THE Ohio State football team will have an embarrassment of riches on both offense and defense. There is a plethora of future first-round draft picks that will play huge roles this year. Guys like Shaun Wade, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Zach Harrison, Wyatt Davis, and Justin Fields will garner most if not all the headlines, but like most championship-caliber teams there is an unsung hero that plays an invaluable role. Insert running back Trey Sermon.
Before Sermon departed Norman, Oklahoma to head to Columbus, Ohio, there were several questions about the running back position. While there are still some concerns about who can spell Sermon when he needs a breather, Sermon gives Ohio State a security blanket that they did not have.
2019 was one of the best years in school history with rushing the ball. J.K. Dobbins eclipsed 2,000 yards in one season. That says something given that Archie Griffin, Keith Byars, Robert Smith, Eddie George, Maurice Clarett, Beanie Wells, Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliott, and many more elite running backs walked through the doors of the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex. Along with Dobbins’ insane season, backup running back Master Teague had over 700 yards and garnered All-Big Ten honors.
Teague is coming back from injury and it is uncertain if he will be back for the 2020 season and Dobbins was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Its understatement saying that Sermon must fill a gaping hole in the backfield. Although it is a tough task, Sermon is more than capable of doing just that. While playing for the Oklahoma Sooners, Sermon tallied over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Those numbers pale in comparison to Dobbins’ career numbers, but when you dive closer into the numbers and optics, Sermon is just as valuable if not more.
If you look at the Sermon’s numbers–specifically carries, his output is like Dobbins’ historic run in 2019. Last year Dobbins had 301 carries, 2,003 yards, and 21 touchdowns with a 6.7 ypc average. For Sermon’s career at Oklahoma, he carried the ball 339 times for 2,076 yards, 21 touchdowns with a 6.1 ypc.
When healthy, Sermon is easily one of the best backs in the country and for the first time in his career, he will be running behind an elite offensive line. According to PFF, in 2018 he had a 90.8 grade that ranked him fifth at his position in the country above Dobbins that was ranked as the No. 45 ranked running back. Sermon was also third in the country with 0.35 broken tackles forced per attempt, which was also superior to Dobbins.
His ability to make people miss in space is a huge asset given his size and speed. As seen in Oklahoma (when healthy), he is a threat to score from anywhere on the field when he makes a defender miss. While Sermon is a proven commodity running the ball, he is a solid wide receiver as well, but more importantly, his ability to play a key role as a blocker is huge for Ohio State.
With Justin Fields, the Buckeyes will sling the ball often and with no proven backup quarterback, Fields must be protected at all cost. With Sermon being a key blocker in Oklahoma’s offense, he will assume that role with the Buckeyes as well. While there will not be a lot of quarterback runs as what was seen with Lincoln Riley and Jalen Hurts, but Sermon’s ability to block can improve the Buckeyes title chances.
The impact of pass protection is often overlooked, but since the departure of Ezekiel Elliott, the Buckeyes have suffered mightily in that area. While running backs Mike Weber, Jr. and Dobbins were All-Everything running the ball, they were minimal at best in pass protection.
While it was expected for Sermon to take the next step as one the best backs in college football, 2019 was a nightmare, to say the least. He tore his ACL, and due to the crowded running back room in Oklahoma, he decided to transfer. Although he did not play a full season due to injuries, he averaged 7.1 yards per carry with only 54 carries along with four touchdowns. In a shared role, he ended up being the team’s third-leading rusher behind Jalen Hurts and Kennedy Brooks, but in Columbus, the table is set for him to show the world that he is back to form.
As the season is underway, it is a great unknown of what Sermon can be in Ryan Day’s offense. Given the number of weapons that the Buckeyes have in all personnel packages, it will allow Sermon to carve up defenses at will. Like Dobbins, Sermon is a one-cut runner that has elusiveness that is second to none. If he is healthy, expect a huge year from him. It is unknown how many games Ohio State will play due to the uncertainty looming because of Covid-19, but if he can finally surpass 200 carries in a season–look out.
If the Buckeyes are celebrating at Club Liv in Miami on January 11, 2021 it will have a lot to do with how Sermon plays in his lone season as a Buckeye.
Penn State and James Franklin Are Making Recruiting Waves in Michigan
Recruiting is a tricky game. Some universities pride themselves on building their rosters with hometown talent. There are advantages and disadvantages to taking that approach. The better teams in the country can recruit their home state as well as invading others.
Oddly enough, Penn State has a long way to establish dominance in Pennsylvania as they only have 2 commitments from the top 25 prospects, but they are taking ownership in the state of Michigan.
PSU Head Football Coach James Franklin in the state up north is becoming what Omar Devon Little was on the hit television show The Wire.
When Omar would walk through the streets of Baltimore, he wreaked fear into everyone on the streets. Chaos would ensue because of his arrival. Omar was a man of few words, but when he showed his face, he made a commanding presence.
The same can be said for Franklin in a sense. As his plane arrives in Michigan, whether if its Detroit, Muskegon, Flint, Grand Rapids, or Lansing, the notion of “Omar is coming” is real.
In the past six months, Franklin has secured commitments from Jaylen Reed, Kalen, and Kobe King, and most recently Jamar Buddin who all hail from Detroit, Michigan. To no surprise, the Nittany Lions Staff are recruiting several other top-ranked kids in the area as well.
What do Bryce Mostella, Enzo Jennings, Lance Dixon, Donovan Johnson, and K.J. Hamler have in common? They are also Michigan natives that were pried away from their home state to play for Penn State. Although he is not from Michigan, Penn State freshman tight end Theo Johnson, who is from Ontario, Canada, is a twenty-minute ride from Detroit also chose Penn State.
How can Franklin and Penn State invade Michigan at the rate that they are?
This is a tricky question, but a lot of it has to do with relationships and taking players that may not fit the mold of other programs.
In an interview on the Notorious B1G Recruiting Podcast hosted by 24/7 Sports Allen Trieu. K.J. Hamler’s Mother stated that ” I think the biggest reason why he chose not to go to Michigan was just thinking that he wasn’t going to fit in with their whole program. She further stated that they were into bigger receivers.”
She also went on to say that then WR coach at Penn State Josh Gattis and James Franklin were heavily invested in Hamler at IMG, even after tearing his ACL. That is a testament to the relationships that Franklin and his staff build with their recruits no matter the circumstances.
It also helps that Franklin has an excellent staff, which includes Co-Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks as the area recruiter in Michigan. Banks, a Detroit, Michigan native played at Detroit Martin Luther King High School and he played his college ball at Central Michigan. Banks also has great relationships with such as Sound Mind Sound Body and Rising Stars, two programs where the top players in the state train and play 7-on-7 football travel ball for.
