Dec 22, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Diego Toreros head coach Steve Lavin during the second half against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
San Diego has fired head coach Steve Lavin after three-plus seasons, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday.
Lavin, 61, has posted a 46-79 overall record with the Toreros and 18-47 mark in West Coast Conference play over that span.
San Diego (11-17, 5-10 WCC) lost for the fourth time in five games with a 92-79 home setback to San Francisco on Sunday. The Toreros return to action on Saturday against visiting Loyola Marymount (13-15, 4-11).
Lavin owns a 283-229 record with UCLA (1996-2003), St. John’s (2010-15) and San Diego. He has guided his teams to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, six with the Bruins and two with the Red Storm.
Indiana Pacers face Phoenix Suns in NBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) gets past Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson (18) and guard Ethan Thompson (55) during a game Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
1 / 6
Indiana Pacers face Phoenix Suns in NBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) gets past Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson (18) and guard Ethan Thompson (55) during a game Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
2 / 6
Indiana Pacers face Phoenix Suns in NBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (40) shoots the ball over Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) during a game Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Advertisement
3 / 6
Indiana Pacers face Phoenix Suns in NBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (40) tips the ball during a game against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
4 / 6
Indiana Pacers face Phoenix Suns in NBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (40) pushes past Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) during a game Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
5 / 6
Indiana Pacers face Phoenix Suns in NBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (40) and guard Ethan Thompson (55) defend Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) as he shoots the ball during a game Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
6 / 6
Indiana Pacers face Phoenix Suns in NBA game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Slawson (18) defends Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) as he shoots the ball during a game Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Advertisement
INDIANAPOLIS — Devin Booker scored 43 points and Jalen Green scored 36 points to lead the Suns to a 123-108 win over the Pacers in Ivica Zubac‘s first game in the Indiana lineup on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers lost their 11th straight game and fell to 15-51 and are in last place in the NBA. The Suns have won four straight and improved to 39-27.
Advertisement
Forward Royce O’Neale added 15 points with five 3-pointers for the Suns. Guard Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points. Forward Jarace Walker had 12 points and Ethan Thompson had 11. Zubac had eight points, six rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes, playing only in the first half on a minutes restriction.
Advertisement
Here are three observations.
Ivica Zubac strong in Pacers debut
More than a month after he was acquired in a trade for the Clippers with Kobe Brown for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and three draft picks, Zubac finally donned a Pacers jersey and played in a game after spending the last month healing a sprained left ankle. He was on a minutes restriction and didn’t appear in the second half, but his limited time on the floor provided a summary the reasons the Pacers were so devoted to getting him at the trade deadline and why they believe in him as their long-term answer at center.
Advertisement
Zubac scored eight points on 4 of 6 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists in 16 minutes, and almost everything he did was highlight worthy. His first assist was a slick bounce pass out of a double team to guard Thompson for a pull-up jumper. His second came when he grabbed an offensive rebound over two Suns defenders, pivoted through them and hit forward Jarace Walker diving to the rim for a dunk. His first field goal was a dunk on an alley-oop from Thompson. His other field goals were all hooks and floaters but showed good touch out to 10 feet.
Advertisement
Beyond that, his effect on the game as a screener was immense. Andrew Nembhard’s 23-point effort had a lot to do with the space and gravity the 7-foot, 240-pound Zubac created every time he set a ball screen. He brings more physical force to the game than any center the Pacers have had in years but he also has exceptional vision and feel for the game. There won’t be too much payoff for that this season, but his potential value to a fully healthy Pacers squad was clear.
Andrew Nembhard goes off in first half, doesn’t return in second
Zubac’s gravity helped Nembhard more than anybody as the fourth-year guard used the space to have one of his best and most efficient scoring nights of the season. And he only played the first half.
Advertisement
Nembhard scored 23 points on 6 of 7 shooting, hit both of his 3-point attempts and sunk 9 of 10 free throws in 17 first-half minutes. He also dished out two assists and recorded a steal. He had a ton of space to shoot on the 3s, he fought his way to two mid-range shots and also got all the way to the rim for two more including one a steal for a fast-break layup.
