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Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum, two of the leaders of a team that went 15-0 and won the school’s first national championship in 26 years, announced Sunday on social media that they are entering the NFL draft.

McCarthy, a junior from La Grange Park, Illinois, passed for 2,991 yards with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2023. He completed 72.3% of his pass attempts.

“After three incredible years at the University of Michigan, I have decided to enter the 2024 NFL draft,” McCarthy wrote in a statement shared on social media. “I have talked to many in and out of football, including my family, Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, and many whose opinions I greatly admire and respect. The decision was not easy and how could it be — I love my teammates. I love my coaches and I love it here in Ann Arbor.”

NFL scouts have mixed opinions of McCarthy because he played in a run-heavy offense at Michigan. Some scouts are intrigued by his athleticism, decision-making and accuracy, while others have questioned his arm strength.

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks McCarthy (6-foot-3, 202 pounds) as the No. 5 quarterback available in the draft. ESPN’s Jordan Reid projected McCarthy to be selected with the No. 12 pick of the first round in his latest mock draft.

Corum, a senior from Marshall, Virginia, is ranked as the No. 4 draft-eligible running back by Kiper; ESPN’s Field Yates ranked him as the No. 5 tailback.

“Michigan, thank you for the 2-4 season, and thank you for the undefeated season,” Corum said in a video shared on social media. “Ever since I’ve been here, you all have been by our side repping the maize and blue. Every Saturday, the Big House was packed. And if we played away, just know, y’all rode deep. Thank you for being the best fans ever.

“My four years here have come to an end, but I’m forever grateful for the memories we created. When I got hurt last year, I came back and promised y’all I would bring a national championship home. That’s what Team 144 did.”

This past season, Corum ran for 1,245 yards on 258 carries with 27 touchdowns (most among FBS players).

The 5-8, 213-pound senior came up big in Michigan’s two games in the College Football Playoff. He ran for 83 yards and scored the winning touchdown on a 17-yard run in overtime in the Wolverines’ 27-20 victory over Alabama in the semifinals.

Corum ran for 134 yards and scored twice in Michigan’s 34-13 win against Washington in the title game.

“Thank you to my family, coaches and everyone who showed support throughout my journey,” Corum said. “I have always said: football is my passion, but giving back is my purpose. Michigan, please don’t remember me for scoring 59 touchdowns and breaking long runs, but remember me as a great Michigan man who made a difference on and off the field.

“Even though I’m leaving, I won’t be gone for long. I left you with memories you’ll remember forever. Michigan will forever be home. This time last year, we had unfinished business and now I can say: business is finished and I’m finished as well. Thank you for everything. I love y’all.”

Corum and McCarthy are the latest Michigan players to announce their intentions to enter the NFL draft. Defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, guard Zak Zinter and linebacker Junior Colson also entered the draft in recent days ahead of Monday’s deadline for underclassmen to declare.

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Canes’ Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

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Canes' Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract for next season, worth $2.75 million for the 35-year-old veteran.

General manager Eric Tulsky announced the deal Saturday, a little over 48 hours before his team starts the second round of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals.

Andersen could earn up to $750,000 in incentives for games played and his participation in a potential run to the Eastern Conference finals next season. He would get $250,000 for playing 35 or more games, another $250,000 for getting to 40 and $250,000 if the Hurricanes reach the East finals and he plays in at least half of the playoff games.

“Frederik has played extremely well for us and ranks in the top 10 all-time for winning percentage by an NHL goalie,” Tulsky said. “We’re excited that he will be staying with the team for next season.”

Andersen and the Hurricanes, the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, advanced past the New Jersey Devils in Round 1 last week. They will meet the Capitals, who won the division crown, for the right to make the NHL’s final four.

Extending Andersen could give the team a goaltending tandem with Pyotr Kochetkov for less than $6 million combined.

Anderson, a Denmark native who previously played for the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, has become coach Rod Brind’Amour’s most trusted option in net. He is expected to return to the starting role for Game 1 of the Capitals series after getting injured in the first round against New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop on Saturday.

Trainer Bill Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay.

This time, he knew right away.

Sovereignty won by 1½ lengths and snapped an 0-for-13 Derby skid for owner Godolphin, the racing stable of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It was quite a weekend for the sheikh. His filly, Good Cheer, won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court won the 2,000 Guineas in Britain.

Sovereignty covered 1¼ miles in 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 to win at 7-1 odds.

Journalism found trouble in the first turn and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the outside. He and Sovereignty hooked up at the eighth pole before Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away.

Baeza was third, Final Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty finished fifth.

Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and horse racing fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

FORT WORTH, Texas — Connor Zilisch, the 18-year-old driver already with two NASCAR Xfinity Series race wins, will miss Saturday’s race at Texas because of lower back injuries sustained in a last-lap wreck at Talladega.

Trackhouse Racing said Wednesday that its development driver will return as soon as possible to the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. The team didn’t provide any additional details about Zilisch’s injuries.

Cup Series regular Kyle Larson will drive the No. 88 in Texas. After that, the Xfinity Series has a two-week break before racing again May 24 at Charlotte.

Zilisch, sixth in points through the first 11 races, was driving for the win at Talladega Superspeedway when contact on the backstretch sent his car spinning, and head-on into inside wall.

Zilisch won in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen last Sept. 14. He added another win this year at Austin, the same weekend that he made his Cup Series debut. He has six top-10 finishes in his 15 Xfinity races.

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