Numbers can be skewed, but to no surprise, they still favor Michigan and Michigan State when it comes to recruiting the top players in the state. While that is the case, there is no ignoring what the Nittany Lions are doing on the recruiting trail. Just ask former UM All-American and former Cass Tech Alum Jourdan Lewis. Who tweeted after Penn State received commitments from three Detroit kids (Reed, King, and King).
Lewis’ tweet is an indication of how things have felt in the recruiting world for the Wolverines for quite some time.
While it may be true that those kids were not high on Michigan’s radar, but Mel Tucker and Jim Harbaugh must do a better job of protecting the state. Tucker gets a pass because he is fresh on the job, but all eyes will be on him and his staff as they try to sway highly touted 2021 wide receiver Andrel Anthony to stay home in East Lansing.
Many would believe that Ohio State owns Michigan in recruiting, but Ryan Day & Co. recruits on a national level against schools like Georgia, Clemson, and Alabama. While Day and area recruiter Coach Studwra will pluck a few good players from Michigan, it is rare for them to solely try to battle with MSU and Michigan in recruiting just as John Cooper and Jim Tressel did decades ago.
While Penn State does not have ownership of the state of Michigan in a football realm like Ohio State does, they are gaining grown on them in recruiting. It will only be a matter of time where they will take that dominance to the gridiron as well.
For MSU and Michigan, two slogans are commonly stated are: “The best in the state goes to State” and “Those who stay will become champions.”
Although those two statements are popular, it’s a stretch to call them true. Michigan State has been ranked near or at the bottom of recruiting in the conference since having one of their best classes in school history in 2015.
For the Wolverines, they have not been a true Big Ten Power since Carson Daly was hosting TRL on MTV. While they did have some success in the early 2000s winning the Big Ten titles in 2000, 2003, and 2004, but since then they have not had much success under previous head man Brady Hoke and now Jim Harbaugh.
Gretchen ‘Big Gretch’ Whitmer is the Governor in Michigan, but James Franklin would like to have a word with her if continues his recruiting dominance in the mitten.
These dudes don’t need Samuel L. Jackson’s wallet proclaiming themselves a bad mother f*****. They prove it on the field. These are GAMs – grown ass men – and you want them in your crew when things go sideways at the club.
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Penei Sewell will be a cornerstone left tackle for an NFL team this time next year, likely a top 5 pick. PFF calls him “the best offensive tackle prospect we’ve ever graded,” and the numbers bear that out. Since 2014 when PFF started grading college games, 4,739 offensive linemen have played at least 250 snaps in a season, and Sewell’s 2019 campaign was the highest Wins Above Average rating in those five years – better than Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson in 2017, and Nelson may be the best OL in the league now. PFF graded Sewell at 95.5 last year, the highest grade ever given to an offensive lineman, and he’s ranked the third best player in the country preseason. He didn’t give up a sack last year and has only given up one in 1,376 snaps for the Ducks. The last time an OL finished in the top five of Heisman voting was 1996 when Ohio State’s Orlando Pace finished fourth. Sewell could change that. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon’s sophomore stud at DE, who PFF says had the most valuable season as a true freshmen since 2014, would be on this list, but we’re limiting it to one player per team.
Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Big Marv (6-foot-5, 311 pounds) is built like an Everglades backwater stump, but, for a nose guard, he moves like a fat kid chasing an ice cream truck. He’s doubled or chipped most plays and still wins: His 90.9 Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade among nose guards was second in 2019 only to Texas A&M’s Justin Madubuike, who was an overgrown pest in his own right. Wilson won on 16.8% of his pass rush reps, tied for the fifth-highest rate in the country, according to PFF. He’s a top 10 pick in 2021 and has shown why he was one of the most sought-after high school prospects in the country.
Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
The Buckeyes have a couple guys who fit this list, but Davis is the most valuable guard in the country coming back, PFF says, and he didn’t allow a sack on 459 pass block snaps last season. Best of all though, he’s the son of Duane Davis, aka Alvin Mack, the linebacker from the greatest college football movie of all time, “The Program.” Wyatt has snot bubbles running in his DNA, and that makes him one bad son of a badass.
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Parsons is almost too mainstream for this list because everybody knows him, but damn … the kid can play. After a breakout sophomore season, Parsons will be on every NFL teams’ 2021 draft wish list as visions of LaVar Arrington’s stone-cold leaping stop at the goalline dance in their heads. Only two players had 75-plus tackles and less than 10 missed tackles in 2019, according to PFF, and Parsons was one. He’s a former five-star prospect that has lived up to the billing and then some. He does it all, even the dirty work – PFF tabs him as the top returning run-stopper in the Big Ten.
Brendan Radley-Hines, S, Oklahoma
This cat has that Troy Polamalu feel, and it’s not just the hair. OK, it might be mostly the hair, but both those guys flew around the field and were vicious. Radley-Hines’ ejection in the CFB playoffs against LSU gained him the “dirty” label, but that’s the kind of hitter you want on your side over an entire season. He’s the enforcer in the Sooners’ secondary, but he also ranked third in the nation per PFF last season in yards allowed per slot coverage snap. Note: Oklahoma center Creed Humphrey is also one bad mofo.
Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Alex Leatherwood or Christian Barmore could easily make this list – all big, bad skull crushers – but Moses is primed for a comeback after missing all of 2019 due to injury. If healthy, he would have been a first-rounder in 2020, but instead he returns to anchor an Alabama defense that churns out NFL talent annually. Moses had 84 tackles and just four misses in 2018. At 6-foot-3, 235, few players cover as much ground and bring the hammer like Moses.
Zamir “Zeus” White, RB, Georgia
His nickname is Zeus for God’s sake. He was the No. 1 running back coming out of high school in 2018 before tearing both knees up within a year. White takes over the coveted role of lead back in Athens, and he’s finally at full strength. He runs like a tank and the elusiveness is nearly back. He’s in PFF’s top five running back list for the 2021 NFL Draft and only got 78 carries in 2019. That should tell you something.
Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
Big boy, at 6-foot-5, 345, held his own as a first-year starter in 2019 and had an impressive showing against Chase Young in the CFB playoffs. He’s a mauler in the run game and continues to improve in pass pro. If Carman get his hands on you, forget it.
Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee
Apologies to Darian Kinnard at Kentucky, who is the top-graded returning OL in the SEC, but Trey Smith at full strength is the first guy you want with you in the trenches. Smith has been berated by chronic injuries during his career in Knoxville, but if he can get one more full season healthy, he’ll show he’s one of the best in the country. He’s got a mean streak, too, and if Cade Mays receives eligibility after transferring from Georgia, the Vols OL may be the Nasty Boys of college football.