Advertisement
Neither Nembhard nor Zubac played any second-half minutes. There was no injury designation for Nembhard’s removal but he was listed as questionable with low back and neck soreness coming into the game and has been dealing with that issue for some time. (And also the Pacers are in last place in the East and contending for draft lottery position.)
Devin Booker, Jalen Green too much for remaining Pacers
The Pacers were already playing without All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, forward Aaron Nesmith and guards T.J. McConnell and Quenton Jackson due to injuries on Thursday night — and are of course still missing Tyrese Haliburton and Johnny Furphy due to their season-ending injuries. So when Nembhard and Zubac didn’t return for the second half, the Pacers had very much a skeleton crew remaining. Rookie guard Kam Jones, two-way contract guard Thompson, Walker, Brown and Jay Huff took the floor as the starting five for the second half. The remaining bench included guard Ben Sheppard, two-way contract guard Taelon Peter, two-way forward Jalen Slawson and center Micah Potter. For most of the second half, the Pacers effectively played a G League caliber lineup.
Advertisement
That group actually did better than expected, especially in the third quarter when they were only outscored 29-27 and at one point were within two points of the lead. Even in the fourth quarter it never got totally out of hand. In just his second game with the Pacers since his Exhibit 10 contract with the Boom was upgraded to a two-way deal, Slawson scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out five assists and grabbed two steals. Thompson scored 11 points. Walker had 12 points. Jay Huff had 10 and Ben Sheppard had 10.
Advertisement
The Suns, however did not pull any of their stars and they performed like superstars. Five-time All-Star Devin Booker went off for 43 points on 14 of 31 shooting including 4 of 7 from 3-point range and 11 of 11 free throws. Jalen Green, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft, scored 36 points on 14 of 23 shooting. Those two combined for 43 in the second half with Green scoring 22 and Booker 21 and that was enough to put the game away.
The Pac-12 will have eight football members going into 2026 when the schools formally join the conference on July 1st.
Are they ahead of the American Conference in the G6 rankings?
On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I discuss the Big Ten asking for tampering investigations to be paused while they try to set uniform rules.
Is the reality as bad as the optics?
Advertisement
Cal enters Year 1 under Tosh Lupoi with a strong transfer portal class and one of the best QBs in the ACC in Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele.
Can they be a dark-horse title contender?
00:00 ACC, G6, and Playoff Talk 04:50 Pac-12 Contenders and Turnover 07:09 College Football Playoff Contenders 13:15 NCAA Transfer Tampering Concerns 15:56 NCAA Antitrust and Enforcement Challenges 18:15 College Sports: Fairness & Leadership 22:14 Miami’s ACC Hopes & Cal’s Opener 27:41 Cal’s Upcoming ACC Road Games
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) evades pressure from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) during second-half action at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Daniels escaped the collapsing pocket as Washington’s offense tried to extend the play against Minnesota’s defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings officially cut ties with Jonathan Allen on Wednesday, and about 24 hours later, the Cincinnati Bengals swooped, signing the veteran defensive tackle to a two-year deal.
Cincinnati moved quickly after Allen hit the market.
Allen did not work out in Minnesota, but he’ll hope to get back on track with Zac Taylor’s team.
Advertisement
The Bengals Scooped Up Allen — Fast
Perhaps Minnesota will find a rookie DT in the draft.
A row of Cincinnati Bengals helmets sits along the sideline before kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Nov. 7, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. The equipment view captured the calm moments before the AFC North matchup as players prepared to take the field. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images.
Allen to CIN
Allen is a Bengal, as ESPN’s Ben Baby wrote Thursday, “Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and the Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to a two-year, $26 million contract, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Thursday. Allen’s deal can be worth up to $28 million through incentives, the sources told Fowler. Allen, 31, was another cap casualty of the Minnesota Vikings and was officially released Wednesday after the start of the 2026 league year.”
“Allen is the second major acquisition the Bengals have made to improve their defensive line. Cincinnati also signed former Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year deal worth $60 million. At $13 million annually excluding incentives, Allen slots in as one of the most expensive players on Cincinnati’s defense.”
