By Franz Beard
A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning:
SHORT-HANDED GATORS FALL SHORT AGAINST THE VOLS
Colin Castleton missed his fourth straight basketball game Wednesday night when the Gators faced 18th-ranked Tennessee in Knoxville. CJ Felder, who’s been sick for the last few days and missed Monday night’s Ole Miss game, tried to give it a go in the second half but he’s lost a lot of weight and didn’t have his strength. Late in the first half, Jason Jitoboh, who has been starting at center in Castleton’s absence, took an inadvertent shot to the face by a Tennessee big guy. Hit in the eye, he was unable to play in the second half.
As Florida coach Mike White pointed out after the Gators (12-8, 3-5 SEC) dropped a 78-71 decision to the Vols (14-5, 5-3 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena, nobody is going to feel sorry for the Gators because they played short-handed. We’ve been given no timeframe for Castleton’s return to the lineup and we won’t know the extent of Jitoboh’s injury until he’s seen by Florida’s doctors in Gainesville today. Felder should be back for Saturday’s game at the O-Dome with Oklahoma State (10-8) in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge but how effective will he be and how much of his strength has the illness drained from him?
If they gave points for effort, then the Gators would have won the game Wednesday night. The Gators played so hard at both ends of the court, but they don’t give points or participation trophies for trying hard. Tennessee had more talent, made more shots did a better job defending in the second half.
The Gators led by as many as 13 points in the first half and went into the locker ahead, 42-38, but when Jitoboh went down with 2:27 remaining everything changed at both ends of the court. With the 6-11, 285-pounder in the game, the Gators had a post presence defensively. The Vols scored only two points in the paint in the first half. Offensively, he set the screens that freed the Gators for one of their better shooting halves of the season – 15-29 from the field overall and 7-16 from the three-point line. Without Jitoboh in the second half, the Gators had to go small with Duruji at center or skinny with Tuongthach Gatkek. The Vols scored 18 in the paint and the Gators slumped to 11-31 shooting overall and just 3-17 from the three-point line.
“Jason is our best screener, then they get to where they’re switching in the second half, and we can’t take advantage of those switches on the interior,” White said. “Just not much of an interior threat there in the second twenty.”
Yet, despite the significant absence of Jitoboh, the Gators hung with the Vols and were within three – 74-71 – with 31 seconds left after Tyree Appleby bombed in a three-ball from the corner. That was as close at it got. The Vols went 4-4 from the foul line the rest of the way and the Gators couldn’t knock down a shot.
Duruji and Appleby each scored 16 to lead the Gators, who got 11 from Phlandrous Fleming Jr. and 10 from Myreon Jones.
SEC BASKETBALL
Wednesday’s scores: No. 18 Tennessee (14-5, 5-3 SEC) 78, FLORIDA (12-8, 3-5 SEC) 71; Arkansas (15-5, 5-3 SEC) 64, Ole Miss (10-10, 2-6 SEC) 55; South Carolina (12-7, 3-4 SEC) 70, Vanderbilt (10-9, 2-5 SEC 61; No. 19 LSU (16-4, 4-4 SEC) 70, Texas A&M (15-5, 4-3 SEC) 64
Saturday’s games: Oklahoma State (10-9) at FLORIDA (12-8); No. 19 LSU (16-4) at TCU (13-4); Oklahoma (13-7) at No. 1 Auburn (19-1); Missouri (8-11) at No. 23 Iowa State (15-5); West Virginia (13-7) at Arkansas (15-5); No. 4 Baylor (18-2) at Alabama (13-7); Kansas State (10-9) at Ole Miss (10-10); No. 12 Kentucky (16-4) at No. 5 Kansas (17-2); Mississippi State (13-6) at Texas Tech (15-5); No. 18 Tennessee (14-5) at Texas (15-5)
