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Bo Nix not worried about what pick he's taken with in NFL Draft: 'Tom Brady was picked very far back'
“Quarterback heavy” is a term used to describe the 2024 NFL Draft prospect class, where the top three picks – maybe even four – are expected to be used on potential franchise signal callers.
Those names have been discussed a bunch. USC’s Caleb Williams has been deemed the unanimous No. 1 overall pick to the Chicago Bears, while LSU Heisman Trophy-winner Jayden Daniels and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are among the top quarterbacks. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy also entered those ranks following his national title-winning season.
However, there are other quarterbacks in this draft that could also become the face of a franchise despite not getting all the pre-draft hype.
Bo Nix, #QB07 of Oregon, participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Among them is Bo Nix, Oregon’s quarterback the past two seasons after he spent three years at Auburn. His work on tape this past season, along with his NFL Draft Combine and pre-Draft interviews with teams, has propelled him into the first round of many mock drafts.
However, Nix is not expected to be taken in that top 10 group that every prospect wishes to hear their name called. However, it does not bother Nix that he might be on the outside looking in.
For one, it is very safe to say he is going to be drafted. More importantly, he knows that draft position does not mean a thing at the end of the day, and he used one of the best examples possible to explain that.
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“Tom Brady was picked very far back in the draft, and he turned out all right, too,” Nix told Fox News Digital while discussing his experience at Selfridge Air National Guard Base before the Draft, thanks to USAA. “I just want the opportunity and the ability to go out there and play and everything will work out.”
Brady was drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, and though Nix is not expected to drop that far, his thought process still stands. Many quarterbacks have gone outside the top 10 picks in the draft and done very well for themselves in the NFL.
Nix, a four-star recruit out of Pinson Valley High School in Alabama, finally got a fully healthy season in 2023, and he made the best of it. Over 14 games, Nix’s final collegiate season was his best by far with 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns with just three interceptions.
“I just think the ability to process and get the ball out and know where I’m going with the football,” he said when asked what clicked for him last season to light up the stat sheet. “Everything just kinda came together this past year. I was able to finally play a full season, and I was healthy for the whole year.
“Every game I was able to go out there and perform at a high level. The ability was always there, and I was in a great situation. Finally, it happened this past year, but it didn’t necessarily surprise me. I was excited that all the work and effort paid off.”
Quarterback Bo Nix, #10 of the Oregon Ducks, walks off the field during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl against the Liberty Flames at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 1, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Ducks defeated the Flames 45-6. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Nix added that he has “nothing to prove” after all the work he put in at the collegiate level. So, when it comes to the team that eventually chooses him – no matter where that is on the draft board – he feels it will be the best situational fit.
“They’re gonna choose me and someone will. I’m excited to be a part of their team.
“I think the draft is all situation-based – teams take who they see fit. Quite frankly, I’m glad the team that fits me is going to take me because I don’t want to go to a bad fit. So, whatever happens, that’s what happens.”
Looking at the loads of mock drafts available, evaluators have Nix going mid-first round, with many choosing the Denver Broncos (No. 12) and Minnesota Vikings (Nos. 11 and 23). Those are two quarterback hungry teams, with Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins moving on from Denver and Minnesota respectively.
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Rookies just want to make the best of the opportunity they’re given, and when hearing their name called on Draft Day, there is always a smile (and sometimes watery eyes) because that opportunity has presented itself.
Nix could not care less about the hype or expectations. He just wants to prove he can make it at the highest level of football, and that is what he intends to do.
“They’re going to get an extreme competitor, somebody that does anything he can physically and mentally and all the things to win the game,” Nix said. “They’re going to get a talented quarterback that can go out there and process information at a high level and is going to be a great teammate.
Bo Nix, #QB07 of Oregon, warms up during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“Whoever it is, like I said, I’m just extremely excited and honestly can’t wait to be on a team.”
Nix teamed up with fellow prospect, Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, during the tour of Selfridge, a National Guard base just outside of Detroit, where they got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime flight in a Black Hawk helicopter over the city. It is all thanks to USAA, the official NFL Salute to Service partner.