Advertisement
He banked $23 million guaranteed last offseason with Minnesota, so Allen is quietly stacking successive contracts on the back nine of his career. There’s also a chance that his new deal in Cincinnati offsets some of the money the Vikings owe him. Stay tuned for clarity.
The New DT Group for Bengals
With Allen in the house, Cincinnati’s DT corps now looks like this after 3.5 days of free agency:
B.J. Hill
Jonathan Allen
Kris Jenkins Jr.
T.J. Slaton Jr.
McKinnely Jackson
Jordan Jefferson
Howard Cross III
That feels like a group that may use a pick early in April’s draft on a defensive tackle, as plenty will be on the board.
Cincy Jungle‘s Jason Marcum noted Thursday, “This will also hopefully keep the Bengals from drafting a defensive tackle at pick No. 10 because of need. Maybe the best player available will be at that position, but it’s no longer an immediate need that the team could have felt forced into addressing with that draft capital.”
Advertisement
BengalsWire‘s Chris Roling assigned the move a ‘B’ grade and explained, “The Bengals are quite a bit more dynamic up front and have dramatically improved the secondary so far in free agency. Allen’s arrival doesn’t rule out another front-seven addition in the top 10 of the draft, either.”
“There’s risk with Allen. But the aggressive move at a serious need for the third time so far is really good to see and adding all three up makes for an impressive few days of free agency.”
Allen’s 2025 Campaign
Allen did not live up to his three-year, $50 million contract in Minnesota last offseason, prompting some purple fans to declare that the veteran is washed and incapable of regaining the top-tier form he had a few years ago. He put together a terrible Pro Football Grade of 53.2, struggling mightily in stopping the run (45.4), while recording a 64.9 mark in rushing quarterbacks.
Advertisement
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) escapes pressure from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) during second-half action at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Daniels avoided the collapsing pocket as Washington attempted to extend the play against Minnesota’s defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
All told, Allen ranked 6th in tackles among all DTs, 10th in stops, 11th in quarterback hits, 25th in sacks, and 27th in quarterback pressures.
It’s worth noting that some pundits claim that Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’s scheme is not an ideal setup for defensive tackles, though men like Jalen Redmond or Christian Wilkins over the years might disagree.
Vikings’ Future at DT and Money Saved
To bolster their defensive tackle depth, Minnesota still has several options to explore.
Free agency still offers experienced possibilities. Veterans like Dalvin Tomlinson, Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, D.J. Reader, and Larry Ogunjobi remain available, potentially providing the Vikings with proven depth.
Advertisement
The draft presents another viable strategy, and Minnesota is well-positioned to select an interior lineman early if the front office chooses. Prospects such as Peter Woods (Clemson), Caleb Banks (Florida), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), and Christen Miller (Georgia) are among the defensive tackles expected to draw attention near the top of the draft.
Washington defensive end Jonathan Allen (93) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles during fourth-quarter action at FedExField on Dec. 15, 2019, in Landover, Maryland. Allen reacted with teammates following the turnover as Washington’s defense delivered a key late-game play. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images.
Beyond the projected starters, the depth chart is open for competition. Levi Drake Rodriguez has shown improvement as a run defender and could be in line for an expanded role. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins received a bit of playing time as a rookie, and undrafted defensive tackle Elijah Williams impressed during training camp and the preseason. Additionally, Minnesota acquired UFL defender Jaylon Hutchings in January.
The aforementioned Redmond, returning on a tendered deal, is a lock to start once again in 2026.
Allen turned 31 in January. Cincinnati is expected to win nine or ten games in 2026, according to oddsmakers.
The Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) announced Thursday that Paige Bueckers won the 2025 PBWA Tamika Catchings Award.
The award, which is named after the Indiana Fever legend, honors the best player who “combines excellence on the court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and public.”
Advertisement
Several fans on social media reacted to Bueckers’ latest accolade, with many saying that the 6-foot star deserved the award.
“Media darling,” a fan tweeted.
@DallasWings Media Darling
“This really is the GOAT,” a fan commented on Instagram.
Fan comments on the Dallas Wings’ Instagram post (Credits: IG/@dallaswings)
Here are other fan reactions:
Ngl I never noticed this award before but she deserved it imo she’s very outspoken about the right things
According to the PBWA, other nominees for this year’s award were Washington Mystics’ Alysha Clark, Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally, Atlanta Dream’s Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu.