Hamilcar Rashed Jr., OLB, Oregon State
Set the Beavs’ record for sacks in a season last year (14) and led the nation in tackles for loss (22.5). Bad dude with even worse intentions off the edge. You’ve got to love this guy, but he won’t get the attention he deserves.
Honorable mention: JaCoby Stevens, S, LSU; Carlos Besham, DL, Wake Forest; Gregory Rousseau, DL, Miami; Jalen Twyman, DL, Pitt; Kair Elam, S, Florida; Darius Stills, DT, WV; Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern; Dax Hill, S, Michigan, Sam Cosmi, OT, Texas; Jay Tufele, DT, USC; Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
An Open Letter: Silence Is No Longer Golden for College Football Coaches
Dear College Football Coaches,
Before I begin, I have a quick question. Do you care about the Black student-athletes that allow you to make millions of dollars? If the answer is yes, now is the time to stand up for them. Don’t balk at it, don’t be afraid, stand up, be honest, and please don’t patronize us with vague statements of tolerance and inclusivity and not seeing color.
Also, please don’t quote the first Martin Luther King, Jr. quote you see on Google and don’t say it’s not your place, because these are the same student-athletes that are in the trenches with you. If you don’t feel comfortable, reach out to your fellow Black coaches or faculty at the University that could assist you with where to begin.
As a 33-year old Black man, I struggle daily with everything that is unfolding in front of our eyes. I know that young adults ages 18-23 are facing unique difficulties currently. It may not seem like much but ask them if they are okay. I know, they may seem like they know it all, but try to talk to them individually. You’d be surprised how much both of you can learn by having a good old-fashioned sit-down.
I know this is well out of your comfort zone, but during tough times, they need to know that you are an ally for them in a world that constantly shows them that they mean close to nothing.
I know some people think that all you care about is cashing big checks and winning games, but you and I know that you are responsible for leading these young adults as they become successful young men. And yes, it’s great to win bowl games and to say that you helped put a plethora of student-athletes into the NFL, but you are needed in a way that goes way beyond football.
So, whether you like it or not, you must do more at this juncture.
This is a teaching moment to display your leadership qualities. Your players look to you for guidance in on-the-field and off-the-field matters. While Black and Brown players are looking to you for your stance on racial injustice, your White players may also be learning from your leadership or lack thereof.
What you say holds weight for them. Those young men hold your words close to them, and because of that fact alone, you have the platform to ignite change in all of our lives. Think about it. If you can make a change in college football–the single sport that brings our worlds together–then it can change those very same worlds.
Let’s be honest, there are a lot of people who would rather listen to Nick Saban speak rather than Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey.
The world is crying for help, specifically– Black people.
I don’t have to tell that in the last three months Ahmaud Abery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd were murdered by violent racists and members of law enforcement. As a result of those horrific murders, riots, looting, and peaceful protests have been at the forefront in every major city across the United States.
Can you imagine seeing someone that’s supposed to protect and serve you, murder someone that has the same skin color as you? Can you imagine the trauma that comes along with that? I know some of you can’t relate to that but just imagine for a moment, if you could.
While in handcuffs, George Floyd was pinned to the ground for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. During that time, he pleaded for his life, and even at one point called out for his deceased mother. But this isn’t new; I know that and you know that.
Four years ago, Colin Kaepernick led a peaceful protest against police brutality, and he lost his job because of it.
Although the protest was peaceful and the message was clear, some of your colleagues denounced and even scoffed at Kaepernick’s message. Some claimed that we don’t have a race problem. Others called on those who sided with Kaepernick to leave the country.
Currently, the United States is erupting and spilling into the streets in support of the Black community. As States continue to band together in solidarity against police brutality, you need to be the leader your players need you to be. You need to join them and people who look like them and maybe look like you on the front lines. Actions are better than words, especially since some of the words you all offered were bland, tone-deaf, and lazy– at best.
Racial injustice is nothing new. People of all races are tired of it. Yes, some people are set in their ways and they won’t change, but if the majority changes, it creates a better chance for hope.
I know some of you have been to the protests, and as I mentioned before, I salute you for that. At the protests, there are people from different backgrounds fighting for equality for African Americans. It is a beautiful sight to see despite the unfortunate circumstances and your players, fans, coaches, families of coaches, alumni, students, trustees, maybe the President of your Univerisity, hell even the President of the United States might find in your leadership the catalyst they need to be the change for their teams and players
You all are a part of the best sport in the world. This is a sport that brings many people from different cultural backgrounds together. Many of your rosters are filled with black players. Every Saturday, coaches, fans, boosters, trustees are rooting for Black males to make interceptions, touchdowns, and bone-crushing tackles.
That same energy needs to be applied when dealing with racial injustice.
I know you remember going into their homes promising their parents that you will shape their teenagers into men. Just keep in mind that their parents and family members back home are trusting you with their son. In a world that’s unkind to Black men, they need you to be there for them like I’m sure you promised that you would.
I’d like to thank LSU’s Ed Orgeron, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, Oregon’s Mario Cristobal, Ohio State’s Ryan Day, and a host of others. We see you! We appreciate you, and I’m certain your players appreciate you. You guys have been trailblazers in a sense and you are using your position of power to take a stand.
We have a long way to go in this fight. As time evolves, the protests will lessen, and people will resume business as usual. While that may be the case, don’t forget about your Black players that need you every step of the way.
In the movie theatres, silence is golden, but this is College Football, we don’t do silence in College Football. In a sport where noise is the cornerstone, your voice needs to be louder than the thousands of fans that pack your stadium. Within all of the noise, you are the voice, your players need to hear– just as if it was on a Saturday afternoon.
In the end, it’s your call coach(es), just make sure it’s the right one.
Once upon a time, games and film were the only way to evaluate prospects. Thanks to Hudl and other media outlets, coaches can evaluate prospects from their computers. With Hudl, 247sports, Rivals, and sites like Lettermen’s Row and The Clemson Insider, recruiting is a 24/7 news cycle. Gone are the days where you have to go to scan the Lemming Report to find the hottest recruits. Also, college football camps have become a huge platform for prospective recruits.
Due to Covid-19, this is one aspect of recruiting that will hinder many recruits that are on the cusp of obtaining scholarship offers. Not only does this affect the student-athlete, but it also affects the football program. While it’s great to meet recruits through Facetime, nothing compares to face-to-face interaction.
Invite-only camps at schools such as Ohio State, USC, Tennessee, and Alabama are where the cream of the crop shows up and coaches get a real feel on if the recruit can play.
