DESERVING WYCHE NAMED TO BLACK HALL OF FAME ... AND LOT MORE FOOTBALL
First things first … a tip of the “IT’S WEIRD BEING THE SAME AGE AS OLD PEOPLE” cap to STEVE WYCHE, former Times-Dispatch sportswriter (1989-90), for being named to the Black College Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. His colleagues at the NFL Network certainly seemed pleased.
From Minneapolis, who grew up in St. Louis, an alumnus
of Howard U., Wyche, 59, was NFL Falcons’ beat writer
four years for thr Atlanta Journal-Constitution before
joining the NFL Network in 2008.
**** Sorry, but I don’t get the euphoria over U.Va.,
landing Missouri QB BEAU PRIBULA from the transfer
portal. He had one really impressive game, passing for
334 yards and three touchdowns (no INT) in a win over
Kansas. Otherwise, his numbers overall were average.
In 10 games this past season, Pribula threw for 1,941
yards and 11 touchdowns (9 INT). He ran for 220 yards
and six TD. In week 9 against Vanderbilt, the 6-2, 212
pounder suffered a dislocated ankle and didn’t play again
until week 13 against Oklahoma.
At Penn State, where he was recruited by new Virginia
Tech coach JAMES FRANKLiN, Pribula was redshirted
as a freshman then spent two years as a backup to
DREW ALLAR after being assured he would share the
position.
When Allar decided to return for another year (2024),
instead of declaring for the NFL draft, Pribula opted for
the transfer portal and left Happy Valley for Missouri.
What’s more, he bailed on his teammates in the Gator
Bowl, won by Virginia, to protect himself from injury so
he could sign with the Cavaliers? … for about $1.8
million, which made him very marketable. BOOO!
It wasn’t the first time Pribula skipped an important game,
In 2024 he opted not to participate with the Nittany Lions
in the national playoffs … where they routed SMU and
Boise State before bowing 27-24 to Notre Dame in the
semifinals. Double BOO!
In case you missed it, there is no guarantee Pribula will
be the Cavaliers’ starting QB … as coach TONY
ELLIOTT added former U. of Pittsburgh QB WIL
HOLSTEIN this week.
He’s a classic strong-armed, pocket passer who spent a
year at Alabama before throwing for 3,400 yards, (29
TD), 13 INT) the past two years at Pitt.
Virginia made an offer to Tyler (Texas) Junior College
standout TRE GUERRA who committed to Coastal
Carolina instead. The Cavaliers also had DJ LAGWAY
in for a visit. He’s the former most-wanted quarterback
who put up imp ressive numbers at Florida for new James
Madison U., coach BILLY NAPIER ,,, but not
impressive enough to keep the SEC Gators from firing
Napier.
Lagway spent last Monday in Charlottesville. Thursday
he committed to Baylor.
From York, Pa., Pribula declared his intentions to transfer
Dec. 18. He also visited Washington, Tennessee, Georgia
Tech and Nebraska as well as Virginia Tech.
One rating service lists U.Va., with having lined up the 37th best group of transfers. LSU and Ole Miss rank 1-2. VaTech is 12th…BILL BELICHICK’s second team at North Carolina 46th.
**** Add madness: Alabama QB TY SIMPSON
turned down $6.5 million to join Miami from the transfer
portal and will be available for the April 25-27 NFL draft
… in which he could go as low as the fourth round.
Get this: , a freshman OL enrolled at Utah and one day
later entered the transfer portal with the notation he didn’t
want to talk to anybody about it. Is expected to sign (for
more money) at the University of Michigan which just
hired former Utah coachKYLE WHITTINGHAM.
**** So MIKE TOMLIN quit as coach of the Pittsburgh
Steelers Monday after 19 years of never having a losing
season yet his decision was met, for the most pat, with:
It’s about time!
From all appearances, the alumnus of William &
Mary wasn’t asked to leave by owner ART ROONEY II
… even though the Steelers hadn’t won a
playoff game since 2016 … nine in a row including a
downright embarrassing 30-6 loss Sunday to the Texans.
In fact, Rooney said he was surprised when Tomlin
resigned Monday, telling the owner he wanted to get
away from it all (at least for a while), spend more time
with his family and make himself available for a cushy
TV job.
(Fox already is said to want Tomlin for its Sunday studio
show as a permanent replacement for ex-coach Jimmy
Johnson who left after the 2025 season.)
As of Wednesday (Jan. 14), nine NFL teams were in the
market for head coaches – Browns, Falcons, Giants,
Saints, Vikings as well as the Steelers who have had a
grand total of three since
**** The New York Jets got some bad news (What else?)
Wednesday when quarterback DANTE MOORE,
expected to be their first-round draft choice at No. 2,/
decided to remain at the University of Oregon … where
he passed for 3,500 yards and 31 touchdowns this season
… but had such a poor outing in the Peach Bowl (playoffs
semifinal0 that most people who evaluate college players
for a living recommended he stay in school at least one
more year.
Why not? Moore still will make a lot of money, said to be
upwards of $5 million … and won’t have to play in New
York which can be downright agonizing.
Until next time ....
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