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NFL All-Rookie Team: Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and more 2024 draft picks who shined

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NFL All-Rookie Team: Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and more 2024 draft picks who shined

As I put finishing grades on prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, I find myself wishing it were as strong of a class as the 2024 version.

Based on the rookie film, last year’s draft class certainly hasn’t disappointed in the NFL. Here is a look at The Athletic’s All-Rookie team:

Quarterback

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (Round 1, No. 2 overall)

Because of the season Bo Nix had, this was a much closer race than anyone expected. From start to finish this season, though, Daniels was the best rookie quarterback.

He engineered a dramatic franchise turnaround, leading a Commanders team that won just four games a year ago to a 12-5 finish. Daniels passed for 3,568 yards and accounted for 31 total touchdowns, finishing No. 1 among rookies in completion percentage (69 percent), yards per attempt (7.4) and passing first downs (204).

Daniels is a high-completion passer, but it’s what he brings with his legs that separates him. He set a rookie QB rushing record (891 yards) and finished 10th in the NFL with 28 carries of 10-plus yards. He also scrambled an NFL-high 75 times, so it will be interesting to see how that number fluctuates over the next few seasons.

A common thread between Daniels and Nix? Both were five-year starters in college, and that experience certainly played a part in their successes.

Second team: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (Round 1, No. 12)

In most years, Nix runs away with Offensive Rookie of the Year. His finished the regular season with 3,775 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions, adding 430 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. And, like Daniels, Nix played a critical part in leading his team to double-digit wins and the playoffs.

The two things I liked best about Nix as a prospect: He understood where to go with the football, and his scrambling gave defenders fits. The main concerns, however, were how much he relied on the quick game in college and how he struggled when his eyes sped up on him. All credit to Nix and Sean Payton for the QB’s development. He’s been proving a lot of people wrong, including me.

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Honorable mentions: Caleb Williams (Bears), Drake Maye (Patriots), Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons), Spencer Rattler (Saints), Joe Milton III (Patriots)

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Running back

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 4, No. 125)

Just four running backs rushed for 1,100-plus yards while averaging more than 5.0 yards per carry this season: Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs and … Irving. He played only 45.2 percent of Tampa’s offensive snaps and had single-digit carries in eight of 17 games, but Irving proved to be a valuable part of the Bucs’ run to an NFC South title — Tampa finished 6-1 in its final seven games and Irving averaged 119.1 total yards per game during that stretch.

The sixth back drafted in April, Irving finished No. 1 among all first-year running backs in rushing yards (1,122), rushing touchdowns (eight) and receiving (47 catches for 392 yards). Some soured on him during the draft process due to his average testing (4.55-second 40-yard dash and 29.5-inch vertical, at only 192 pounds), but his instinctive run qualities and pass-catching skills made it easy to appreciate Irving’s skill set.

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Second team: Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants (Round 5, No. 166)

In basketball terms, Tracy would be that high-energy sixth man who can swing games when he catches fire. The Purdue product was a threat to rip off an explosive play any time he touched the ball — he finished with six carries of 20-plus yards (one more than Bijan Robinson). Tracy (839 yards) was the only rookie back other than Irving to top 500 yards rushing.

Honorable mentions: Ray Davis (Bills), Isaac Guerendo (49ers), Braelon Allen (Jets), Trey Benson (Cardinals), Audric Estime (Broncos)

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Wide receiver

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 1, No. 23); Malik Nabers, New York Giants (Round 1, No. 6)

LSU teammates a year ago, Thomas and Nabers took the NFL by storm — despite dealing with inconsistent quarterback play.

Thomas finished with a rookie-best 1,282 receiving yards, third most in the NFL behind only Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. He had the fastest “flying 20” at the combine, so it was no surprise that he proved to be a big-play weapons almost immediately, producing a league-best five catches of 50-plus yards. He felt like a steal on draft night, and that is even more true now.

Nabers, meanwhile, finished third among all NFL receivers with 109 catches (behind only Chase and Amon-Ra St. Brown), even though he missed two games. His 1,204 receiving yards ranked seventh in the league, and he was one of the best at making defenders miss in space and moving the chains. Nabers is (already) knocking on the door of being considered a top-five NFL receiver.