For high school football players, this is their version of AAU Basketball. On the EYBL AAU hoops circuit, it’s nothing to see Coach K, Jay Wright, and Roy Williams on the sidelines scoping out talent. While the football camps don’t have that same luxury, the camp season gives them a similar platform.
On Episode #48 of Menace 2 Sports own Zach Smith talked about former OSU Buckeye Terry McLaurin’s camp experience and how valuable it was for his development as a player and how the coaches were able to see that he was a grinder.
I decided to give a sneak peek on how a day at camp goes for prospective college recruits at larger universities. Some universities make the camp a full-day experience and On-campus visits are essentially the most important visits because you get to interact with the coaches face-to-face instead of through the telephone.
Here is behind the scene look at how an invite-only camp goes.
The Beginning:
A lot of the initial contact is done via Twitter. Oftentimes it begins with the area recruiter giving the recruit a follow or someone in the recruiting department.
Next:
The prospective recruit will receive a direct message of a flyer about the camp.
The day goes something like this.
(Inserts fictional football player, and it’s not Spencer James from the show All-American)
A three-star wide receiver named Sean Tate will be visiting Tennessee for the first time. Tate hails from Frankfort, Kentucky and he is a Junior-to-be at Western Hills High School. Tate is an up-and-coming prospect and is next in line to follow Nebraska’s Wandale Robinson as the next big Power 5 recruit from his high school.
Tate has garnered offers from Cincinnati, Ohio, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Kentucky, Louisville, and Iowa State. Tate is gaining steam after tearing it up on the spring camp circuit at the Nike Opening, Rivals Adidas Camp, and the Under Armour showcase. After receiving an offer from fellow SEC foe Kentucky, the Volunteers want to see him camp under the lights at Neyland Stadium.
With Tate being a sophomore, he normally cannot chat with coaches via social media, but since the visit is within 24 hours, they can exchange direct messages. That will all change come Sept 1, when he is officially a junior, but everyone must follow the rules. Tate is pumped, he has been direct messaging the Director of Player of Personnel all day and he is looking forward to making the three-hour trek from Frankfort to Knoxville.
Tate receives his itinerary and he begins to prepare for one of the biggest days of his life. Tate knows if he gets the Tennessee offer, it could be a life-changing event for him. Every aspect of this visit will be critiqued, so Tate must be nearly perfect on his big day— even off the field.
Departure: 5:00am
It is super early, can you guess who’s asleep in the backseat, because they played Fortnite all night?
Arrival: 8:30am
It is always best to arrive early, so Tate arrives at 8:30 am. Tate and his parents left their home at 5:00 am, so they arrived with ample time to spare. During that time, they quizzed him on facts about the football program, university, position coach, and head coach. It was also expressed that it’s important to speak up, use a firm handshake, and look into everyone’s eyes when you talk to them. Lastly, his parents told him to turn off the damn phone or put it on silent.
Facility Tour: 9:30 am
Tate is wide-eyed and thinking that he hit the jackpot. He sees awards in the trophy case and the student assistant coach that works in recruiting shows him a shrine with Jamal Lewis, Carl Pickens, Peerless Price, and Peyton Manning. After that, he goes to the locker room, weight room, and equipment room.
Academic Meeting: 10:00am
This is usually when the parents/mentors stand out. Tate is not thinking too much about the school aspect until he hears that he can graduate in 3 years. He does go on to say that he wants to study Communication so that he can be a sports analyst. During that time, the family is also enlightened about an internship program that helps with the transition from athletics to the working world.
Meet with Area Recruiter: 10:45 am
The excitement is still there, and Tate sits down with former Vols great Jay Graham, who happens to be the running back coach. Graham recruits the Kentucky area and he loves Tate’s game film from the season. Graham is excited to see Tate at camp against some of the top players in the nation.
Strength and Conditioning Presentation: 11:15 am
Tate and his family are in love with the program and now, it is time to see the strength and conditioning program presentation. The strength and conditioning coach show off player transformations and tells Tate and his family that these are the results that happen if the kids put the work in.
Photo Shoot: 11:45 am
Tate has been waiting for this moment. He cannot wait to post pictures on Twitter and Instagram with the #GBO hashtag. Tate throws on the No.1 and his swag is on a trillion. Lights, Camera, and Action. End scene.
Meet with Position Coach: 12:00pm
Uh oh, it is getting real. Tate and his family are sitting with Tee Martin. THE Tee Martin. Martin is happy that Tate could make the trip and he thanks his family for making the trip. Martin immediately gushes over Tate’s sturdy 6’2 frame. Martin sits down with the family to talk about the history of the program. They also go over Tate’s film to discuss things he does well and things that he can improve on. The meeting goes well, and Martin is excited how Tate will perform under the lights at camp later in the day.
Meet with Head Coach: 12:30 pm
Jeremy Pruitt looks a lot cooler in person. Coach Pruitt is showing his lighter side. He’s joking with the family, but he is selling the hell out of his program. Pruitt also thanked the family for bringing Tate and he expressed that he thinks that Tate can play at Tennessee. He also explains that he is excited to see him at camp tonight. Pruitt is short and sweet with his message. He did not spend a lot of time with the Tate family, but it was more than enough to feel wanted.
Lunch: 1:00pm
Food is $12 per person, and it is well worth it. Shout out to Dead End BBQ.
Brand Presentation: 1:45pm
With the new NCAA rules in play, Tate and his family learn about the importance of branding. The family is more enamored even more about the program.
Campus & Stadium Tour: 2:15pm
As the family is on the golf cart with one of the student assistants they can see how big Neyland Stadium is. The stadium’s capacity is nearly 105,000 and it looks massive in person. The Tate family pulls out their phones and takes hundreds of pictures. The campus and stadium tour were a success. Sean and his Father love the football stadium, and Mom is in love with the Library and the Student Union hall where there are plenty of food options for the students on campus.
Off-Campus Housing Tour: 3:15 pm
After completing the campus tour, the Tate family gets to see how the student-athletes live. Tate is excited about the thought of living alone, playing Fortnite, and doing who knows what, while Mom is praying for her sanity thinking about her son living away from home.
Return to the Football Facility: 4:15 pm
The gang returns to the facility, and it has been a long day. The football camp is under the lights at 8:00 pm, so the Tate family has a few hours to take in the experience. The parents are a bit uneasy since their son has not been offered a scholarship yet, but they are blown away by the experience.
Time to Ball: 8:00 pm
This is the moment that everyone has been waiting for. Sean leaves his parents to get in line for camp. Peyton Manning popped in to say hello to the coaching staff. Yes, that Peyton Manning.
