Lady Raiders fall for the first time against Blaze

Former Duke forward Mark Mitchell is transferring to Missouri, he confirmed to 247 Sports on Friday. A two-year starter for the Blue Devils, the 6-foot-9 rising junior entered the transfer portal on April 9. Mitchell, 20, was ranked as the No. 9 overall player in the portal by 247 Sports. He posted career averages of 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 68 games (67 starts) at Duke. The Blue Devils are in good shape despite losing several key players to the portal or the 2024 NBA Draft, including Jeremy Roach, Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain, Christian Reeves, Jaylen Blakes and Jaden Schutt. TJ Power entered the transfer portal on Thursday and fellow freshman forward Sean Stewart announced Friday on Instagram that he is following suit after one season at Duke. "I am grateful to have fulfilled a dream to play for the Blue Devils! I made some great memories that I will always cherish," Stewart wrote. "I have decided for my continued growth and development of my basketball goals, I will be entering the transfer portal." Stewart averaged 2.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 33 games off the bench. Coach Jon Scheyer added a trio of five-star forwards to the roster in the incoming class: Cooper Flagg, ranked by the 247Sports as the No. 1 player in the 2024 class, Isaiah Evans (No. 12) and Kon Knueppel (No. 17). Four-star center Patrick Ngongba II (No. 18) and four-star forward Darren Harris (No. 51), teammates at Paul VI Catholic in Fairfax, Va., also have signed letters of intent. Committed to Duke but yet to sign is five-star prospect Khaman Maluach of South Africa, ranked as the top center and No. 3 overall player in the class, per 247Sports. Duke finished the 2023-24 season with a 27-9 record (15-5 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Blue Devils advanced to the South Region final of the NCAA Tournament, losing to tourney Cinderella North Carolina State, 76-64. Missouri had a disappointing 8-24 season in 2023-24, going winless in the Southeastern Conference (0-18) just one year after finishing 25-10 and reaching the second round of the 2023 NCAA tourney. --Field Level Media

Longtime NFL executive Bill Tobin, a former general manager of the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts, has died at the age of 83. He later worked as a scout from 2003-22 for the Cincinnati Bengals, who announced Tobin's passing on Friday. "He was a true NFL success story," Bengals president Mike Brown said. "He was a good person and I considered him a good friend. With Bill, I respected everything he said. I just took it as a given. He had an eye for players and what they would develop into. If he said the guy was a good player, then he was a good player; that's all I would need to know. We will miss him." Tobin served as GM of the Bears from 1987-92 and held the same role with the Colts from 1994-96. He was the Detroit Lions' director of player personnel from 2001-02. "Rest in peace, Bill Tobin, our GM from '94-96," Colts owner Jim Irsay wrote on Twitter. "Bill was a tough, old-time football man, starting as a player in the old AFL. He lived a magical life associated with the game he loved, and our league will miss him. My love and prayers for Bill's family." During his 27 years in NFL front offices with Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit, Tobin's teams drafted eight future Hall of Famers, according to the Bengals' news release. That includes two Colts' first-rounders, running back Marshall Faulk in 1994 and receiver Marvin Harrison in 1996. Tobin's son, Duke, has been the Bengals' director of player personnel since 1999. Tobin's brother, Vince, was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 1996-2000. Bill Tobin was a running back at Missouri and was drafted in the 14th round by the San Francisco 49ers in 1963. He played in 10 games (eight starts) with the Houston Oilers in 1963, rushing for 271 yards and four touchdowns and catching 13 passes for 173 yards and one score. --Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson will not attend voluntary offseason workouts in what general manager Joe Douglas labeled a "player's choice." There has been no traction gained in trade talks with teams interested in Wilson, Douglas said Friday at his pre-draft news conference. But Wilson is still hoping to play elsewhere next season and didn't report to the start of the Jets' offseason program. "I think it's each player's choice whether they're going to be here for phase one," Douglas said. "These are all voluntary. There are quite a few players that haven't come for the first week so, look, that's a decision that Zach has to make." Douglas granted Wilson's request for permission to seek a trade in February before New York added former Giants backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor to back up Aaron Rodgers. New York took Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, and he has a record of 12-21 as an on-again, off-again starter for three seasons. Rodgers is coming back from a torn Achilles to be the starter in 2024. Douglas signaled during the NFL Scouting Combine in February that Wilson's time with the franchise likely was over. "I've had good conversations with his agent, Brian Ayrault," Douglas said. "Where we are exactly, we've given them permission to talk to other teams about a trade. ... Other than that, there's nothing else to report." Wilson, 24, was 4-7 in 2023 and passed for 2,271 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Through 34 games (33 starts), he has completed 57.0 percent of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 TDs and 25 picks. Of the five first-round quarterbacks from the 2021 draft, only No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars will be his original team's starter in 2024. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Trey Lance third overall and traded him to the Dallas Cowboys last August. Justin Fields was the No. 11 pick by the Chicago Bears and Mac Jones went 15th to the New England Patriots. The Steelers acquired Fields last month and Jones was traded to be Lawrence's backup with the Jaguars. --Field Level Media

Big East Most Improved Player Desmond Claude entered the transfer portal after averaging 16.6 points at Xavier as a sophomore last season. Claude, a Connecticut product, played in 69 games in two seasons at Xavier and the 6-6 swingman made a huge jump from his 4.7-point scoring average as a freshman. Claude, who made only 23.9 percent of his 3-point tries last season, scored 30 points in his final game for the Musketeers at Georgia in an opening-round loss in the NIT. He led the Big East in scoring during March with 22.8 points per game. In addition to increased scoring, Claude played 33.8 minutes per game and averaged 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season. --Field Level Media

