By Franz Beard
A few thoughts to jump start your Friday morning:
RON POLK HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE PORTAL AND NIL
Although he was addressing baseball with the 18-page letter he sent to the NCAA, the legendary coach (Georgia Southern, Mississippi State, Georgia and Mississippi State again) has suggestions he believes should be considered to bring the transfer portal and NIL under control.
Regarding the portal, Polk believes players who leave on their own volition should have to sit a year. The exception is if a coach is fired, leaves for a new school or scholarship money is reduced (that applies more to baseball since it’s rare for a player to be on a full ride with only 11.7 available).
“Some of these schools should change their name to portal university,” Polk told Stefan Krajisnik of the Clarion Ledger.
Polk also believes NIL deals should be limited to $10,000, any more than that and the player becomes ineligible. Of course, the NCAA has thrown its hands up and claims it has no way to stop what’s going on with NIL, but Polk doesn’t buy it.
Polk said, “The NCAA says, ‘Well, we have no control over it. This is something lawyers got involved in with Congress. Well, step up and fight. Step up and fight if it’s not right because you’re getting boosters involved in recruiting right now and that’s against NCAA by-laws.”
I applaud Polk for taking a stance and offering solutions to a growing problem, but I’m of the opinion that (a) it’s too late and (b) if Congress gets involved the only thing that will happen is a bad problem will become worse. I hate this analogy because I’ve heard it way too many times in recent months, but the toothpaste is out of the tube. I can’t see going back to the former transfer rules and I can’t see the courts doing anything but striking down any effort or legislation that will restrict earnings, particularly since athletes are already cashing in and in some cases making millions.
GATORS LAND POWER HITTING CF IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL
If Colby Thomas doesn’t sign a professional contract after next month’s Major League Baseball Draft, then the Gators have found the replacement center fielder for Jud Fabian, who is expected to go in the first two rounds of the draft. Thomas hit .325 with 17 homers and 45 RBI before he suffered a torn labrum that cost him the final 16 games for the 40-18 Mercer Bears.
Thomas is a Valdosta High product who was a 37th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 2019. He’s still a very highly regarded prospect so there is a very good chance he will be drafted. The question is will it be by a team he wants to play for and will the money be enough to entice him to sign? If he comes to Florida, Thomas will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Due to Mac Guscette’s decision to enter the portal and the uncertainty regarding BT Riopelle, who could return to UF if he doesn’t like the team or the money when MLB drafts next month, the Gators are likely to be searching for a catcher via the transfer route. It is possible the answer could be in Collin Price, a Thomas teammate at Mercer. Price hit .315 for the Bears with 18 homers and 58 RBI. He struck out only 34 times in 203 at-bats. Price is well-regarded by MLB scouts not only because he’s a real talent behind the plate but because he’s also played first base, third base and center field effectively in his collegiate career. Another possibility in the transfer portal is West Virginia catcher McGwire Holbrook, an Orlando Bishop Moore product who has two years eligibility remaining. Holbrook hit .322 with six homers and 42 RBI in 2022.
OLE MISS VS. OKLAHOMA FOR THE CWS CHAMPIONSHIP
Three weeks ago the Ole Miss Rebels (43-23) were sweating out whether or not they would be selected as one of the 64 teams in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Three weeks later Ole Miss has punched its ticket to the championship series of the College World Series thanks to a complete game 4-hit shutout by Dylan DeLucia, who didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven in the Rebels 2-0 win over Arkansas (49-22).
Ole Miss was one of the last four teams selected for the tournament, but the Rebels have spent the last three weeks playing like a team that not only was vastly underrated but one that belongs in the championship series where they will meet Oklahoma. In their 8-1 postseason run, the Rebels have gotten dominant pitching with three shutouts and two games in which they gave up only one run. In Omaha, DeLucia has thrown 16 innings, giving up eight hits and one run while striking out 17 without giving up a walk.
