Aug 6, 2022; Canton, OH, USA; Dave Wilcox arrives on the red carpet during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Legendary 49ers LB Dave Wilcox dies at 80

Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Wilcox, who spent his entire 11-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, died on Wednesday. He was 80.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Wilcox’s death. A cause of death wasn’t revealed but the Hall of Fame said Wilcox recently underwent heart surgery.

Wilcox was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, including six straight seasons from 1968-73. He had 14 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries in 153 games (144 starts) and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

“While Dave Wilcox was a nicknamed ‘The Intimidator’ for his aggressive style of play, he was a kind, humble and gracious man in all other aspects of life,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in the announcement. “He transformed the outside linebacker position — one of the many feats that earned him a forever home in Canton.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave’s wife, Merle, and their entire family. We will preserve his legacy for generations to come.”

Cal football coach Justin Wilcox, a son of Dave’s, is one of the survivors.

Dave Wilcox was born in Ontario, Ore., and began his college football career at Boise Junior College (now Boise State) before transferring to Oregon. He excelled as a defensive end in two seasons for the Ducks (1962-63) and was inducted into the Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.

The 49ers selected Wilcox in the third round (29th overall) in the 1964 draft.

–Field Level Media

Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. motions to the Nittany Lion faithful after Minnesota is penalized for a second false start in the first quarter at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College.

Hes Dr 102222 Whiteout

Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. touts self as ‘CB1’

Self-confident Penn State defensive back Joey Porter Jr. made his father proud at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, touting himself as the best corner in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“I feel like I’m CB1 for a reason,” Porter Jr. said in a 15-minute media session in Indianapolis. “I feel like I’m the best corner here. I’m here to show my talents and prove why.”

Porter Jr. finds himself at the top of a deep and talented class of cornerbacks that includes Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, Illinois’ Devin Weatherspoon and Georgia’s Kelee Ringo, all viewed as likely first-round picks.

Porter Jr.’s father, Joey Sr., was an outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers and also played for the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals in 13 NFL seasons. He was a four-time All-Pro — and first-team all-attitude.

Porter Jr. is highly physical and aggressive, especially for the cornerback position, has great size at 6-foot-2, 195 and stacks swagger the way his old man stockpiled sacks (98.0 in his career).

Trained on the Steelers’ practice fields, Porter Jr. said he used to practice coverage technique and fundamentals covering Antonio Brown. He played basketball with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s sons and naturally would appreciate landing in Pittsburgh on draft day. The Steelers drafted Joey Porter Sr. in the third round in 1999 and he played for the team through the 2006 season.

Porter Jr. isn’t all talk. He didn’t allow a touchdown in press coverage last season and Pro Football Focus calculated opponent QB rating against Porter in press coverage at 58.0.

But new general manager Omar Khan won’t have the luxury of adding this Porter in the third round. Based on most draft projections, Khan would be fortunate if Porter was still on the board when Pittsburgh is scheduled to use its first pick at No. 17.

“I think it would mean a lot to my family. Been in the Pittsburgh area a while, staying home would mean a lot,” Porter said.

Porter said he models his game and style after former Seahawks and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman and Rams corner Jalen Ramsey.

The Steelers are dedicating plenty of time and energy to visiting with cornerbacks in this draft class. Gonzalez, projected as a top-10 pick, said he was blown away by his meeting with Tomlin and paused his combine itinerary to call his father to inform him the Steelers’ coach was “even cooler than we thought.”

Gonzalez also said he came away wide-eyed from a meeting with the New England Patriots, calling head coach Bill Belichick “a legend.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden (11) goes through his pregame routine before the Crimson Tide faces Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon dismisses Alabama transfer Traeshon Holden after arrest

Oregon dismissed former Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden on Wednesday, hours after the transfer was arrested on three charges, including two felonies.

Holden transferred to Oregon in December after three seasons at Alabama.

“We are aware of the incident involving Traeshon Holden, and he has been dismissed from our team,” Ducks head coach Dan Lanning said in a statement. “We have high standards for the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in our football program, and we are disappointed when these standards are not met. We will continue to hold everyone in our program accountable for meeting our expectations.”

