Florida football held its sixth practice of the spring on Tuesday, March 24 at the Sanders Practice Fields.

In all, the Florida Gators will practice 15 times, culminating with the Orange and Blue game on April 11, 2026, at The Swamp (noon, TV, tbd).

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It was UF’s first practice after a week-long layoff for spring break, and first-year coach Jon Sumrall said some rust showed on the field.

“Felt a little bit like sometimes you come out of a bye week and you are trying to get the car re-started when it’s been off for a few days,” Sumrall said.

Sumrall said Florida will hold its first intra-squad scrimmage on Saturday, March 28., then another scrimmage, Saturday, April 4 before the Orange and Blue game. His goal is to establish discipline and toughness within a UF football program that has endured four losing seasons in the last five years.

Here are three takeaways from the open portion of practice:

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A handful of key Florida football players return

A handful of key players who were out last week returned to the practice field, including defensive tackle Joseph Mbatchou (foot) and cornerback Dijon Johnson (knee). Johnson, who was in an orange jersey last week, was a full participant.

Sophomore wide receiver Dallas Wilson also was in a full uniform during workouts but did not take part in drills, going back to the training room and stretching during individual drills.

“Out of the boot,” Sumrall said of Wilson. “The boot is off. Return to play, running program will start this week, what does that mean for availability this spring, I’d really have to really lean on (trainer) Paul Silverstri and that gang down there does a great job.”

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Defensive lineman Kamran James and defensive back Javion Tooms took part in drills in orange, non-contract jerseys.

Jon Sumrall mentions Florida football who are flashing on defense

Sumrall mentioned a handful of players who are flashing on defense, including linebacker Aaron Chiles, whose “presence was felt” during live tackling drills before spring break.

Defensive tackle Brendan Bett, defensive end LJ McCray, defensive end Emmanuel Oyebadejo and defensive back Kanye Clark also have made plays during live periods, Sumrall said.

True freshman edge rusher KJ Ford, meanwhile, is showing promise as he competes with Jayden Woods and Kofi Asare for playing time. The 6-foo-4, 250-pound Ford enrolled early at UF as a four-star recruit out of Duncanville High in Dallas, Texas.

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“KJ, he’s coming along really well,” Florida football outside linebackers coach Bam Hardmon said. “He still has those freshman mistakes. If you see the big picture, he’s a high school student right now, he came in early.”

Former Florida football great attends practice

Former Florida football All-American defensive back Keiwan Ratliff, now the defensive backs coach at Buchholz High in Gainesville, attended practice with a handful of Buchholz High players.

The 44-year-old Ratliff was a consensus All-American in 2003 before going on to a six-year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneeers, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Three takeaways from Florida football’s sixth spring practice

Iowa native and longtime basketball coach Greg McDermott will retire in 2026 after more than three decades coaching at the collegiate level, including a career‑defining run at Creighton

McDermott, who had served as the Bluejays’ head coach since 2010, announced his retirement on Monday, March 23, in a lengthy news release. The Cascade, Iowa, native went 365-188 while leading Creighton, becoming the school’s all-time wins leader in 2024.

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Creighton finished the season 15-17 and will play in the College Basketball Crown tournament against Rutgers on April 2 after not qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.

Following McDermott’s exit, Creighton announced that current associate head coach Alan Huss will take over the program. Huss had been named head-coach-in-waiting a year ago when he returned to Creighton.

“It has been an incredible honor to lead the Creighton men’s basketball program for the past 16 years,” McDermott said in a news release. “I’m very proud of the young men that have proudly worn the Bluejay uniform and represented our program in a first-class manner. Witnessing their growth and development on and off the playing floor was especially gratifying…The support of the Omaha community consistently packing our arena with 17,000 fans has created many fond memories. While this chapter of my career comes to a close, my love and respect for the Bluejays will never fade.”

Greg McDermott played, coached in Iowa

McDermott graduated from Cascade High School in 1984 and left as one of the school’s premier athletes. Despite playing just two varsity seasons, McDermott set multiple school records in points and rebounds per game and was named All-State as a senior.

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He was also a standout baseball player, batting over .300, posting a .978 fielding average at first base, and helping lead Cascade to its first state baseball tournament appearance in 1982.

