04172026 SPORTS

Setting the pace

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s inaugural Frank “Pancho” Rahming All-Age Schools Track and Field Championships is in full swing at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

During day three of the championship yesterday, a number of outstanding performances were turned in, including a national high school record-breaking performance.

That came from CARIFTA bronze medallist

Kamera Strachan, who shattered her own mark of 45.58 metres set last year with a heave of 153-220 (46.89 metres) to pull off the under-20 girls’ javelin for the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine.

The meet, which brought athletes from all over

The Bahamas competing from the primary to the high school and including athletes with special disabilities, got started on Tuesday and will wrap up today.

Also among the highlights yesterday was a big performance from Eula Rolle of NGM Major High in Long Island, winning the under-17 boys’ triple jump with a leap of 45-3 (13.79m), more than his nearest rival, who did 44-01 (13.44m).

In the under-17 girls’ shot put, CARIFTA member Alyssa Thurston of Windsor School topped the field with her heave of 36-09 3/4 (11.22m), just ahead of the 2-3 punch from Queen's College's CARIFTA teammate T'Arjahnay Green with 36-05 1/2 (11.11m) and D Rolle with 33-11 1/2 (10.35m).

CARIFTA member Paris Rolle of Queen's College soared 5-03 (1.60m) to win the under-20 girls’ high jump.

K Williams of CV Bethel was second with 5-01 (1.455m). Grand Bahama's Z Musgrove of St George's High was third with 4-09 (1.45m).

Tamia Whylly of Preston Albury High got some spotlight for Eleuthera in winning the under-15

Inaugural Frank ‘Pancho’ Rahming All-Age Schools Track and Field Championships in full swing

girls’ triple jump with 30-00 (9.15m). It was a Family Island sweep for the top two spots as Kevernique Anderson of Huntley Christie High got second for Andros with 28-08 (8.76m). Tylah Lightbourne of Kingsway Academy got third with 27-06 (8.40m). Lamar Richards of DW Davis won the under-17

boys’ high jump with 6-08 (1.73m). Mikedre AAnderson of CH Reeves was second with 5-05 (1.65m) and Colton Bullard took third place home to Grand Bahama for Sir Jack Hayward high with 5-03 (1.60m). Kingsway Academy's Damali David won the under-7 girls’ triple jump with a leap of 37-02 1/2 (11.37m).

Among the events on the track with results posted up to press time were the finals of the 400 metres, one of which was the men's Olympic Development race that was won by Marvin Camelus in 48.74. Ethan Stuart was the runner-up in 50.16.

In the age group races, Gianna Collie of Sunland Baptist captured the

girls’ under-13 title in 1:05.04, ahead of her Grand Bahama rival, De'Nay Poitier of Jack Hayward High, who got second in 1:05.68. Abaco's Katelyah Cooper of Patrick J Bethel got third in 1:08.78. Arthur Spencer added to Sunland Baptist stock with his win in the under-13 boys’ race in 1:02.67. Tyler Culmer of SAC got second in 1:03.08 to break up a Grand Bahama sweep as Bruce Russell joined Spencer, his team-mate, on the podium for third in 1:07.88.

McKenzie Henfield of St John's College clocked 58.45 to claim the under-15 girls' 400m over Kari Goffe of Queen's College in 59.01. Huntley Christie's Malaysia Gaitor got third in 1:00.30. Avonte Lotmore pulled off the under-15 boys’ race in 49.89 for Tabernacle Baptist in a sweep for Grand Bahama. Xavier Thompon of Sunland Baptist was the runner up in 53.34 and Jahtarie Hanna of Jack Hayward was third in 53.49. San Pedros International got the victory in the under-17 girls’ 400m as Maddyso Fountain took the tape in 1:05.81. Andrea Lawrence of CH Reeves was second in 1:06.65 and Raynik Neilly of HO Nash was third in 1:07.65. Noble Preparatory got the win in the under-17 boys’ 400m from V Pinder in 49.18. C Munroe of St John's College was the runner up in 50.24 and T Lockhart of St Anne’s was third in 50.32.

Two CARIFTA teammates went head-to-head in the under-20 girls’ 400m with Alexis Roberts of St Augustine's College crossing the finish line in 56.55 with versatile Alexandra Komolafe second in 59.48. Ana Butler of St John’s was third in 59.82. And in the under-20 boys' 400m, CARIFTA medallist Eagan Neely of St Augustine's College stopped the clock for the win in 47.64. Another CARIFTA team member Lamond Moxey of Sir Jack Hayward was second in 47.86 and John Higgs of CR Walker got third in 49.56.