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Second team: Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (Round 1, No. 4); Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (Round 1, No. 28)

Harrison’s production pales in comparison to expectations, but he still had a very respectable rookie campaign. He finished fourth among first-year receivers with 822 receiving yards, and his seven touchdowns tied with Nabers and Ladd McConkey for second most among rookies. On 108 targets, Harrison was tagged with just one drop.

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Worthy wasn’t considered a first-rounder by most teams, due to his lack of size and the undisciplined areas of his game. Although those concerns popped up in almost every game Worthy played, the Chiefs leaned into his explosive talent to maximize his impact. Worthy finished with nine total touchdowns (six receiving, three rushing).

Honorable mentions: Rome Odunze (Bears), Keon Coleman (Bills), Jalen McMillan (Buccaneers), Xavier Legette (Panthers), Troy Franklin (Broncos)

Slot receiver

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (Round 2, No. 34)

In an exceptional wide receiver draft, the Chargers addressed their offensive line in the first round and trusted the depth of the class. And the strategy worked — Los Angeles traded up a few spots to secure McConkey, whom many around the league believed would be a first-rounder.

McConkey finished with the ninth-most receiving yards (1,149) among all wide receivers and showed off his shiftiness after the catch (14 forced missed tackles). Despite two fumbles, he was one of the most reliable rookies (74.8 percent reception rate when targeted). Most importantly, McConkey stayed healthy, missing just one game.

Second team: Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos (Round 7, No. 235)

I don’t think many predicted Vele to have the same number of receiving touchdowns as Deebo Samuel, Puka Nacua or George Pickens. But he found a home in Denver and took advantage of his playing time. With 70 percent of his snaps coming in the slot, Vele finished with 41 catches for 475 yards and three touchdowns.

Honorable mentions: Jalen Coker (Panthers), Ricky Pearsall (49ers), Malik Washington (Dolphins)

Tight end

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 1, No. 13)

The easiest decision on this All-Rookie team, Bowers had arguably the best debut season for a tight end in NFL history.

Despite the Raiders’ below-average quarterback play, Bowers led all NFL tight ends in catches (112), receiving yards (1,194) and first-down grabs (58) and finished second in catches of 20-plus yards (15). He broke Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end, and his drops were rare (three on 139 targets). Bowers’ touchdown total (five) doesn’t match the rest of his production, but that is more a reflection of the team than the player.

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Second Team: AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks (Round 4, No. 121)

There was a massive gap between Bowers and the next-best rookie tight end. Barner gets the nod because he was reliable catching the football and solid as a blocker. He finished with 30 catches for 245 yards and four touchdowns, joining Bowers as the only rookie tight ends with multiple TDs.

Honorable mentions: Ja’Tavion Sanders (Panthers), Theo Johnson (Giants), Erick All (Bengals), Cade Stover (Texans)

Offensive tackle

Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers (Round 1, No. 5); JC Latham, Tennessee Titans (Round 1, No. 7)

The Chargers passed on Nabers, but I don’t know many who believe they made the wrong choice. That is how good Alt has been.

He is incredibly consistent with his steps, hands and body movements to frame up rushers and win with leverage. And he is doing all this at a position he hadn’t played before this season. This is going to sound hyperbolic, but based on Alt’s performance and development, it wouldn’t be surprising if he ascends to be the league’s top right tackle at some point the next few seasons.

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While Alt moved from the left side to the right, Latham made the reverse transition and played well in his first season at left tackle. It was far from perfect, and he had understandable struggles for a rookie, but Tennessee can feel comfortable it has its long-term left tackle.

Second Team: Taliese Fuaga, New Orleans Saints (Round 1, No. 14); Roger Rosengarten, Baltimore Ravens (Round 2, No. 62)

Unsurprisingly, Fuaga was the only rookie tackle close to Alt as a run blocker. And his improvements in pass pro at left tackle over the final month were encouraging (see his tapes vs. the Commanders and Buccaneers). Similarly, Rosengarten was outstanding as a pass blocker at right tackle over the final two months (10 pressures and one sack allowed in his final eight starts).

