When discussions about American football arise, it’s customary to focus on homegrown talent within the United States. However, Canada has steadily become a breeding ground for exceptional athletes, with several making their mark as Division 1 recruits at renowned Chattanooga boarding schools like Baylor and McCallie.

One such standout is Shekai Mills-Knight, a three-star running back from the 2025 class at Baylor (Tenn.), who has caught the attention of scouts and recruiters alike.

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Exceptional Performance and Recognition:

Amidst a dynamic offensive season, Mills-Knight, despite joining the action after week four, has accumulated over 1,200 all-purpose yards, showcasing his resilience and undeniable skill set. His outstanding campaign has garnered attention on the field and led to notable offers, including a recent one from Tennessee.

VolReport recently spoke with Mills-Knight following the offer from Tennessee receivers coach Kelsey Pope. This marks his second SEC offer, and it came with a unique challenge from the young coach.

“He asked me about my family, then told me I’d have to come up on a visit one day with Cam Sparks. He told me if I keep competing with Cam in the weight room and we challenge each other in practice, we are going to be dangerous next year,” shared Mills-Knight.

Transition and Triumph:

The journey for Mills-Knight began with a significant decision to transfer to Baylor in Chattanooga, Tenn., in April. Despite the complexities of moving from another country, the fit at Baylor proved right both on and off the field for the Canadian athlete.

“When I came down, the people showed me straight love, so I fit right in, and everybody loves me here. It helped me become more independent and turned me into a man being on my own,” said Mills-Knight.

During this transition, Mills-Knight connected with fellow Canadian and Ohio State tight end commit Max LeBlanc, who provided crucial support on and off the field.

“Having other Canadians like Max helped a lot because he’s a great leader on and off the field. He keeps me in check, and we could relate to a lot of things and even speak to each other in French sometimes,” he added.

Rising Star on the Field:

Despite facing challenges, including an ankle injury that delayed the start of his season, Mills-Knight’s resilience and determination shone through. His speed and skill were evident in crucial moments, notably in the state championship against McCallie, where he rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown against a formidable defense.

https://youtu.be/-eWSwl2Exaw?t=1

 

As a running back, Mills-Knight draws inspiration from legendary figures like Emmitt Smith, Marshawn Lynch, and Bo Jackson, incorporating elements from their playing styles into his own.

“I feel like my speed came back after dealing with the injury I had from the start of the year,” said Mills-Knight.

Unbeknownst to many, Mills-Knight’s family has a unique connection to speed, with his uncle, Glen Mills, having been Usain Bolt’s track coach for Jamaica until 2009.

Promising Future:

After an impactful introduction to Tennessee high school football, Shekai Mills-Knight is poised for continued growth, solidifying his position as one of the standout backs in the state as he looks ahead to a promising future.

 

 

The 2023 Rugby World Cup is scheduled to be the tenth edition of the Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men’s rugby union teams. It is scheduled to take place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023 in nine venues across the country. (more…)

In a shocking decision, the Rugby World Cup will be held in France in 2023, after the sport’s governing body’s Council went against the recommendations of a comprehensive review report in a secret ballot on Wednesday.

The World Rugby Board proposed South Africa, but the Council members chose France, which hosted the competition in 2007. Ireland was knocked out in the first round after receiving eight of the 39 votes available, compared to 13 for South Africa and 18 for France.

France received 24 votes in the second round, compared to 15 for South Africa. Read more in detail below about Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, Host, Date, Fixtures, Tickets, Groups, Pools, and much more information is covered.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will be the first without Canada in the Men’s Rugby World Cup. From 1987 to 2019, the North Americans competed in every RWC. They were unable to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup after losing on aggregate to the United States in the North American finals and then to Chile in the North American vs South American runners-up series.

Everything was determined in Valparaiso. Chile bounced back from a 22-21 loss in Langford to beat Canada at home. Chile won their largest game in history, 33-24, while Canada was eliminated from the RWC 2023 qualifications.

Rugby World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, Host, Date, Fixtures, Tickets, Groups, Pools

The three competing countries did not vote in the election. The remaining Six Nations and SANZAR countries each received three votes, with the remaining votes distributed among the six regional associations and minor rugby nations. A total of 20 votes were required.

South Africa had been favorites after coming out on top of the evaluation report, having hosted the event in 1995 and winning it in their maiden participation after missing the first two World Cups due to the apartheid sporting restrictions.

Qualifiers

With qualifying action taking place in Africa, Europe, South America, and Oceania, July is a crucial month on the road to the Rugby World Cup 2023.

