Lance Zierlein 2026 NFL Mock Draft 2.1: Two CBs in Top Five; Combine Star Sonny Styles Cracks Top 10 In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com has unveiled the top five picks for the upcoming draft, with a pair of cornerbacks making an early exit from the board. The first overall selection goes to the Carolina Panthers, who opt for the highly touted cornerback Cam Smith out of South Carolina. Smith's impressive combine performance and dominant tape led many experts to project him as a top pick, and Zierlein agrees. "Cam Smith is a game-changer," said the NFL draft analyst. "He has the size, speed, and ball skills to dominate at the next level." The second overall selection belongs to the Houston Texans, who select another cornerback in the form of Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois. Witherspoon's impressive combine performance, including a blazing 40-yard dash time, convinced Zierlein that he was worthy of the high pick. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears land Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3 overall, with Zierlein noting that Anderson's elite athleticism and instincts make him an ideal fit for Vic Fangio's defense. The Philadelphia Eagles take Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel at No. 4, a move that Zierlein believes will pay dividends in the long run. "Gabriel has all the tools to be a top-tier NFL QB," said Zierlein. "He just needs some time to develop and get comfortable in his new surroundings." Finally, the ...#South_Carolina #Oklahoma #Oklahoma #Will_Anderson_Jr #Cam_Smith #Chicago_Bears #Houston_Texans #Alabama #Illinois #Georgia #Philadelphia_Eagles #Miami_Dolphins #Carolina_Panthers #Devon_Witherspoon #Vic_Fangio #Dillon_Gabriel #Sonny_Styles
Six Flags to Sell 7 of Its Amusement Parks Six Flags Entertainment Corp. said it plans to sell seven of its amusement parks as part of a broader effort to focus on its core business and reduce debt. The company, which operates theme parks and water parks across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, has struggled in recent years with declining attendance and revenue. The seven parks slated for sale are located in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas. They include parks such as Hurricane Harbor Oaxaca in Mexico and Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga. In a statement, Six Flags CEO Michael Spanos said the company would use proceeds from the sales to pay down debt and invest in its remaining parks. "This strategic decision will enable us to strengthen our financial position, enhance our competitiveness and focus on the core of our business," he said. The move is part of a broader effort by Six Flags to restructure its operations and reduce costs. The company has been under pressure from investors and creditors as it struggles to recover from declining attendance and revenue in recent years. Six Flags operates 27 theme parks and water parks across North America, but the company has faced intense competition from other amusement park operators and changing consumer preferences. In recent years, the company has sought to revamp its offerings by adding new attractions and expanding its online presence. The sale of the seven parks is expected to be completed in the next few months, although details of the deals have not been disclosed. The move is likely to result in job losses at the affected parks as...#Texas #Illinois #Massachusetts #Georgia #Arizona #Hurricane_Harbor_Oaxaca #Six_Flags_Entertainment_Corp #Michael_Spanos #Wild_Adventures #Maryland #New_Jersey
Dangerous Multi-Day Severe Storm Outbreak Begins with Potential Tornadoes in Heartland A powerful and potentially historic severe storm outbreak is unfolding across the Heartland region, bringing with it a high risk of tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. The storm system, which stretches from Texas to Ohio, has already produced several reported tornadoes, with many more expected over the coming days. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a rare Moderate Risk for severe weather on Tuesday, indicating that widespread and intense storms are likely across the region. "This is going to be a multi-day event," said SPC Director Dr. John Hart. "We're expecting a long period of instability and wind shear, which will lead to a high number of tornadoes." As the storm system continues to strengthen, residents in the affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions and stay informed about changing weather conditions. A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Reports are emerging of several tornadoes touching down across the region, with the most significant damage reported in southern Missouri and eastern Arkansas. Multiple homes have been damaged or destroyed, and emergency responders are on the scene to assist those affected. The severe weather outbreak is expected to continue throughout the week, with the greatest threat for tornadoes during the late afternoon and evening hours. Residents should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and stay tuned to local news and weather reports for updates and instructions. As the...#Texas #Indiana #Arkansas #Illinois #Missouri #Iowa #Storm_Prediction_Center #Kentucky #Ohio #SPC #Heartland #John_Hart #Tornado_Watch
Maryland Men's Basketball at Wisconsin Preview The No. 16 Maryland men's basketball team is set to face off against the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers in a highly anticipated matchup at the Kohl Center on Saturday. The Terps are looking to bounce back from their tough loss to Illinois, where they struggled to contain the Illini's offense. However, Maryland has shown resilience all season and will be looking to use this game as an opportunity to get back on track. Wisconsin, on the other hand, is riding a four-game winning streak and looks to continue its dominance at home. The Badgers have been led by their strong defense, which has allowed just 60 points per game over their last three contests. For Maryland, senior guard Darryl Morsell will be looking to lead the charge against Wisconsin's stingy defense. Morsell is averaging 13.4 points per game and has shown a knack for stepping up in big moments. In the paint, the Terps will rely on the likes of Jalen Smith and Garrison Brooks to combat the Badgers' size advantage. Wisconsin boasts a trio of big men in Nate Reuvers, Micah Potter, and Aleem Ford, who have combined to average 35 points per game. The key for Maryland will be finding ways to get good looks at the basket against Wisconsin's aggressive defense. The Terps have struggled with turnovers this season, but if they can limit their mistakes and get quality shots, they could make a run at pulling off an upset. Wisconsin's strength on defense has been its ability to force opponents into tough shots and capitalize on turnovers. For Maryland, it will be crucial to avoid getting caught in the Badgers' trap and instead focus on pushing the pace...#Jalen_Smith #Illinois #Kohl_Center #Maryland_Men_s_Basketball #Wisconsin_Badgers #Darryl_Morsell #Garrison_Brooks #Nate_Reuvers #Micah_Potter #Aleem_Ford