Honorable mentions: Olu Fashanu (Jets), Amarius Mims (Bengals), Brandon Coleman (Commanders), DJ Glaze (Raiders), Tyler Guyton (Cowboys), Matt Goncalves (Colts)

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Guard

Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers (Round 3, No. 86); Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 2, No. 44)

There were 25 offensive linemen drafted before Puni, but he would be one of the first offensive linemen off the board if a redraft happened today. Not only did Puni play at a high level for a rookie, especially in the run game, he was reliable, starting all 17 games and leading his team in snaps played.

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Powers-Johnson got a late start this season due to injury and went through his share of hiccups early. But he improved as the season progressed and his confidence increased, which allowed him to lean on his movement skills and physicality. His versatility was a strong selling point, and he showed that with eight starts at guard and six at center.

Second Team: Mason McCormick, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 4, No. 119); Layden Robinson, New England Patriots (Round 4, No. 103)

McCormick had a few “welcome to the league” moments (see his tape vs. the Ravens), but there were more positive moments in his debut season, as he started the final 14 games. Robinson wasn’t nearly as consistent, but the positive flashes — especially after he moved to left guard — were encouraging.

Honorable mentions: Dalton Tucker (Colts), Isaiah Adams (Cardinals), Christian Mahogany (Lions), Jordan Morgan (Packers)

Center

Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 2, No. 51)

As good as Alt and Puni have been, there is a strong case to be made that Frazier was the top first-year offensive linemen. Although his length and athleticism are more solid than exceptional, he already looks like a veteran with his strength at contact and ability to outmaneuver defenders. I think people get tired of hearing about wrestling backgrounds for offensive linemen, but with Frazier, you can clearly see how his skills on the mat translate to the NFL.

Second Team: Graham Barton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 1, No. 26)

In most years, Barton would have been a shoo-in for the top rookie center. He seemed to have at least one penalty a game, an area of his game which needs to improve (flags were an issue for him in college, too). But Tampa has to be thrilled with his development.

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Honorable mentions: Tanor Bortolini (Colts), Cooper Beebe (Cowboys), Beaux Limmer (Rams)

Edge rusher

Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams (Round 1, No. 19); Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins (Round 1, No. 21)

Trey Hendrickson, Myles Garrett and Jonathan Greenard are the only players who created more pressures this season than Verse (77). To put that number in perspective, only Nick Bosa had more pressures as a rookie over the last dozen years. When Von Miller won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011, he averaged 4.4 pressures per game; Verse averaged 4.5 this season.

Robinson’s impact was more gradual. After tallying 14 pressures over the first eight games, he accounted for 42 over the second half of the season to finish with 56 — three more than T.J. Watt.

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Second Team: Laiatu Latu, Indianapolis Colts (Round 1, No. 15); Jonah Elliss, Denver Broncos (Round 3, No. 76)

As the first defensive player drafted, Latu had a bit of a disappointing season with just four sacks. But he led all rookies with three forced fumbles and showed enough promise off the bench that the Colts can be excited about a sophomore jump. Elliss, who finished third among rookies with five sacks, proved to be a quality subpackage rusher.

Honorable mentions: Chris Braswell (Buccaneers), Dallas Turner (Vikings), Marshawn Kneeland (Cowboys), Austin Booker (Bears), Javon Solomon (Bills), Jalyx Hunt (Eagles)

Defensive tackle

Braden Fiske, Los Angeles Rams (Round 2, No. 39); T’Vondre Sweat, Tennessee Titans (Round 2, No. 38)

Fiske finished as the rookie leader in sacks (8.5) and collected 51 pressures, three behind Quinnen Williams. He always had the twitchy urgency and quickness to make an impact in the NFL, but the continued development with his hands was awesome to see.

Selected one spot before Fiske, Sweat generally was viewed as a potential first-round pick based on size and ability, but questions about his weight and off-field consistency removed him from several boards. The Titans rolled the dice and, so far, that gamble has paid off. Sweat might never be a playmaker as a pass rusher, but he destroys gaps in the run game and has better range than his 360-pound size would suggest.