According to Lane County, Ore., jail records, Holden was arrested Wednesday morning in Eugene and charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon, felony coercion and a misdemeanor count of menacing.

Holden caught 25 passes for 331 yards and six touchdowns for Alabama in 2022. In 2021, he recorded 21 catches for 239 yards and a score.

The 6-foot-3 Holden is a former four-star prospect.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Holiday Bowl: Oregon-North Carolina Preview, Props & Prediction

In an era in which the stars of the show routinely opt out of bowl games, No. 15 Oregon and North Carolina follow their leading men into the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday in San Diego.

Ducks quarterback Bo Nix is returning for the 2023 season and Tar Heels phenom Drake Maye is also playing in the game that is being held at baseball venue Petco Park for the first time.

Nix was a big hit after transferring from Auburn and completed a Pac-12-leading 71.5 percent of his passes for 3,388 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Ducks (9-3) are looking to rebound from a demoralizing 38-34 loss to Oregon State. The Tar Heels (9-4) also feel the urgency after being whipped 39-10 by Clemson in the ACC title game.

“Honestly, North Carolina had kind of a similar end of the season, if you really look at it,” Oregon center Alex Forsyth said. “We both are gonna have a bad taste in our mouth, and look to get that bad taste out.”

This will be the first Holiday Bowl since 2019. The 2020 game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s game between North Carolina State and UCLA at Petco Park was canceled due to COVID-19 issues in the Bruins’ program.

The former host stadium, best known as Jack Murphy Stadium or Qualcomm Stadium, was demolished during 2020 and 2021.

DUCK, DUCK, DOMINATE?
Despite losing two of their past three games, the Ducks are a near two-touchdown favorite.

The line opened at 10.5 points at BetMGM but shifted to 13, with North Carolina now having the edge with 53 percent of the spread-line bets and 51 percent of the money backing the Tar Heels.

The action has been split on the 13.5-point line at DraftKings, where the Tar Heels have drawn 56 percent of the bets while the Ducks have been backed by 53 percent of the spread-line money.

PROP PICK
Over 76 Total Points (-110): The Ducks average a robust 39.7 points per game while the Tar Heel average 35. The market continued to shift at BetMGM and DraftKings before settling at 76 on Wednesday. The total opened at 73.5 at BetMGM but continued to rise with 51 percent of the money backing the Over.

QBs MINUS SOME STARS
Nix found no difficulty in staying with the Ducks instead of leaving for the NFL.

“That was kind of easy for me,” Nix said. “I just really enjoy playing football, I enjoy playing for Oregon and I enjoy playing for Coach (Dan) Lanning. So any time I have that opportunity, I’m going to make the most of it.”

Maye, the ACC Player of the Year, faced different issues as coach Mack Brown revealed other colleges were tampering with his star who passed for 4,155 yards, 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.

“It’s 100-percent tampering,” Brown said of schools trying to influence Maye to enter the transfer portal. “He decided to stay and he could’ve very well left. Most people would’ve left.”

When pressed, Brown declined to say which schools were offering million-dollar name, image, likeness packages to Maye.

“I can’t say that and don’t ask Drake,” Brown said. “You know who they are. Just look at all the ones who are getting all the top recruits.”

Maye added 653 yards and seven scores on the ground for the Tar Heels (9-4). Nix rushed for 504 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Tar Heels, who have dropped three straight games, won’t have star wideout Josh Downs, who recently declared for the NFL Draft. Downs caught 94 passes for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Linebacker Cedric Gray (137 tackles) announced he is returning to North Carolina for the 2023 season.

Oregon lost three key defenders leading up to the bowl — cornerback Christian Gonzalez (four interceptions), linebacker Noah Sewell (56 tackles) and defensive end DJ Johnson (six sacks).

