Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement, and he isn’t returning to Los Angeles alone.
Donald is joining forces with newly acquired two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, giving the Rams two of the most dominant defensive players of their generation on the same roster.
Donald signed a one-year, $20 million contract to return to the Rams. The deal also includes incentives that could bring the total value to $30 million if Donald reaches them. The reunion has been highly anticipated since the June trade for Garrett, and both Donald and the Rams felt comfortable enough to reunite.
The combination of Donald and Garrett gives Los Angeles a defensive duo capable of changing the way opposing offenses approach the game. Both players have built their careers on creating pressure in the backfield and disrupting opposing quarterbacks, and now offenses will have to account for both of them on the same defensive front.
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay with defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
But the Rams aren’t relying solely on their defense to make a run at another championship.
Los Angeles already boasts a highly touted offense led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and running back Kyren Williams. With an experienced quarterback and playmakers across the offense, the Rams have built a roster that can threaten opponents on both sides of the ball.
With the addition of Garrett and now the return of Donald, Los Angeles has emerged as one of the NFL’s biggest title contenders this offseason. FanDuel has the Rams listed at +500 to win the Super Bowl, reflecting the expectations surrounding a team that has added two future Hall of Fame-caliber defensive stars to an already talented roster.
For the Rams, the pressure isn’t simply to make the playoffs. The goal is to win another Lombardi Trophy.
The 2027 Super Bowl will take place on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium, giving Los Angeles the opportunity to potentially finish its season in its own stadium. The Rams last won the Super Bowl in 2022, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 at SoFi Stadium.
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Before Los Angeles can think about playing for a championship at home, however, Donald will have to make his long-awaited return to the field.
Donald will make his highly anticipated return Thursday, Sept. 10, against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia.
After two years away from the game, Donald’s return will immediately put one of the NFL’s most recognizable defensive forces back on the field. Paired with Garrett and surrounded by a roster built to contend, the question is no longer whether the Rams have assembled enough star power.
The question is whether Los Angeles has assembled its Avengers, and whether they can finish the season as champions.
Last night, I witnessed an atmosphere during the Baker County-Bradford County football game that few high school football games can match. From the moment I pulled into Baker County Memorial Stadium, a line of fans stretched halfway around the stadium nearly an hour before kickoff. More than 5,000 people packed the stadium, with fans even crowding around gaps in the stadium fences just to catch a glimpse of the game. The sounds of the crowd, marching band and chants from both sides filled the stadium well before kickoff.
The intensity was high on and off the field, and during warmups, that intensity spilled onto the field before the game had even started. Players from both teams began moving toward one another before coaches and staff stepped in to separate them. Baker County head coach Jamie Rodgers added another layer to an already heated rivalry. After previously coaching at Bradford County, Rodgers found himself on the opposite sideline Friday night, leading the Wildcats against his former program.
The history between these two schools runs deep, with a long and fiery competitive edge. Multiple fights have broken out over the years between the two schools, to the point that both sheriffs’ departments are present to help keep the peace. Fans from both schools traded chants and taunts throughout the night, adding another layer to a rivalry that clearly means more than just what happens on the scoreboard.
Photo by Preston Hays | Won’t Back Down Sports Media
From kickoff, Baker-Bradford was the place to be on Friday night. The first quarter went back and forth, with both defenses standing firm before Bradford finally broke through with a touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. A rushing touchdown in the second quarter extended the Tornados’ lead to 13-0 after Baker blocked the PAT. The Wildcats answered with a score of their own, cutting the deficit to 13-6 heading into halftime.
An early third-quarter field goal by Baker brought the Wildcats within four points at 13-9. Bradford responded with a fourth-quarter field goal to extend its lead to 16-9, which would be the final score and give the Tornados a much-needed rivalry win to start the season..
Photo by Preston Hays | Won’t Back Down Sports Media
Both teams will look to build on Friday night’s rivalry matchup. Baker County will look to bounce back against the 0-2 Baldwin Indians on Friday at 7:30 p.m., while Bradford County will host the 0-2 Zarephath Academy Eagles looking to extend its winning streak.
With two strong defenses, dynamic offenses and a rivalry that runs deep, Friday night gave fans a glimpse of what could be in store for both teams. If this game was any indication, Baker County and Bradford County are two teams worth keeping an eye on as the season moves forward.