Second Team: Byron Murphy II, Seattle Seahawks (Round 1, No. 16); Jer’Zhan Newton, Washington Commanders (Round 2, No. 36)

Injuries robbed us of seeing Murphy at full-go, but the flashes were enough to explain why he was so coveted in the draft. The same could be said about Newton, who started slow but has been a welcome part of the Commanders’ defensive line rotation.

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Honorable mentions: Elijah Chatman (Giants), Mike Hall Jr. (Browns), Kris Jenkins (Bengals), Evan Anderson (49ers), Leonard Taylor III (Jets), Jonah Laulu (Raiders), Maason Smith (Jaguars), DeWayne Carter (Bills)

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Linebacker

First team: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers (Round 2, No. 45); Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 3, No. 98)

Part of Cooper’s appeal as a prospect was his do-everything skill set, which was on full display this season. Despite missing a few games, he led all rookies with 13.0 tackles for loss (No. 2 among all NFL off-ball linebackers). After he returned from injury, Cooper played like one of the best defenders — not just rookie defenders — in the league.

Wilson had a terrific year, too, defending the run, dropping in coverage and blitzing the pocket. Most importantly, he stayed healthy for all 17 regular-season games and was one of the Steelers’ best coverage players on kicks and punts (300 special-teams snaps).

Second Team: Tyrice Knight, Seattle Seahawks (Round 4, No. 118); Omar Speights, Los Angeles Rams (undrafted)

An off-and-on starter, Knight led all rookie linebackers in tackles (88) — not too surprising, considering he had 140 tackles last season at UTEP. He plays like a rabid dog against the run, with the instincts and play personality that directly lead to production. Speights ranked top 20 in the NFL with 60 tackles over the final two months of the season. He also has the lowest missed-tackle rate (5.7 percent) among rookie linebackers.

Honorable mentions: Trevin Wallace (Panthers), Marist Liufau (Cowboys), Jaylon Carlies (Colts), Junior Colson (Chargers), Winston Reid (Browns), Darius Muasau (Giants)

Cornerback

Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles (Round 1, No. 22); Mike Sainristil, Washington Commanders (Round 2, No. 50)

Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans, Terry McLaurin, Nabers — Mitchell faced some of the NFL’s best wide receivers and more than held his own. Despite not registering an interception (he had his chances), his snap-to-snap consistency made him the league’s most impressive first-year cornerback. Over the final 12 games, Mitchell allowed more than 35 receiving yards in a game just once. He also finished with 12 passes defended.

The second outside corner spot was much more competitive, but Sainristil gets the edge. He led all rookies with 14 passes defended and committed just two penalties, despite leading all first-year players in defensive snaps played (978). His competitiveness in coverage and against the run jumped off the screen — he finished with 93 tackles, second most among rookies.

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Second Team: Nate Wiggins, Baltimore Ravens (Round 1, No. 30); Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans (Round 2, No. 42); Tarheeb Still, Los Angeles Chargers (Round 5, No. 137)

With his pick six in Week 18, Wiggins finished his rookie campaign with more touchdowns than touchdowns allowed. The only rookie corner to allow a lower reception rate than Wiggins was Lassiter (47.8 percent of targets resulting in a catch). And I couldn’t leave off Still, who finished second among rookies with four interceptions while posting 10 passes defended and committing just one penalty.

Honorable mentions: Terrion Arnold (Lions), Renardo Green (49ers), Josh Newton (Bengals), Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (Titans), Kool-Aid McKinstry (Saints), Max Melton (Cardinals), Kris Abrams-Draine (Broncos)

Nickel cornerback

Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles (Round 2, No. 40)

After missing most of the first five weeks, DeJean entered the Eagles’ starting lineup and played like one of the best nickels in the league. You could make a strong argument that he was the best run defender among all first-year players, and he didn’t allow a touchdown on 71 coverage targets. Add his impact on special teams, and DeJean has been a home run for Philadelphia — especially for a second-rounder.