Sean receives an armband and he is placed with the “dudes.” While with the better group of players, Sean runs the 40-yard dash well and he catches every pass thrown his way. In sum, he had his best camp showing, and before leaving he met with the position coach and Head Coach. Coach Martin and Coach Pruitt thanked the family for coming and they saw enough in person to offer Tate a scholarship.
The Tate family is excited. Mom is in tears and Dad hugs his son, but he tells him this is only the beginning.
Tate is beaming with excitement, and he wastes no time and posts it to his Twitter page.
” I am blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee #GBO”.
The Tate family is ecstatic, and they are on the road again word to Willie Nelson after coming to Knoxville to achieve the goal in receiving a scholarship offer.
Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma … yeah, we know. They’re going to be good again. None of them are anywhere near the top of college football in 2020 in returning production (Oklahoma is the highest at No. 82 – Alabama is No. 88, Ohio State is No. 93 and Clemson is No. 104), but we know based on recruiting that they reload.
In 2019, of the top 25 teams in Division I that returned the most on-field production, only four finished in the top 25. LSU was the highest at No. 15 (the Tigers are No. 127 in 2020), Clemson was 53rd in returning production, Ohio State 62nd. So, the kind of production a team has returning matters a whole lot more than how much production returns, obviously, but teams with quality talent plus returning production is usually a good thing. Based on returning production, here are a few teams that are well-positioned to surprise. Side note: Don’t bet on Michigan, Michigan State, Utah or Kansas. They are the only four Power 5 conference teams that return less than 50% of offensive and defensive production. Actually, that may be good news for a few of them considering the kind of production they got on the field last year.
North Carolina
Mack is back, and the Tar Heels will be media darlings if they pull the upset of Auburn in Atlanta early in the season. With three-quarters of their offensive and defensive production returning, including 87% on offense (ninth-most returning offensive production), second-year QB Sam Howell has a ton of weapons at his disposal. The UNC defense, which ranked No. 54 with a Pro Football Focus grade of 81.8 in 2019, is the only weak link. UNC’s main stumbling block will be Clemson, which returns only 55% offense/defense production, but what’s coming back is elite.
Southern Cal
The Trojans and Todd Helton are fun to rag on because of the fickleness of California fans, but there is hope in the Coliseum as long as the loons out West allow colleges to play football. USC returns 82% of its offense and defensive production, the fifth-highest percentage in the nation. Kedon Slovis is a star-in-waiting at QB, and he has one of the best wide receivers in the nation with Amon-Ra. St. Brown. The Trojans bring back 87% of their defense, which ranked near the bottom of the country in 2019. New defensive coordinator Todd Orlando should improve that and have USC vying for a conference title.
Texas A&M
It’s time for Jimbo and that $7.5 million salary to pop or get off the pot. Fischer lost eight games in his first two seasons at Florida State before becoming a power. He’s lost nine at Texas A&M in two seasons, but the Aggies return 77% of their offense/defense production from 2019, including erratic QB Kellen Mond and 80% of the offense. No other team in the SEC West brings back more than 60% of its offensive/defensive production, so 2020 is the year to strike if A&M is going to do it.
Oklahoma State
Mike Gundy ain’t 40 anymore, and the mullet hasn’t done much for winning the Big 12. It might be time to get the clippers out if the Pokes can’t make some noise with 80% of their production returning, including Heisman candidate running back Chubba Hubbard and wide receiver Tylan Wallace. Nearly the entire defense is back, but if the tackling and pass rush don’t improve (PFF graded both below 70), it won’t matter. Gundy also will have to break in his third offensive coordinator in as many years.
Sep 15, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on in the second half against the Akron Zips at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin/Indiana/Northwestern/Nebraska/Purdue
The Big 10 has several teams returning a slew of production from last season. Six of the top 20 teams with highest returning production belong in the Big 10. Northwestern is worth mentioning because it leads the country in returning production (84%). Pair that with Pat Fitzgerald’s ability to coach ‘em up, and an upset or two could be in the cards. Indiana and Illinois both ranked in the top 15 in returning production with 78% , but Indiana has the better quality coming back and could make some noise. Wisconsin lost big playmakers on offense but returns more than 80% of production from a solid defense in 2019. Nebraska, on the flip side, brings back nearly its entire offense with 92% of production back. Big year for Scott Frost to validate that hire. Purdue and Rutgers are the other top production returners. Jeff Brohm has to figure out the quarterback situation (just get the ball to Rondale Moore) for the Boilermakers to take the next step.
Honorable mention: Iowa State (62% offense/73% defense returning), Virginia Tech (74% offense, 89% defense returning), Penn State (74% offense, 63% defense returning), Texas (66% offense, 82% defense returning)
While the dog days of summer are near, it is never too early to speculate about the 2020-2021 College Football Season. As universities begin to open, it is looking promising that there will be a season. Although we are still a ways away, the excitement is real.
December is too far away to wait for the national awards shows. That said, we at Menace 2 Sports decided to have some fun and pass out some preseason awards of our own. Here are 15 way-too early superlatives you need to know for the college football season.
Enjoy!
Danny Wuerffel Award: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Awarded to the best quarterback in the CFB.
The gap between Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields continues to lessen. As of now, Lawrence is the better quarterback, but that can change during the season. Lawrence is expected to make a true push for the Heisman Trophy in his final season. The talented Junior has yet to make a trip to New York, but he has been in the National Championship game for the past two years. According to PFF, Lawrence had a 90.0 plus grade in his first two seasons, joining Tua Tagovailoa as the only quarterbacks to grade high in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, I expect that to remain the same. Lawrence will miss Tee Higgins on the outside, but he has Justyn Ross, who will be in contention for the Biletnikoff Award. To be honest it does not matter who lines up at wide receiver for Clemson. With Lawrence as the signal-caller Clemson is automatically a championship-caliber team and that’s why he is the winner of the Danny Wuerffel award.
The Reggie Bush Award: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Awarded to the most outstanding player in CFB.
Ohio State fans did not know what to expect when Justin Fields stepped in as the quarterback, but boy were they in for a special treat. In only two seasons in Columbus, Fields will arguably go down as the best quarterback in school history if he brings them a Championship. Even without a championship, Fields has carved his name into Buckeye lore as an all-time great. Fields is still slightly behind Trevor Lawrence as a pure passer, but Fields is more versatile. Fields can beat you any way he wants. When healthy, he is one of the best runners at his position and his arm talent is second to none. According to PFF, Fields graded out as a 92.4 in conference play, which is good for the best in the Big Ten. On a national level, he had the second-lowest off-target rate on intermediate passes in the country, which is a testament to his accuracy.
Peter Warrick Award: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Awarded to the most exciting player in the CFB.