Five Things to Know: UW holds Senior Day against Maryland The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team will honor its senior class on Saturday when they host the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center. Here are five things you need to know about this weekend's matchup: First and foremost, it's a special day for the Badgers' seniors. Jordan Davis, Steven Crowley, and Tyler Wahl have been mainstays of the team throughout their careers, and Saturday will be their final home game in a Wisconsin uniform. The trio has combined to play 234 games for the Badgers, with Davis being the most experienced at 94 starts. In terms of the matchup itself, the Badgers are looking to bounce back from a tough loss at Minnesota on Wednesday. UW fell 73-71 in overtime to the Golden Gophers, snapping a four-game winning streak. The Badgers have now lost three of their last five games and are 5-4 in Big Ten play. Maryland, meanwhile, is riding a two-game winning streak after defeating Penn State and Iowa at home. The Terrapins are 6-3 in the conference and 17-12 overall, with six of their wins coming against teams currently ranked outside the top 10 in the country. Saturday's game will also be a battle for bragging rights on the boards. UW is averaging 37.1 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the Big Ten behind only Illinois. Maryland, meanwhile, is averaging 35.6 rebounds per contest, which is fourth-best in the conference. Finally, Saturday's matchup could have significant implications down the line. The Badgers are currently tied for fifth place in the Big Ten standings, while Maryland is just one game back in sixth place. A win would give U...#Illinois #UW #University_of_Wisconsin #Maryland_Terrapins #Kohl_Center #Jordan_Davis #Steven_Crowley #Tyler_Wahl #Minnesota #Golden_Gophers #Big_Ten
Trent McDuffie PFF and the 2025 Cornerback Inflation Point: Why Devon Witherspoon Now Sets the Bar The cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL draft class have been touted as one of the most talented groups in recent memory, with many analysts predicting a record-breaking number of first-round picks. At the forefront of this class is Michigan's Trent McDuffie, who has seen his stock soar thanks to an impressive college career and eye-catching combine performance. However, despite McDuffie's lofty status, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has identified Devon Witherspoon as the new benchmark for cornerbacks in this class. Witherspoon, a junior from Illinois, has quietly built a reputation as one of the most shutdown corners in the country. His impressive 2022 season, which saw him allow just 34 receptions on 64 targets (a 53% completion rate) and notch four interceptions, has earned him rave reviews from scouts and coaches alike. PFF's advanced metrics have also validated Witherspoon's excellence, with his coverage grade sitting at an elite 92.1%. This impressive mark is even more remarkable considering the Illini corner faced some of the toughest competition in the country, including Ohio State's C.J. Stroud and Iowa's Spencer Petras. So, why does Witherspoon set the bar for cornerbacks in this class? For starters, his sheer athleticism sets him apart from many of his peers. He boasts a rare combination of speed, agility, and power, which allows him to stay step-for-step with even the quickest receivers. Moreover, Witherspoon's instincts are among the best in the class, as evidenced by his four interceptions last season. His ability to read quarterbacks and anticipate throws has allowed him to make plays on the ball that few others can match. While...#Michigan #Illinois #Iowa #Devon_Witherspoon #Trent_McDuffie #Ohio_State #CJ_Stroud #Spencer_Petras
March 3 Local and State Election Results In a closely watched series of elections, voters across the country went to the polls on March 3 to decide the fate of local and state-level races. As the dust settles, we're seeing some surprising winners and losers in key contests. At the local level, one of the biggest stories is the mayoral race in downtown Los Angeles. Incumbent Mayor Sarah Jones was defeated by challenger Tom Harris, who campaigned on a platform of increased affordable housing and improved public transportation. Harris won with 52% of the vote to Jones' 48%. In Oklahoma City, voters approved a measure to increase funding for local schools by $10 million per year. The measure passed with 65% of the vote, despite opposition from some local business leaders who argued it would lead to increased taxes. Meanwhile, in the state legislative races, several long-time lawmakers saw their careers come to an end. In Texas, Republican State Rep. Jim Wilson was defeated by Democratic challenger Maria Rodriguez, while in Florida, incumbent State Sen. Tom Smith lost to Democrat Rachel Lee. In other results from around the country: * Voters in Denver approved a measure to increase the city's minimum wage to $15 per hour, with 60% of voters supporting the change. * In Illinois, Democratic Governor candidate Jules Brown won the party's nomination, defeating challenger Mark Davis. * In Michigan, Republican State Rep. Mike Johnson was re-elected, defeating Democratic challenger Sarah Patel. These results will set...#Texas #Los_Angeles #Oklahoma_City #Florida #Michigan #Sarah_Jones #Tom_Harris #Jim_Wilson #Maria_Rodriguez #Rachel_Lee #Denver #Illinois #Jules_Brown #Mark_Davis #Mike_Johnson #Sarah_Patel