“When we were able to do military appreciation week not only during college, but now moving forward to the ‘Salute to Service’ week with the NFL and USAA, I think it gives you the realization and allows you to take a second and recognize all they do for us and everything that goes into serving our country and being a part of the military,” Nix said. “They’re the reason we’re essentially allowed to go out there and play the game of football.”
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The Indiana Pacers’ risky move backfired after the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery saw them lose their top pick altogether in a disastrous turn of events on Sunday afternoon.
Heading into the lottery, the Pacers, who went 19-63 just one season after reaching the NBA Finals out of the Eastern Conference, had a 52.1% chance of having a top-four pick.
However, when they didn’t see their team chosen in the first four picks – Indiana also had a 14% chance of getting the No. 1 overall pick – it was time to panic.
Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard speaks during a press conference to announce center Miles Turner’s contract extension at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on Jan. 30, 2023. (Marc Lebryk/USA TODAY Sports)
The reason? The Pacers included their first-round pick in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac, but they only made it a top-four protected pick. That means, if the Pacers were chosen in the lottery as a top-four selection, they would be able to keep it.
But the Pacers were chosen as the No. 5 pick, and the Clippers now own the selection in next month’s draft.
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As a result, Pacers team president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard took full responsibility for the move, apologizing on social media.
“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” he wrote on X. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck. But please remember – this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year. We have always been resilient.”
Signage is displayed during the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, on May 10, 2026. (Melissa Tamez/NBAE/Getty Images)
The Pacers were viewed as a team that were actively tanking despite the NBA’s attempt to crack down on such a season, with the lottery being one way of that. And it clearly worked this time around.
Pritchard was trying to be transparent and honest with the Pacers fan base, but people were quick to jump in the comments to make their thoughts, and gripes, known.
“You lose Myles Turner and add Zubac,” one X user began. “You lose [Benedict] Mathurin and the number 5 pick with absolutely nothing in return. This is why fans are upset, for a center who not even a top 5 center in the NBA. Who trades their future away for Ivan [sic] Zubac???”
Another X user called this a “generational draft,” and couldn’t fathom the Pacers won’t be picking from a deep class.
“If I were a Pacers fan and my team traded away a top 5 pick for Ivica Zubac in the middle of a tanking season I would be beyond devastated,” a fellow X user wrote.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton shoots around on the court before an NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Indianapolis on April 7, 2026. (Doug McSchooler/AP)
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The Pacers were without their All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton all season long after he suffered an Achilles injury during the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. But Indiana still has key members of that team returning next season, including Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith.
However, this 2026 draft class is quite the spectacle, with many believing it to be deep considering the talent of BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, UNC’s Caleb Wilson, and Duke’s Cam Boozer, among others.
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Before the Sparks opening day loss to the Las Vegas Aces, coach Lynne Roberts said that this year “felt different.”
After one game, though, it feels a lot like the same.
During their season opener, the Sparks couldn’t get momentum against the defending champion Aces and fell 105-78 behind a remarkably efficient shooting day from the visitors at Crypto.com Arena.
After posting the worst defense in the WNBA last season (88.2 points per game), the Sparks made a flurry of offseason moves prioritizing stopping opponents. It’s why they brought in Nneka Ogwumike, Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler.
But the Aces shot 63% from the floor and the Sparks had few answers.
“Today was on us,” Ogwumike said. “Defense is not something that gels. You either want to do it or you don’t.”
Reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 19 points, Jackie Young had 20 points and nine assists and Chennedy Carter added 22 points in her first WNBA game since 2024.
The Aces, who were coming off a 33-point blowout opening day loss to Phoenix on Saturday, scored 33 of their points in the third quarter and that’s when the wheels fell off for the Sparks. Las Vegas shot 73.7% during the quarter.
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts reacts during a 105-78 loss to the Las Vegas Aces at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.
(Luiza Moraes / Getty Images)
“I think that was probably one of my worst one-on-one defending nights,” Ogwumike said. “But defense is definitely not something that you guys should be sitting here watching and hoping we get it down by the end of the month. You should see it on Wednesday.”
Kelsey Plum scored 11 of her 27 points in the fourth quarter, but by then the Aces had opened a 20-plus point lead.
The Sparks narrowed the deficit to one by halftime following an Ogwumike (19 points, 10 rebounds) three-pointer and backhand layup late in the second. But mostly, the Sparks’ defense activated, forcing 10 Las Vegas turnovers, led by two steals apiece from Atkins and Wheeler to fuel the comeback.