Florida head coach Todd Golden walks near his bench during the second half of an SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinal game against Kentucky, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Noah Lantor | The Independent Florida Alligator
On Friday, August 28, the Florida Gators announced they were locking down men’s basketball head coach Todd Golden with a new six-year contract worth $49.4 million. The contract will pay Golden an annual salary of $7.5 million, with an increase of $300,000 each year until it reaches $9 million in the final year of the contract.
Golden is now the highest-paid men’s basketball coach in Florida history and the second-highest-paid coach in the SEC, behind Arkansas head coach John Calipari. He ranks fourth nationally behind Kansas’ Bill Self, UConn’s Dan Hurley and Calipari.
An interesting addition to the contract, as reported by Graham Hall of 247Sports, is that if Scott Stricklin is no longer the Florida Gators athletic director, Golden’s buyout would drop to $5 million over the next two seasons. His buyout is currently $16 million this coming year and $13 million the following year. If Golden chooses to leave for an NBA job, his buyout would fall to $0 for the remainder of the contract.
GATORS HEAD COACH TODD GOLDEN CELEBRATING FLORIDA’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LAST SPRING/Getty Images
In his four years in Gainesville, Golden has had no shortage of success. He has compiled a 103-41 record, including a 50-22 mark in SEC play. Golden has led Florida to an SEC regular-season title, the eighth in Gators history and the first since the 2013-14 season under Billy Donovan. He also led the Gators to an SEC Tournament title, the fifth in school history and first since 2014.
That success culminated in a historic 2025 NCAA Tournament run, when Florida defeated No. 1 seed Houston 65-63 to win its first national championship since 2007, when the Gators went back-to-back.
Florida coach Todd Golden stands with center Rueben Chinyelu. (Matthew Lewis/WRUF)
This past offseason, Golden received interest from other NCAA and NBA teams with head coaching vacancies but ultimately chose to remain in Gainesville. Golden was also able to bring back stars Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu after they tested the NBA waters, keeping them in Gainesville for their senior seasons.
Barring any setbacks with the potential addition of former Gator Denzel Aberdeen, Florida is looking for another strong season. The Gators enter the year with high expectations, with multiple outlets projecting Florida as the preseason No. 1 team in the country.
With Golden now locked into a long-term contract, Florida has made it clear that its national championship-winning head coach is here to stay.
The Red Raiders have endured a rollercoaster offseason. They were able to pull highly touted quarterback Brendan Sorsby out of the NCAA Transfer Portal when he committed to Texas Tech on January 4. On February 25, his former school, the Cincinnati Bearcats, sued him, claiming he never paid a $1 million exit fee included in his contract if he decided to enter the portal and transfer to another school within 30 days. The case is still ongoing.
Sorsby played in Texas Tech’s spring game before checking into rehab for a sports gambling addiction after placing hundreds of bets over a four-year span. On May 18, he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA due to various gambling violations. On May 29, Sorsby admitted to placing more than $90,000 in bets for friends and family, with nearly 40 bets placed on the Indiana Hoosiers, whom he played for in 2022.
Texas Tech went on to appeal that decision in a June court case, which ultimately led to the NCAA denying Sorsby’s reinstatement. On June 8, a local Texas judge granted Sorsby and Texas Tech an injunction against the NCAA, preventing the organization from enforcing Sorsby’s ineligibility ruling. The injunction stated that Sorsby would have to sit out Texas Tech’s first two games against Abilene Christian and Oregon State.
On June 18, Sorsby dropped his lawsuit against the NCAA while attempting to apply for the NFL Supplemental Draft, only to be denied by the NFL.
That decision has left Texas Tech in limbo after the program believed it had its starting quarterback for the upcoming season. After a strong offseason, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire named Will Hammond the starter for the 2026 season. During his time at Texas Tech, Hammond has played in 12 games, accounting for 1,151 passing yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Texas Tech finally has their guy…
Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Then, on Wednesday, August 25, former Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos committed to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, putting the program in another difficult decision with the season less than two weeks away. Do they go with Texas Tech veteran Will Hammond or highly touted journeyman Thomas Castellanos, who has played for UCF, Boston College and Florida State during his four-year college career?
In 12 games for the Seminoles last season, Castellanos accounted for 2,270 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while adding 557 rushing yards on 137 carries and nine rushing touchdowns. Castellanos started his Florida State career with a bang, leading the Seminoles to a 31-17 upset over No. 8 Alabama on August 30.
Castellanos went undrafted in this year’s NFL Draft and had minicamp tryouts with the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans while attempting to transition from quarterback to wide receiver. After not receiving a contract from either organization, he decided to return to college. A Kentucky judge granted Castellanos a temporary injunction against the NCAA, allowing him to receive a fifth year of eligibility before entering the transfer portal and committing to Texas Tech.