Bulletproof Shoulders: Why they break down and how to build them right

By DR KENT L BAZARD Sports Medicine Physician

IF you work with swimmers, pitchers, or cricket bowlers long enough, shoulder injuries are not a question of if - they’re a question of when.

These are some of the most demanding movements in sport. Repetitive overhead activity, high velocity, and high volume place significant stress on the shoulder joint. When that stress exceeds the body’s ability to adapt, breakdown occurs.

The shoulder is designed for mobility, not stability. Structurally, it is a shallow ball-and-socket joint, allowing a wide range of motion at the expense of inherent stability. That stability must come from soft tissues, primarily the rotator cuff, the labrum and the surrounding musculature, including the scapular stabilisers.

In swimmers, the issue is volume. Thousands of overhead strokes per session create cumulative microtrauma. In throwing athletes such as baseball pitchers and cricket bowlers, the issue is velocity and force. The shoulder must generate and decelerate high rotational speeds repeatedly.

In both cases, the joint is placed under stress at end ranges of motion, where it is most vulnerable.

Biomechanically, most injuries occur during two critical phases: the late cocking phase and the deceleration phase. In the cocking phase, the shoulder is placed into extreme external rotation.

This stresses the anterior capsule and labrum. In the deceleration phase, the rotator cuff must eccentrically control the arm as it slows down. This is one of the highest stress moments on the posterior shoulder. Over time, this leads to common injury patterns. Rotator cuff tendinopathy is one of the most frequent, resulting from repetitive overload without adequate recovery. Labral injuries, including SLAP tears, occur due to traction and rotational stress.

Impingement syndromes develop when poor mechanics lead to compression of soft tissues within the joint.

In younger athletes, particularly swimmers, we often see what is referred to as “swimmer’s shoulder,” a combination of instability, overuse, and muscular imbalance.

The underlying issue in most cases is not just

Local Sports Calendar

ROAD RACE

UBFIT

THE University of the Bahamas is scheduled to hold its 9th annual UBFit Race Weekend from April 17-19.

Sponsored by Doctor’s Hospital, the in-person race will be held on Saturday, April 18 starting at 6am from the Oakes Field Campus and will consist of a 5-kilometre, 10K and 15K fun run, walk, bike, skate and roll race. For more information, persons can email UBFIT@ub.edu.bs or call 424-8887.

SOFTBALL BBSC

SOFTBALL CLASSIC

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation Softball Classic, which was scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed until the weekend of July 17-18 at

the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The BBSF, instead, will not host its next event until the Volleyball Classic is staged at the CI Gibson Gymnasium over the weekend of June 19-20.

BASKETBALL BBF NATIONALS THE Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Nationals Championships is scheduled for April 16-18 in Freeport, Grand Bahama, at the St. Georges High School Gymnasium. This premier national championship will bring together teams, families and communities from across The Bahamas, celebrating youth development, athletic excellence, and community unity. Hosting the event in Grand Bahama underscores the BBF’s commitment to Family Island impact,

overuse, but poor load management and faulty mechanics.

A key factor is scapular control. The shoulder does not function in isolation. The scapula acts as the base from which the arm moves. If scapular positioning and movement are poor, the shoulderjoint is placed in a compromised position. This leads to increased stress on the rotator cuff and surrounding structures.

Another major contributor is strength imbalance. Many athletes develop strong anterior muscles - such as the chest and anterior deltoid - while neglecting the posterior chain. This creates a forward-dominant posture, reducing space within the joint and increasing the risk of impingement.

economic stimulation and national pride.

Participating

Teams

Division 1 - Grand Bahama, New Providence, Bimini and Abaco.

Division 2 - Grand Bahama, New Providence, Abaco and Eleuthera.

Teams from multiple island associations will compete across two divisions, showcasing the depth, talent, and continued growth of basketball throughout the country.

Game Schedule (Preliminary)

Day 2 – April 17

Division II - Eleuthera D2 vs New Providence D2; Grand Bahama D2 vs Abaco D2.

Division I - Bimini vs Abaco; New Providence vs Grand Bahama.

Day 3-April 18

Division II - Grand Bahama D2 vs Eleuthera

Range of motion also plays a role. Throwing athletes often develop increased external rotation but lose internal rotation over time, a condition known as GIRD (glenohumeral internal rotation deficit). This imbalance alters mechanics and increases injury risk if not addressed.

