A&M standout Leal declares for draft
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M defensive lineman Demarvin Leal projects as a first-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft. He intends to take full advantage.
Leal posted to social media Wednesday night that he will bypass his senior season at A&M and declare for the draft — and few can blame him. The former Judson star might be among the top five players selected.
Leal (6-4, 290) displayed his versatility throughout his three seasons at A&M by excelling both outside and inside on the defensive line.
Leal did not reveal whether he intends to play in the No. 25 Aggies’ bowl, but he’s not expected to since he declared for the draft in early December.
Brent Zwerneman Two Horns enter transfer portal: Texas fourth-year linebacker Ayodele Adeoye and fourth-year receiver Al’vonte Woodard have both submitted their names into the NCAA transfer portal, per Rivals’ tracker. Adeoye and Woodard both appeared in six games this season. Adeoye recorded seven tackles with one for loss and finishes his career at Texas (5-7) with 57 total tackles, 2½ sacks and one interception. Woodard did not record a catch this season, ending his career at UT with seven receptions for 62 yards.
Nick Moyle Kelly calls LSU ‘Broadway stage’: Newly hired LSU coach Brian Kelly’s can accept if his legacy at storied Notre Dame is tarnished by the sudden and unceremonious way in which he walked away from the Fighting Irish.
“Legacies are not what I spend time thinking about,” Kelly said during his formal introduction at LSU on Wednesday. “I came down here because I wanted to be with the best. ... I want to be on the Broadway stage.”
Mendoza moving on from Patriots
San Antonio Veterans Memorial football coach Richard Mendoza will be the next campus principal at Judson High School, his alma mater.
Mendoza confirmed the move Wednesday afternoon. He said the promotion was made official Tuesday night.
Mendoza, 1997 Judson graduate, was the only head football coach in the Patriots’ short program history. Veterans Memorial just completed its fourth varsity season of existence and the Patriots made the playoffs each year.
Mendoza compiled a 28-18 overall record.
David Hinojosa
White Sox great Hoyt dies at 66
Lamarr Hoyt, who won the 1983 AL Cy Young Award with the Chicago White Sox, has died. He was 66.
The White Sox said he died Monday in his hometown of Columbia, S.C., following a lengthy illness. Hoyt went 98-68 with a 3.99 ERA in eight years in the majors.
Elsewhere: The Arizona Diamondbacks made a move to solidify the back end of their bullpen, adding four-time All-star Mark Melancon on a two-year deal worth a reported $14 million. ... LHP Alex Wood is staying with the San Francisco Giants, reaching agreement on a $25 million, two-year contract. ... The Atlanta Braves tendered a contract to OF Adam Duvall, ensuring the NL RBI leader returns to the World Series-winning club for another season.