McDermott was a 1,000-point scorer at Northern Iowa from 1984 to 1988, becoming a second-team All-Mid-Continent Conference player following his junior season.

He played briefly overseas before entering coaching in 1989 and was hired for his first head coaching position at Wayne State College in Nebraska in 1994. He coached there for six seasons, took a brief stop as North Dakota State’s head coach in 2000, and was hired by his alma mater, UNI, as its head coach in 2001.

UNI won the 2004 Missouri Valley Tournament to earn the program’s second NCAA appearance in school history. He then led the Panthers to at-large selections in the 2005 and 2006 NCAA tournaments.

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When was Greg McDermott Iowa State’s head coach?

After five seasons with UNI, McDermott moved to central Iowa in 2006 to become the head coach at Iowa State.

There he spent four mostly forgotten seasons for Cyclones fans, amassing a 59-68 record and failing to break through to March Madness success in Ames.

He left Ames in 2010.

Greg McDermott shaped T.J. Otzelberger’s career at Iowa State

One of the more lasting decisions from McDermott’s tenure at Iowa State came when he hired T.J. Otzelberger as an assistant. Otzelberger, Iowa State’s current head coach, is one of several current coaches who trace their roots to the McDermott coaching tree.

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“Coach (McDermott) certainly gave me an opportunity here,” Otzelberger told the Register in December 2021. “You never know when those are going to come. I’m very grateful. I have a lot of loyalty and allegiance to him because he took a chance on me here. I was 27 years old and didn’t really have a resume to back up the opportunity I was being given.”

McDermott won 23 games in his debut season coaching for Creighton after leaving Iowa State in 2010, reaching the NCAA Tournament in his second season in 2011. The Bluejays made 10 NCAA appearances under his guidance, including trips to three Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight.

Greg McDermott’s family includes current NBA player Doug McDermott

His overall coaching record is 645-383 (prior to the College Basketball Crown tournament). McDermott is a member of the Cascade High School, Iowa High School Athletic Association, UNI and Wayne State University Halls of Fame.

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He married fellow UNI graduate Theresa McDermott in 1987. They have three children, Nick, Doug and Sydney. Doug McDermott committed to play for his father at Creighton in 2010 after winning back-to-back state titles for Ames during his junior and senior seasons. He won the Naismith Player of the Year award in 2014 before being selected 11th overall in that year’s NBA Draft. He is currently a forward for the Sacramento Kings.

USA TODAY college sports insider John Brice contributed to this report.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Greg McDermott, Creighton head coach and Iowa native, to retire

Enzo Fernandez has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid, insisting his immediate focus remains on Chelsea and his upcoming international commitments with Argentina.

The midfielder, a standout performer in what has been a challenging season for the Blues, stated there have been “zero talks” regarding a potential transfer.

The 25-year-old, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for a then-British record fee of £107 million, still has five years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge. Despite the club’s indifferent campaign, head coach Liam Rosenior remains confident in Fernandez’s happiness at the club.

Speaking to Argentina sports channel TyC Sports after joining up with the Argentina squad for upcoming friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia in Buenos Aires, Fernandez clarified his position.

“Nothing, zero talks (with Real),” he said. “I am focused on Chelsea, what is left of the season, and after the World Cup we will see.”

These friendly matches for Argentina follow the cancellation of the Finalissima against European champions Spain, which was scheduled for Qatar on 27 March. It. was called off earlier this month due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Fernandez expressed his disappointment, stating: “Obviously I would have liked to play the Finalissima, to represent my country in a final.

“Because of the problems that happened, it couldn’t be played, so now we have to enjoy the friendlies with my team-mates. I would like it to be played in the future. It is a final and hopefully we can play it.”

Chelsea’s recent form has seen them suffer a 3-0 defeat to Everton on Saturday, marking their fourth consecutive loss across all competitions, including a comprehensive defeat by Paris St Germain in the Champions League round of 16.

The Blues are currently sixth in the Premier League and in danger of missing out on next season’s Champions League.

Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly did not mince words when asked for his reaction on the uncertainty surrounding Mitchell Starc‘s availability for the start of IPL 2026. Delhi Capitals said at the press conference that they are waiting for a green signal from Cricket Australia. And this is what Dada said while in Delhi for a brand endorsement for Jakson, “It hurts… because when quality players don’t come in at the last minute, it shakes the balance of the team.” Starc is set to miss the opening phase of the season as Cricket Australia carefully manages his workload ahead of a packed 2026-27 calendar. The timing could not be worse as franchises build their squads and strategies around marquee overseas players.

Ganguly, speaking on the broader issue of player availability in franchise cricket, said the impact of such late withdrawals is far greater in the IPL than in international cricket.

“It hurts because I’ve always said making an Indian team is easier than making an IPL team. Because the best players are available all the time to be picked. IPL is 10 teams that players get distributed. And when quality players don’t come in at the last minute, obviously it shakes up the balance of the team.”

He hit on the depth available in international squads, that is rarely mirrored in franchise setups.

“Because the substitutes, the availability is not as strong as the one who’s not turned up… But in IPL if Mitchell Starc misses out or Pathirana misses out, the void is very hard to fill. So that’s one of the challenges.”

The former India captain, however, stopped short of criticising workload management itself, acknowledging the toll modern cricket takes on players across formats and leagues.

“Workload management is very important because players do play a lot of cricket. It’s not just the IPL… more than physical, the mental part takes over. Away from home, away from families. It’s never easy. So it’s a balance which will continue to happen.”

England cricketer Ben Duckett also pulled out of IPL 2026 as he wanted to concentrate on international cricket.

The uncertainty has not gone down well with commentators either. Harsha Bhogle called the lack of clarity around Starc’s status “frustrating”, especially in a league where franchises invest heavily in overseas stars. He argued that teams deserve firmer assurances when they commit significant portions of their salary purse to marquee players and warned that repeated episodes could push franchises towards stricter contract clauses and heavier financial deductions.

Delhi Capitals had structured their bowling attack around Starc’s pace and new-ball threat, but this forces them to rethink.

This is not the first time the IPL has had to navigate the complicated triad of international calendars, bilateral commitments and franchise expectations. With players now juggling national duty, multiple T20 leagues and personal rest windows, such situations are likely to recur. As Ganguly put it, “Injuries will happen. Players will have problems… and you have to deal with it.”

Indian men’s hockey coach Craig Fulton has promised a “tailored and detailed” plan for each one of the tricky opponents that await his team in the World Cup later this year and backed the currently faltering side to peak at the right time.

India have managed just one win this season, a penalty shootout triumph over Australia in an FIH Pro League match in Hobart. The team is drawn to play top-seeded England, traditional rivals Pakistan, and a determined Wales side in Pool D of the World Cup starting August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.

All group-stage matches will be held at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

“We’ll be working hard on our structure, our press, and our finishing – the fine margins that decide games at this level. Every opponent in this pool has different strengths, so our preparation will be tailored and detailed. The next few months are about peaking at exactly the right moment,” Fulton was quoted as saying in a Hockey India press release.

Reacting to the draw, Fulton stressed on the squad’s readiness to embrace the challenge.

“We’re excited. It’s a strong group, but that’s exactly what you want at a World Cup to be tested against the best. The mood in the camp is very positive. The players are motivated and hungry, and knowing our opponents now gives us real clarity and focus going into our preparation,” he said.

Analysing the varied tactical challenges Pool D presents, Fulton emphasised the need for adaptability and respect for each team’s unique style of play.

“England are a well-organised, physical side who are also top seed in our pool. Pakistan bring flair, unpredictability, and a rich hockey tradition – never a side to take lightly.

“Wales are making their mark on the international stage and will be full of energy and determination. We respect every opponent in this pool, but we back ourselves against all of them,” Fulton asserted.

The team will open its campaign against Wales on August 15.

Embracing the expectations of a nation that has rediscovered its lost love for hockey after consecutive Olympic medals, Fulton also had a rallying message for the supporters.

“We want to go out there and make India proud. The players know what this shirt means and what the fans expect. My message to the supporters is simple — get behind us, one game at a time,” he said.

India’s Pool D Match Schedule: 
August 15: India vs Wales (16:30 IST) 
August 17: India vs England (18:30 IST) 
August 19: India bs Pakistan (18:30 IST).