Second Team: Andru Phillips, New York Giants (Round 3, No. 70); Tykee Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 3, No. 89)

Phillips was an outstanding run defender this season and flashed in coverage. One of the concerns with him as a prospect was that he produced zero interceptions in 38 career games at Kentucky, so his first career NFL interception in Week 17 great to see. Despite missing four games due to injury, Smith finished his rookie season as one of only five NFL players with at least three forced fumbles and two interceptions — he was the first rookie to post those numbers since 2018.

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Honorable mentions: Beanie Bishop Jr. (Steelers), Jarrian Jones (Jaguars), Chau Smith-Wade (Panthers), Christian Roland-Wallace (Chiefs)

Safety

Calen Bullock, Houston Texans (Round 3, No. 78); Tyler Nubin, New York Giants (Round 2, No. 47)

In a lot of ways, Bullock lived up exactly to his scouting report — both the good and the volatile. With his range in coverage, he led all rookies in interceptions (five) and allowed just 42.3 percent receptions when targeted. However, his questionable play strength was an issue, especially as a run defender. Despite the hiccups, Bullock proved to be an integral part of DeMeco Ryans’ defense, playing almost 1,000 snaps.

Nubin led all rookies in tackles (98), even though he missed four games. One of the reasons the Giants drafted him in the top 50 was his ball production in college (13 career interceptions), but he didn’t record an interception and registered just one pass breakup as a rookie — those numbers will need to improve next season.

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Second Team: Evan Williams, Green Bay Packers (Round 4, No. 111); Kamren Kinchens, Los Angeles Rams (Round 3, No. 99)

If he hadn’t missed five games (and parts of others) due to injury, Williams likely would have made the first team. Regardless, he had a much better season than anyone anticipated, and the Packers can feel optimistic about their free safety situation moving forward. Kinchens allowed four touchdown passes this season, but he posted four interceptions and led all rookies in interception yards (123).

Honorable mentions: Malik Mustapha (49ers), Javon Bullard (Packers), Demani Richardson (Panthers), Jaylen McCollough (Rams), Cole Bishop (Bills), Jaden Hicks (Chiefs), Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (Cardinals), Dell Pettus (Patriots)

Kicker

Cam Little, Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 6, No. 212)

Second Team: Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings (Round 6, No. 203), Joshua Karty, Los Angeles Rams (Round 6, No. 209)

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Punter

Tory Taylor, Chicago Bears (Round 4, No. 122)

Second Team: Ryan Rehkow, Cincinnati Bengals (undrafted); Matthew Hayball, New Orleans Saints (undrafted)

(Top photos of Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers: Kara Durrette, Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)

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Russell Wilson escalates feud with Sean Payton, labels Broncos coach ‘classless’

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March 5, 2026

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Russell Wilson escalates feud with Sean Payton, labels Broncos coach ‘classless’

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Russell Wilson and Sean Payton spent just one NFL season together, but tension lingered after a rocky year.

And it appears the tension that built up from that tumultuous stretch continues to linger.

Wilson’s interview on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, recorded before last month’s Super Bowl between Seattle and New England, recently resurfaced. 

In the interview, Wilson doubled down on his October comment labeling Payton “classless,” saying he felt slighted by his former coach’s remarks.

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Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos talks to quarterback Russell Wilson on the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Aug. 11, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

“[When] you’ve been on the same side or this and that, and I got the same amount of rings as you got, meaning Sean, right?” said Wilson, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks as Payton did coaching for the New Orleans Saints. 

“I got a lot of respect for him as a play-caller, this and that, but to take a shot, I don’t like. I don’t think it’s necessary, you know, I mean, especially when I’m not even on your own team anymore. So, for me, there’s a point in time where you have to, I’ve realized, I’ve stayed quiet for so long. There’s a there’s a time and place where I’m not.

“I know who I am as a competitor, as a warrior, as a champion, too, and, you know, I’ve beaten Sean, too. You know, like we’ve been on the same place and the same thing. And so, it’s not a matter of disrespect. Just don’t disrespect me.”

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Sean Payton and Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos during an a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High Nov. 19, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

After a rocky one-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, Wilson joined the New York Giants last offseason. However, he was relegated to a backup role after just three games.

