Jones among 4 ’Bama underclassmen declaring for draft
Four stars from Alabama’s national championship team, including Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Mac Jones, are leaving early to enter the NFL draft.
Jones, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and defensive lineman Christian Barmore announced their intentions to leave on Thursday — all are considered potential first-round picks.
“It’s just been a great journey,” said Jones, who finished third in the Heisman voting.
Jones put together the most prolific season of any Tide quarterback in his only full season as starter. He was college football’s most efficient passer and also led the nation with 4,500 passing yards and a 77.4% completion rate.
Murray in doubt for Australia
Andy Murray’s status for the Australian Open was put in doubt after he tested positive for the coronavirus only days before his planned charter flight to Melbourne.
The three-time Grand Slam champion is isolating at home near London, the tournament said in a statement.
“Unfortunately this means he will be unable to join the official AO charter flights arriving in Australia in the coming days to go through the quarantine period with the other players,” the statement said. “The AO fans love Andy, and we know how much he loves competing here in Melbourne and how hard he’d worked for this opportunity.”
The Australian Open was delayed three weeks and is set to begin Feb. 8. Players and officials must spend 14 days in quarantine once they arrive in Australia.
Murray could still compete in Australia. American player Tennys Sandgren was given special clearance to board a charter flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne despite testing positive for COVID-19 in November and again on Monday.
Olympic medalist Knierim, new partner lead U.S. pairs
LAS VEGAS » Olympic team bronze medalist Alexa Knierim and her new partner, Brandon Frazier, led after the pairs short program that opened the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Knierim teamed with husband Chris for the 2018 Olympics, and they won their third national title last year. Chris has since retired, so his wife joined with Frazier, the 2017 U.S. pairs champion with Haven Denney. Knierim and Frazier won Skate America in October, and she won nationals with
her husband in 2015, 2018, and 2020.
Armas new MLS Toronto coach
TORONTO » Chris Armas has replaced Greg Vanney as head coach of Toronto in Major League Soccer. Armas, 48, was head coach of the New York Red Bulls from July 6, 2018, until last Sept. 4.
Toronto general manager Ali Curtis was sporting director at the Red Bulls while Armas was an assistant there. A defensive midfielder, Armas had two goals in 66 appearances for the U.S.
Olympic swimmer released but ordered to stay away from DC
DENVER » A five-time Olympic swimming medalist charged with participating in a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol was released from federal custody but ordered to stay away from Washington, D.C. until after next week’s inauguration.
Klete Keller, who lives in Colorado, appeared during a brief hearing in Denver federal court following his arrest on charges brought by prosecutors in Washington. At the insistence of prosecutors, Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty said Keller could not travel to Washington before Jan. 21.