FedEx is entering into a five-year, $25 million name, image and likeness commitment that will benefit student-athletes at Memphis, particularly in the Tigers' football and men's and women's basketball programs, as well as additional women's sports. The shipping giant, which launched its operations in Memphis in 1973, has annual revenues of $88 billion. As part of the initiative, Memphis athletes receiving NIL funding will participate in FedEx initiatives via social media and in person around the city. The company supports events that include the FedEx/St. Jude Championships, the Southern Heritage Classic and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, all in Memphis. "We evaluated the evolving NIL landscape, exploring how we can best deliver positive impact to student-athletes and connect them to meaningful opportunities for both themselves and the community and made the decision to reallocate marketing funds to an NIL platform," said Brian Philips, the executive vice president and chief marketing officer at FedEx, in a news release. "This gives us an opportunity to invest in bright, young athletes in our great hometown of Memphis, strengthening our connection to the next generation of leaders." The program was announced Friday via a social media video that featured both FedEx employees and Memphis athletes. The first FedEx in-person NIL initiative will be a tailgate event at Memphis' spring football game, featuring the women's soccer team. Athletic director Laird Veatch told 929 ESPN radio in Memphis on Friday that the contribution includes a clause stipulating a 50 percent match and that the university will launch a campaign to raise $2.5 million per year. Veatch acknowledged the boost the FedEx partnership will give to his department. "It does elevate us to a highly competitive NIL space, and it's something that's sustainable at the same time," Veatch said. "If you ask many athletic directors around the country, I don't know that they'd be in a position to say that." This is not the first partnership between the company and school. The campus has a degree program for FedEx employees and also boasts the FedEx Institute of Technology. Company CEO Fred Smith agreed to donate $50 million from his personal foundation for renovations for the Tigers' football stadium. --Field Level Media

FedEx, Memphis enter $25M NIL partnership

2024 NFL Draft: 10 sleepers to know

The third day of the NFL draft is the spotlight moment for the hard-working area scouts and position coaches behind the curtain to celebrate the gem prospects they believe are underappreciated and acute fits for a need or the overall team culture. A late-round pick or a highly coveted undrafted free agent can slip through the cracks, and history shows draft position isn't the only factor in a prospect becoming a reliable pro. Sometimes it's a receiver who tested poorly but had all the intangibles, like recent rookie receiving yardage record-setter Puka Nacua (Rams). Sometimes it's a quarterback without a strong arm or standout athleticism, but great decision-making and a feel for running the offense, like Brock Purdy (49ers). Among our favorite sleepers we project as late-round picks or undrafted free agents are these 10 names to know: Jaden Crumedy, DT/DE, Mississippi State Injuries limited Crumedy over the past couple years, but when healthy he was one of the more dynamic big men among college defensive lines. Despite being 300 pounds he regularly lined up over tackles early in his career. Clearly, the tools are present as the foundation for a great find. Sataoa Laumea, OG, Utah A college tackle who figures to kick inside as a pro, Laumea's length, strength and tenacity fit lead to a projection of long-time starter at guard. There will be some projection involved for teams, but he could easily outplay a fourth- or fifth-round draft slot. Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois Reiman's modest production won't stand out amongst tight end prospects, but a blazing 4.64 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds set him apart from his peers at the position. In a tight end class lacking depth, he figures to be one of the more interesting mid rounders at the position. Travis Clayton, OT, Basingstoke RFC A former rugby player and boxer, Clayton's special pro day gives him a legitimate chance to get picked. He ran a 4.82 40-yard dash at 6-7, 301 and has 35-inch arm length. Jake Witt was drafted in the seventh round last year with size and speed, but less length. Eric Watts, DE, Connecticut One of the freakiest height-weight-speed athletes in the draft, Watts has near 36-inch arms at 6-6, 274 and ran in the 4.6s at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's a bit stiff with his rush and will need seasoning with his hands, but he is extremely undervalued right now given his upside. Bayron Matos, OT, South Florida A walk-on at USF who played college basketball, Matos has almost no experience and would need a long runway. His traits are drawing scouts to take a look because of a frame -- 6-7, 313, 35-inch arms -- and light feet indicating he'll grow into football. Matos ran a 4.92 at his pro day. McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M Testing bumped Jackson down from a likely Day Two pick into the sixth-round range. His length and strength in the run game are readymade for the next level. Craig Young, LB, Kansas Primarily a nickel defender for the Jayhawks, Young went from 215 to 225 pounds during the pre-draft process to show he could hold the weight of a true linebacker and testing indicates he maintained his athleticism. Fits for teams emphasizing hybrid versatility in the back seven such as Seattle and Baltimore. Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State At a shade under 5-10 and only 184 pounds, Smith-Wade's draft stock tanked with his 4.5 40 time as a likely nickel-only corner. His smooth movements in transition and sticky man coverage should translate. Jaylon Carlies, LB/S, Missouri Carlies should be getting more attention. He's the ideal modern-day linebacker with height, weight, length and speed teams covet. His instincts are still in the works, but ceilings don't get much higher for late-rounders. --Field Level Media

Free agent wideout DJ Chark visited the receiver-needy Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, NFL Network reported. Veteran receivers Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (New York Jets) departed this offseason, leaving the Chargers with holes to fill in the passing game for quarterback Justin Herbert. Chark, 27, caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) last season with the Carolina Panthers. He has 212 receptions for 3,069 yards and 23 scores in 69 games (51 starts) with the Panthers, Detroit Lions (2022) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-21), who drafted the 2019 Pro Bowler in the second round in 2018. New head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers also have the No. 5 overall pick next week. Several mock drafts have them selecting a wide receiver, either Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU's Malik Nabers. The receivers currently on the L.A. roster include 2023 draft picks Quentin Johnston (first round) and Derius Davis (fourth) and three-year veteran Joshua Palmer. --Field Level Media