The dynamic wide receiver had his season cut short last season, but this year he will be back in the national spotlight as the most exciting player in the country. Moore had a lot of competition for this category, but when he is on top of his game there is not a more exciting player in the county.
Charlie Weis Award: Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M
Awarded to the most overrated coach in CFB.
Life after Florida State has not been so kind to Jimbo. After receiving a lucrative deal worth north of $70 Million, Fisher was expected to turn the Texas A&M into a national power. In his tenure as the Aggies head man, he is 17-9, which is far from what is expected. Could this year be a turning point for Fisher and the Ags? My guess is no, and it will further prove why he is the way too early recipient of the Charlie Weis Award.
The Joe Burrow Award: Cade Mays, OL, Tennessee
Awarded to the best transfer in CFB.
D’Eriq King (Miami), Jamie Newman (Georgia), and KJ Costello (Mississippi State) will receive more national recognition than Cade Mays, but he will be more valuable. For Tennessee to take a step in the right direction, it all starts up front. Mays has experience as a starter at all five positions along the offensive line from when he played at Georgia. That goes to say that his versatility is invaluable for the Vols team and look for Mays to be one of the most impactful transfers in college football.
Josh Metellus Award: Whoever wears No.14 for Michigan
Awarded to the cornerback that is most likely to get ‘Mossed’
Some jersey numbers have a historic semblance at certain universities and thanks to Josh Mettelus, No.14 is etched in history in Ann Arbor. Metellus is now in the NFL, and we wish him the best going forward, but his spirit lives on at Michigan. As a member of the Wolverines Metellus was on the wrong end of a litany of highlights, so I decided to name this award after him. If Don Brown & Co. are smart, they will retire the jersey for all of the wrong reasons.
Awarded to the most feared defensive player in the CFB.
If you need someone in the fox hole with you when shit gets bad, Gregory Rousseau is your guy. Rousseau looks like he eats weights for breakfast, and he shows no remorse for his opponents on the field. The 6’7 behemoth of a man is a physical freak and a quarterback’s nightmare. He is not as polished as Chase Young was a season ago, but he generates the same type of fear for opposing offenses.
Awarded to the player that will not live up to the hype.
Ian Book is expected to have a huge year as many pundits are high on him and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Book has quite the resume, he holds a 20-3 record as a starter and he led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoffs in 2018. The fifth-year senior will miss his security blanket in Chase Claypool and with a stable of new wide receivers –he is likely to take a step back.
Richard Sherman Award: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, DB, Cincinnati
Awarded to the best CFP player you’ve never heard of.
Sauce Gardner is not only the best cornerback you have never heard of, but he’s arguably the best player in the country you’ve never heard of. According to PFF he posted a 90.0 grade, which was 8th best in FBS. The Detroit native has a knack to make game-changing plays. As a sophomore he will begin to receive some recognition, but as the season nears the end, he will be a household name for Luke Fickell’s Cincinnati Bearcats.
Michael Crabtree Award: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Awarded to the best WR in the CFB.
Ja’Marr Chase was an easy choice for this award. Although guys such as Rashod Bateman, Rondale Moore, Olave, Jaylen Waddle, and Justyn Ross may have better statistical seasons, Chase is the most NFL ready out of the bunch. It will be interesting to see Chase without Joe Burrow, but I am certain that he will cement his crown as the top wideout in CFB.
Noel Devine Award: Chuba Hubbard, RB Oklahoma State
Awarded to the most exciting RB in CFB.
One of the nation’s leading rushers from a season ago returns and as expected, he will be must-see-tv. It will be hard to top 2,094 yards and 21 TD’s from last year, but he will ample opportunity to do so. Hubbard is the catalyst for the Pokes and when as he goes, the team goes. Hubbard has Le’Veon Bell-like patience and watching him glide through defenses is a sight to behold.
Honey Badger Award: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Awarded to the most versatile defender in CFB.
Micah Parsons is an anomaly at the linebacker position. Just as we saw with Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, Parsons poses a similar threat. He can play all three downs Parsons and he is an elite pass-rusher. Parsons is slated to be one of the best if not best defensive players in the country. The B1G Linebacker of the year will be the favorite to win the Butkus Award as well as a garnering All-Big Ten and All-American Honors. Parsons will keep offensive coordinators up at night as they will try to find ways to scheme away from him, which is virtually impossible to say the least.
Steve McNair Award: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Awarded to the best player from a small school.
After having 42 total touchdowns and 0 INTs, which included an insane 28:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio Trey Lance put the college football world on notice. All eyes will be on Lance as the nation will be anticipating an encore performance in his second year as the starting quarterback. According to PFF Lance received a passing grade of 87.2 and that will likely improve this season. If Lance continues to progress at a rapid rate, he will likely be a first-round draft pick just as Steve McNair did in 1995.
Appalachian State Award: North Dakota State over Oregon
Awarded to the team that pulls off the biggest upset.
If Oregon can host this game, the Ducks faithful (if that’s a thing) need to be worried. North Dakota State has an impressive track record against FBS schools. They have won their last six matchups including defeating 13th ranked Iowa in 2016 in Kinnick Stadium. The matchup against NDSU is the ultimate trap game with potentially playing Ohio State the next week. The Bisons are no slouch, and the world will witness it come September.
The NCAA is opening the floodgates for compensation and endorsement through name, image and likeness deals with college athletes, and there’s one big winner in the apparel arms race: Nike.
The clothing and footwear giant already owns massive stock in college football: 53% of FBS college teams wear Nike apparel (69 total), almost double Adidas and more than triple Under Armour’s roster. When it comes to the power players in college football, Nike has the market cornered; 65% of Power 5 teams adorn the Swoosh logo, including all the big boys: LSU, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Alabama, Oklahoma, Penn State – the top nine teams from last season.
Here’s the kicker: In recommending the allowance of endorsement deals for individual college athletes, the NCAA’s current report places restrictions on which apparel company a player can sign with to prevent brand competition. For example, last season, Joe Borrow, who played for Nike-endorsed LSU, couldn’t have signed a deal to promote Adidas because it would have conflicted with his school’s agreement.
So, in essence, Nike already has the rights to the biggest teams and the biggest players in the country because it endorses the majority of Power 5 schools that contend for titles annually. Notre Dame (Under Armour) is the only non-Nike school to play in the College Football Playoff.
If and when these NIL regulations go into effect in 2021, LSU’s Derek Stingley, Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, Georgia’s Nolan Smith, Clemson’s Bryan Breese and more future studs will be pumping Nike because they don’t have a choice. Not that they’ll argue with it – Nike has the money and the reach nationally to draw the top players regardless of whatever restrictions are imposed.
