AP National Sports

By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports Writer Alabama returns likely the biggest stars in college football next season, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young and linebacker Will Anderson. But there are several other Southeastern Conference players who appear poised to have breakout seasons or newcomers figuring to have big impacts. The group includes quarterback transfers such as

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have picked up the fifth-year option of Ed Oliver’s rookie contract in a decision which locks up the defensive tackle through the 2023 season. The move represents a big boost in pay for Oliver, who is playing under a four-year, $19.6 million contract. He’s now guaranteed to

NEW YORK (AP) — Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams has been fined $15,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating in Game 4 of the first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans, the NBA announced Tuesday. Williams made his comments to the media following the Suns’ 118-103 road loss Sunday. He said he did not want

By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports Writer Quarterback Jaxson Dart didn’t know exactly where he wanted to go upon deciding to leave USC, just that the Southeastern Conference was a preferred destination. Dart wound up landing at Mississippi and in the SEC, along with a number of other top players in the transfer portal. In some

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Sports Writer Arizona has two quarterbacks who split time last year, added a transfer from another Pac-12 school and has a freshman who has been turning heads. The Wildcats have a frontrunner to be the starter but the first game is still more than four months away, so no reason to

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The ability of college players to earn celebrity endorsement money is expected to impact the NFL draft for years to come. Players around the country think it gives them more options to earn money, earn their degree and perhaps increase their future earnings by raising their

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — One player has been off-limits for Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel when preparing for the NFL draft with general manager Jon Robinson: Tyler Vrabel. The Titans coach’s oldest son is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman who was a three-year starter at Boston College. He

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — One player has been off-limits for Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel when preparing for the NFL draft with general manager Jon Robinson: Tyler Vrabel. The Titans coach’s oldest son is a 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman who was a three-year starter at Boston College. He

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns are going all in on sports betting. The team announced a long-term partnership with Bally’s that will make the gaming leader the official sports betting partner of the NFL team. As part of the agreement, Bally’s will have a branded lounge at FirstEnergy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for figure skater Kamila Valieva. He says she did not compete “dishonestly” after her doping case dominated this year’s Winter Olympics. Valieva was on the gold-medal winning Russian squad for the figure skating team event at the Beijing Olympics but no medal ceremony has been held because she

By JOHN ZENOR AP Sports Writer A number of NFL draft prospects made the most of an extra season in college. Players such as Alabama tailback Brian Robinson Jr., Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson took advantage with huge seasons. They’re hoping it pays off in the draft. Pickett and

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer There is dramatic change going on in men’s college basketball. Villanova’s Jay Wright has joined North Carolina’s Roy Williams and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski in retirement in the past 13 months. Athletes can now strike endorsement deals for money and players are making frequent use of the transfer portal. The

MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal says he will play the Madrid Open after recovering from a rib injury that sidelined him for a month. Nadal had been recovering from a stress fracture he sustained while playing at Indian Wells in March. Nadal missed tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona because of the injury. The

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Capitals are listing Alex Ovechkin as day to day with an upper-body injury. But there’s legitimate concern about the longtime captain’s health moving forward. Ovechkin slammed into the boards left shoulder first in the Capitals game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have placed center fielder Aaron Hicks on the paternity list and recalled infielder/outfielder Miguel Andújar from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Hicks has been expecting his first child with wife Cheyenne Woods, a professional golfer and niece of Tiger Woods. The switch-hitting Hicks is batting .273 with a .377 on-base

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer Penn State is working to finalize a deal with Boston College athletic director Patrick Kraft to replace the retiring Sandy Barbour and become the school’s next AD. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that the school and Kraft were close. Kraft has