Advertisement
Paige Bueckers averaged 19.2 points and 5.4 assists on 47.7% shooting in her rookie campaign. She was named an All-Star and won the Rookie of the Year award. She was also selected to the All-WNBA Second Team and the All-Rookie Team.
Paige Bueckers comments on latest accolade
The PBWA lauded Paige Bueckers’ consistent cooperation with the media throughout the 2025 WNBA season. In a recorded statement published by PBWA on Thursday, the Dallas Wings star acknowledged the role that the media plays in the sport.
“First of all, very grateful,” Bueckers said, per PBWA. “I know how much the media does for the game of basketball and how much it pushes the narratives and gets us out there, nationally and globally, and so I really appreciate it.
“As much as us players sometimes don’t want to do it after, win or loss, we’ve got to take it on the chin. It’s a part of basketball and it’s part of growing the game. So I’m very grateful for everybody in the media and everybody who helps push this game.”
Bueckers is currently participating in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament with Team USA. She made her debut for the senior national team on Wednesday, contributing nine points and four rebounds off the bench in a 110-46 win over Senegal.
Team USA will next face the tournament hosts, Puerto Rico, on Thursday. After that, they will battle Italy on Saturday, New Zealand on Sunday and Spain on Tuesday.
Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have checked the biggest offseason box. Longtime Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray joined the club for the 2026 campaign, signing a one-year contract with the organization.
That deal is cheap, as expected, but it comes with one asterisk that could come into play next offseason.
According to various reports, Murray’s contract includes a no-tag clause.
Advertisement
Jordan Schultz reported on social media, “BREAKING: 2x Pro Bowl QB Kyler Murray is signing with the #Vikings, per sources. One big detail: I’m told Murray’s agent, Erik Burkhardt of RocNationSport, negotiated a no-tag clause in the deal — which will allow Murray to become a free agent again next year no matter what.”
Murray will cost the Vikings the veteran minimum, $1.3 million to be exact. They benefit from Arizona paying about $35 million in 2026. In today’s NFL, where starting quarterbacks get north of $40 million, that’s one of the best bargain deals in all of football.
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The no-tag clause is smart business from Murray’s agent. If he’s balling out in the upcoming season, he wants to secure a long-term deal, not a franchise tag with just one year of security. The Indianapolis Colts just used the transition tag on Daniel Jones. Perhaps even a better comparison would be Sam Darnold.
If Murray scores 35 touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl season, a player with his track record and talent would undeniably cash in next offseason. The Vikings could use the franchise tag to prevent him from ever reaching free agency. Well, that idea is kaput.
Advertisement
No-tag clauses are rare but not unheard of in short-term quarterback deals. They provide leverage for players who view a contract as a bridge opportunity rather than a long-term commitment. In Murray’s case, the clause effectively guarantees he will control his next move in 2027 if his season in Minnesota goes well. For the Vikings, it represents a calculated risk — but one that becomes easier to accept given the extremely low financial commitment. They can still give him a contract extension.
Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The very minimal baseline for “good results” should be improved quarterback play compared to the 2025 season. J.J. McCarthy struggled all year with injuries and inconsistent play, and neither Carson Wentz nor Max Brosmer delivered inspiring play when given the chances.
Murray represents an immediate upgrade with two Pro Bowls on his résumé. Injuries have slowed him down in recent years, but the level of play is undoubtedly there.
Our own Dustin Baker commented on Murray’s track record:
“The Vikings are not onboarding an honest-to-goodness reclamation story in Murray; he’s different than the aforementioned Darnold, who had accomplished virtually nothing until he arrived in Minnesota for the 2024 season.”
Advertisement
Indeed, Murray has already been viewed as a franchise quarterback, which is why the Cardinals handed him a sweet contract in 2022. Darnold’s Minnesota chapter was the fourth stop in his career.
“Murray,” Baker continued, “has started 74% of all eligible games in his career, a percentage that would be closer to 80% had the Cardinals not “softly benched” him in 2025. He has the above-listed two Pro Bowls to his name, 4.38 speed coming out of the draft in 2019, can throw the football 65-70 yards, and is the fifth-most accurate quarterback in NFL history.”