FOOTBALL TRANSFERS IN THE SEC AS OF JANUARY 26, 2022
Outgoing starters in boldface
ALABAMA
Out (12): WR Javon Baker (Kentucky); LB Shane Lee (Southern Cal); QB Paul Tyson (Arizona State); TE Jahleel Billingsley (Texas); OT Tommy Brown (Colorado); LB Drew Sanders (Arkansas); LB King Mwikuta (Arkansas State); LB Jackson Bratton (UAB); OT Pierce Quick (Georgia Tech); WR Xavier Williams (Utah State); CB Marcus Banks (Mississippi State); P Ty Perine
In (2): RB Jaymyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech); CB Eli Ricks (LSU); WR Jermaine Burton (Georgia)
ARKANSAS
Out (16): LB Andrew Parker; RB Trelon Smith; CB Greg Brooks Jr. (LSU); S Joe Foucha (LSU); DL Jalen Williams (Southern Miss); CB Devin Bush; CB Nick Turner (Toledo); WR Kendall Catalon; OT Ray Curry Jr.; WR Darin Turner (Alabama A&M); S Jermaine Hampton-Jordan; LB JT Towers; DL Andy Boykin; RB Josh Oglesby (Stephen F. Austin); K Vito Calvaruso; DL Solomon Wright
In (6): CB Dwight McGlothern (LSU); LB Drew Sanders (Alabama); EDGE Landon Jackson (LSU); WR Jadon Haselwood (Oklahoma); QB Cade Fortin (South Florida); S Latavious Brini (Georgia)
AUBURN
Out (14): DL Ian Matthews; OT/TE J.J. Pegues (Ole Miss); DL Lee Hunter (UCF); LB Romello Height (Southern Cal); DL Daniel Foster-Allen (South Alabama); CB Eric Reed; CB Dreshun Miller; WR Kobe Hudson (UCF); LB Nick Curtis; DL Dre Butler (Liberty); S Ahmari Harvey (Georgia Tech); QB Bo Nix (Oregon); OL Tashawn Manning (Kentucky); S Ladarius Tennison (Ole Miss); WR Elijah Canion (Purdue); RB Shaun Shivers (Indiana); EDGE Caleb Johnson
In (5): QB Robby Ashford (Oregon); DL Jayson Jones (Oregon); QB Zach Calzada (Texas A&M); CB DJ James (Oregon); LB Eugene Asanta (North Carolina)
FLORIDA
Out (7): LB Mohamoud Diabate (Utah); WR Jacob Copeland (Maryland); EDGE Khris Bogle (Michigan State); OL Gerald Mincey (Tennessee); CB Elijah Blades (Buffalo); TE Kemore Gamble (UCF); LB Ty’Ron Hopper (Missouri)
In (5): Jalen Kimber (Georgia); RB Montrell Johnson (Louisiana); OL O’Cyrus Torrence (Louisiana); OL Kamryn Waites (Louisiana); QB Jack Miller III (Ohio State)
GEORGIA
Out (8): WR Jermaine Burton (Alabama); QB JT Daniels; S Latavious Brini (Arkansas); CB Lovasea Carroll (South Carolina); CB Jalen Kimber (Florida); WR Justin Robinson (Mississippi State); CB Ameer Speed (Michigan State); WR Jaylen Johnson
In: None
KENTUCKY
Out (13): CB Cedric Dort (Wisconsin); WR Isaiah Epps (Tulsa); LB Marquez Bembry; S Moses Douglass (Kent State); DL Isaiah Gibson (Marshall); LB KD McDaniel (UCF); RB Torrance Davis; LB Jared Casey (Indiana); OT Naasir Watkins; RB Travis Tisdale; OT Jake Pope; QB Nik Scalzo; WR Tre’von Morgan
In (4): QB Deuce Hogan (Iowa); DL Darrion Henry-Young (Ohio State); DL Tashawn Manning (Auburn); WR Tayvion Robinson (Virginia Tech)
LSU
Out (11): CB Dwight McGlothern (Arkansas); WR Alex Adams (Akron); WR Trey Palmer (Nebraska); WR Deion Smith; QB Max Johnson (Texas A&M); EDGE Landon Jackson (Arkansas); CB Eli Ricks (Alabama); LB Navonteque Strong; WR Koy Moore; DL Eric Taylor; WR Devonta Lee
In (12): DL Mekhi Wingo (Missouri); OT Tre’Mond Shorts (East Tennessee State); P Jay Bramblett (Notre Dame); LB West Weeks (Virginia); WR Kyren Lacey (Louisiana); RB Noah Cain (Penn State); CB Greg Brooks Jr. (Arkansas); S Mekhi Williams-Garner (Louisiana); S Joe Foucha (Arkansas); Long snapper Slade Roy (East Carolina); OT Miles Frazier (Florida International); CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (Oklahoma State)
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Out (12): WR Theodore Knox; WR Malik Heath; S Landon Guidry; K Nolan McCord; CB Kyle Cass; WR Quinton Torbor; OT Calvin McMillian (Southern Miss); EDGE Aaron Odom (Southern Miss); DL Armondous Cooley (Southern Miss); S Janari Dean (Southern Miss); LB Aaron Brule (Michigan State); S Londyn Craft; QB Jack Abraham
