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Exclusive: Detroit Lions Superstar Kerby Joseph Mentors Illini DB Juice Clarke

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Illinois defensive back Juice Clarke has an elite mentor, in one of the best safeties in the game, Kerby Joseph. The Detroit Lions free safety led the NFL in interceptions in 2024, en route to earning first team All-Pro honors. Joseph is a former Illini, and he's a close friend of current Illinois defensive back Jaheim "Juice" Clark. "He's been watching me for a couple years … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Detroit Lions Superstar Kerby Joseph Mentors Illini DB Juice Clarke

Patrick Mahomes Tops the NFL in Trade Value at Seven First-Round Picks

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ESPN's Bill Barnwell placed Patrick Mahomes at the apex of his annual trade value column on July 16, pegging the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback at seven first-round draft picks — the highest figure assigned to any player in the league. That number arrives despite a torn ACL suffered in December 2025 and Mahomes entering his age-31 season in September. The figure is not abstract … [Read more...] about Patrick Mahomes Tops the NFL in Trade Value at Seven First-Round Picks

Russell Wilson Will Thrive as TV Analyst, Says His Former Coach, Bret Bielema

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Illinois Fighting Illini hhead coach Bret Bielema has known legendary NFL quarterback Russell Wilson since way back when; long before he earned 10 Pro Bowl selections and won Super Bowl XLVIII. During a spring football media session, the 56-year-old Silvis, Illinois native recalled Wilson's getting drafted on the same day as Wisconsin's annual intra-squad scrimmage in 2012. … [Read more...] about Russell Wilson Will Thrive as TV Analyst, Says His Former Coach, Bret Bielema

Illini Edge Gabe Jacas Fills New England Patriots Biggest Need

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This week, it would have been easy to forget that the New England Patriots are in fact a football club. Right now it feels like they're actually a reality show instead. However, the Patriots, like the other 31 NFL franchises, are in fact making drft picks right now, and they selected Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas with the 55th overall pick in the draft. One of the most … [Read more...] about Illini Edge Gabe Jacas Fills New England Patriots Biggest Need

2026 NFL Mock Draft Version 14.0 Final

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Happy NFL Draft weekend everybody! This is the last, 2026 NFL mock draft that we will create and post. And as far as we know, The Sports Bank is the only independently-owned, mom and pop shop website to publish a mock draft in all four of the major North American sports. And also in the nation’s top women’s professional sport. So that’s five pieces of mock draft, organic … [Read more...] about 2026 NFL Mock Draft Version 14.0 Final

50 of the Worst NFL Draft Cliches, Buzzwords, and Word Salad

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It is NFL Draft Eve EVE! Which means by this point we have enough soundbites for every single NFL draft prospect to make large amounts of word salad. Actually, the gobbeldy-gook started flowing well before this week, due to the over-usage of NFL Draft cliches. All Draftniks do it, not just Mel Kiper or Daniel Jeremiah. Yes, I'm aware that many of these are just scouting … [Read more...] about 50 of the Worst NFL Draft Cliches, Buzzwords, and Word Salad

The Evolution of the Football Fan Experience

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Football in the United States has seen many iterations as it’s evolved and become the refined, beautiful sport that we all know and love today. Back before WW2, for example, substitutions were limited. If they hadn’t changed the rules due to player shortages, we wouldn’t have the specialization system we’ve got today that lets us see placekickers like Garo Yepremian, Don … [Read more...] about The Evolution of the Football Fan Experience

Matt Patricia’s First Season by the Numbers: A Look Back at Year One in Columbus

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Numbers don't lie. And the numbers Matt Patricia posted in his first season at Ohio State tell a story that even the most skeptical observer would have a hard time arguing with. When Patricia was hired in February 2025 to replace Jim Knowles, he inherited a defense that had just helped win a national championship. The bar was already at the ceiling. Somehow, Patricia's unit … [Read more...] about Matt Patricia’s First Season by the Numbers: A Look Back at Year One in Columbus

John Harbaugh to have long leash in New York, Says Giants legend Carl Banks

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For the first time since 2007, John Harbaugh is coaching a team other than the Baltimore Ravens. His 18 years in Baltimore produced one Super Bowl title, a 193-124 record and a NFL record for most playoff road wins (8). However, the time had come for a parting of ways and now Harbaugh finds himself with the New York Giants back in the same division where he resided prior to … [Read more...] about John Harbaugh to have long leash in New York, Says Giants legend Carl Banks