PREDICTION
Bowl games have become increasingly difficult to peg with so many players opting-out. What we do expect is a high-scoring affair. The Ducks have deeper talent on both sides of the ball, the question will be whether or not they can cover that huge spread. –Oregon 41, North Carolina 35

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Tar Heels, Ducks follow stars into Holiday Bowl

In an era in which the stars of the show routinely opt out of bowl games, No. 15 Oregon and North Carolina follow their leading men into the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday in San Diego.

Ducks quarterback Bo Nix is returning for the 2023 season and Tar Heels phenom Drake Maye is also playing in the game that is being held at baseball venue Petco Park for the first time.

Nix was a big hit after transferring from Auburn and completed a Pac-12-leading 71.5 percent of his passes for 3,388 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Nix found no difficulty in staying with the Ducks (9-3) instead of leaving for the NFL.

“That was kind of easy for me,” Nix said. “I just really enjoy playing football, I enjoy playing for Oregon and I enjoy playing for Coach (Dan) Lanning. So any time I have that opportunity, I’m going to make the most of it.”

Maye, the ACC Player of the Year, faced different issues as coach Mack Brown revealed other colleges were tampering with his star who passed for 4,155 yards, 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.

“It’s 100-percent tampering,” Brown said of schools trying to influence Maye to enter the transfer portal. “He decided to stay and he could’ve very well left. Most people would’ve left.”

When pressed, Brown declined to say which schools were offering million-dollar name, image, likeness packages to Maye.

“I can’t say that and don’t ask Drake,” Brown said. “You know who they are. Just look at all the ones who are getting all the top recruits.”

Maye added 653 yards and seven scores on the ground for the Tar Heels (9-4). Nix rushed for 504 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Ducks lost two of their past three games but average a robust 39.7 points per game. North Carolina averages 35.

The Tar Heels, who have dropped three straight games, won’t have star wideout Josh Downs, who recently declared for the NFL Draft. Downs caught 94 passes for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Linebacker Cedric Gray (137 tackles) announced he is returning to North Carolina for the 2023 season.

Oregon lost three key defenders leading up to the bowl — cornerback Christian Gonzalez (four interceptions), linebacker Noah Sewell (56 tackles) and defensive end DJ Johnson (six sacks).

The Ducks are looking to rebound from a demoralizing 38-34 loss to Oregon State. The Tar Heels also feel the urgency after being whipped 39-10 by Clemson in the ACC title game.

“Honestly, North Carolina had kind of a similar end of the season, if you really look at it,” Oregon center Alex Forsyth said. “We both are gonna have a bad taste in our mouth, and look to get that bad taste out.”

This will be the first Holiday Bowl since 2019. The 2020 game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s game between North Carolina State and UCLA at Petco Park was canceled due to COVID-19 issues in the Bruins’ program.

The former host stadium, best known as Jack Murphy Stadium or Qualcomm Stadium, was demolished during 2020 and 2021.

–Field Level Media

Abilene High receiver Frederick Johnson (7) tries to break a tackle of Denton Guyer's Peyton Bowen (22) during the first half of Saturday's Region I-6A Division II semifinal at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Ahs Fb Dguyer Halftime

Five-star S Peyton Bowen signs with Oklahoma, not Oregon

Five-star safety Peyton Bowen spent almost a full calendar year pledged to Notre Dame before flipping his commitment to Oregon on Wednesday. A day later, he changed his mind again.

Bowen said Thursday he acted hastily when he said that he’d play for the Ducks and instead said he is headed to Oklahoma. The Sooners announced he had signed with the program.

“As I reflect on yesterday’s whirlwind I recognize that I made mistakes that I regret and will learn from,” he began a lengthy statement posted to Twitter. “Navigating this process has been a rollercoaster. With that being said, I also know that I was blessed to be in the position to consider multiple wonderful universities as I continue my football career.

” … Soon after choosing Oregon yesterday morning, I came to the realization that the decision was not the best path for me. I immediately started to rethink my future.”

Bowen is ranked as the No. 2 safety in the 2023 class by the 247Sports composite. From John Guyer High School in Denton, Texas, he had been committed to the Irish since Jan. 1 before Wednesday’s move.