In Oceania 1, Samoa and Tonga face off over two legs for the top spot, Russia, Portugal, and Spain compete in Europe, and the action culminates in the Rugby Africa Cup 2021 and the Sudamérica Rugby Championship.

URUGUAY CAPTAIN VILASECA ON NATION’S HISTORIC RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 QUALIFICATION and CHILE CLOSER THAN EVER TO FIRST RUGBY WORLD CUP

Host

As we stated at the outset, the Rugby World Cup will be held in France in 2023, following a surprising decision by the sport’s governing body’s Council, which went against the recommendations of a detailed assessment report in a secret ballot on Wednesday.

Date

2023 Rugby World Cup will begin on Friday, 8 September, and ends on Saturday, 28 October.

Fixtures

POOL A – New Zealand, France, Italy, Americas 1, Africa 1

Fri 8 Sep France v New Zealand (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Sat 9 Sep Italy v Africa 1 (Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne)

Thu 14 Sep France v Americas 1 (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Fri 15 Sep New Zealand v Africa 1 (Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Wed 20 Sep Italy v Americas 1 (Stade de Nice, Nice)

Thu 21 Sep France v Africa 1 (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Wed 27 Sep Americas 1 v Africa 1 (Parc OL, Lyon)

Fri 29 Sep New Zealand v Italy (Parc OL, Lyon)

Thu 5 Oct New Zealand v Americas 1 (Parc OL, Lyon)

Fri 6 Oct France v Italy (Parc OL, Lyon)

POOL B – South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Asia/Pacific 1, Europe 2

Sat 9 Sep Ireland v Europe 2 (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sun 10 Sep South Africa v Scotland (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Sat 16 Sep Ireland v Asia/Pacific 1 (Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)

Sun 17 Sep South Africa v Europe 2 (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sat 23 Sep South Africa v Ireland (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Sun 24 Sep Scotland v Asia/Pacific 1 (Stade de Nice, Nice)

Sat 30 Sep Scotland v Europe 2 (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Sun 1 Oct South Africa v Asia/Pacific 1 (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Sat 7 Oct Ireland v Scotland (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Sun 8 Oct Asia/Pacific 1 v Europe 2 (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

POOL C – Wales, Australia, Fiji, Europe 1, Final qualification winner

Sat 9 Sep Australia v Europe 1 (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Sun 10 Sep Wales v Fiji (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sat 16 Sep Wales v Final qualification winner (Stade de Nice, Nice)

Sun 17 Sep Australia v Fiji (Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne)

Sat 23 Sep Europe 1 v Final qualification winner (Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Sun 24 Sep Wales v Australia (Parc OL, Lyon)

Sat 30 Sep Fiji v Europe 1 (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sun 1 Oct Australia v Final qualification winner (Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne)

Sat 7 Oct Wales v Europe 1 (Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)

Sun 8 Oct Fiji v Final qualification winner (Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

POOL D – England, Japan, Argentina, Oceania 1, Americas 2

Sat 9 Sept England v Argentina (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Sun 10 Sep Japan v Americas 2 (Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Sat 16 Sep Oceania 1 v Americas 2 (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)

Sun 17 Sep England v Japan (Stade de Nice, Nice)

Fri 22 Sep Argentina v Oceania 1 (Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne)

Sat 23 Sep England v Americas 2 (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Thu 28 Sep Japan v Oceania 1 (Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse)

Sat 30 Sep Argentina v Americas 2 (Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)

Sat 7 Oct England v Oceania 1 (Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Sun 8 Oct Japan v Argentina (Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes)

Quarter-finals

Sat 14 Oct Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Sat 14 Oct Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Sun 15 Oct Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

Sun 15 Oct Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Semi-finals

Fri 20 Oct Winner Quarter-final 1 v Winner Quarter-final 2 (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Sat 21 Oct Winner Quarter-final 3 v Winner Quarter-final 4 (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Third-place match

Fri 27 Oct Third-place Play-off (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Final

Sat 28 Oct Final (Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Tickets

As the two-year countdown to the 2023 Rugby World Cup begins, organizers are selling 250,000 tickets. The latest ticketing phase for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France has seen a total of 250,000 tickets go on sale.

The most recent round of tickets will be accessible to “2023 Family members” who signed up before today’s deadline of noon.

Members will get access to an exclusive 24-hour pre-sale period.

From 6 p.m. Central European Time on Thursday, tickets will go on general sale to the general public (September 30).

Tickets will be available on the official website, tickets.rugbyworldcup.com, on a first-come, first-served basis.