In (7): K Ben Rayben (Northern Colorado); K Massimo Biscardi (Coastal Carolina); WR Justin Robinson (Georgia); WR Jordan Mosley (Northwestern); CB Jackie Matthews (West Virginia); LB Marcus Banks (Alabama); OL Steve Losoya (Middle Tennessee)
MISSOURI
Out (12): DL Mekhi Wingo (LSU); S Shawn Robinson (Kansas State); QB Connor Bazelak (Indiana); WR Jay Maclin (North Texas); EDGE Jatorian Hansford (South Florida); S Ishmael Burdine (TCU); TE Messiah Swinson (Arizona State); TE Daniel Parker (Oklahoma); OT Chris Shearin; LB Jamie Pettway (Florida Atlantic); OT J’Marion Gooch; RB Simi Bakare
In (7): OG Bence Polgar (Buffalo); LB Tyrone Hopper (North Carolina); OT Jayden Jenigan (Oklahoma State); CB Dreyden Norwood (Texas A&M); S Joseph Charleston (Clemson); LB Ty’Ron Hopper (Florida); RB Nathaniel Peat (Stanford)
OLE MISS
Out (18): RB Henry Parrish (Miami); DB Tylan Knight (Southern Miss); CB Jalen Jordan (South Alabama); OL Bryce Ramsey (Southern Miss); WR Jadon Jackson; QB John Rhys Plumlee (UCF); CB JaKorey Hawkins (Wyoming); DL Quentin Bivens (Southern Miss); DL Sincere David; WR Jamar Richardson (South Alabama); TE DaMarcus Thomas (South Alabama); DL Patrick Lucas (Indiana); DL LeDarrius Cox (Indiana); LB Daylen Gill (Southern Miss); LB Mohamed Sanogo (Louisville); WR Brice Johnson (Houston); S Dink Jackson; CB Keidron Smith
In (7): OT/TE J.J. Pegues (Auburn); LB Troy Brown (Central Michigan); S Isheem Young (Iowa State); OT Mason Brooks (Western Kentucky); WR Jordan Watkins (Louisville); S Ladarius Tennison (Auburn); RB Zach Evans (TCU)
SOUTH CAROLINA
Out (8): TE Keveon Mullins (Jackson State); QB Jason Brown (Virginia Tech); OL Vincent Murphy (Western Kentucky); WR Dominick Hill; LB Jahmar Brown; WR Ger-Caro Caldwell; LB Rosendo Louis; WR OrTre Smith; LB Kolbe Fields
In (7): CB Lovasea Carroll (Georgia); WR Antwane Wells (James Madison); RB Christian Beal-Smith (Wake Forest); S Devonni Reed (Central Michigan); DL Terrell Dawkins (North Carolina State); TE Austin Stogner (Oklahoma); QB Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma)
TENNESSEE
Out (12): WR Kaemen Marley; TE Trinity Bell; OT K’Rojhn Calbert (Eastern Kentucky); WR Andison Coby; Long Snapper Will Albright; RB Dee Beckwith; RB Tiyon Evans (Louisville); LB Morven Joseph (Florida Atlantic); QB Harrison Bailey (UNLV); RB Carlin Fils-aime; RB Tee Hodge (Indiana State); QB Brian Mauer (Stephen F. Austin); DL Chris Akporoghene
In (4): TE Charlie Browder (UCF); QB Navy Shuler (Appalachian State); OT Gerald Mincey (Florida); LB Jackson Hannah (Nebraska)
TEXAS A&M
Out (7): RB Darvon Hubbard (Temple); S Erick Young; RB Deondre Jackson (Nebraska); QB Zach Calzada (Auburn); CB Dreyden Norwood (Missouri); EDGE Antonio Doyle (Jackson State); EDGE RJ Orebo
In (1): QB Max Johnson (LSU)
VANDERBILT
Out (14): OT Tyler Steen; Edge Alex Williams; LB Brayden DeVault-Smith; S Brendon Harris; WR Amir Abdur-Rahim; WR Cam Johnson; DL Lorenza Surgers (Minnesota); CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally; DL Terion Sugick (Arkansas State); QB Jeremy Moussa (Florida A&M); DL Marcus Bradley (UMass); DL Jacques Hunter; RB Ja’Veon Marlow; S Dashaun Jenkins
In (1): LB Kane Patterson (Clemson)
ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: University of North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham made this comment to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports when talking about the future of collegiate athletics: “I do think we’re probably 2-3 years away from having a different relationship with our student-athletes. It won’t necessarily be the student and the university. It may be the employee-employer.”