Rookie Jaxson Dart quickly showed promise once he had the chance to start, but his season was briefly derailed by injury. Jameis Winston — not Wilson — stepped in for Dart in a handful of games. Dart threw three touchdowns in a Week 7 matchup with the Broncos, nearly pulling off an upset in what was eventually a close loss.

After the game, Payton said Dart provided a “spark” to the Giants’ offense.

“I was talking to [Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said, ‘We were hoping that that change would have happened long after our game,’” Payton said.

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The New York Giants’ Russell Wilson attempts to escape a sack by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the first half of a game Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.  (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Payton also said the Broncos would have faced less of a challenge had Wilson been under center.

“Classless … but not surprised,” Wilson responded in a social media post. “Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later though the media.”

Despite last season’s struggles and chatter about his football future, Wilson does not appear ready to call it quits in 2026.

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“I wanna play a few more years for sure,” he said. “I think, for me, I’ve always had the vision of getting to 40, at least. I think the game is different. Quarterbacks, we get hit. It’s not, you know, we get hit hard, but … there’s certain rules. I mean, back in the day when I started, bro, it was you just get [clobbered]. 

“I mean, so I feel like the game allows you to, you know, live a little longer, I guess. I feel healthy. I feel great. But I think, more than anything else is, do you love the game? Do you love studying? Do you love the passion for it all? Do you love the process? Do you love the practice? Do you love — everybody loves the winning part of it, but it’s process. There’s a journey that you got to be obsessed with. And that part I’m obsessed with.”

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Russell Wilson not thinking about retirement, plans to play in 2026: 'I know what I'm capable of'

Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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Fatigue a factor as early matches begin at Indian Wells

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March 5, 2026

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Fatigue a factor as early matches begin at Indian Wells

The early rounds of the BNP Paribas Open began Wednesday, with top seeds slated to start play Friday during the 12-day ATP and WTPA Master 1000 tournament.

A busy stretch of the tennis season reaches another gear at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the second largest outdoor tennis stadium in the world.

While many consider it the “fifth Grand Slam” because of its elite player field, amenities and equal prize money for men and women, professionals acknowledge the tournament is part of a stressful stretch on the tennis calendar.

Indian Wells is followed by the Miami Open, another two-week Master 1000 tournament. The tour stops are known as the “Sunshine Double.”

Some players made the short trip from Indian Wells to Las Vegas this past weekend to participate in the MGM Grand Slam, an exhibition designed to help players ramp up for back-to-back tournaments.

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American Reilly Opelka, a 6-foot–11 pro, said managing fatigue after a series of tournaments before hitting Indian Wells has altered his practice and play in exhibition matches, including a loss to 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca in Las Vegas.

“Normally in any kind of competition, you get excited and play with a pressure point … but you don’t feel this when you are practicing,” Opelka said.

“I was trying to feel like this a few days ago while practicing with … [Tommy Paul,] but instead we got tired and hungry. … That usually doesn’t happen. We just decided to stop and go to eat somewhere.”

Paul said despite the decision to cut practice short, he feels fresh for the upcoming events.

“I started the year pretty well and for Americans, we are excited for the Sunshine Double,” Paul said.

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Casper Rudd lost to Opelka during the first round of the Las Vegas exhibition. The Norwegian also lost a week ago during the first round of the Acapulco Open, falling to Chinese qualifier Yibing Wu in straight sets.

Rudd said he felt “extremely tired” after the Australian Open in January.

Rancho Palo Verdes resident Taylor Fritz, ranked No. 7 in the world, said the best way to prepare yourself for grueling tour schedule is “putting [in] the time, work and repetition.”

“… Be there, be focused on the quality that you are doing,” said Fritz, a 28-year-old who won the Indian Wells title in 2022.

While some players are guarding against burnout, others struggled to even reach California. Some players who live in Dubai, including Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, have to contend with closed airspace triggered by the U.S. and Israel bombing Iran.

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The ATP announced Wednesday that, “the vast majority of players who were in Dubai have successfully departed today on selected flights.”

