Columbus
The Newport Plain Talk
DJ Pickett, 5-star DB in Class of 2025, commits to LSU
DJ Pickett, a top-10 prospect in the Class of 2025, committed to LSU on Wednesday evening. The five-star athlete is ranked as the No. 6 overall player and No. 2 cornerback in the country, according to the 247Sports composite. Pickett also plays on offense at Zephyrhills High School in the Tampa area. LSU won out for Pickett over finalists Miami and Oregon. In announcing his commitment to On3, Pickett said LSU secondary coach Corey Raymond was a major reason for choosing the Tigers. "If you're a DB, and Coach Raymond's at LSU, I feel like that's the right place to be at," Pickett said. "That tells you everything right there." LSU entered the day already ranked No. 6 in the 2025 recruiting cycle by 247Sports. Pickett is the second five-star to commit to Brian Kelly, joining top quarterback and top overall prospect Bryce Underwood. --Field Level Media
As Steve Sarkisian guides Texas into SEC, ‘the key word is respect’
Steve Sarkisian has experienced Southeastern Conference football before, but the magnitude of his current school's move to the conference hit him before he arrived at media days Wednesday in Dallas. "So we flew in this morning, we landed, and we get off the plane, we get in the Sprinter van and we got a police escort to media days," Sarkisian told reporters before cheekily quoting the SEC's official motto. "‘It just means more?' It just means more right there. The fact that we had a Sprinter van with a police escort to come to this was tremendous." As the nation's...
Texas QB Quinn Ewers on NFL wait: 'Want to be remembered'
Quinn Ewers considered entering the 2024 NFL Draft before returning to the Longhorns and a crowded quarterback room at Texas based on a self-assessment that kicked back a decisive verdict. He wasn't ready. "I think one of the main things for me was getting more experience under my belt," Ewers said Wednesday in Dallas at SEC Media Days. "There is a line of demarcation for guys who really have success in the league and, obviously, there are some guys that have rare accounts of it not being this way, but there is a line, kind of 25. Twenty-five (college) starts...
Former Gonzaga G Luka Krajnovic to play in native Croatia
After one seasons at Gonzaga, Luka Krajnovic will return to his native Croatia to continue his basketball career. Krajnovic announced on his Instagram account that he will play next season for KK Cedevita's junior club team in his hometown of Zagreb. The 6-foot-5, 185-pound guard averaged 3.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 8.7 minutes in 15 games as a true freshman for the Bulldogs in 2023-24. He shot 46.7 percent from the floor, including 33.3 percent (3 of 9) from 3-point range. Krajnovic missed nine games early in the season because of a broken hand injured and was sidelined for the Sweet 16 game against Purdue because of illness. He was a reserve behind starting guards Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman, as well as freshman wing Dusty Stromer. Krajnovic and 6-9 freshmen forward Pavle Stosic of Serbia were the only Bulldogs on scholarship from last season's team to enter the transfer portal, with Stosic committing to Utah State. --Field Level Media
NCAA Basketball: Portland at Gonzaga
Feb 7, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Luka Krajnovic (3) celebrates a three-pointer against the Portland Pilots in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga Bulldogs won 96-64. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Chiefs arrive to camp early for extra work with Patrick Mahomes
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and several rookies reported to training camp as Kansas City sets the course for a bid at history. Mahomes and the Chiefs are chasing a Super Bowl three-peat and clocked in for the 2024 season well before the official start of Kansas City's training camp at Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Mo. Mahomes and the other quarterbacks on the roster know the benefit of getting extra reps with rookies and newcomers, including wide receivers like first-round pick Xavier Worthy and free-agent addition Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Worthy could be cast for a bigger role with second-year receiver...
Browns QB Deshaun Watson back to throwing daily
After playing just six games last season and not taking the field after Week 10, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson said Wednesday that he has resumed a daily throwing program in advance of training camp. Watson added that his throwing sessions have included passes to wide receiver Amari Cooper, who did not participate in mandatory minicamp in June amid a contract dispute. "For me to even be back throwing the football is my top point that I've been locked in with," said Watson, who participated in the minicamp. Watson did not say if he has been cleared as a full...
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe unlocking next level in new scheme
DALLAS -- Jalen Milroe was down to three suits and still a little worried about whether he selected the right fit for SEC Media Days on Wednesday. A relatively tiny decision made Wednesday morning stands out as a big example of how things have changed in one year for the Alabama starting quarterback. "It came down to the shoes. You got to start with the shoes when you start your outfit off so I got the black Pradas on and then you build up from there," Milroe said of his selection of attire at the Omni Hotel on the third...
Texans sign former Lions WR Quintez Cephus
The Houston Texans have signed free agent wide receiver Quintez Cephus, according to his agents. SportsTrust Advisors announced the deal on Tuesday but did not disclose any contract terms. Cephus, 26, missed the entire 2023 season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy. He was reinstated by the league in April and signed with the Buffalo Bills, who released him on May 16. Cephus was a fifth-round pick by Detroit in 2020 and caught 37 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games (six starts) from 2020-22. The Lions released him after his suspension. --Field Level Media
Kalen DeBoer embraces elevated expectations at Alabama
Nick Saban coached at Alabama for 17 seasons. Successor Kalen DeBoer has had the job for about six months, but knows there is no honeymoon period for a program with perennial national championship aspirations. "This program is special, and I take it as a great honor to be the one that gets to do everything we can to carry on the great tradition," DeBoer said Wednesday at SEC media days in Dallas. "... It's been just an awesome blessing to be a part of this program, to continue to have that expectation on us. The alternative is to be at...
Reports: G Quinn Meinerz lands 4-year extension with Broncos
The Denver Broncos are signing guard Quinn Meinerz to a four-year, $80 million extension, ESPN and NFL Network reported Tuesday night. Meinerz will be with Denver through the 2028 season, and the deal includes $45 million guaranteed, per ESPN. In three seasons with the Broncos, the 25-year-old Meinerz has played in 45 games, making 39 starts. He was a third-round pick (98th overall) by Denver in the 2021 draft. Training camp starts on July 26 for Denver. --Field Level Media
NFL: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos
Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine (25) scores a touchdown against Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) after being pushed into the end zone by guard Quinn Meinerz (77) in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Local leaders react to Trump assassination attempt
The attempted assassination Saturday, July 13, of former President Donald Trump left many people in shock. Here are what some local, state and national leaders had to say about the incident: Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis: “After the despicable events of today, we are more determined than ever to support Donald J. Trump for President. We are on our way to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to serve as a delegate to officially cast Tennessee’s vote for OUR President. It is an honor...
The Newport Plain Talk
19K+
Posts
13M+
Views
The Newport Plain Talk serves Cocke County and surrounding areas of East Tennessee.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.