“The 28-year-old also has a 0.090 career EPA+CPOE, ranking better than Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, Daniel Jones, and C.J. Stroud, to name a few. His career EPA+CPOE closely mirrors Justin Herbert’s from the 2025 campaign.”
Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates with wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) after his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
Murray enters a wonderful situation from a quarterback’s perspective, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison running routes for him and a head coach, Kevin O’Connell, who has been touted as a QB whisperer for a while.
The Vikings also have a strong foundation in front of him with two excellent offensive tackles, a promising first-round guard entering his second season and an expensive guard with more familiarity this time. Only the center position is a mystery.
Advertisement
Murray has the talent to thrive in the Twin Cities and he might be in a position to cash in next year. The Vikings won’t have the franchise tag bullet in the chamber, but if that’s even in play, the franchise is likely coming off a good season.
Rory McIlroy recovered sufficiently from a back injury to begin his defence of the Players Championship but he ended round one seven shots off the pace.
The world number two only arrived at TPC Sawgrass on the eve of the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament, having opted to stay at home for treatment on the injury that forced him to pull out of last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
He showed no obvious signs of discomfort in crushing his opening drive 329 yards down the middle of the fairway, but he took 73 more shots for a two-over par total, with birdie putts on the 16th and 17th holes grazing the edge of the cup.
“It was fine,” he said when asked how his back felt during the round.
Advertisement
“The most discomfort was when the ball was below my feet or with chipping.
“But it’s weird. I played on Friday; it’s not as if I’ve taken a ton of time off, I just felt unbelievably rusty out there.”
McIlroy’s Ryder Cup team-mate Sepp Straka is alongside three Americans setting the clubhouse pace on five under.
Austrian Straka chipped in for an eagle three on the par-five 16th in his bogey-free 67 to join Maverick McNealy, Lee Hodges and Sahith Theegala atop the leaderboard.
Advertisement
“We were fortunate to play in the afternoon with hardly any wind and the greens a lot softer,” said Straka, referring to the heavy rain that doused the course earlier in the day.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood was among those playing in the worst of the weather. He briefly reached five under, after a run of eagle-birdie-birdie on Sawgrass’ notoriously difficult 16th, 17th and 18th holes. He called it a “complete bonus of a stretch” of holes.
Having started on the 10th, the world number three then birdied the second but a torrential downpour that halted play for around 25 minutes checked his momentum, and successive bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes dropped him back into the pack.
He is in good company on three under, with Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, Norwegian Viktor Hovland and American Xander Schauffele also enjoying solid starts.
Advertisement
The rain delay meant four players were unable to finish their opening rounds as the sun set and darkness fell. Among them is unheralded American Austin Smotherman, who will return on Friday morning to face a 15-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole – his 18th – to take the first-round lead.
In rapidly fading light, Smotherman hit his third shot on the par-five hole into the heart of the green, but while his playing partners opted to finish the hole, he decided to mark his ball and wait for the morning light.
Aug 7, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (6) during training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Chargers are set to re-sign linebacker Denzel Perryman to a one-year deal, NFL Network reported Thursday.
Financial terms were not reported.
Perryman, 33, started his career with the Chargers in 2015 when the team still played in San Diego. He made the move to Los Angeles and was with the franchise through the 2020 season before two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and one with the Houston Texans.
Perryman returned to the Chargers in 2024 and has played in 21 games (all starts) over the past two seasons. He was limited to 10 games last season because of injury and a suspension and also played in the team’s 16-3 playoff loss to the New England Patriots.
Advertisement
In 11 career seasons, Perryman has 764 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks with four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and five interceptions in 129 games (109 starts) since he was a second-round draft pick out of Miami. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021.
The NASCAR driver market is already drawing attention around Legacy Motor Club’s planned expansion. Team owner Jimmie Johnson confirmed a third full-time entry in the 2027 Cup Series, adding a new seat alongside current drivers Erik Jones (No. 42) and John Hunter Nemechek (No. 43). With several driver contracts ending this year, the upcoming silly season will shape who finally lands the seat.
