Sports
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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Sports
Police report details Zachariah Branch’s arrest days before NFL Draft over sidewalk incident
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New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is facing two misdemeanor charges following a run-in with law enforcement just days ahead of the NFL Draft.
Branch, who is a projected second-round pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, and charged with two counts of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Nov. 28, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
The NFL Network obtained the police report from Branch’s arrest, which described an encounter over an alleged sidewalk incident with law enforcement, in which police alleged that the former Bulldogs star failed “to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands.”
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk,” the excerpt from the report read.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
TOP NFL DRAFT PICK ZACHARIAH BRANCH ARRESTED IN GEORGIA ON TWO MISDEMEANOR CHARGES
“Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business,” the report continued.
“Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.”
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown against Ole Miss during the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. (IMAGN)
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
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His status as a projected second-round pick was bolstered after an impressive showing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
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Quick final pit stop helps Alex Palou win Long Beach Grand Prix
For two-thirds of Sunday’s Long Beach Grand Prix, Alex Palou bided his time … waiting for the one break he needed.
It came in the form of a caution on the 58th lap, allowing him to overtake front-runner Felix Rosenqvist exiting pit lane and hold the lead the rest of the way, taking the checkered flag by 3.96 seconds for his third triumph in five IndyCar Series races this season and his first at Long Beach.
Right after being showered with applause and confetti at victory lane, the 29-year-old Spaniard thanked his crew, whose quick work on the last pit stop proved to be the difference.
“Everyone was coming in on that yellow and they did an incredible job,” he said. “We were either going to win it or not win right there.”
Rosenqvist settled for second and Scott Dixon, Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, was third.
It was the 11th win over the last 22 races dating to 2024 for the Barcelona native and the 22nd win of his career, tying Tony Bettenhausen and Emerson Fittipaldi. It also vaulted Palou to the top of the series standings as he chases his fourth series championship in a row and fifth overall. Palou won the opener March 1 in St. Petersburg (also a street course) and the fourth race March 29 in Alabama.
Palou led for only 32 of the 90 laps Sunday and acknowledged it would have been difficult to catch Rosenqvist if not for the stoppage.
“I wasn’t giving up but it would’ve been tough to get him today,” Palou acknowledged. “He was already three seconds ahead. I was happy with my car but I was struggling more on the soft tires than the hards so I’d say my chances were low. The feeling was great seeing all the open space coming out of pit lane because when you spend 60 laps behind a car it disturbs you. I tried to match him on soft tires but it wasn’t working.”
Alex Palou speeds through a curve of the track.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
In six starts at Long Beach, Palou never has finished lower than fifth.
There is little room to maneuver on the 1.968-mile course with 11 tight turns, but after starting in the third position next to defending champion Kyle Kirkwood, Palou managed to sneak past Pato O’Ward into second place heading into the first turn on Lap 2.
“Making that move on the straightaway was big because I knew it was one of our only chances to get a pass on Pato,” Palou said. “I got that good run on that last corner and he didn’t expect it.”
This year marked the 51st edition of the longest-running major street race in North America, which started in 1975 as part of the Formula 5000 Series, switched to the CART/Champ Car World Series in 1984 and joined the IndyCar Series in 2009.
The top four qualifiers started on softer, high-grip “alternate” tires to establish position while the rest of the grid started on harder, more durable “primaries” to manage degradation on the 110-degree track surface. Of the 25 starters, 24 completed the 177.12 miles.
“We were going to make the two-stop strategy work but didn’t know if it would be doable or not,” Palou added. “As soon as I saw I couldn’t get Felix it was all about patience, fuel and waiting for the right time. I owe this win to my team. Without that pit stop I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now. It only takes one mistake to go from second to seventh, but they’re great under pressure.”
Cars make their way down a straightaway during Long Beach Grand Prix.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.
The first 45 laps were caution-free as Rosenqvist, Palou, Kirkwood, David Malukas and O’Ward held the top five spots. Newgarden’s chances declined upon discovering a flat spot on his left front tire, and he dropped back to 14th.
Rosenqvist’s three-second lead was erased when debris on the track exiting the Aquarium Fountain drew the only yellow flag all afternoon and narrowed the gap. Capitalizing on favorable pit position, Palou emerged from the lane just ahead of Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist. who won the pole position with a lap time of 1 minute 7.4625 seconds in qualifying, had mixed emotions as the runner-up after leading for 51 laps with no win to show for it.
“You want to win when you have an opportunity, but I’m proud of today,” Rosenqvist said.
“We weren’t as good as Alex on the blacks … the last pit cycle was the defining moment. We had to come around 14, he had more of an opening, and his crew nailed it. That happens.”
Kirkwood, who was vying for his third win in four years, finished right where he started in fourth.
“I had a good cushion and figured even with a bad stop I’d probably stay ahead but I knew there’d probably be a yellow at some point and there it came,” Rosenqvist lamented. “Considering Alex had primary [tires], also I think we would’ve been able to hold him off. It’s definitely disappointing when you can’t wrap it up.”
Dixon, who started in the sixth position, was third and earned his first podium this season and the 136th of his career.
Fans watch with two laps left in the race.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
“The race itself was a bit blah — I sat in the same position for most of it,” Dixon said. “Luckily for us we had it easy out of that last stop.”
Al Unser Jr. holds the record for most wins at Long Beach, chalking up six in eight years, including an unmatched four in a row from 1988 to 1991.
Tom Sargent is becoming a fan of street circuits after two wins this weekend. Driving the Porsche 911 Cup for GMG Racing in the Mobil Pro Class, the 22-year-old Australian led from start to finish in Race 1 of the Carrera Cup North America on Saturday. In Race 2 on Sunday morning, he again started from the pole and claimed a 0.965-second victory over Aaron Jeansonne to complete the double.
In his last bid at Long Beach three years ago, he hit the wall on Lap 2 but still finished second.
“Momentum in sports is critical and the past few weeks have been really cool for me,” Sargent said. “I didn’t do any street circuit racing before I came to the States. Maybe it fits my driving style.”
Sports
‘Demon’ Finn Balor settles score with Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 42
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LAS VEGAS – Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio were once brothers in arms in the Judgment Day. The two helped the faction run “Monday Night Raw” for several years.
As championships and opportunities came and went, the rift between Balor and Mysterio grew. It came to a head when Balor caused Mysterio to lose the Intercontinental Championship to Penta. Balor leaving the Judgment Day left Mysterio and Liv Morgan as the leaders with JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez sticking around.
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The latter four chose to ride with Mysterio and attacked Balor on one episode of Raw.
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42. To make matters more interesting, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the match a street fight hours before the show was set to begin.
Balor had vowed to bring the “Demon” out and he certainly did.
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Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Balor made his way to the ring in his “Demon” gear, dripping with red and black paint. Mysterio was in a mask with other Mysterio supporters.
The two then proceeded to beat the crud out of each other.
Mysterio wrapped Balor’s head in between a chair and hit a 619 on him. He tried to pin Balor, but to no avail. At another point, Mysterio tossed Balor through a table set up in the corner.
As many have learned, it’s hard to keep your demons down. Mysterio learned the hard way.
Balor would not give up. Balor clotheslined Mysterio, hit him with a chair multiple times before wrapping his head in between the chair and drop-kicking him into the corner. Balor put Mysterio onto a table and hit the Coup de Grâce for the win.
Dominik Mysterio is introduced before his match against Finn Balor during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Balor excised his own demons, while Mysterio is still haunted.
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