Casemiro has already shown that money isn’t the most important thing to him

Casemiro’s previous willingness to take a pay cut shows the focus of the Manchester United midfielder isn’t purely centred on money.

The 34-year-old is one of the most accomplished midfielders of his generation and with 19 career club trophies to his name, he’s left a lasting legacy of what he’s achieved in his 16 years as a professional footballer.

Currently in his fourth season at Old Trafford, the Brazilian is set to leave the club at the end of the season after the club opted not to trigger the one-year extension on his reported £350,000-a-week deal.

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With the club deciding to shift Casemiro’s hefty pay packet off their wage bill, despite his impressive performances, some have questioned whether the midfielder could continue his stay in Manchester on a reduced deal.

Should a deal be made on those terms, it won’t be the first time the five-time Champions League winner has sacrificed his pay for the greater good. During his tenure with Real Madrid, the club’s board reportedly attempted to get the squad to agree to a wage reduction during the Covid-19 lockdown.

According to popular Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, host Eduardo Inda claimed Real had requested a 10% cut of their wages with Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Marcelo and Raphael Varane breaking the news to the rest of the team.

Inda added that every member of the squad, bar one, rejected the wage decrease, citing the salary having been lowered the year before. The sole player willing to accept the pay cut was in fact Casemiro, says the pundit.

With seven goals for the season, including two in United’s last three games, his absence will be sorely felt by the club who Casemiro said he will “carry” with him for the rest of his life. Speaking in a video that confirmed his impending exit, Casemiro explained: “It means so much, not just for me, but for all my family.

“It is so special and I will always carry this club with me for all my life. I will always be a Manchester United fan, my whole family too. In England, I am red, I am Manchester United until death. So all I want to say is: thank you for everything.”

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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The Minnesota Vikings are probably — or at least they should be — in the market for a rookie cornerback. And the best one available, according to draft heads, next month is LSU’s Mansoor Delane. The problem? Delane ran a 4.35 forty at his Pro Day on Monday, all but disqualifying him from the Vikings’ draft spot at No. 18.

Delane’s stock is climbing, and Minnesota will need a new plan at No. 18.

Thanks to his remarkable speed, in addition to a dazzling draft profile, Delane almost certainly won’t tumble that far down the board on April 23rd.

Delane’s Combine Surge Will Affect Minnesota’s Draft Board

On to the next for the Vikings’ 1st-Round scouting.

Delane Runs 4.35 at Pro Day

Don’t look now, but Delane has the speed for a Top 10 pick; he proved that and then some Monday.

SBNation‘s Dale Altman wrote, ‘Mansoor Delane ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash today at the LSU Pro Day. The LSU cornerback was already considered to be the top prospect at the position for the 2026 NFL Draft. All he did by running that time was solidify himself as the top guy, and potentially another step closer to going in the top 10.”

“Delane was tremendous in 2025 with a 90.7 coverage grade. He allowed just a 40.0% completion rate against him this past season. He was a shutdown corner for the Tigers. He isn’t just a cover corner either, Delane is a more than willing participant against the run.”

CB-needy teams salivated, basically guaranteeing Delane’s status as the first cornerback off the board.

The Full Delane Scouting Report

Delane possesses the traits teams pursue: the speed to handle isolation coverage, the size to battle through contact, and the versatility to play multiple positions. This skill set makes him a strong fit for a Vikings defense seeking stability at cornerback.

His LSU film reveals even more, as he plays with palpable energy, displays confidence on the boundary, and exhibits the range to transition seamlessly between roles.

Looking toward 2026, the Vikings need a young cornerback who can develop into a long-term solution, a need they haven’t addressed through the draft in over a decade. Trae Waynes, their last successful pick, plateaued as a reliable player rather than developing into a star. Since Waynes, the pattern has been consistent — Mike Hughes, Jeff Gladney, Andrew Booth Jr. — short tenures, limited production, and ultimately, no staying power. Eleven years later, the need remains.

Before Monday, Delane was listed with 4.44 speed, which is wonderful, but then he blew the doors off his own scouting report at 4.35.