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Law firm fighting for women’s sports in SCOTUS battle comments on ruling possibly impacting SJSU trans lawsuit

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March 5, 2026

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Law firm fighting for women’s sports in SCOTUS battle comments on ruling possibly impacting SJSU trans lawsuit

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A law firm leading the charge in the ongoing Supreme Court case over trans athletes in women’s sports has responded after a federal judge suggested the case’s ruling could impact a separate case involving a similar issue. 

Colorado District Judge Kato Crews deferred ruling in motions to dismiss former San Jose State volleyball co-captain Brooke Slusser’s lawsuit against the California State University (CSU) system until after a ruling in the B.P.J. v. West Virginia Supreme Court case, which is expected to come in June. 

Slusser filed the lawsuit against representatives of her school and the Mountain West Conference in fall 2024 after she allegedly was made to share bedrooms and changing spaces with trans teammate Blaire Fleming for a whole season without being informed that Fleming is a biological male. 

 

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Meanwhile, the B.P.J. case went to the Supreme Court after a trans teen sued West Virginia to block the state’s law that prevents males from competing in girls’ high school sports. 

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is the primary law firm defending West Virginia in that case at the Supreme Court, and has now responded to news that Slusser’s lawsuit could be affected by the SCOTUS ruling. 

“We hope the ruling from the Supreme Court will affirm that Title IX was designed to guarantee equal opportunity for women, not to let male athletes displace women and girl in competition. It is crucial that sports be separated by sex for not only the equal opportunity of women but for safety and privacy. Title IX should protect women’s right to compete in their own sports. Allowing men to compete in the female category reverses 50 years of advancement for women,” ADF Vice President of Litigation Strategies Jonathan Scruggs said.

Slusser’s attorney, Bill Bock of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, expects a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the legal defense representing West Virginia, thus helping his case. 

(Left) Brooke Slusser (10) of the San Jose State Spartans serves the ball during the first set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Oct. 19, 2024. (Right) Blaire Fleming #3 of the San Jose State Spartans looks on during the third set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym on October 19, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ( Andrew Wevers/Getty Images; Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

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“We’re looking forward to the case going forward,” Bock told Fox News Digital. 

“I believe that the court is going to find that Title IX operates on the basis of biological sex, without regard to an assumed or professed gender, and so just like the congress and the members of congress that passed Title IX in 1972, allowed this specifically provided for in the regulations that there had to be separate men’s and women’s teams based on biological sex, I think the court is going to see that is the original meaning of the statute and apply it in that way, and I think it’s going to be a big win in women’s sports.”

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared prepared to rule in favor of West Virginia after oral arguments on Jan. 13. 

Slusser spoke on the steps of the Supreme Court on Jan. 13 while oral arguments took place inside, sharing her experience with a divided crowd of opposing protesters. 

With Fleming on its roster, SJSU reached the 2024 conference final by virtue of a forfeit by Boise State in the semifinal round. SJSU lost in the final to Colorado State.

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Slusser went on to develop an eating disorder due to the anxiety and trauma from the scandal and dropped out of her classes the following semester. The eating disorder became so severe, that Slusser said she lost her menstrual cycle for nine months. Her decision to drop her classes resulted in the loss of her scholarship, and her parents said they had to foot the bill out of pocket for an unfinished final semester of college. 

President Donald Trump’s Department of Education determined in January that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of the situation involving Fleming, and has given the university an ultimatum to agree to a series of resolutions or face a referral to the Department of Justice. 

Among the department’s findings, it determined that a female athlete discovered that the trans student allegedly conspired to have a member of an opposing team spike her in the face during a match. ED claims that “SJSU did not investigate the conspiracy, but later subjected the female athlete to a Title IX complaint for ‘misgendering’ the male athlete in online videos and interviews.”

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SJSU trans player Blaire Fleming and teammate Brooke Slusser went to a magic show and had Thanksgiving together in Las Vegas despite an ongoing lawsuit over Fleming being transgender. (Thien-An Truong/San Jose State Athletics)

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SJSU Athletic Director Jeff Konya told Fox News Digital in a July interview that he was satisfied with how the university handled the situation involving Fleming.

“I think everybody acted in the best possible way they could, given the circumstances,” Konya said. 

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Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.

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