Now, we will see who Texas Tech rolls out as QB1 when the Red Raiders take the field against Abilene Christian on September 5.
When I stepped up to the window at DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers in Gainesville, FL wondering what I was going to order, I overheard a conversation behind me about the craze surrounding the DJ Lagway Burger. I was told it was more than just a burger, but a mouthwatering experience of sweetness with a touch of spice.
It was so much better than anticipated, and one of the best burgers I have ever had. It was immediately clear as to why this was a fan favorite. When asking people for feedback on the burger, there was only one thing that came to mind. Cardona said it was “explosive”. UF’s NIL Director, Ben Chase (also known for famously attending 77 College Football games in 2023) stated, “I need to have another one soon!”
When speaking with the co-owner, Miguel Cardona, about the burger and the relationship with DJ, he stated, “The Lagway relationship started out as most of their customers do, he tried our burgers and kept coming back.” This small interaction led to them eventually working on a formal partnership. When asked about what it’s like to work with Lagway, Cardona said, “He’s humble, locked in. Despite everything going on he takes time to support our partnership and that says a lot about who he is”. When speaking with Lagway about what it means to work with a local company he said, “It means a lot because Gainesville is home now, and being able to connect with the community like this is something I take pride in.”
Lagway had a lot of praise for the team at DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers for how the burger was created. From helping pick the ingredients, the naming of the burger, and even some of the marketing behind it, he was proud of what they created together. Lagway said that DJ’s helped “make sure it felt true to me”. He expressed that they have a great team and that he’s happy to be building a relationship with them.
This isn’t the last planned collaboration for DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers and the Gainesville community, “It lets us celebrate the community in a real way. The athletes are putting in the work, just like we are, and when we team up, it creates something bigger than just food and sports.” The burger is available now at DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers located on 5310 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville, FL
In the arena of sports marketing, sponsorships and giveaways play a vital role in enhancing brand visibility and engagement. My capstone project focuses on sports sponsorships and giveaways through Gators Sports Properties, a leading entity in collegiate sports marketing.
Gators Sports Properties is the official multimedia rights holder for the University of Florida Athletic Association (UAA). They specialize in creating tailored marketing solutions to connect brands/partners with the Florida Gators fan base. I have had the privilege to work with Gator Sports Properties in a marketing photographer role which led me to have a piqued interest in how exactly the partnerships come to fruition behind the scenes.
When talking with Gators Sports Properties Partnerships Coordinator, Taylor Rowe, she said, “No two days are alike. There’s meetings with the University Athletic Association, there’s putting together recap presentations for sponsors at the end of athletic seasons, showing the partner what their sponsorship looks like…whether that’s a ribbon, replay wipe, tent at fan fest, etc.” To develop a better relationship between partners and coordinators/managers, each employee in the office focuses on two sports. Such as baseball and volleyball or football and gymnastics. A few examples of some companies that Gators Sports Properties partners with are Alumni Hall, Wells Fargo, Florida Victorious, American Campus Communities, and more.
These sports sponsorships involve strategic partnerships between brands and sports entities to reach a common goal that benefits both parties. Gators Sports Properties facilitates sponsorships by offering many attractive opportunities such as:
• Digital signage and advertising
• Radio and in-game advertisements
• Hospitality experiences for corporate partners.
• Social media platform integration
As mentioned above, there are many opportunities that draw clients to partner with Gator Sports Properties. There are several factors as well that influence how effective these partnerships can be. First of all, certain brands and companies will be drawn to specific sports marketing entities depending on the demographics, etc. of the fan base because they want to advertise their services to a receptive audience.
According to Haley Hogan, coordinator of partnership services, “The sport in which we align our sponsors with is based on demographic and budget. For softball, you will use sponsors that are reaching an older community. If you are wanting to reach students, that will be a more basketball or volleyball approach.” Gators Sports Properties targets their sponsorships towards the most receptive audience while coming up with creative ways to do so.
The reputation and current performance record of the sports team is also important as they’d like to market themselves through a successful organization. This partnership could be viewed as match making. The partnership needs to be a match on all fronts, the client aligning with the sports team’s values, fan base, and marketing engagement success.
One of the most frequently used fan engagement strategies is sports giveaways. These giveaways are integral components of gaining the attention of fans and patrons while also advertising GSP partners. Gators Sports Properties orchestrates giveaways to drive attendance, foster brand loyalty, and generate excitement among fans. Examples of giveaways look like branded merchandise, social media contests, in-game fan interactions, and VIP experiences.