From a prevention standpoint, the goal is not simply to strengthen the shoulder, but to build a system that can tolerate the demands placed on it.

At a practical level, this includes strengthening the rotator cuff with an emphasis on eccentric control, improving scapular stability through targeted exercises, and maintaining balanced mobility. Movements such as external rotation strengthening, face pulls, prone Y and T raises, and controlled overhead stability work are fundamental. Equally important is maintaining thoracic spine mobility, as stiffness in this region often forces the shoulder to compensate. Technique must also be addressed. In swimmers, stroke efficiency and body position are critical.

In throwing athletes, proper sequencing of the kinetic chain - from the lower body through the

D2; New Providence D2 vs Abaco D2.

Division I - New Providence vs Bimini; Abaco vs Grand Bahama.

Championship Round (April 18)

Division II – 3rd Place Game

Division I – 3rd Place Game

Division II – Championship Game

Division I – Championship Game

The BBF Nationals serve as a vital platform for athlete development, talent identification, and strengthening the national basketball programme. Fans can expect exciting matchups, emerging stars and a high level of competition throughout the tournament.

Beyond the on-court action, the event reflects the BBF’s ongoing mission to expand the sport across

core to the upper limbreduces unnecessary stress on the shoulder. When the shoulder is forced to generate power instead of transfer it, injury risk increases significantly.

In our setting at Empire, we approach shoulder health through a combination of assessment, targeted rehabilitation, and performance integration.

Athletes are evaluated not just for pain, but for movement quality, strength balance, and range of motion. Objective measures, including force output and symmetry testing, allow us to identify deficits early.

Power assessments can be particularly useful in identifying athletes at risk. Reduced force production or asymmetry between limbs often indicates underlying weakness or inhibition.

Similarly, range of motion testing - especially identifying deficits such as GIRD - provides insight into mechanical risk factors before injury occurs.

Rehabilitation follows a structured progression. Early phases focus on pain control and restoring movement. This is followed by targeted strengthening, with an emphasis on the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers. As the athlete

the Family Islands, foster youth engagement and build stronger basketball communities nationwide.

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to come out and support their island teams while enjoying a vibrant sporting atmosphere in Freeport.

The three-day event is expected to generate positive energy and meaningful economic activity for Grand Bahama.

Game schedules and results can be found on the BBF website at bbfbasketball.com and on our social media pages.

Come out and support Bahamian basketball as the nation’s best compete for championship honours in Freeport.

CONSTITUENCY

SOFTBALL

THE New Providence Sports Council, in conjunction with the Bahamas

progresses, we introduce dynamic stability and integrate the shoulder into full-body movement patterns. The final phase involves sport-specific loading, including controlled return to throwing or swimming, ensuring the shoulder can tolerate real performance demands.

A key point in rehabilitation is not rushing the process. Many athletes return to activity once pain subsides, but before strength and control are fully restored. This is one of the main reasons shoulder injuries become chronic. Adjunctive tools, such as diagnostic ultrasound, allow for accurate assessment of soft tissue structures and help guide treatment decisions. In certain cases, targeted interventions may be required, but the foundation always remains structured rehabilitation and load management. The concept of a “bulletproof shoulder” is not about making the joint indestructible. It is about building resilience - developing the strength, control, and mechanics necessary to handle repeated stress without breakdown. For swimmers, pitchers, and cricket bowlers, this is not optional. It is essential.

Softball

Federation, is slated to hold the Constituency Games Softball Tournament from Tuesday, April 28 to Sunday, May 3, in the Bankers’ Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

The men will play modified pitch during the tournament, while the women will play slowpitch. For more information, persons can contact BSF president Marvin ‘Togie’ Wood at 808-7281.

RED-LINE YOUTH

CLASSIC

THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club is scheduled to hold its Youth Track Classic on Saturday, May 2-3 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event is open to athletes from the under-7 to under-15 divisions for boys and girls. To register, persons can log onto www. CoochORegistration.com

Sporting road to the May 12 general election

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

JUST about every general election, we've seen more and more sporting personalities putting their names in the political hat to run for the various constituencies in The Bahamas.

On May 12 when the next election takes place, there are several sporting personalities stepping forth to run, some against each other and others in isolated cases.

Today, the focus is on Latoya Bain-Sturrup, the Coalition of Independent candidate for the newly constructed constituency of St James, who will be going up against another former basketball player Shanendon Cartwright, the deputy leader of the Free National Movement and former Member of Parliament for St Barnabas, as well as Owen Wells from the Progressive Liberal Party. Bain, a former

middle distance runner, has resigned as a teacher, president of the New Providence Public Primary School Sports Association and District Shop Stewart for the Bahamas Union of Teachers.

