Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday after three seasons with the Wolverines. The 6-foot-3, 339-pound junior was a third-team All-American and a second-team All-Big Ten selection this season. He had three sacks among his 32 total tackles over 12 games in 2024. As a sophomore, Grant helped the Wolverines claim the national championship with 29 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks in 15 games. "I am very appreciative to Coach (Jim) Harbaugh and coach (Sherrone) Moore and the rest of the University of Michigan staff that I have crossed paths with," Grant posted on social media. "It has been an honor to be developed into a Michigan Man." Other Michigan players who intend to leave the program for the draft include defensive lineman Mason Graham, cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland. --Field Level Media
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's acting president faces an impeachment vote as the Constitutional Court meets for its first hearing on Friday in the case of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and suspended from duties after a short-lived martial law. The effort to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has been acting president since Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14, threatens to intensify the political crisis gripping Asia's fourth-largest economy and one of its most vibrant democracies. The unexpected martial law decree and swift political fallout shocked the nation and economic markets, unsettling key allies the United States and Europe which had seen Yoon as a staunch partner in global efforts to counter China, Russia, and North Korea. The plan for a vote to impeach Han was unveiled on Thursday by the main opposition Democratic Party after he declined to immediately appoint three justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court, saying it would exceed his acting role. After Yoon's impeachment, the DP had said in the interest of national stability it would not pursue impeaching Han over his role in the martial law bid. But the party has since clashed with the Yoon-appointed prime minister over the justices, as well as bills calling for special prosecutors to investigate the president. On Thursday Han said it was beyond his remit as a caretaker president to appoint the justices without bipartisan agreement. A party spokesman said Han's refusal amounted to an abuse of power aimed at obstructing Yoon's trial, adding that the prime minister was himself "a key suspect in the rebellion". The leader of Yoon's People Power Party, Kwon Young-se, told reporters that if Han was impeached, that could trigger a new financial crisis, the Yonhap news agency said. Yoon cited a high number of impeachment votes and other obstructionist moves by the DP as part of his justification for trying to impose martial law. He also later said it was needed to investigate questions over election security. The vote to determine Han's fate comes as the Constitutional Court is set to hold its first hearing in a case that will decide whether Yoon is reinstated or permanently removed from office. The court has 180 days to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him. In the latter scenario, a new presidential election would be held within 60 days. Yoon is not required to attend the hearing, and it is unclear if anyone from his legal team will be there. In contrast to South Korea's two previous impeached presidents, Yoon has refused to receive or acknowledge court communications so far. On Thursday a court spokesperson said the hearing would be held regardless of his team's participation, but she did not comment on whether the president would eventually be compelled to respond. LEADERSHIP CRISIS If Han is impeached, the finance minister will assume the acting presidency. The Democratic Party has majority control of parliament, but there is disagreement between the parties and some constitutional scholars over whether a simple majority or a two-thirds vote is needed to impeach the acting president. On Thursday the South Korean won weakened to its lowest since March 2009 in holiday-thinned trading amid the U.S. dollar's continued rally. Analysts said there was little to reverse the negative sentiment stemming from political uncertainty this week, while the strong dollar has not worked in favour of South Korean stocks. Yoon shocked his country and the world with a late-night announcement on Dec. 3 that he was imposing martial law to overcome political deadlock and root out "anti-state forces". The military deployed special forces to the national assembly, the election commission, and the office of a liberal YouTube commentator. It also issued orders banning activity by parliament and political parties, as well as calling for government control of the military. But within hours 190 lawmakers had defied the cordons of troops and police and voted against Yoon's order. About six hours after his initial decree, the president rescinded the order. Yoon survived a first impeachment vote on Dec. 7 after his party boycotted the motion, but divisions within his conservative camp deepened after he gave a defiant speech defending martial law, questioning the validity of elections, and claiming domestic opponents were aligned with North Korea. At least 12 of his party joined the opposition to support impeachment on Dec. 14, and he was suspended from duties. Yoon and senior members of his administration also face criminal investigations for insurrection over their decision to impose martial law. (Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)Now that the Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, the question of whether or not Tucker will sign a contract extension before hitting free agency becomes especially important. If he does not, the Cubs risk losing three players — prospect Cam Smith, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and infielder Isaac Paredes — for one year of Tucker, who was limited to 87 games in 2024 because of a shin injury. More news: Cubs Make Trade With Astros, Acquire All-Star Outfielder: Reports It's a high-reward trade whose risk can be mitigated by signing Tucker to a long-term deal before he is eligible to sign with all 30 MLB teams as a free agent a year from now. According to Robert Murray of FanSided, Cubs fans shouldn't hold their breath. Speaking on The Baseball Insiders with Adam Weinrib on Friday, Murray said he "would be absolutely stunned if Tucker signed an extension before he reached free agency before the end of the year." With that in mind, Murray added , "this should be the first of more moves that (the Cubs) make and hopefully they continue to add." More news: Red Sox Acquire Garrett Crochet for Four Prospects Against this backdrop, it's unclear how the Cubs will pivot after the Tucker trade becomes official. General manager Carter Hawkins said in November the team was looking for help at catcher and in the starting rotation. To this point in the offseason, the Cubs have not been linked to any of the premier free agents on the open market. Neither were they seen as a serious contender for pitcher Garrett Crochet, the best-starting pitcher available via trade before he was shipped to Boston by the Chicago Cubs. More news: Yankees Make Trade, Acquire Two-Time All-Star Pitcher The Cubs bolstered their backstop depth by acquiring Matt Thaiss, a left-handed hitter, from the Angels in a Nov. 20 trade . They are also reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Carson Kelly, one of the best available catchers in a relatively thin free-agent crop. Kyle Hendricks' departure in free agency, while expected , took away one piece from a starting rotation that posted a collective 106 ERA+ in 2024. They signed left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd , who finished the 2024 season strong after returning from an injury with the Cleveland Guardians, to a two-year, $29 million contract. More news: Dodgers, Blue Jays Have Made Dueling Offers to All-Star: Report If the Cubs are done making big moves, it still isn't hard to see them contending in the National League Central in 2025 after posting an 83-79 record for the second consecutive year in 2024. Whether they have a roster that can compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets — who met in the NLCS and both splurged in free agency this offseason — remains dubious. That's why, without an extension for Tucker, the trade appears more risky on the Cubs' end. Wesneski and Paredes could have helped their major league roster in 2025 and now will bolster the chances of the defending American League West champions. Brown finished last season at Double-A but was on the fast track to the majors. Of 151 players with at least 1,600 PA from 2021-present, Kyle Tucker's 145 OPS+ is tied for 8th @baseball_ref @Stathead pic.twitter.com/tqgqfW6HxE Tucker is estimated to earn $15.8 million in 2025, his final year of arbitration eligibility, by MLB Trade Rumors . In light of the Mets' 15-year, $765 million contract for Juan Soto, the going rate for premier outfield talent in free agency just got quite a bit more expensive. Tucker is a three-time All-Star and one of the best players in baseball, capable of changing a game in the batter's box, in the outfield, or on the basepaths. Now, the Cubs will look to maximize their time with him on their roster — even if it's only a year. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports .
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