Needless to say, this company handles a lot of moving parts and needs dedicated and passionate individuals to cater to each partner and align their interests with the company’s interests. It also involves finding new and creative ways to implement partnerships. Taylor Rowe expressed, “For soccer, I implemented a game ball presentation. This is when a team representative would have the opportunity to present the game ball to the sponsor on the field. So that was something I implemented this year to just make it a little bit more exciting while also getting them involved in game days.”
One question I had when beginning to interview and research about these partnerships was how Gator Sports Properties “gets their money’s worth”, simply saying. I learned that they use metrics to measure the impact and media exposure these partnerships bring. This is important for the company to know so that they are aware of which partnerships are most beneficial and impactful. Some of the ways they measure this is through calculating direct revenue, fan/sponsor surveys, and increased sale percentages among consumers. Gauging increased social media is also taken into account through measuring engagement such as likes, comments, and shares.
These partnerships are often very monetarily beneficial for both parties involved, GSP (Gator Sports Properties) and those they partner with. Interested partners contact GSP to begin conversations and discussions about what sponsorships will look like through University of Florida Athletics. A lot of both Taylor Rowe and Haley Hogan’s job is to be a part of these conversations and begin the process of implementing their advertisements into the athletics signage, merch, etc. GSP benefits from this partnership by gaining monetary capital from each partner to begin the sponsorship. The partners pay to advertise their brand or services and they gain monetary value through exposure and key marketing by GSP to the correct audience, which then turns them into potential consumers of the advertised company.
Sales is also a key entity inside GSP as their main job is to connect fans with partners. They do this through research to find brands that align with the University of Florida culture and the value of the Gator brand. They market merchandise that incorporates the sport, the partner company, and appealing trends. An example of this would be marketing selling a similar version of a very popular black belt bag that is currently very trendy with college students. They could create a Gator version of this belt bag along with a partner’s branding to market an attractive sales item, while also advertising the partner’s company.
Another aspect of the company is photography. Each partner that chooses to advertise with GSP receives what is called “proof of performance” photos. These photos are taken by a Property Assistant in order to show proof of the partner’s advertisements that were planned to be initiated in a specific game or area of campus. My current role at GSP is as a football game day photographer/property assistant. Essentially, I am tasked with covering the pregame Fan Fest to capture images and videos for our sponsors throughout the game. This involves getting content of on field signage, advertisements displayed on the scoreboard, and branding that may even be on a coach’s shirt or headset. As a sports fan, I never knew how much goes into sports marketing. Just in football alone, I have had the opportunity to work with assets valued at $7.829 million and over $17 million throughout the fourteen University of Florida sports involved with GSP.
Concluding this research opportunity, sports sponsorships orchestrated by Gators Sports Properties offer valuable opportunities for brands to connect with the Florida Gators’ fan base. Throughout this process of research, I have increased my knowledge of how these partnerships work and how they can best be handled by a sports marketing company. By understanding the dynamics of sports marketing, leveraging strategic partnerships, and measuring ROI effectively, Gators Sports Properties continues to elevate the fan experience while delivering tangible results for their partners.
On Monday, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-111 in game four of the Western Conference Finals. With the win, the Nuggets advance to the NBA Finals which start on June 1.
First Half
The first half of the game saw the Lakers explode out of the gate, taking an 11-4 lead. The Nuggets kept fighting, tying the game numerous times, but never taking the lead.
31 points, 11-13 from the field, & 4-4 from three.
It was a first half that saw LeBron James pull magic out of his hat, dropping 31 points on Denver. The Lakers were up 73-58 going into the half, with the Lakers in control.
Second Half
In the second half of the game, the Nuggets came out swinging, outscoring the Lakers 36-16 in the third quarter. It was a back-and-fourth final quarter with the Nuggets looking to secure the sweep and the Lakers looking to force a game five.
In the end, the Lakers missed two game-tying shots leaving the game in the hands of the Nuggets. LA started the season 2-10 and weren’t expected to make the playoffs this year.
The Nuggets made history getting their first sweep in team history. Denver advanced to their first NBA Finals in the teams’ 47 seasons. The Nuggets handed LeBron only his third sweep in his career and the only one to occur prior the NBA Finals.
It was a big series for the Jokic-Murray duo with Jokic scoring 30-14-13 and Murray adding 25 points. Jokic was able to secure the Western Conference Finals MVP. When asked about how he felt, he said, “They put me in this situation…I’m just first among the equals.”