Having served as a general for both the PLP and the FNM, Bain-Sturrup said both parties have failed the country and she wants to be a  "game changer".

"Our country is in a horrible state. This country is in ICU and instead of me complaining, I decided to go and do something about it. I'm here trying to make a difference. I'm all about service."

As a former athlete-turned coach and executive, the 50-yearold Bain-Sturrup said she has realised the importance of sports and how it bonds people and families together and helps to alleviate crime.

"I believe in New Providence, every community

park should be utilised after school," she said. "It would eliminate crime because you get to keep the youngest busy and they won't have time to get into mischief.

"When they have organised sports and games going on in these parks, they get to meet other people and they compete against the different communities. That's a way of bringing families and communities

Rising karting star Lenox Lockhart crashes

together so everybody can build friendship and love among each other."

It may be a little harder to achieve in the inner-cities, as opposed to areas like St James, but Bain-Sturrup is adamant that sports is one avenue to achieve that goal.

If elected to serve as the MP for St James, BainSturrup said she will work on providing an inclusive environment where she would consult her constituents before she goes to the House of Assembly to represent them.

"We must meet on neutral grounds where we discuss the facts and issues and then we will vote on it," she said. "Whatever the majority says, that is what I will take to Parliament.

"So they will be a part of the decision making and that's a way to get them involved.

“So for me, it would all be part of inclusion for St James."

The only way for her to change some policies is for her to get a foot in the door so she can push the notion that if the community plays a more pivotal role in sports, it will make a difference.

As a strong believer that "it takes a village to raise a child," Bain-Sturrup got her introduction to sports at Claridge Primary before she went to CI Gibson and, as a promising track star, she moved to CC Sweeting where she earned an athletic scholarship to attend Oral Roberts University.

After graduating, BainSturrup returned home and started working as a fitness instructor at the Atlantis resort. But she knew that her calling was impacting lives and so she decided to venture into the school system.

"I don't have any regrets. I just miss my students," Bain-Sturrup said.

"You also meet colleagues, who become friends, but we keep in touch.

"I will go back and see the students, even when they graduate and go to high school. I will still be around sports and a part of their lives. So there's no regret in moving on."

Bain-Sturrup said the country just needs some dedicated and committed people who are ready to fight for the "sovereignty" of the country and for the future of the next generation of children.

"That's what it's all about for me, serving my country," she summed up. The 50-year-old BainSturrup is the wife of Mordell Sturrup and they have one son, Lakenz, but she also counted numerous students as her stepchildren.

"Somebody did it for me, so I want to do something for someone else," said Bain-Sturrup, who spent the past 20 years as a physical education teacher and from 2019 as the NPPPSA president.

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@

tribunemedia.net

IT wasn’t the type of start that Bahamian rising karting star Lenox Lockhart anticipated for the WSK Euro Series South Garda Karting at the Lago di Garda in Italy.

Competing in the first of three races in the Mini Group 3, Lockhart suffered a slight crash at the start yesterday and ended up at the bottom of the field of 53 drivers.

It was Lockhart's first time competing on the track and all reports indicated that the 10-year-old Bahamian aspiring Formula 1 driver had to endure his first major disappointment. It's similar to the Formula 1 series where races are decided at the starting line when crashes occur as drivers try to position themselves in the field.

Going into the series, Lockhart, one of the few foreign competitors competing in the event, looked pretty good in his qualifying practice race on Wednesday when he finished third overall from the three races they competed in. Lockhart, unavailable for comments, was

recommended by a Formula 1 team that he's being groomed by, that in order for him to get the competition he needs, he will have to compete in events like this.

He still has another race today and the final one on Saturday when the final outcome is determined on who is the winner and how the rest of the field stacks up position-wise.

It's a costly venture for his parents Migueal and Gabriel Lockhart, who are accompanying him. But even though he has not gotten any financial support from the Bahamas

Government, Lockhart also intends to compete in the WSK race in Cremona which will be the last race of this series in Europe.

With the experience he gains from competing in

these series of races, Lockhart intends to enter next year's FIA Championships, which is considered more affordable and the right series for him based on his age.

Aston Villa routs Bologna to set up all-English Europa League semifinal against Nottingham

By KAREL JANICEK Associated Press

OLLIE Watkins scored again as Aston Villa knocked Bologna out of the Europa League in a 4-0 rout yesterday to set up an all-English semifinal against Nottingham Forest.