Translation: If you believe there is such a thing as a “student-athlete” then enjoy the next two or three years because it won’t exist much longer.
Writing for another publication several years ago I threw out the concept that we weren’t that far away from athletes being given the choice of becoming contracted, salaried employees whose job it is to play and train for their sport or scholarship athletes who get a stipend along with room, board, tuition, books and fees. I believe there will be the scholarship option because the majority of scholarship athletes know they better get a degree since they are not going to play professionally when their college days are over.
As for the athletes under contract, imagine this: A QB who is an employee has a bad game. He comes to work on Monday morning only to find his locker has been cleaned out and a note to go see the boss because he’s been terminated. A kid whose dream it has been to be a Gator all his life arrives on the same day only to find out he’s been traded to Boise State for a punter and a linebacker to be named later.
The traditional Florida jersey will prominently display corporate logos. Are you ready for the Publix Gators?
Maybe you think this is preposterous and that it can’t or won’t happen. Maybe not exactly as I have described it, but trust me, I’m not all that far off.
A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning:
SHORT-HANDED GATORS FALL SHORT AGAINST THE VOLS
Colin Castleton missed his fourth straight basketball game Wednesday night when the Gators faced 18th-ranked Tennessee in Knoxville. CJ Felder, who’s been sick for the last few days and missed Monday night’s Ole Miss game, tried to give it a go in the second half but he’s lost a lot of weight and didn’t have his strength. Late in the first half, Jason Jitoboh, who has been starting at center in Castleton’s absence, took an inadvertent shot to the face by a Tennessee big guy. Hit in the eye, he was unable to play in the second half.
As Florida coach Mike White pointed out after the Gators (12-8, 3-5 SEC) dropped a 78-71 decision to the Vols (14-5, 5-3 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena, nobody is going to feel sorry for the Gators because they played short-handed. We’ve been given no timeframe for Castleton’s return to the lineup and we won’t know the extent of Jitoboh’s injury until he’s seen by Florida’s doctors in Gainesville today. Felder should be back for Saturday’s game at the O-Dome with Oklahoma State (10-8) in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge but how effective will he be and how much of his strength has the illness drained from him?
If they gave points for effort, then the Gators would have won the game Wednesday night. The Gators played so hard at both ends of the court, but they don’t give points or participation trophies for trying hard. Tennessee had more talent, made more shots did a better job defending in the second half.
The Gators led by as many as 13 points in the first half and went into the locker ahead, 42-38, but when Jitoboh went down with 2:27 remaining everything changed at both ends of the court. With the 6-11, 285-pounder in the game, the Gators had a post presence defensively. The Vols scored only two points in the paint in the first half. Offensively, he set the screens that freed the Gators for one of their better shooting halves of the season – 15-29 from the field overall and 7-16 from the three-point line. Without Jitoboh in the second half, the Gators had to go small with Duruji at center or skinny with Tuongthach Gatkek. The Vols scored 18 in the paint and the Gators slumped to 11-31 shooting overall and just 3-17 from the three-point line.
