College Football
Alabama continues its recruiting dynasty
Signing day went much like this past season: Alabama dominated and Jim Harbaugh had everybody talking about Michigan.
For a sixth consecutive year, Alabama landed the nation’s top signing class according to composite rankings of recruiting websites compiled by 247Sports. The reigning national champions soared to the top of the standings thanks to Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban’s customary strong finish.
Alabama entered Wednesday ranked behind LSU and Ole Miss within its own conference in the 247Sports Composite standings, but the Crimson Tide closed with a flurry that featured the addition of five-star linebackers Ben Davis and Lyndell Wilson as well as top-100 defensive end Terrell Hall.
The biggest announcement of the day came when Rashan Gary, a defensive tackle from Paramus, New Jersey, selected Michigan over Clemson. Gary is the consensus pick as the nation’s top No. 1 overall recruit.
Gary’s decision delighted a festive Signing Day celebration on Michigan’s campus that included New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter among others.
Colorado makes its QB transfer deal official
BOULDER – Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre couldn’t afford cold feet when it came to quarterback. Not with the returning starter still recovering from a torn ligament in his left one.
So, welcome to Boulder, Davis Webb.
As part of his recruiting class Wednesday, MacIntyre added Webb, who’s scheduled to graduate from Texas Tech in May and join the team in June. Webb will compete with 2½-year starter Sefo Liufau, provided Liufau is back to health after undergoing Lisfranc surgery in November.
MacIntyre described the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Webb with nothing but flattery – “Texas cannon,” he said. “An NFL arm,” he added.
Webb threw for 5,557 yards and 46 TDs in 23 games for the Red Raiders.
NHL
Avalanche G Varlamov returns with lawsuit over
ENGLEWOOD – Semyon Varlamov was back at practice Wednesday, his mind at ease after winning a civil lawsuit even if his game remained a bit rusty.
For more than a week, the Colorado goalie spent most of his time in a courtroom as his team took the ice. Now that his civil trial is over, he’s quickly trying to get back into hockey shape to help the Avalanche make a playoff push.
A jury sided with Varlamov on Tuesday in a lawsuit filed against him by a former girlfriend who claimed he beat her. Jurors awarded Varlamov $126,608 in damages on an abuse of process claim after his attorneys argued the woman was trying to get a payout from the goalie and the evidence did not support her claims of a brutal attack.
Skiing
Skiers offer a positive review of Pyeongchang
JEONGSEON, South Korea – The new downhill course for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics won praise from many competitors ahead of its World Cup event this weekend.
Canadian downhiller Erik Guay called it “awesome”, American racer Travis Ganong was raving over “Olympic-caliber” conditions and even Christof Innerhofer, the Italian who only likes the most difficult of courses, was satisfied.
Guay, the 2011 world champion, said Wednesday that “it’s going to be awesome. It’s got a lot of turns back and forth. ... There’s some nice jumps and pretty good snow.”
Racers were allowed to free ski the course without gates ahead of official timed training sessions Thursday and Friday.
Associated Press