That energy was gone by the third quarter after the Aces started doubling Ogwumike, and aside from Plum, the Sparks’ offense had no answers.
“They punched us in the face,” Plum said. “We didn’t respond. And obviously, they’re a great team, right? When someone is shooting 63% it’s going to be hard to win that game. … I’m disappointed in our effort.”
Of the Sparks’ 19 turnovers, 10 came in the second half. The Aces scored 26 points off those giveaways, which made things even more difficult on the defense.
“Turnovers are, you’re just leading the other team to a fast break,” Roberts said. “And so we were giving them the turnovers, then there are two individual players who are expected to get a defensive stop after the turnover.”
They also need more from reserve center Cameron Brink (0 points, 0-for-0 shooting, three rebounds, three fouls in eight minutes) and Wheeler (two points, 1-for-11 in 20 minutes) going forward. Once Brink got in foul trouble, the Aces could continue blitzing Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby (12 points, five rebounds) without worry.
“We need Cam to produce,” Roberts said. “We need Cam to bring that defensive energy. We have so much confidence and belief in her. She’s got to get out on the floor with some confidence and do what she’s capable of doing, but we’re going to need her.”
If the Sparks have turned a corner from last season, they will need to find consistency on the defensive end of the floor. It won’t get easier with Caitlin Clark and Indiana (0-1) coming to town on Wednesday.
But the reason the Sparks built the roster that they did was to stop opponents after falling short of the postseason with the league’s third-best scoring team in the league.
“The good thing about this league is that we play in a day or two,” Plum said. “So, we’ll fix things.”
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Last August, when the NASCAR Cup Series went to the road course at Watkins Glen, Shane van Gisbergen captured the checkered flag.
Now SVG finds himself at the top of the oddsboard to win again when the series goes Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, May 10 (3 p.m. ET, FS1).
Let’s take a look at where the rest of the field sits as of May 10 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at the Glen 2026
Shane van Gisbergen: -135 (bet $10 to win $17.41 total)
Connor Zilisch: +360 (bet $10 to win $46 total)
Christopher Bell: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Tyler Reddick: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Ty Gibbs: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Chris Buescher: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Michael McDowell: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Austin Cindric: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Ross Chastain: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Chase Elliott: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Carson Hocevar: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Ryan Blaney: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Chase Briscoe: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
William Byron: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Kyle Larson: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
AJ Allmendinger: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Joey Logano: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Kyle Busch: +7500 (bet $10 to win $760 total)
Denny Hamlin: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Alex Bowman: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Daniel Suarez: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Brad Keselowski: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Bubba Wallace: +13000 (bet $10 to win $1,310 total)
Ryan Preece: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: +35000 (bet $10 to win $3,510 total)
Riley Herbst: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total)
Austin Dillon: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Zane Smith: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
John Hunter Nemechek: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Erik Jones: +60000 (bet $10 to win $6,010 total)
Todd Gilliland: +70000 (bet $10 to win $7,010 total)
Josh Berry: +70000 (bet $10 to win $7,010 total)
Noah Gragson: +80000 (bet $10 to win $8,010 total)
Cole Custer: +80000 (bet $10 to win $8,010 total)
Ty Dillon: +90000 (bet $10 to win $9,010 total)
Katherine Legge: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Josh Bilicki: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Cody Ware: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
The Favorite: Last year at Watkins Glen, Shane van Gisbergen finished eighth in Stage 1, 22nd in Stage 2 and led 38 laps on the day before getting into Victory Lane. And as it stands currently, SVG could use a win; the driver of the No. 97 car hasn’t won yet in 2026. He’s also 19th in the standings. However, he has two top 10s this year and one top-five finish. Bettors also might want to note that van Gisbergen won five of the six NASCAR road courses in 2025 and finished second at COTA earlier this year.
One to Watch: Another driver fans might want to keep their eyes on is Ryan Blaney. At The Glen in 2025, Blaney won the pole, finished seventh in Stage 1, won Stage 2 and finished the race sixth overall after leading 35 laps. On No. 12’s resume so far this year are seven top 10s, three top-five finishes and one win. He’s currently fourth in the standings.
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