LeBron
A visibly frustrated LeBron hinted at possible retirement when asked about his future in the NBA. It has been known that he wants to start alongside his son, Bronny James, who recently committed to USC and is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NBA Draft.
"I haven't even thought about next year. I don't know." -LeBron James on his future pic.twitter.com/uCDmK6QR86
It was a season where the Lakers truly didn’t have any all-stars and lacked chemistry. It was a one-man performance last night for LeBron, who dropped 40-10-9 after securing the highest scoring half in his postseason history.
Future
The NBA world will keep an eye on whether or not LeBron returns next season. The Nuggets await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat (3-0) and the Boston Celtics with Game four tipping off tonight at 8:30.
— Kent State Football (@KentStFootball) May 31, 2023
Knights
Both junior running back Johnny Richardson and senior quarterback John Rhys Plumlee are expected to have breakout seasons for the Knights. Under the direction of head coach Gus Malzahn, UCF is entering its third season and has already achieved two consecutive nine-win seasons and a conference title appearance.
In Malzahn’s two seasons, the Knights are 17-2 when they rush for 160 yards or more and 1-7 when they don’t reach 160, so they’ll try to get the running game going early.
The UCF Knights are the youngest program to ever join the ranks of a Power five league, thus fans are eager for the upcoming season, which will be the first for the Knights in the Big 12 conference.
I have never been more excited to be a UCF fan than I am right now, UCF Sophomore Ryan Hays had to respond when asked how he feels about the move to the Big 12.
Kent State
Coach Kenni Burns, who is in her first season in charge, will lead the Golden Flashes onto the field. After Kent State concluded the 2022 season 5-7 overall and 4-4 in conference play, he is attempting to revive the program. The past few seasons, Burns has coached the running backs at Minnesota and Western Michigan.
Since 1987, the program has only had four winning seasons. Fans shouldn’t expect success right now, according to College Football News, noting the new offensive coordinator, the loss of important offensive line players, and the new coaching staff’s increased emphasis on the defense.
Kent State must establish their running game rhythm early if they want to be successful. The Golden Flashes were 5-1 last season when they averaged 4.5 carries per rush and 0-7 when they averaged less.
Future
The two teams will compete on FS1 from the bounce house on August 31 at 7 p.m.
Ten…Five…Touchdown as time runs out, Mark-Antony Richards scores a touchdown for the UCF Knights. Richards, a senior running back for the Knights, has experienced both highs and lows in collegiate football.
Richards had a strong year in 2021, rushing for 309 yards and 5 touchdowns on 48 attempts in 12 games. The highlight of his season was the crowd yelling as he ran into the end zone with 23 seconds left to defeat Eastern Carolina 20–16 for UCF.
“Scoring that touchdown was huge for me,” he said in the post-game interview, “you know I was blessed to have my mom and family in the stands for that first touchdown, but I love this place.”
According to Richards, “the first touchdown felt like weight off my shoulders. That childhood dream finally came true. I let tears run and thanked my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for guiding me in that moment.”
Adversity
With the highs come the lows, which have regrettably caused the red-shirt senior to endure some injury-riddled seasons and moments when he had to dig deep to figure out who he was.
He says when discussing difficulty and tenacity, “just perseverance, you know. I was going through a leg injury like that, which was life-changing and difficult. But just staying on a positive course is what got me through it.”
He added that “the rehab was very tough but it made the comeback even sweeter” after a leg surgery kept him out of action for more than a year.
Transfer Portal
Being far from home and not in an environment where he could see himself succeeding in the long run presented some difficulties when he initially signed with the Auburn Tigers in 2019.
Richards entered his name to the NCAA transfer portal on December 16, 2020. He declared on February 23, 2021, that he would rejoin his former head coach Gus Malzahn at UCF in Orlando. His success has been aided by his move closer to home and joining his former head coach Gus Malzahn.
In UCF’s inaugural season in the Big 12, a Power Five conference in college football, he aspires to make a splash. As UCF transitions to the Big 12, they get ready for some challenging competition in the first year against Oklahoma, Baylor, and Cincinnati.
When asked about UCF entering the Big 12, Richards said, “playing the first conference game will be a surreal for us all. We are officially recognized as a Power Five school and treated accordingly.”
The fans have been waiting for this moment ever since the Fiesta Bowl winning team, according to Richards when asked about the significance. UCF was placed on the map at that time.
On August 31, UCF plays Kent State in the season opener.
