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
Severe Storms Hit Later Today, Hail and Tornado Risk A potent storm system is expected to bring severe weather to Oklahoma and the surrounding areas later today. The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for most of the state, with hail and tornado risk elevated as the day wears on. According to forecasters, a complex low-pressure system will move into the region this afternoon, bringing with it a chance of severe thunderstorms. These storms could produce large hailstones, damaging winds, and even isolated tornadoes. The highest risk for severe weather is expected between 3pm and 9pm this evening, with the greatest threat for hail and wind damage occurring during this time frame. While tornadoes are possible, they will be less frequent than hail-producing storms. Residents are advised to monitor local news and weather reports closely for updates on the storm's progress and any watches or warnings issued by authorities. If you're in an area affected by severe weather, make sure to have a plan in place in case of power outages or other emergencies. In preparation for the severe weather, consider taking steps such as securing outdoor furniture and decorations, trimming tree branches, and having flashlights and batteries on hand. It's also a good idea to charge your cell phone and keep important documents and valuables in a safe place. As the storms move into the area, be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions. If you're driving when severe weather hits, pull over to a safe location immediately and avoid making any sudden movements that could cause an accident. Stay tuned to local news and weather reports for updates on the storm's progress and any watches or warnings issued by authorities.#Oklahoma #Oklahoma #National_Weather_Service #Severe_Thunderstorm_Watch
Severe Weather Outbreak Ahead In The Plains A potent storm system is expected to produce a severe weather outbreak across the central and southern Plains, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. The setup for this event is coming together quickly, with a strong low-pressure system developing in the Rockies and moving eastward into the region. As the low pressure system interacts with an unstable air mass and a strong jet stream aloft, a significant severe weather event appears likely. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has already issued a moderate-risk outlook for Thursday across the region, indicating a 30% chance of tornadoes, 20% chance of damaging winds greater than 60 mph, and 10% chance of hail larger than 1 inch. The primary area of concern is the Texas/Oklahoma/Kansas triangle, where a strong line of thunderstorms may develop and become tornadic. The SPC has highlighted this region for its potential to experience significant severe weather activity, including long-lived tornadoes. In addition to the threat of tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are also expected to be a concern. The combination of strong winds aloft and an unstable atmosphere will lead to a high risk of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hailstones. As the system moves eastward into the Midwest, the same setup is expected to produce another round of severe weather on Thursday night and Friday morning. This could include a significant threat of tornadoes, damaging winds, and heavy rain in parts of Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Residents across these regions should be prepared for the possibility of severe weather and take necessary precautions to ensu...#Texas #Kansas #Oklahoma #Kansas #Oklahoma #Arkansas #Missouri #Storm_Prediction_Center #Rockies #SPC
Severe Weather Forecast to Blanket Wide Swath of the U.S. A powerful storm system is expected to bring days of severe weather to a wide swath of the United States, with tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail forecast for parts of the Midwest, South and East Coast. The National Weather Service has issued a variety of watches and warnings as the storm begins to take shape, with the most significant impacts expected on Thursday and Friday. The worst of the weather is likely to hit areas stretching from Texas to Florida, and then up the East Coast to Virginia, Washington D.C. and New York City. In addition to tornadoes, forecasters are warning of sustained winds of 40-50 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph, which could cause significant damage to trees, power lines and buildings. The storm's impact will not be limited to the East Coast, however. The Midwest is also expected to see severe weather, with a line of thunderstorms expected to produce large hail and damaging winds as far north as Chicago. In addition, parts of Oklahoma and Kansas are under a moderate risk for tornadoes on Thursday afternoon. The storm's origins can be traced back to the Gulf of Mexico, where a low-pressure system is strengthening rapidly. As it moves northward, it will tap into warm air from the Gulf and clash with cooler air from Canada, creating the perfect conditions for severe weather. Residents in affected areas are urged to stay informed about the latest forecast updates through their local news stations and the National Weather Service's website. If you're plann...#Texas #Canada #Florida #Chicago #Kansas #Oklahoma #Kansas #Oklahoma #New_York_City #National_Weather_Service #Washington_DC #Gulf_of_Mexico #Virginia #Federal_Emergency_Management_Agency_FEMA
Severe Weather, Including Tornado Threat, Increases In Plains From Texas To Midwest Wednesday Into The Weekend A powerful storm system is expected to bring severe weather and a threat of tornadoes to the Southern Plains from Wednesday through the weekend. The system will develop over the Gulf Coast before moving northward, bringing with it strong winds, large hail, and potentially damaging tornadoes. According to forecast models, the greatest risk for severe weather lies in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa. These areas can expect a combination of thunderstorms and supercells capable of producing long-lived tornadoes. The storm system is expected to intensify as it moves northward, leading to an increased threat of severe weather across the Midwest by Thursday night into Friday morning. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Moderate Risk for severe weather on Friday, with the highest risk areas including parts of Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. In addition to the tornado threat, the storm system will also bring heavy rain and flash flooding to some areas. This is particularly concerning in drought-stricken regions where dry soils are unable to absorb large amounts of water quickly. Residents in the affected areas should prepare for severe weather by staying informed through local news and weather reports, as well as signing up for emergency alerts from their local government. It's also a good idea to have a plan in place in case of an emergency, including having a safe place to go and knowing how to stay connected with family members. As the storm system continues to develop and move across the country, residents can expect updates and warnings from weather officials and emergency ...#Texas #Kansas #Oklahoma #Kansas #Oklahoma #Missouri #Nebraska #Iowa #Gulf_Coast #Midwest
2026 Big 12 Women's Basketball Awards: Winners and all-conference team The Big 12 Conference announced its 2026 women's basketball awards, recognizing the top players in the league. Baylor's NaLyssa Smith was named the Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while Iowa State's Ashley Jones earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Texas' Rori Harmon was tabbed Freshman of the Year after a remarkable debut campaign that saw her average 14.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Oklahoma State's Nadiene Harper took home Sixth Woman of the Year, capping off an impressive season with averages of 12.3 points and 6.5 assists per contest. The All-Big 12 First Team featured Smith, who averaged a league-high 23.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Harmon joined her on the first team, along with Iowa State's Ashley Jones (13.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Oklahoma's Madi Williams (14.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg), and West Virginia's Kysre Gondrezick (12.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg). The All-Big 12 Second Team consisted of Baylor's Ja'Mya Fowler (10.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Oklahoma State's Liz Scott (11.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Kansas' Holly Kersgieter (12.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Texas' Charli Collier (10.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg), and TCU's Tamara Seda (10.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg). The All-Big 12 Third Team included Baylor's Kim B...#Texas #TCU #NaLyssa_Smith #Baylor #Ashley_Jones #Iowa_State #Rori_Harmon #Nadiene_Harper #Oklahoma_State #Madi_Williams #Oklahoma #Kysre_Gondrezick #West_Virginia #JaMya_Fowler #Liz_Scott #Holly_Kersgieter #Kansas #Charli_Collier #Tamara_Seda #Kim_Bell #Maddy_Fields #Emily_Ryan #Madisen_Pettit #Zakiyah_Franklin
