Signing Day & Untouchable Tom

02/03/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning,

Big news Thursday… From National Signing Day to Winter Olympics and a Tom Brady Underdog, today’s edition is loaded. Make sure to scroll to the bottom for our TB12 sendoff.

Letter Rip!

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CFB

National Signing Day 2.0

Photo: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images

Texas A&M Lands Top Recruiting Class With Seven 5-Star Signings

Alabama made it close, but Texas A&M hung onto the top spot after National Signing Day 2.0. The Aggies added five-star defensive lineman Shemar Stewart and locked down the top-ranked class in 2022, as well as the top-rate signing class of all-time. Wednesday marked a significant milestone for Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher in his program’s arms race with SEC powerhouses from Alabama and Georgia. After those three programs went 1-2-3, no other SEC teams cracked the top-10.

Top Recruiting Classes (2022)

1. Texas A&M (330.61)

2. Alabama (322.29)

3. Georgia (316.91)

4. Ohio State (300.46)

5. Texas (288.75)

6. Penn State (277.81)

7. Notre Dame (272.97)

8. Michigan (260.42)

9. North Carolina (257.61)

10. Oklahoma (266.11)

Rest of Top-20: (11) Clemson, (12) LSU, (13) Kentucky, (14) Missouri, (15) Miami, (16) Tennessee, (17) Stanford, (18) Auburn, (19) Florida, (20) Florida State

Full 247Sports Composite Rankings

Additional Storylines

SI: Winners & Losers From National Signing Day

CBS Sports: Texas A&M Locks Up No. 1 Class of All-Time on National Signing Day

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NFL

The Washington Commanders

Image via Washington Commanders

Washington Football Team Announces New Nickname

Two seasons after retiring the name ‘Redskins’ due to racial insensitivity, the Washington Football Team has a new nickname: Commanders. The team unveiled its new logo and nickname on Wednesday, keeping some similarities in the ‘W’ logo and color scheme. The new moniker pays homage to the city’s identity and representation as the nation’s capital. Washington’s new uniforms also look quite different, including a black option that hadn’t been used previously.

“As an organization, we are excited to rally and rise together as one under our new identity while paying homage to our local roots and what it means to represent the nation’s capital.” — Team Owner Dan Snyder

Additional Storylines

NBC Sports: Dan & Tanya Snyder Reveal Washington Commanders’ New Uniforms (Video)

ESPN: Washington Commanders: Inside the Franchise’s Search for New Logo & Nickname

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OLYMPICS

Winter Olympics Underway

Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images

Opening Ceremonies are Scheduled for Friday, But Sports Are Off and Running in Beijing

We’re officially a go in Beijing! The 2022 Winter Olympics won’t light the torch until Friday morning, but Wednesday’s initial action featured curling, skiing and women’s ice hockey. Once again, the geographical challenges mean we’ll have overnight sports with re-airs and morning updates on delay. The Games run until Feb. 20. Here’s a look at what’s coming in the next few days.

Upcoming Schedule (Thursday—Friday)

Figure Skating, Rhythm Dance, Freestyle Skiing

(8:00 pm — 12:00 am ET, NBC)

Freestyle Skiing, Curling

(3:00 am — 7:30 am ET, USA Network)

Women’s Ice Hockey: USA vs. Finland

(8:10 am — 10:30 am ET, USA Network)

Opening Ceremony

(6:30 am — 9:00 am ET, NBC)

Full Upcoming Winter Olympics Schedule

Additional Storylines

NBC Sports: USA Steals Win in Mixed Doubles Curling (Video)

NPR: The 7 New Olympic Events to Watch in Beijing

The Ringer: Every Winter Olympic Event, Ranked By NOPE Factor

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THE HIGHLIGHTS

NBA: Nets Lose 6th Straight Without KD

Title hopes are slipping in Brooklyn. The Nets lost to the Kings on Wednesday (112-101) to mark their sixth consecutive loss after losing Kevin Durant to an injury that should keep him out through February. Suddenly, Brooklyn is sixth in the East.

NHL: Oilers Salvage Blown Lead vs. Caps

The Oilers blew a three-goal lead against the Capitals after Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane and Connor McDavid opened the game with a trio of lit lamps in the first five minutes. Edmonton bounced back to win (5-3) thanks to two third-period goals from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

SOC: USMNT Freezes Out Honduras

The U.S. Men’s National Team shut out Honduras (3-0) on a frigid night in Minnesota for the latest CONCACAF World Cup qualifier. Weston McKennie (8’), Walker Zimmerman (37’) and Christian Pulisic (67’) scored to give the U.S. three crucial points.

NCAAM: Kofi Cockburn Drops 37 for Illini

Wednesday’s game ball in college hoops belonged to Kofi Cockburn (37 points, 12 rebounds) for his dominating performance as #18 Illinois took down #11 Wisconsin (80-67). Cockburn’s Player of the Year bid got a massive boost as he went 16-for-19 from the floor.

NCAAW: OU Beats Baylor in Final Seconds

In the women’s game, #18 Oklahoma swiped an upset against #9 Baylor with a game-winning layup by Liz Scott in the final seconds (78-77). The victory jumped Oklahoma into a tie for first in the Big 12 standings.

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THE STORYLINES

PGA Best Bets for Pebble Beach Pro-Am

The PGA Tour continues Thursday at the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Which players are the favorites this time around? Who offers good odds? And what props are worthwhile? (ESPN+)

Updated 2022 NBA Mock Draft

The top of the 2022 NBA draft is looking stronger by the month. And as conference play moves along, scouts are learning about new prospects worth tracking. (Bleacher Report)

Will Aaron Rodgers Follow Tom Brady?

Consensus GOAT Tom Brady hung up his cleats on Tuesday, calling it a career after 22 seasons. If Aaron Rodgers decides to drift into retirement in the coming weeks, he’ll have a tough act to follow. (FOX Sports)

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THE HEADLINES