Unai Emery's team reached its second European semifinal in three seasons with a 7-1 aggregate victory.

Watkins had netted twice in last week's 3-1 win in the first leg of the quarterfinal in Italy, and the striker set the pace at Villa Park.

He tapped in a low cross from the left provided by Morgan Rogers for a 1-0 lead after 16 minutes for his 100th goal for Villa.

Rogers had a golden opportunity to increase the lead but Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia saved his penalty kick.

Only a minute later, though, Villa doubled its lead when Emiliano

Buendía scored from a tight angle.

Rogers made it 3-0 with another angled shot in the 39th, and Ezri Konsa finished the scoring seconds before the final whistle. Villa reached the Champions League quarterfinals last season and is on course to secure a spot in the lucrative top-tier competition next campaign while sitting fourth in the Premier League.

Big return to Europe Forest made the semifinals by beating 10-man Porto 1-0 in what's been a successful return to European competition after a 30-year absence. It advanced 2-1 on aggregate after last week's draw in Portugal.

Morgan Gibbs-White put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute with a deflected effort from outside the box after Porto defender Jan Bednarek was sent off for fouling Chris Wood, who then had to

be substituted with a knee injury. Wood is a key striker for relegation-threatened Nottingham — and New Zealand's World Cup plans — and only recently returned from a long-term knee injury.

Porto has never beaten a Premier League club in England in 24 attempts.

The last time Nottingham reached a European semifinal was in 1984 in the UEFA Cup.

England. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Freiburg’s first final four

Freiburg marched into the semifinals by beating Celta Vigo 3-1. The Bundesliga team reached the last four in a European competition for the first time on a 6-1 aggregate score after last week's 3-0 victory in the first leg of the quarterfinal. Freiburg has scored 11 goals in its last three games in the second-tier competition.Igor Matanović put Freiburg

1-0 up with a stunning leftfooted volley from outside the area. Yuito Suzuki doubled the advantage with a deflected shot late in the first half and then beat goalkeeper Ionut Radu after interval.

Williot Swedberg’s consolation goal came in stoppage time for the Spanish hosts.

Freiburg’s next opponent will be Braga, which came from two goals down to win 4-2 at Real Betis after those

THE WEATHER REPORT

teams were tied 1-1 from the first leg.

Crystal Palace in Conference League semis

Crystal Palace clinched a last-four spot in the thirdtier Conference League despite a 2-1 loss to Fiorentina in Florence. Palace advanced 4-2 on aggregate after a 3-0 home win in the first leg to meet Ukraine’s Shakhtar, which advanced past AZ Alkmaar yesterday.

Strasbourg and Rayo Vallecano also advanced.

Italy in trouble Italy’s soccer crisis only worsened with European exits for Bologna and Fiorentina.

As a result, Italy doesn’t have any club in a European semifinal for the first time in seven years.

That came after after Atalanta — the only Italian club to reach the Champions League round of 16 — was eliminated in a whopping 10-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich.

ALABAMA

Proctor has excellent agility for a big man He started at left tackle as a freshman and allowed just two sacks in his three seasons He has great size 6-foot-7, 352 pounds and plenty of athleticism as evidenced by his being used as an occasional rusher and receiver

DILLON THIENEMAN

SAFE T Y OREGON

Thieneman had an impressive combine, running a 4.36 40-yard dash that was faster than some of the NFLs best receivers A threeyear starter he was a versatile part of the Ducks defense

KENYON SADIQ TIGHT END OREGON The best tight end in the draft, Sadiq sports excellent speed and athleticism He has an explosive release and can separate on wheel routes Quick screens are his forte where he can ash his skills after the catch

JERMOD MCCOY CORNERBACK TENNESSEE McCoy is a consistent speedy player with outstanding ball skills who can anchor a secondary and should be a Day 1 starter in the NFL. After an outstanding 2024 season he missed all of 2025 with a torn ACL but has enough power and potential to pay o the trust in his comeback.

