Week 17 Pulse Check: Veteran stars come up big in the fantasy football championships

On Aug. 7, high school football season kicked off in Grand Forks as both Grand Forks Red River and Grand Forks Central began preseason practices. Red River aims to recover from the loss of a talented senior class after an 11-1 season, while Central seeks improvement after finishing 1-8; both teams will play their season openers on Aug. 29 at Cushman Field. Want More Context? 🔎

Eli Drinkwitz, after Missouri's win over Oklahoma, responded to former Sooners coach Bob Stoops' past comments about their matchups, emphasizing his respect for Stoops while defending his program. As Missouri prepares to face Oklahoma again on November 22, Drinkwitz aims to use the rivalry as motivation, reiterating his commitment to protecting his team's reputation. Want More Context? 🔎

Los Angeles Rams EDGE Jared Verse experienced an injury scare during practice after colliding knees with teammate Braden Fiske, prompting concern that he later downplayed on social media. Though head coach Sean McVay offered no updates on Verse's condition, the second-year player’s health is crucial for the Rams’ defense, given his impressive rookie stats. Want More Context? 🔎

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko praised quarterback Marcel Reed for his exceptional leadership and magnetic personality, which helps him connect with teammates. After a successful redshirt freshman season with 1,864 passing yards and 547 rushing yards, Reed aims to showcase his growth this fall, starting with the season opener against UTSA on Aug. 30. Want More Context? 🔎

The inaugural season of Mike Elko at Texas A&M started strong with a 7-1 record, but a significant loss to South Carolina led to a disappointing finish, as the Aggies lost three of their last four games. Entering the 2025 season, Elko remains unfazed by expectations, emphasizing the team’s potential as they face a challenging schedule, starting with home games against UTSA and Utah State. Want More Context? 🔎

As the fourth season of the Billy Napier era begins at Florida, expectations rise following an impressive finish to the 2024 season, where the Gators finished 8-5 after a 4-5 start, including wins against ranked teams. Napier emphasizes the importance of process and teamwork while preparing for a challenging schedule, with aspirations to compete for the SEC crown and reach the College Football Playoff. Want More Context? 🔎