He had more than 200 tackles, 12 interceptions and 23 pass breakups from his sophomore through senior seasons at Guyer, which reached the state semifinals this year. He was a 2022 Mr. Texas Football semifinalist.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Noah Sewell (1) encourages fans during the first half against the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon LB Noah Sewell declares for NFL draft

Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell said Thursday he is entering the 2023 NFL Draft.

PFF College has him listed as the No. 7 linebacker on its draft board.

Sewell led the Ducks in tackles in 2020 and 2021, and this season, was second on the team with 56 in 12 games. He added 1.5 sacks.

Last season, he made 114 tackles and registered four sacks.

“My family came to the U.S. more than 10 years ago to follow a dream,” the native of American Samoa posted to Twitter. “Today, I am following a personal dream I have had since I was a child … After three memorable years at Oregon, I am officially declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.”

He is the youngest of four Sewell brothers — all of whom have played football. Brother Penei also played at Oregon, and the Detroit Lions selected him with the No. 7 overall pick of the 2021 draft.

A tackle, Penei Sewell won the Outland Trophy and the Morris Trophy and was an All-American in 2019.

Noah Sewell was named second-team All-Pac 12 this season and to the first team in 2021.

No. 15 Oregon (9-3) will face North Carolina (9-4) on Wednesday in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

–Field Level Media

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix throws a pass.

Syndication The Register Guard

QB Bo Nix announces his return to Oregon next season

Saying “there’s nothing like being an Oregon Duck,” quarterback Bo Nix said in a video that he is returning to the school for a final season.

The school released the video, titled “Bo Is Back,” on Sunday night.

In his first season at Oregon after three at Auburn, Nix, a senior, threw for 3,389 yards and 27 touchdowns, both career highs, with six interceptions. He completed 71.5 percent of his passes, also his best. He also set personal highs by rushing for 504 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Ducks, 9-3 and No. 15 in the College Football Playoff poll, will take on North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on Dec. 28. The Tar Heels are 9-4.

Nix’s arrival in Eugene, Ore., reunited him with his former quarterbacks coach, Kenny Dillingham, who was the Ducks’ offensive coordinator. Last month, Dillingham accepted the head coaching job at Arizona State.

“There’s nothing like a Saturday in Autzen Stadium, in front of the best fans in college football. … There’s nothing like being an Oregon Duck. For 2023, I’m back,” Nix said in the video.

–Field Level Media

Apr 16, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA;  Crimson wide receiver Traeshon Holden (11) is defended by White defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) during the A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-Alabama WR Traeshon Holden announces transfer to Oregon

Former Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden announced Sunday that he is transferring to Oregon.

Holden, who has two years of eligibility remaining, tweeted “COMMITTED” with a duck emoji and two photos of him in an Oregon jersey.

Holden caught six touchdown passes in the 2022 season and finished the year with 25 catches for 331 yards in 10 games for Nick Saban’s squad. In 2021, he recorded 21 catches for 239 yards and a score.

The 6-3 Holden was a former four-star prospect. He’ll join a Ducks team that went 9-3 this season and faces North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker DJ Johnson (2) pushes Oregon State Beavers running back Jam Griffin (8) out of bounds during the first half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon LB DJ Johnson enters NFL draft

Oregon linebacker DJ Johnson announced Thursday that he is opting out of the Holiday Bowl and declaring for the NFL draft.

Johnson led the Ducks with six sacks this season and ranks second on the squad with 8.5 tackles for loss.

“Thank you to Oregon and everyone who’s helped me get to where I am today,” Johnson said on Twitter. “I’ll be entering my name into the NFL Draft. Truly Blessed for the opportunities coming.”

Johnson began his college career at Miami in 2017 before transferring to Oregon the following season. He also was a tight end earlier in his career and caught 10 passes for 113 yards and three touchdowns in 2020.

He was a full-time defensive player this season and also played on that side of the ball in 2019. In 2021, he received 152 snaps as a linebacker and 98 as a tight end.

Johnson had nine total sacks and 11 receptions for the Ducks.

Oregon (9-3) will face North Carolina (9-4) in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28 in San Diego.

–Field Level Media