From Bayou to Brilliance: Dominick McKinley’s Journey to Texas A&M Stardom

Dominick McKinley

Ladies and gentlemen, gather around the virtual campfire, for I come bearing news of a monumental victory for the Texas A&M Aggies on the recruiting battleground. The Lone Star State’s beloved institution of pigskin glory has secured a commitment from none other than Dominick McKinley, the heralded defensive tackle and a crown jewel of the 2024 ESPN 300 rankings, where he proudly stands as the No. 30 overall recruit.

Dominick McKinley

Now, picture this, my fellow gridiron enthusiasts. It was a mere day before Texas A&M was set to kick off its 2023 season, and the Aggies orchestrated a recruiting coup that sent shockwaves through the college football universe. Dominick McKinley, a five-star defensive lineman with the world at his feet, chose to pledge his allegiance to the maroon and white on a serene Friday evening. This declaration of loyalty came amidst a fierce competition, with a star-studded offer sheet that boasted the likes of Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and LSU.

For many, it seemed like the Texas Longhorns were destined to claim McKinley as their own, with the scent of victory lingering in the air for the burnt orange faithful. Yet, as they say, the tides of recruitment can be … Read more at FryingPanSports

Dissecting the 2014 NFL Draft – Cincinnati Bengals

NFL Draft (2)

Note: On News, Notes & Rumors we have all pro RB Abner Haynes. Last night’s interview with former Browns QB Kelly Holcomb covered the impact of a QB controversy on the players involved and the team. It is available on fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Join us at 6 PM EDT on or https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

The Bengals have made the playoffs the last couple of years but have yet to win a playoff game. The biggest issue in those games has been the lack of accuracy and decision-making by QB Andy Dalton.

1/24 Darqueze Dennard CB – Dennard is a do it all CB without top speed but will fit well in the Bengals D scheme. He was a value at 24.

2/55 Jeremy Hill RB – Hill is a very skilled RB with enough off field baggage to require a 747 to transport it to Cincy. The old joke about the Bagels was they had to go no huddle because too many of the players were not allowed to be within 10 feet of another felon.

3/88 Will Clarke DE – Clarke was one of my under the radar guys. He is very productive and will do well in the Cincy … Read more at FryingPanSports

Lawton Swann: Tonight on the radio version of News, Notes and Rumors

Lawton Swann of TigerNet Talk

Ken Becks of 1stdownscouting joins us to talk about the Browns loss and the game against Chicago.

Brent Sobleski of ESPN and Draftinsider.net joins us to preview the SEC and ACC.

Lawton Swann of TigerNet Tal

Lawton Swann of TigerNet Talk joins us to talk about the ACC and Clemson football.

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The complete archive of the show is available on the Mooheadradio.com front page an hour after the show ends.  The individual interviews are available the following day at https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

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Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com and was a senior writer for .  He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at https://www.merriam-press.com/.

He edits .  

Read more at FryingPanSports

The BCS and NFL Playoffs are becoming clear.

Wilson Football

In college games I went 8-1 bringing the season total to 31-15.

In pro games against the spread I went 1-4 bringing the total to 20-12.

College football:

#1 Oregon 15 California 13 – The Ducks ducked a close call to continue on the road to the BcS game. They survived to play #22 Arizona at home this week and at Oregon State next.

#2 Auburn 49 Georgia 31 – Tiger QB Newton played very well accounting for 4 scores. The Auburn D is a problem particularly in a possible game against a O like Oregon’s. Auburn will play #11 Alabama next week and #17 South Carolina in the SEC Championship game.

#3 TCU 40 San Diego St. 35 – TCU lost some ground against Boise with a close game against a good SDS team. They have no chance to recover that ground with only the 1 win New Mexico State team left on the schedule.

#4 Boise St. 52 Idaho 14 – Boise is in the best shape to sneak into the Big game if one of the top 2 fall. They have 6-3 Fresno State, #18 Nevada, and 4-6 Utah State.

#5 LSU 51 La. Monroe 0 – Read more at FryingPanSports

Things to look for this week in College and Pro football.

FOOTball

The Big East is a fraud. Despite the pollsters doing their best to get a BE team into the top 25, the league stinks this year. Several teams have crept into the top 25 only to lose and fall back out the next week. The current top team is Syracuse (6-2) who is tied for 28th in the AP. The league is recruiting BcS #3 TCU to join the league. TCU would love to get into an automatic qualifying conference. The BE desperately needs a team–any team– that can get into the top 25 and stay there. It also would love to have a TV presents in the Dallas market. The only problem is the BE basketball is 16 teams already and TCU does not have a strong basketball tradition.

#3 TCU @ #5 Utah – The loser is out of the Championship picture. The TCU D is #1 in most college stats and the O is 9th in scoring and 9th in rushing. The Utah D is 6th in points allowed and their O is 3rd in scoring. The key may be the difference in opponents. The only big time opponent that Utah has played was a badly over … Read more at FryingPanSports

What to look for in this weekends college and NFL games

football

UCLA @ #2 Oregon (Thursday) – The question here is which UCLA team will show up. If its the one that went to Texas and thumped them 34-12, this could be a real game. If it is the one that folded like a cheap suit at home against Stanford and lost 35-0, then you can be in bed by 10 PM. UCLA is better but they have not seen a RB with the speed of James. Some strange things happen on ESPN on a night game. This could be a Gotcha game with the always tough visit to USC coming up next week. But I think the Ducks win but it could be close.

#7 Michigan State @ Northwestern – NW may be 5-1 but they are a fraud. MSU wins easily.

Purdue @ #10 Ohio StatePurdue is a fraud at 4-2 despite being 2-0 in the league. OSU remembers a loss last year against the Boilers and will take out their frustrations on the improved but still not effective Purdue D.

Iowa State @ #18 Texas – Texas has two weeks to get their team ready for the tough games against #22 Kansas State and #14 Oklahoma … Read more at FryingPanSports