“Jason is our best screener, then they get to where they’re switching in the second half, and we can’t take advantage of those switches on the interior,” White said. “Just not much of an interior threat there in the second twenty.”
Yet, despite the significant absence of Jitoboh, the Gators hung with the Vols and were within three – 74-71 – with 31 seconds left after Tyree Appleby bombed in a three-ball from the corner. That was as close at it got. The Vols went 4-4 from the foul line the rest of the way and the Gators couldn’t knock down a shot.
Duruji and Appleby each scored 16 to lead the Gators, who got 11 from Phlandrous Fleming Jr. and 10 from Myreon Jones.
SEC BASKETBALL
Wednesday’s scores: No. 18 Tennessee (14-5, 5-3 SEC) 78, FLORIDA (12-8, 3-5 SEC) 71; Arkansas (15-5, 5-3 SEC) 64, Ole Miss (10-10, 2-6 SEC) 55; South Carolina (12-7, 3-4 SEC) 70, Vanderbilt (10-9, 2-5 SEC 61; No. 19 LSU (16-4, 4-4 SEC) 70, Texas A&M (15-5, 4-3 SEC) 64
Saturday’s games: Oklahoma State (10-9) at FLORIDA (12-8); No. 19 LSU (16-4) at TCU (13-4); Oklahoma (13-7) at No. 1 Auburn (19-1); Missouri (8-11) at No. 23 Iowa State (15-5); West Virginia (13-7) at Arkansas (15-5); No. 4 Baylor (18-2) at Alabama (13-7); Kansas State (10-9) at Ole Miss (10-10); No. 12 Kentucky (16-4) at No. 5 Kansas (17-2); Mississippi State (13-6) at Texas Tech (15-5); No. 18 Tennessee (14-5) at Texas (15-5)
FOOTBALL TRANSFERS IN THE SEC AS OF JANUARY 26, 2022
Outgoing starters in boldface
ALABAMA
Out (12): WR Javon Baker (Kentucky); LB Shane Lee (Southern Cal); QB Paul Tyson (Arizona State); TE Jahleel Billingsley (Texas); OT Tommy Brown (Colorado); LB Drew Sanders (Arkansas); LB King Mwikuta (Arkansas State); LB Jackson Bratton (UAB); OT Pierce Quick (Georgia Tech); WR Xavier Williams (Utah State); CB Marcus Banks (Mississippi State); P Ty Perine
In (2): RB Jaymyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech); CB Eli Ricks (LSU); WR Jermaine Burton (Georgia)
ARKANSAS
Out (16): LB Andrew Parker; RB Trelon Smith; CB Greg Brooks Jr. (LSU); S Joe Foucha (LSU); DL Jalen Williams (Southern Miss); CB Devin Bush; CB Nick Turner (Toledo); WR Kendall Catalon; OT Ray Curry Jr.; WR Darin Turner (Alabama A&M); S Jermaine Hampton-Jordan; LB JT Towers; DL Andy Boykin; RB Josh Oglesby (Stephen F. Austin); K Vito Calvaruso; DL Solomon Wright
In (6): CB Dwight McGlothern (LSU); LB Drew Sanders (Alabama); EDGE Landon Jackson (LSU); WR Jadon Haselwood (Oklahoma); QB Cade Fortin (South Florida); S Latavious Brini (Georgia)
AUBURN
Out (14): DL Ian Matthews; OT/TE J.J. Pegues (Ole Miss); DL Lee Hunter (UCF); LB Romello Height (Southern Cal); DL Daniel Foster-Allen (South Alabama); CB Eric Reed; CB Dreshun Miller; WR Kobe Hudson (UCF); LB Nick Curtis; DL Dre Butler (Liberty); S Ahmari Harvey (Georgia Tech); QB Bo Nix (Oregon); OL Tashawn Manning (Kentucky); S Ladarius Tennison (Ole Miss); WR Elijah Canion (Purdue); RB Shaun Shivers (Indiana); EDGE Caleb Johnson
In (5): QB Robby Ashford (Oregon); DL Jayson Jones (Oregon); QB Zach Calzada (Texas A&M); CB DJ James (Oregon); LB Eugene Asanta (North Carolina)
FLORIDA
Out (7): LB Mohamoud Diabate (Utah); WR Jacob Copeland (Maryland); EDGE Khris Bogle (Michigan State); OL Gerald Mincey (Tennessee); CB Elijah Blades (Buffalo); TE Kemore Gamble (UCF); LB Ty’Ron Hopper (Missouri)
In (5): Jalen Kimber (Georgia); RB Montrell Johnson (Louisiana); OL O’Cyrus Torrence (Louisiana); OL Kamryn Waites (Louisiana); QB Jack Miller III (Ohio State)