Phil Knight, Nike co-founder, former Oregon track alum and a huge Ducks fan, famously created a new jersey for every week of the Oregon season and has funded the program for years. What happens when one of the 20 richest people in the country, who owns an apparel company and knows the ins and outs of college football endorsement deals, is given free rein on 70% of NCAA players? We’re about to find out, and we know Knight and Nike aren’t afraid to spend money in an effort to find the next Jordan.
Nike already has the Jumpman logo on the uniforms of four of the biggest football programs in the country: Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan and North Carolina (Ok, not the biggest, but it’s Jordan’s alma mater). The Nike subsidiary Jordan Brand will only grow, and the younger kids still eat it up.
You think coaches won’t use Nike to entice recruits even more now that an endorsement deal could be waiting in the wings. It’s inevitable.
“Recruits are always asking about swag and what kind of gear we have,” Florida head coach Dan Mullen told CBS Sports when Florida signed on with Nike’s Jordan Brand. “Obviously, it is a great marketing and branding advantage to be associated with the Jordan Brand.”
Mullen wears Jordans with his khakis on the recruiting trail. He’s probably already guaranteeing an endorsement with every commitment. Try to stop it, NCAA.
Larry Fedora, former head coach at UNC when the Tar Heels began wearing the Jumpman logo, saw the potential then, even before player endorsements were a possibility.
“Every single player we’re recruiting knows about it,” he told CBS Sports at the time. “They all want to see the different uniforms we’re going to wear, the different shoes that we get.”
Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma saw it, too.
“We’ll be at the forefront of making sure our players have the best, trying new things, new ideas, and leading the charge as far as that race,” he told CBS Sports in his first season wearing the Jordan Brand.
Nike saw this coming, and they’ve probably already built a blue print and infrastructure to identify high school players and a contact list of college recruiters to facilitate the process. Zion Williamson at Duke was just the start. The free market is open for business, and Nike is looking for its next cash cow.
Three Stripe Life and Recruiting – A Three Part Realistic Fiction
Scene 1 – A Meeting of Legends, Portland, Oregon
Kanye West, James Harden, Patrick Mahomes, and Lionel Messi walk into a bar. They huddle up in a cozy spot in the back. A circular table, like a scene out of Swingers. These superstars order a round of drinks and catch up. Aaron Rodgers shuffles in, apologizing for his tardiness.
The waitress asks, “Does somebody wanna open a tab?” They all look at Mahomes, the rookie of the crew. A rising super star. Last year’s Super Bowl MVP obliges; he knows the rules.
The guys laugh for a while and enjoy the first round. Harden jokes, “Ya’ll realize I’m the most recognizable face at this table right now?” General disagreement at the table.
Rodgers speaks up, “So you think the beard gives you that much clout?”
Kanye, now a man of God but very much a businessman, summons the waitress. “Excuse me, miss, can you please identify each of my friends here at the table?”
The waitress is used to serving celebrities and famous athletes. After all, she works just a few blocks from Adidas Headquarters in Portland. She’s cute, she knows it and realizes if she plays along, she will probably be getting a nice tip.
She has a little giggle, thinks for a minute and gives it her best shot working left to right around the circular table, left to right starting with Kanye pointing with her finger.
“Okay, you are Kim’s husband. The beard is James Harden. Guy in the middle? I’ve seen your face recently but can’t think of your name (she knows it but she’s being flirty). Is the short guy like your manager or something? And Aaron Rodgers, my dad is a huge Packers fan so I couldn’t miss that one.” Everybody laughs.
The short guy has yet to say anything all night. That’s kind of his style. Soft spoken. Stoic. A silent killer. He finally speaks up, “A quien le importa.” He couldn’t care less.
Mahomes loses it. “I didn’t know this man talked! I know you are a legend and the goat and all but that is literally the first time I’ve heard your voice!”
“Prefiero mis pies.” He lets his feet do the talking. “O mi banco…” Or his bank account.
Now they are rolling. Kanye calls out, “So you wanna play that game, Messi?” Leo smiles, shaking his head in laughter. He knows his Three Stripe colleague has made close to 1.3 BILLION off of the Yeezys. His Predator cleats don’t stand a chance.
The old vetean chimes in, “What is clout though? How do you measure it? Is it being recognizable? Money? IG Followers? Dare I say, winning? Does winning have anything to do with it?!”
They could talk shop and compare bags all night. But Kanye finally reminds them that time is money and they are here for a reason today: expanding the brand. “Darius Williams has ALL of that, A-Rod. We gotta get this kid to sign with Adidas tomorrow morning. That’s why we all showed out from all over. He’s gonna be the next LeBron. The Prince of PG County will now be the Prince of the Three Stripe Life. And all that will do is ensure that Messi’s bank account, and everybody’s bank account, will continue to grow.”
Finally, something they can ALL agree with.
Scene 2 – A Young Prince – Prince George’s County, Maryland
Darius Williams has just finished scoring 41 points in front of 3,000 people. A sellout event to showcase high school basketball talent. He is the number one recruit in the country. Coach K is courtside. Tom Izzo is there with his entire coaching staff. UCLA, Kansas, Texas, North Carolina and all the other blue bloods all represented.
Darius is different from last generation’s rising superstar. He has the traditional gifts, standing 6’6 with world-class athleticism. Some are calling him the next Kobe. But it’s the new age off the court measurables that matter in today’s recruiting. And that’s where he is special.
By the time he was entering high school, he was blue-check verified on Instagram. By his sophomore year, he had a million followers. The summer before his junior year, he went live with Vanessa Hudgens and she said that she would take him on a date for his 18th birthday.
Darius Williams is from Prince George’s County, the Mecca of high school basketball talent. He was born to play in the NBA. And his parents know it. The entire country has been trying to get a look at Darius. But thankfully, his mom and dad have been watching his every move as well. His pops was a great player back in the day and he has seen hundreds of talented kids come inches from stardom in PG County. Only to make one bad decision and lose it all. Mr. and Mrs. Williams made sure their son would not make that mistake. Darius was going to be the next Kevin Durant.
Due to NCAA rules, the coaches can’t talk to Darius after the game. And due to his parents rules, no one else can either. His dad has actually hired a group of friends to make sure NO ONE bothers Darius or tries to influence him in any way. He takes his classes online so that he is not corrupted at school. The Williams family is just months away from being millionaires.
Darius can be found one of two places: at home or at the gym with his team. He has a strict schedule that makes sure he stays on the right path every day. However, tomorrow is going to be different. The Williams family is flying to Portland, Oregon, to the United States Adidas Headquarters for an important meeting.