Legacy Motor Club operates two charters and is set to expand after securing a third charter, currently connected to Rick Ware Racing and leased to RFK Racing. Once that charter returns to the team for the 2027 season, Johnson and the organization will need to identify a driver who fits the long-term plan and aligns with Toyota’s development structure.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
The broader silly season picture also involves several young drivers in development programs. Prospects such as Taylor Gray, Giovanni Ruggiero, and William Sawalich are building experience in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, while Cup drivers like Josh Berry remain under contract. That makes the third Legacy seat an intriguing storyline that requires a Toyota-aligned free agent.
Advertisement
3 NASCAR drivers who could drive for Legacy Motor Club’s third car in 2027
#3 Jesse Love
Jesse Love and Austin Dillon – 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series. Source: Imagn
One of the names frequently linked to the possible seat is Jesse Love, a rising prospect within Richard Childress Racing. The reigning O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion has been competing full-time in the No. 2 car and continues to build experience at NASCAR’s second-tier level while also making limited Cup Series starts in the No. 33 car.
Love is entering his third full-time O’Reilly season in 2026, and many within the garage see him as ready for a full-time Cup opportunity soon. However, his immediate future will depend on decisions within RCR’s Cup lineup, where Austin Dillon drives the No. 3 car, and Kyle Busch occupies the No. 8 entry.
With Busch’s contract up at the end of 2026, and the veteran being winless in almost three years, RCR may choose to promote its top prospect. If Love receives an in-house opportunity, Legacy would likely need to look elsewhere. If Busch continues, Love might look at Legacy Motor Club.
#2 Harrison Burton
Another name gaining traction in the rumor mill is Harrison Burton. The second-generation driver previously competed in the Cup Series with Wood Brothers Racing in 2024 and qualified for the playoffs after winning the 2024 summer Daytona race. Burton has since stepped back to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Burton also has existing ties to Legacy Motor Club. He currently serves as a reserve driver for the organization and has returned to the Toyota camp by racing with Sam Hunt Racing. That alignment with Toyota’s development system and familiarity with the Legacy make him an obvious internal option.
Advertisement
#1 Riley Herbst
Riley Herbst is another driver who could emerge as a candidate depending on how the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season unfolds. He competes for 23XI Racing, joining as a rookie in 2025. His first season showed promise, including a P9 at Talladega, but consistency has been an issue.
The larger factor affecting Herbst’s future could be the rise of Toyota prospect Corey Heim. The reigning Truck Series champion is widely viewed as one of the most Cup-ready drivers in Toyota’s pipeline and is set to make 12 appearances this year. With Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick firmly established, Herbst’s seat could become vulnerable if Heim receives a full-time promotion.
In that scenario, moving to another Toyota-aligned team like Legacy Motor Club would provide Herbst with a realistic path to remain in the NASCAR Cup Series while continuing his development.
Heart Wood (9/2), runner-up to Fact To File in 2025, won the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase on St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham.
His task was made easier pre-race with the new that Fact To File was withdrawn due to concerns about the ground. With Gordon Elliott’s Croke Park also a non-runner the field was reduced to seven for the two-and-a-half mile contest.
JPR One (18/1), in the hands of Brendan Powell, set the pace for the majority of the race but would eventually fade to fourth place.
Jonbon (2/1 favourite), in the same ownership of J.P. McManus as the earlier withdrawn Fact To File, looked set to claim another Grade 1 victory.
Advertisement
Darragh O’Keeffe and Heart Wood in behind him look comfortable, and then O’Keeffe asked the Henry de Bromhead-prepared eight-year-old for his effort, Jonbon could not respond.
The French-bred son of Choeur du Nord jumped the final two fences with precision and ran out an easy 10-length winner.
Jonbon retained his career record of never finishing outside the top-two on the racecourse when taking the runner-up spot in the hands of Nico de Boinville.
Advertisement
Banbridge (3/1), trained by Joseph O’Brien, was third, two lengths behind the Nicky Henderson-trained 10-year-old Jonbon.
