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9 months ago

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  • Max Olson, ESPN Staff WriterDec 21, 2024, 02:44 PM ET

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    • Covers the Big 12
    • Joined ESPN in 2012
    • Graduate of the University of Nebraska

Florida State transfer defensive end Patrick Payton has committed to LSU, sources told ESPN on Saturday, adding to a star-studded transfer portal recruiting class for the Tigers.

Payton is the No. 1 defensive end and No. 12 overall player in ESPN’s transfer rankings. He has one more season of eligibility.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pound pass rusher was viewed as a potential early-round draft pick if he put together a strong junior season, but he is now looking to stay in school for one more year. The 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year recorded 80 pressures, 31.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and 13 pass breakups over the past three seasons for the Seminoles.

LSU has now signed four of the top 12 players in ESPN’s transfer rankings, with Payton joining former Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown (No. 7), Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane (No. 9) and Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson (No. 11).

The Tigers also picked up a commitment from former Virginia Tech offensive lineman Braelin Moore on Saturday. Moore was a two-year starter for the Hokies at center and left guard and became the 13th transfer to commit to LSU this month.

With LSU starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier set to return next season, the Tigers are loading up with transfer talent in hopes of contending for the College Football Playoff in 2025.

Coach Brian Kelly and his staff have brought in several more potential starters in tight end Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma), edge rushers Jack Pyburn (Florida) and Jimari Butler (Nebraska), defensive tackle Sydir Mitchell (Texas), cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson (Florida), and punter Grant Chadwick (Middle Tennessee).

The Tigers got off to a 6-1 start this season, climbing as high as No. 8 in the AP Top 25, before losing three games in a row and finishing 8-4. They will face Baylor in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl on Dec. 31 (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

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A&M’s Howell sacks Utah St. QB 3 times in a row

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2 hours ago

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September 6, 2025

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A&M's Howell sacks Utah St. QB 3 times in a row

  • Associated Press

Sep 6, 2025, 02:48 PM ET

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M‘s Cashius Howell sacked Utah State quarterback Bryson Barnes on three consecutive plays in the second quarter Saturday.

Utah State had the ball on its 25 early in the second quarter when the defensive end muscled past left tackle Jake Eichorn and dropped Barnes for a loss of 6 yards for 19th-ranked Texas A&M. On the next play, Howell got past Eichorn again to take Barnes down for a loss of 7 yards.

Bullying past Eichorn one more time, Howell sacked Barnes for a loss of 8 yards to bring up fourth-and-31 and single-handedly force a punt.

Howell, a fifth-year senior, entered the game with 15½ career sacks and had just four last season. His career best came in 2023 when he had 9½ for Bowling Green.

It’s the first time a player has had sacks on three straight plays since Jack Cichy did it for Wisconsin against USC in the 2015 Holiday Bowl, according to research by the Texas A&M communications staff.

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FSU players honor Pritchard with dad on hand

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2 hours ago

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September 6, 2025

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FSU players honor Pritchard with dad on hand

  • Andrea AdelsonSep 6, 2025, 01:51 PM ET

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    • ACC reporter.
    • Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
    • Graduate of the University of Florida.

The father of Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard was on the sideline Saturday for the Seminoles’ game against East Texas A&M.

Earl Pritchard and another family member were on the sideline wearing his son’s No. 35 jersey. Ethan Pritchard remains hospitalized in Tallahassee after surviving a gunshot wound to the head last weekend.

Florida State safety Earl Little Jr. brought out a No. 35 jersey to midfield for the coin toss, and Florida State players wore No. 35 wristbands to honor their teammate.

Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. wore a T-shirt with Pritchard’s face on it during pregame warmups.

According to Earl Pritchard, Ethan Pritchard was driving his aunt home when he was shot in the back of the head in Havana, Florida, 16 miles from Tallahassee, on Sunday night.

The Seminoles routed East Texas A&M 77-3 on Saturday, after which coach Mike Norvell presented Earl Pritchard with the game ball, and asked him to break the rock – a tradition generally given to the player of the game after each Seminoles victory.

Norvell grew emotional as he discussed Pritchard during his postgame media availability.

“The way that he plays the game … he loves it, he absolutely loves it. To know that right now that’s taken away from him in a senseless act, you don’t always know why you have to go through things in life but I do believe God has his hand over Ethan and this football team,” Norvell said.

“To have Earl here today – He’s a wonderful man, and being with him I know it’s so very hard. I know it’s hard for anybody to have to go through, but he told me early in this week, ‘I know where my boy wants to be so I’m going to go stand in his place for him.'”

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Sources: Clemson without WR Williams vs. Troy

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5 hours ago

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September 6, 2025

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Sources: Clemson without WR Williams vs. Troy

  • ESPN News Services

Sep 6, 2025, 08:55 AM ET

Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams is not expected to play against Troy on Saturday as he recovers from a hamstring injury, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Williams has been considered day-to-day since leaving the season-opening loss to LSU in the first quarter with the injury.

A second-team Associated Press preseason All-American, Williams caught 75 passes for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and is considered quarterback Cade Klubnik‘s best option in the passing game.

Coach Dabo Swinney said this week that he doesn’t believe Williams’ injury is severe but noted there is “always a concern” that a hamstring injury could linger.

“Any time you have any type of soft tissue-type injuries and things like that, especially [with a] skilled player, you’re always concerned,” Swinney said. “Antonio will do what he needs to do to get himself back.”

Swinney said Tyler Brown would start if Williams was out. Brown, who missed most of last season with an injury, had four catches for 43 yards against LSU.

“I know Tyler played well,” Swinney said. “Should have had two touchdowns, and one was a walk-in. But he made some plays for us and good to see him play with a little confidence.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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