GEORGIA
Out (8): WR Jermaine Burton (Alabama); QB JT Daniels; S Latavious Brini (Arkansas); CB Lovasea Carroll (South Carolina); CB Jalen Kimber (Florida); WR Justin Robinson (Mississippi State); CB Ameer Speed (Michigan State); WR Jaylen Johnson
In: None
KENTUCKY
Out (13): CB Cedric Dort (Wisconsin); WR Isaiah Epps (Tulsa); LB Marquez Bembry; S Moses Douglass (Kent State); DL Isaiah Gibson (Marshall); LB KD McDaniel (UCF); RB Torrance Davis; LB Jared Casey (Indiana); OT Naasir Watkins; RB Travis Tisdale; OT Jake Pope; QB Nik Scalzo; WR Tre’von Morgan
In (4): QB Deuce Hogan (Iowa); DL Darrion Henry-Young (Ohio State); DL Tashawn Manning (Auburn); WR Tayvion Robinson (Virginia Tech)
LSU
Out (11): CB Dwight McGlothern (Arkansas); WR Alex Adams (Akron); WR Trey Palmer (Nebraska); WR Deion Smith; QB Max Johnson (Texas A&M); EDGE Landon Jackson (Arkansas); CB Eli Ricks (Alabama); LB Navonteque Strong; WR Koy Moore; DL Eric Taylor; WR Devonta Lee
In (12): DL Mekhi Wingo (Missouri); OT Tre’Mond Shorts (East Tennessee State); P Jay Bramblett (Notre Dame); LB West Weeks (Virginia); WR Kyren Lacey (Louisiana); RB Noah Cain (Penn State); CB Greg Brooks Jr. (Arkansas); S Mekhi Williams-Garner (Louisiana); S Joe Foucha (Arkansas); Long snapper Slade Roy (East Carolina); OT Miles Frazier (Florida International); CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (Oklahoma State)
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Out (12): WR Theodore Knox; WR Malik Heath; S Landon Guidry; K Nolan McCord; CB Kyle Cass; WR Quinton Torbor; OT Calvin McMillian (Southern Miss); EDGE Aaron Odom (Southern Miss); DL Armondous Cooley (Southern Miss); S Janari Dean (Southern Miss); LB Aaron Brule (Michigan State); S Londyn Craft; QB Jack Abraham
In (7): K Ben Rayben (Northern Colorado); K Massimo Biscardi (Coastal Carolina); WR Justin Robinson (Georgia); WR Jordan Mosley (Northwestern); CB Jackie Matthews (West Virginia); LB Marcus Banks (Alabama); OL Steve Losoya (Middle Tennessee)
MISSOURI
Out (12): DL Mekhi Wingo (LSU); S Shawn Robinson (Kansas State); QB Connor Bazelak (Indiana); WR Jay Maclin (North Texas); EDGE Jatorian Hansford (South Florida); S Ishmael Burdine (TCU); TE Messiah Swinson (Arizona State); TE Daniel Parker (Oklahoma); OT Chris Shearin; LB Jamie Pettway (Florida Atlantic); OT J’Marion Gooch; RB Simi Bakare
In (7): OG Bence Polgar (Buffalo); LB Tyrone Hopper (North Carolina); OT Jayden Jenigan (Oklahoma State); CB Dreyden Norwood (Texas A&M); S Joseph Charleston (Clemson); LB Ty’Ron Hopper (Florida); RB Nathaniel Peat (Stanford)
OLE MISS
Out (18): RB Henry Parrish (Miami); DB Tylan Knight (Southern Miss); CB Jalen Jordan (South Alabama); OL Bryce Ramsey (Southern Miss); WR Jadon Jackson; QB John Rhys Plumlee (UCF); CB JaKorey Hawkins (Wyoming); DL Quentin Bivens (Southern Miss); DL Sincere David; WR Jamar Richardson (South Alabama); TE DaMarcus Thomas (South Alabama); DL Patrick Lucas (Indiana); DL LeDarrius Cox (Indiana); LB Daylen Gill (Southern Miss); LB Mohamed Sanogo (Louisville); WR Brice Johnson (Houston); S Dink Jackson; CB Keidron Smith
In (7): OT/TE J.J. Pegues (Auburn); LB Troy Brown (Central Michigan); S Isheem Young (Iowa State); OT Mason Brooks (Western Kentucky); WR Jordan Watkins (Louisville); S Ladarius Tennison (Auburn); RB Zach Evans (TCU)
SOUTH CAROLINA