It was a first Cheltenham Festival winner this year for Waterford trainer Henry de Bromhead, who said:
“It was brilliant, Darragh [O’Keeffe, winning jockey] was brilliant on him. He jumped amazing, it’s just lovely to get it. Delighted. He ran a blinder last year and we probably rode him to sort of be placed last year, whereas this year we said that we would go out and give it a real go. They went some gallop, to my eye. He just winged fences. Darragh was brilliant on him. It was just one of those dream runs.”
At its ribbon cutting in 1980, TPC Sawgrass represented something new in golf.
Carved from Florida swampland and built as the permanent home of The Players Championship, it was modern in ambition and unapologetic in temperament. Its architect, Pete Dye, was already known as a creative sadist, an artist with a knack for meting out abuse.
At Sawgrass, he produced a sun-splashed torture chamber. The world’s best players didn’t hide their pain.
Ben Crenshaw likened the layout to “Star Wars golf,” designed “by Darth Vader.” J. C. Snead did some literal sh-t talking. The course, he said, was “10 percent luck and 90 percent horse manure.”
Advertisement
Such griping did not go unheard. Over time, some of the layout’s sharpest features were softened. Dye himself made adjustments. Greens were toned down to suit the era of slick putting speeds. The look grew cleaner, less imposing.
Bit by bit, the Dye faded.
Davis Love III has been hired to bring it back.
Love, a two-time Players champion who has become a noted course architect himself, has spent the past few years helping the Tour tweak Sawgrass. His guiding principle is plain enough.
Advertisement
“What I want to see is Pete Dye back in the golf course,” Love said this week. “The greens have gotten flat. Some of the features have gone away.”
The flatter greens have created a secondary problem: Without enough slope to shed water, the putting surfaces can be harder to firm up after it rains.
Under Love’s direction, some lost elements have already been revived.
Tees have been pushed back on several par-5s. New mounding has sprouted on the stout par-4 14th. Last year, on the 6th hole, Love oversaw perhaps the most talked-about change thus far: the replanting of a tree that once overhung the fairway. Videos of that project set the internet aflame.
Advertisement
Not all the work has been so dramatic.
“We’re doing very boring stuff, like making the driving range longer,” Love said.
But even the mundane tasks tend to touch on the same theme. Extending the range requires digging a lake and shifting large amounts of dirt across the property. As that happens, Love and his collaborators can’t help wrestling with other questions.
“While we’re digging the lake on 4 and moving dirt, you have to ask what the long-term goal is for that bunker,” Love said. “Is it supposed to look like the 1982 picture or the 1989 picture?”
Advertisement
That question has become central to the project. Love and PGA Tour officials have combed through archival photos, searching for the moment when Dye’s vision was most fully realized. For Love, the answer keeps coming back to 1989.
By then, the course had already absorbed some early player feedback. A few of the most severe features had been tempered. But the layout still carried much of the visual intimidation and quirky contouring that made Dye’s work so distinctive.
Love recalled asking Dye about the scattershot bunkering at Whistling Straits, another of the architect’s celebrated designs.
“He told me, ‘Oh, they’re just there to intimidate you,’” Love said. “If you actually look at the fairway, it’s pretty wide.”
Advertisement
The same philosophy shaped Sawgrass. Dye liked to clutter the edges of a hole with nerve-racking distractions— mounds, waste areas, pot bunkers — so that players felt squeezed even when they weren’t.
“I just want to see the old look and the intimidating look back in the golf course,” Love said.
Love’s work is ongoing; it’s not slated for completion until 2028. And there’s a limit to what he can do. Today’s realities make a full rewind impossible. Today’s Players Championship requires infrastructure that didn’t exist when the course opened. Galleries are larger. Television towers and camera platforms need room to operate.
“That tee box needs to look like that because it’s a major championship. You need room for that camera,” Love said. “But once you get out in the fairway, especially around the greens, you can have the quirky stuff.”
Advertisement
For a man known across the game as one of its genuine good guys, Love now finds himself in the unusual role of restoring a dash of architectural cruelty.
Then again, at a Pete Dye course, simply being nice was never the point.
Cal enters Year 1 under Tosh Lupoi with a strong transfer portal class and one of the best QBs in the ACC in Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele. 