BLAKE MILLER OFFENSIVE TACKLE CLEMSON A right tackle for the Tigers Miller started 54 games in college and can step in right away as a plug-and-play tackle in the NFL. He has prototypical size (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) for the position along with a mix of strength and smarts to excel at the next level

AKHEEM MESIDOR EDGE RUSHER, MIAMI Mesidor is an older prospect at age 25 but he has an ideal frame at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds and his talent is clear on video With good instincts and a high, relentless motor he’ll generate pressure from the outside and is a solid defender against the run too

CALEB LOMU OFFENSIVE TACKLE UTAH At 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds, the Utes’ left tackle has an ideal frame with room to grow He doesn’t wow with his skillset but he’s a technician in both the passing and running games and has what it takes to excel in the NFL

DENZEL BOSTON WIDE RECEIVER, WASHINGTON Boston is strong fast and has elite ball skills At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds he s a big target lining up both outside and in the slot He boasts strength and a long stride and can wall o defenders at any level down eld Scouts compare him to Denver’s Courtland Sutton

CASHIUS HOWELL

EDGE RUSHER, TEXAS A&M A shade under 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds Howell is undersized for a pass rusher but has proven he gets to the quarterback and nishes He s tenacious rushing the passer and chasing down ballcarriers on the backside and has the burst to knife through the line and disrupt things behind the line of scrimmage

ZION YOUNG

EDGE RUSHER, MISSOURI Young is a big (6-foot-6, 262 pounds) powerful rusher and a disruptive force who brings energy and leadership to the defense

Relentless against both the pass and the run his draft stock rose with a solid showing at the Senior Bowl

MONROE FREELING

OFFENSIVE TACKLE GEORGIA

Freeling has elite athleticism and just needs more experience after starting just one season on the right side He started at left tackle for the Bulldogs last season and sports ideal size (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) and agility to play in the position in the pros

KAYDEN MCDONALD DEFENSIVE TACKLE OHIO STATE McDonald is another Buckeyes player going in the rst round He’s a natural run defender who’ll clog the middle of the line At 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, he has excellent size and strength for the position

AVIEON TERRELL CORNERBACK , CLEMSON

Terrell is an athletic if undersized (5-foot-11 180 pounds) cornerback with great quickness and instincts An outstanding blitzer his NFL future is almost certainly at nickel as he s most e ective in underneath zone coverage

T J PARKER EDGE RUSHER, CLEMSON Parker s production dipped after big numbers in 2024 (11 sacks to ve) but he s a strong powerful edge with potential to ourish at the next level He also has versatility to move inside if needed to plug the middle He helped himself with a strong Senior Bowl week.

Defense Heavy

Bailey or Reese to the Jets at No. 2?

e New York Jets ranked 31st in the NFL with 26 sacks last season, and with former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn beginning his second season as the team’s head coach, adding talent on that side of the ball is a priority with the second overall pick.

Bailey led the Big 12 with 14 ½ sacks last season and should be a plug-and-play starter from Day 1. He played four years of college football, including his rst two at Stanford, and nished with 29 career sacks.

Reese meanwhile stood out on a stacked defense at Ohio State and nished with 69 tackles, including 6 ½ sacks, last season.

positional value It s about who a ects the game

St yles on the rise af ter historic NFL combine Styles, another Ohio State standout, delivered one of the more impressive combine performances in league histor y, especially for his size

e 6-foot-5, 244-pound linebacker covered the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds, turned in a vertical jump of 43 ½ inches and reached 11 feet, 2 inches in the broad jump Turn on the tape, and he s even more of a specimen.

I think it starts with being a versatile linebacker Styles said “I think I can play (all three linebacker spots) and do all three at a high level I think I’m a ver y athletic player, and I think that shows up in my game I think I showed I can stop the run. I showed some physicality this year

Will Bain’s legal past a ec t his NFL future?

Bain, who helped lead Miami to the national title game against Indiana and Mendoza, was involved in a 2024 tra c accident that resulted in the death of a passenger Bain was driving a 2021 Land Rover that crashed around 4 a.m. on March 17, 2024, in Miami according to documents obtained by e Read Optional It resulted in the death of 22-year-old Destiny Betts, whose family members say they are not seeking public attention and wish Bain “the best as he continues his life and career ” Bain was cited for careless driving at the time of the crash, but the charge was later dropped

“We’ve known that for a while so that doesn’t really change anything from our standpoint,” Detroit general manager Brad Holmes said

Delane is expec ted to be the rst cornerback o the board

Delane was a rst-team All-America selection and a nalist for the Jim orpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top cornerback, following his lone season at LSU He led the Tigers with 11 pass breakups in 11 games and nished with 45 tackles.

He spent his rst three seasons at Virginia Tech and is looking for ward to the NFL. I want to be a sponge he said I just want to learn from (top) guys. at s the biggest thing for me I like to surround myself with high-caliber talent that I just soak up I tr y to bring and add new things to my game ”