and Saturday, the work immediately began within minutes of Mr. Irrelevant being announced as the final pick of the draft.Miami picked up Arkansas State quarterback James Blackman, a former Glades Central High standout and Florida State Seminole, Jackson State linebacker Aubrey Miller, San Diego State offensive lineman Alame Uluave, USC defensive lineman Brandon Pili, Michigan State offensive tackle Jarrett Horst and Oregon safety Bennett Williams, according to various reports.“There’s still work to be done,” Grier said after the Dolphins completed their draft. “We’ll be trying to add the best players we can, and hopefully, we’ll find a couple undrafted gems or hidden gems fo...

Chicago Cubs minor-league report: Caleb Kilian makes his MLB season debut and Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to wow

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

Caleb Kilian’s first taste of the big leagues didn’t play out as the right-hander hoped.Kilian allowed 13 earned runs in 11⅓ innings over three starts for the Chicago Cubs in June. A left knee issue bothered him the rest of the season at Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a 5.37 ERA in his final 16 starts. Healthy entering big-league camp this spring, Kilian showed the type of stuff that made him the Cubs’ top pitching prospect last season.Kilian, 25, got another major-league chance Saturday when the Cubs recalled him to start against the Miami Marlins. He gave up five runs in a 40-pitch first inning and exited with seven runs allowed on 10 hits in 3⅓ innings with four strikeouts and two walks in a 7-6 Cubs loss.“He’s always been a confident guy,” vice president of player development Jared Banner said Friday. “His delivery is in a really good place and stuff’s in a really good place, and that’s a good combination.”I...

Fast facts: Learn more about Dolphins TE Elijah Higgins and OT Ryan Hayes, Miami’s sixth- and seventh-round draft picks

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

The Miami Dolphins selected Stanford wide receiver/tight end Elijah Higgins on Saturday with their sixth-round draft pick and Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Hayes with their seventh-round pick. Here’s what you need to know about Higgins, who was born in Florida and has extended family in the Tampa area, and Hayes:ELIJAH HIGGINSPos./round: Receiver, tight end/Sixth (No. 197)School: StanfordYear: SeniorHt.: 6-3 Wt.: 235Hometown: Austin, Tx.Comment: Higgins is a guy who has position versatility between slot wide receiver and tight end, and in that way he could stir the creative juices of coach/offensive play-caller Mike McDaniel. …Higgins totaled 59 receptions for 704 yards and two touchdowns last season. …Higgins is a good route-runner and has good hands and toughness. …Higgins doesn’t have outstanding speed and doesn’t show a knack to separate from defenders as a wide receiver, which might be one reason he’s being shifted to tight end in the ...

Cincinnati Bengals grab Miami Hurricanes cornerback DJ Ivey in seventh round

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

After four years as a key Hurricanes cornerback, DJ Ivey is going pro.Ivey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round on Saturday following a successful five-year career at Miami.“It’s been a long five years,” Ivey said at Miami’s Pro Day in March. “Just been a grind, honestly. Different coaches coming through, different people, different players you meet. It’s all about how you’re going to stay the course, stay focused and just grind it out, for the most part.”Ivey is a Miami native, signing with the Hurricanes out of South Dade High in Homestead. Ivey was a four-star prospect and quickly got on the field at UM.In his five seasons at Miami, Ivey played in 58 games, starting 32. He had 127 tackles, four tackles for loss, 17 pass deflections and six interceptions. In 2022, he had a career-high 38 tackles and a career-best seven pass deflections. He also had two interceptions.Pro Football Focus gave Ivey some of the best ...

NFL draft tracker: Ravens add Stanford CB Kyu Blu Kelly, Ole Miss edge Tavius Robinson, trade up for USC G Andrew Vorhees on Day 3

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

The Ravens entered the final day of the NFL draft on Saturday with three picks — Nos. 124 (fourth round), 157 (fifth round) and 199 (sixth round) — but they came away with four. Here’s a look at whom they’ve taken.No. 229: Southern California G Andrew VorheesJust when it looked like the Ravens’ day was over, they traded their 2024 sixth-round pick to the Browns for Cleveland’s seventh-round selection.With the pick, No. 229 overall, the Ravens again targeted the offensive line, selecting Southern California guard Andrew Vorhees. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Vorhees, who tore his ACL during the NFL scouting combine last month, isn’t expected to play this season but could be in line to compete for a starting job the following year.“We are getting a tough and physical competitor who is polished and experience,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said, adding that he expected Vorhees will be ready for the 2024 season. “This is a mov...

Rangers’ Jacob deGrom heads to IL with right elbow inflammation

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

ARLINGTON – Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom went on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow inflammation after leaving in the fourth inning of his start against the Yankees Friday, his team announced.Rangers manager Bruce Bochy had attributed deGrom’s early exit to forearm tightness after Friday’s 5-2 win at Globe Life Field.The 34-year-old deGrom — who left the Mets for a five-year, $185 million contract with Texas in the offseason — also departed his April 17 outing against the Kansas City Royals with right wrist soreness after four no-hit innings. He didn’t miss his next turn on April 23, throwing 80 pitches over six innings against Oakland.Injuries continue to hamper deGrom, who was limited to 26 total starts over his final two seasons with the Mets. He pitched nine seasons with the team, winning back-to-back National League Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019.The right-hander got off to a strong start Friday against the Yankees, retirin...

Dismembered human remains found in Kankakee County; 1 charged with murder

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

BRADLEY, Ill. — Dismembered human remains found Wednesday in a salvage yard in Kankakee County have been identified as a Manteno man reported missing in March, according to Bradley police.In a news release, the Bradley Police Department said the remains of Randall Robinson, 49, were found Wednesday and identified on Thursday morning. Joliet police officer stabbed during welfare check call Detectives arrested Anthony Gulley, 37, of Kankakee, in connection Robinson's death and has been charged with murder, conceal homicidal death, dismembering a human body, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon / no FOID card, possession of METH and possession of a controlled substance, according to jail information.He is being held without bond.

'I just want justice for my brother:' Family speaks out after funeral of man shot and killed by police in West Garfield Park

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

CHICAGO — Family and friends accompanied a horse-drawn carriage procession for the funeral of Reginald Clay Jr. Saturday afternoon."Ever since April 15," said Tara Henderson, Clay Jr.'s mother. "My world has been shattered."According to the Chicago Police Department, officers were patrolling the area around the 3800 block of West Flournoy Street on April 15 that morning as a part of a de-escalation mission after a gang member was killed in the same neighborhood a week prior.Police said they spotted several people near a vehicle while on patrol, one of whom leaned into the vehicle and ran away when police approached him. It was at this point police said the man turned toward officers with a gun, and that's when they opened fire.The man, who family later identified as Clay Jr., was taken to an area hospital where he later died. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CPD: One shot and killed by officer on West Side Clay Jr.'s family said he was gathered with others the morning of the shooting as they pr...

CFD: Two injured, one critically, after balcony collapse in Grand Boulevard

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:58:21 GMT

CHICAGO — According to the Chicago Fire Department, two people were injured in a balcony collapse in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood early Saturday afternoon.Firefighters said a stone awning fell from a two-story building in the 4400 block of South Vincennes Avenue around 12:30 p.m. and two victims were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center."I thought I had broke my arm because I was in pain," said Dexter Patterson, one of the two victims injured during the balcony collapse. "I mean, it just came down all at once and man I thank God I'm still here."According to firefighters, the other victim is in critical condition. Parent arrested after brawl at Bulls College Prep, 3 hospitalized No other information is available at this time.