ERIC OLSON
UW Whitewater lineman Quinn Meinerz runs at the school's pro football day Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in Whitewater, Wisc. The only FCS teams hosting pro days this year were Central Arkansas, North Dakota State and South Dakota State. Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater held one only because its Senior Bowl revelation, offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, warranted another look after his team did not play in the fall. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Pandemic making NFL draft's small school gems harder to find

By Eric Olson Apr. 14, 2021 04:03 PM EDT
Those diamonds in the rough selected in the late rounds of NFL drafts or signed

Ottawa receiver Jazlyn Camacho (15) makes a catches while covered by Midland defender E'leseana Patterson (16) during an NAIA flag football game in Ottawa, Kan., Friday, March 26, 2021. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics introduced women's flag football as an emerging sport this spring. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Following their passion, women go far to play flag football

By Eric Olson Apr. 06, 2021 03:54 PM EDT
FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — From a distance, it looks like college kids in sweat

FILE - Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller walks along the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee in Nashville, in this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Breakthroughs come on, off field in 2020 for women's sports

By Eric Olson Dec. 31, 2020 04:08 PM EST
It was a milestone year for women in sports, starting with Katie Sowers

Florida State NCAA college baseball player Elijah Cabell runs to third during a game against the Univ. of Maine, Feb. 16, 2019, in Tallahassee, Fla. If all had gone as he hoped, Elijah Cabell and his Florida State teammates would be playing for the College World Series championship this week. Instead, Cabell treks to a ball field in his neighborhood in Winter Park, Florida, most days to work on his game in solitude. (Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP)
Short season, no summer ball make staying sharp a challenge

By Eric Olson Jun. 23, 2020 02:26 AM EDT
If all had gone as he hoped, Elijah Cabell and his Florida State teammates

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passes against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft, File)
Virus costly to draft prospects needing face time with teams

By Eric Olson Apr. 10, 2020 12:18 PM EDT
The NFL's shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic is denying teams the

In this March 2, 2020, photo, Concordia University wrestling coach Levi Calhoun speaks in his office in Seward, Neb. Calhoun knew that Tanner Farmer, the former Nebraska football player, would definitely be a force in the NAIA, but did not expect him to be as dominant as he has been." (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Former Husker lineman now dominant wrestler at small college

By Eric Olson Mar. 05, 2020 12:18 PM EST
SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — Tanner Farmer just wants to be another guy on the Concordia

Missouri quarterback Drew Lock enteres the stage after the Denver Broncos selected Lock during the second round of the NFL football draft, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
SEC dominates 2nd round, leads draft with 28 players taken

By Eric Olson Apr. 26, 2019 11:54 PM EDT
The Southeastern Conference is well on its way to having the most players taken in

Duke quarterback Daniel Jones poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after the New York Giants selected Jones in the first round at the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
3 quarterbacks among first 15 picks early surprise of draft

By Eric Olson Apr. 25, 2019 10:51 PM EDT
Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray going No. 1 overall in the NFL draft?

Nevada's Jordan Caroline smiles during team practice ahead of a first round men's college basketball game against Florida in the NCAA Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa, Wednesday, March 20, 2019. At 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, Jordan Caroline has a football player's build just like dad. The son of former NFL defensive end Simeon Rice, and grandson of ex-Chicago Bear J.C. Caroline is making a name for himself as Nevada's top scorer and rebounder. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Football's in his blood, but basketball in Caroline's heart

By Eric Olson Mar. 20, 2019 06:06 PM EDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Sometimes Jordan Caroline feels as if he is asked as much