Out (8): TE Keveon Mullins (Jackson State); QB Jason Brown (Virginia Tech); OL Vincent Murphy (Western Kentucky); WR Dominick Hill; LB Jahmar Brown; WR Ger-Caro Caldwell; LB Rosendo Louis; WR OrTre Smith; LB Kolbe Fields
In (7): CB Lovasea Carroll (Georgia); WR Antwane Wells (James Madison); RB Christian Beal-Smith (Wake Forest); S Devonni Reed (Central Michigan); DL Terrell Dawkins (North Carolina State); TE Austin Stogner (Oklahoma); QB Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma)
TENNESSEE
Out (12): WR Kaemen Marley; TE Trinity Bell; OT K’Rojhn Calbert (Eastern Kentucky); WR Andison Coby; Long Snapper Will Albright; RB Dee Beckwith; RB Tiyon Evans (Louisville); LB Morven Joseph (Florida Atlantic); QB Harrison Bailey (UNLV); RB Carlin Fils-aime; RB Tee Hodge (Indiana State); QB Brian Mauer (Stephen F. Austin); DL Chris Akporoghene
In (4): TE Charlie Browder (UCF); QB Navy Shuler (Appalachian State); OT Gerald Mincey (Florida); LB Jackson Hannah (Nebraska)
TEXAS A&M
Out (7): RB Darvon Hubbard (Temple); S Erick Young; RB Deondre Jackson (Nebraska); QB Zach Calzada (Auburn); CB Dreyden Norwood (Missouri); EDGE Antonio Doyle (Jackson State); EDGE RJ Orebo
In (1): QB Max Johnson (LSU)
VANDERBILT
Out (14): OT Tyler Steen; Edge Alex Williams; LB Brayden DeVault-Smith; S Brendon Harris; WR Amir Abdur-Rahim; WR Cam Johnson; DL Lorenza Surgers (Minnesota); CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally; DL Terion Sugick (Arkansas State); QB Jeremy Moussa (Florida A&M); DL Marcus Bradley (UMass); DL Jacques Hunter; RB Ja’Veon Marlow; S Dashaun Jenkins
In (1): LB Kane Patterson (Clemson)
ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: University of North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham made this comment to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports when talking about the future of collegiate athletics: “I do think we’re probably 2-3 years away from having a different relationship with our student-athletes. It won’t necessarily be the student and the university. It may be the employee-employer.”
Translation: If you believe there is such a thing as a “student-athlete” then enjoy the next two or three years because it won’t exist much longer.
Writing for another publication several years ago I threw out the concept that we weren’t that far away from athletes being given the choice of becoming contracted, salaried employees whose job it is to play and train for their sport or scholarship athletes who get a stipend along with room, board, tuition, books and fees. I believe there will be the scholarship option because the majority of scholarship athletes know they better get a degree since they are not going to play professionally when their college days are over.
As for the athletes under contract, imagine this: A QB who is an employee has a bad game. He comes to work on Monday morning only to find his locker has been cleaned out and a note to go see the boss because he’s been terminated. A kid whose dream it has been to be a Gator all his life arrives on the same day only to find out he’s been traded to Boise State for a punter and a linebacker to be named later.
The traditional Florida jersey will prominently display corporate logos. Are you ready for the Publix Gators?
Maybe you think this is preposterous and that it can’t or won’t happen. Maybe not exactly as I have described it, but trust me, I’m not all that far off.