Scene 3 – The Question, Portland, Oregon
Darius Williams steps off a private jet. He had flown many times in the last few years. He played in AAU “Circuit” Events all over the country: the Nike EYBL for Team Durant in the Peach Jam, the Under Armor Circuit with Team Curry, but most recently, he was playing in the Adidas Gold Gauntlet. He was the prized player on Team Lillard.
Him and Dame go back and forth regularly via text. As he does with many of the NBA superstars. It was his dad that chose Team Lillard. He had spent a long time privately weighing the opportunities of each team. It was tough turning down Team Durant with Darius also being from PG County. But, Mr. Williams wanted his son to stand alone and stand out. KD would have to understand. After all, this is business.
Getting out of the Uber, Damian Lillard welcomes the Williams Family to the Adidas Headquarters. They walk into a glass building with contemporary architecture. After shaking a few hands, Lillard opens the door into a conference room with a long table. The table of legends.
A music and cultural icon, the NBA’s leading scorer, two super bowl MVPs and arguably the most famous athlete on the planet. After all, soccer is the world’s game. But basketball is catching up. And it’s crazy, but Darius Williams fits right in with this crowd.
After a few minutes of small talk, Aaron Rodgers asks the literal million dollar question. “So what’s the move champ? Are you ready to join the Three-Stripe Life?”
Who’s Who in the Adidas Realm
An Analysis of the Major Adidas Schools
“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.” This is just the beginning. And if you haven’t listened to Zach Smith’s Menace 2 Sports PodcastEpisode 98 about the future business of college athletics, be sure to do so. Zach articulately breaks down and explains how these new NCAA “rules and guidelines” are going to be utilized throughout the country. Simply put, the recent NCAA decision to allow college players to sign with agents and receive monetary compensation represents a monumental paradigm shift across the entire landscape of amateur and collegiate athletics.
The story above is entirely fictional as it pertains to the characters. However, the anecdotal scenario laid out is both realistic and inevitable. While there isn’t actually a five-star recruit from PG County named Darius Williams, there are certainly many young athletes all over the country who could have similar experiences in the near future.
The remainder of the article breaks down Adidas and their brand impact in the inevitable arms race that is college athletics. How is Adidas going to find a way to dominate college basketball while also navigating a successful niche on the football field? As Zach outlines on the show, Adidas has already been attempting to do everything we are discussing illegally on the west coast football scene using the “Grassroots Movement.”
Overall, Adidas is the dark horse of the major brands. Primarily championed by their soccer affiliation, Adidas sponsors Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and many other WORLDWIDE enterprises that dwarf the likes of Alabama or Clemson football. The Three Stripe Life is going to be fine one way or the other.
It’s important to note: Adidas has had a major influence on college basketball and that will most definitely continue. It’s likely that when Darius Williams finally made his hypothetical collegiate decision, he would’ve chosen between Kansas, Indiana, Louisville, Miami, or another Adidas powerhouse.
Kansas already flexed their invincibility at their Midnight Madness back in October 2019. Snoop Dogg performed in a cloud smoke surrounded by exotic dancers. In what was ultimately supposed to be a glorified meet the team and open practice, Kansas smirked at the NCAA and hosted their own club banger. Do you think that event was at all intriguing to a recruit like our Darius Williams? And now he can meet local businesses after the show, and promote their products on IG. Ball game.
Yes, college sports is very much a show. A show in which the actors are 99% of the entertainment yet they have historically collected 1% of the profit. Nah, that money went traditionally to the patriarchy that simply produced it behind the scenes. Not for long.
Below is a list of the top Adidas schools and a potential pecking order for which athletic programs could cash in on the new system. We have considered traditional fan support, alumni base, city demographics and landscape and other important factors as it pertains to business infrastructure.
1. Miami Hurricanes – The U is capable of top 25 in football and basketball annually. They have the tradition and the brand. In terms of location, the recruits are excited about the South Beach vibes and the celebrity appeal. A relatively small but Uber-wealthy alumni base combined with big name marketing opportunities for the players makes the Canes a prize horse for Adidas.
2. Kansas – Despite Kansas lack of success in football, they are arguably the most important basketball institution in the nation. Already marred with turmoil and speculation, Kansas now has the freedom to recruit by selling their brand as well as financial opportunity. Capable of landing 5 star recruits and winning National Championships every year, the Rock Chalk Jayhawks are a truly rock for the Three Stripes. Basketball players at Kansas are local celebrities, bottom line. Can Les Miles sell this in football as well?
3. Louisville – Like Miami, Louisville can put a top 25 program together in both major sports. A town with rich sports pedigree from boxing to horse racing, Louisville has always been underrated. A consistent national title contender in hoops, can they also land the next Lamar Jackson on the gridiron? If they can, his face will soon be on a billboard next to American Pharoah and Muhammad Ali. The Cardinals can be a force for Adidas.
4. Texas A&M – Kiss your dates when the Aggies score. And they might score big with their Adidas partnership soon. Everything is bigger in Texas and nothing is bigger than football. They have a massive alumni base, top notch infrastructure and a strong culture. They have been hit or miss with hoops but they are a 5 star away from being back on the map. Buzz Williams is a tremendous young coach that the recruits love. He is the perfect guy to sell the clout. Texas A&M is ready.
5. Indiana – Indiana basketball is never as good as their fans think they are but this matters very little. What’s important is just that. Even when they underachieve, the people still love them. They’ve always recruited well. Now, players can represent local car sales and restaurants, the Hoosier State will be an appealing destination for a young hooper. On the football side, the Hoosiers have been poor, low attendance, and no big stars. Until they change that, Adidas will find other athletic institutions more valuable overall.
6. NC State – Here’s another school that is capable of top 25 performance in football and basketball. Rarely threatening much further, the Wolfpack are still a solid B-List school. It’s a basketball rich state but they are not far from the DMV for recruiting both major sports. NC State is reliable.
7. Nebraska – A little bit of a wild card in this discussion. Obviously, their football program has all the support you could ever want. Every game is a sellout and the tradition is there. Between Scott Frost and Fred Hoiberg, the main sports have two young studs championing the Cornhusker brand. Of course, they will have to step up their recruiting significantly to truly compete in the Big Ten. But does their success even matter as long as everyone is getting paid? Aaron Rodgers posed the same question in the narrative above.
8. Mississippi State – Mississippi State, like Texas A&M, is able to add the third sport: baseball. SEC baseball is one of the most underrated enterprises in all of college sports. If you know you know. Both the Aggies and the Bulldogs are capable of landing top recruits and unleashing a top 25 program on all three playing fields. Mississippi State is another reliable option for Adidas.
9. Rutgers and a bunch of mid-majors. Adidas sponsors the second most schools of all sports brands. They will feel comfortable heading into the future of college sports.