The Draft Buzz on the 6-foot, 190-pounder: “Mansoor Delane is one of the most instinctive cornerbacks to come out of college football in recent years. Delane does not just cover receivers; he anticipates them. This is a complete cornerback prospect outside of one question mark. His instincts are elite. His ball skills are elite.”

“His coverage grades in both man and zone are elite. His competitive temperament is exactly what coaches want in their secondary. The only genuine concern is whether his long speed can hold up against the burners he will face every Sunday.”

The next corner expected to be picked after Delane is Clemson’s Avieon Terrell.

TBD added, “That is a fair question, and it will determine whether Delane becomes a true lockdown corner or a very good starter who occasionally needs help over the top. Either outcome represents tremendous value. The year-over-year improvement tells a compelling story about his trajectory.”

“He went from allowing seven touchdowns in 2024 to zero in 2025 while facing significantly better competition in the SEC. That is not coincidence; that is a player who refined his technique, mastered his craft, and arrived at LSU ready to prove he belongs among the best in the country. He has the makeup of a long-term starter and the instincts to become something even more special.”

Who Can Vikings Draft Other Than Delane?

With Delane catapulting his stock to new heights, Vikings fans must focus on other prospects at No. 18. Here’s a look at the usual suspects to land in Minnesota:

• Avieon Terrell (CB) — Clemson
• Akheem Mesidor (EDGE) — Miami (FL)
• Caleb Banks (DT) — Florida
• C.J. Allen (LB) — Georgia
• Dillon Thieneman (S) — Oregon
• Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — Toledo
• Jermod McCoy (CB) — Tennessee
• Jordyn Tyson (WR) — Arizona State
• Kayden McDonald (DT) — Ohio State
• Keldric Faulk (EDGE) — Auburn
• Kenyon Sadiq (TE) — Oregon
• Makai Lemon (WR) — USC
• Peter Woods (DT) — Clemson

Mesidor and Faulk, the EDGEs, are only listed in the off chance the Vikings fulfill the Jonathan Greenard trade rumors. If so, Minnesota may need an immediate OLB replacement.

Top Delane Landing Spots

So, if Mansoor is not destined to become a Viking, well, where will he land? The safest projection is one of these franchises:

• Kansas City Chiefs (No. 9)
• Cincinnati Bengals (No. 10)
• Miami Dolphins (No. 11)
• Dallas Cowboys (No. 12)

The New Orleans Saints, too, at No. 8, could be in the mix, but most believe Kellen Moore’s team needs EDGE help more than cornerback.

Delane will turn 23 in December. If the Vikings snag a cornerback in Round 1, it will likely be Terrell from Clemson or McCoy of Tennessee.

Ipswich Town FC is facing a backlash after Reform Party leader Nigel Farage staged a photo opportunity at its Portman Road stadium.

But the club is understood to have been unaware of the full extent of the event until social media posts emerged.

No official invitation was extended by Ipswich to Mr Farage for the Monday event, it is understood.

Portman Road Events, which manages private tours of the stadium, is understood to have taken a booking on behalf of Reform for Monday afternoon. However, the Championship club only became aware of what was involved later that day when posts appeared on the party’s official account.

Reform posted “Portman Road Awaits” on X on Monday evening, and Mr Farage followed up with a post on Tuesday morning.

He shared photos of him ‘signing’ for Ipswich and one of him holding up a number 10 Ipswich shirt.

“I’ve never been too bad on the right wing,” he wrote on his official X account.

The party subsequently made a photo of Mr Farage holding the shirt the banner on their official X account.

It came after Reform held a party rally at nearby Trinity Park.

The club has declined to comment.

However, some supporters have criticised them on X, with one describing it as “PR suicide for a family club”.

Reform UK has been contacted for comment.

The Ipswich appearance came just days after Mr Farage halted his use of the website Cameo, following an investigation alleging he had filmed content supporting an alleged neo-Nazi event, repeated extremist slogans and made sexist remarks on the platform.

On Friday, Mr Farage’s page on the Cameo website, which has earned him hundreds of thousands of pounds over the past five years, said he was “unavailable”, The Independent found.

However, a source told The Guardian “he had paused his use of the platform over security concerns”.