The Rebels are playing like a team of destiny but winning the best two-of-three championship series that starts Saturday will be a challenge since they had to play an elimination game Thursday. Oklahoma (45-22), which last played Wednesday, won its bracket in three games and will be able to start ace Jake Bennett (10-3, 3.66 ERA) on a full week’s rest. DeLucia is the Ole Miss ace but since he had to pitch Thursday just to get the Rebels to the championship series it seems the only way he’ll be pitching is if the Rebels make it to game three Monday night and he’s only called on to throw a few innings.
ARCH MANNING TO TEXAS
The latest in the rather impressive line of Manning quarterbacks – Arch, grandson of Archie and nephew of Peyton and Eli – chose Texas as his college destination Thursday, picking the Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian over Georgia and Kirby Smart. While much is being made of Texas also being the choice of Arch Manning teammate and tight end Will Randle, the decision probably had more to do with what Sarkisian has done with quarterbacks in the past. Most recently, Mac Jones, whom Sark transformed into a Heisman finalist and first round draft pick of the New England Patriots when he was at Alabama as the offensive coordinator in 2020. That’s when Arch began a relationship with Sarkisian. It also doesn’t hurt that Sarkisian’s list of former pupils includes former Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer (at Southern Cal), Jake Locker (Washington, former first rounder) and Cody Kessler, who set passing records at Southern Cal and was a third rounder.
Texas already has Quinn Ewers, a former 5-star who spent last year at Ohio State only to ride the pine and transfer to UT in January, and former 4-star Hudson Card. Ewers will be draft eligible in 2023. Who knows if Card will stick around once Arch is on campus.
SEC FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/BASKETBALL
Alabama: A Mississippi court has dismissed the marijuana charge against cornerback Eli Ricks from a traffic stop back on May 1. Ricks was stopped for doing 90 in a 70 zone and for having no insurance. He was found to be in possession of a gram of marijuana, but the Mississippi court dismissed that charge. He copped a guilty plea to the speeding charge. Ricks is a transfer from LSU ... Heisman Trophy QB Bryce Young will probably be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Even with Arch Manning saying thankee but no thankee to Nick Saban, Bama still has a crowded QB room for 2023: Redshirt freshman and former 4-star Jalen Milroe, true freshman and former 5-star Ty Simpson and 4-star commitment Eli Holstein. You have to wonder which one(s) will transfer out … Point guard JD Davison was taken in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics with the 53rd overall pick.
Arkansas: Now that the Hogs have been eliminated at the College World Series, head coach Dave Van Horn can be called the best current coach to never win the national championship. Van Horn has been to the CWS nine times, seven with Arkansas and two with Nebraska. Of course, what DVH has done pales in comparison to Mike Martin, whose 0-for-17 times at the CWS without winning at FSU is a record that will never be broken … Center Jaylin Williams was taken in the second round with the 34th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Auburn: Jabari Smith was taken third by the Houston Rockets in the NBA Draft. He’s the highest drafted player in Auburn basketball history. Also take in the first round, with the 22nd pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, was center Walker Kessler.
FLORIDA: Former UF point guard Andrew Nembhard, who spent the last two seasons at Gonzaga, was the first player taken in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Nembhard, a former 5-star recruit to UF out of Montverde Academy, scored 636 points and passed for 367 assists in his two years for the Gators. He finished his 4-year collegiate career with 1,308 points and 691 assists.
Georgia: Georgia, which came in second in the Arch Manning sweepstakes, has a crowded quarterback room. You have to wonder how long Kirby Smart will keep former 4-star Carson Beck and former 5-star Brock Vandagriff happy with Stetson Bennett IV likely to start every game if he’s healthy. And then there is 4-star Gunner Stockton, the true freshman from the 2022 recruiting class who enrolled early. Someone is likely to transfer.
Kentucky: Shaedon Sharpe, who enrolled at Kentucky midyear and then never played a game, was drafted 7th in the NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers ... Point guard TyTy Washington, who averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season at Kentucky, was taken 29th in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies.
LSU: Forward Tari Eason was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 17th pick of the first round in the NBA Draft.
Tennessee: Point guard Kennedy Chandler was taken in the second round with the 38th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs.
Texas A&M: Baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle is hoping the Aggies run to the final four in the College World Series will speed up renovations and possible expansion of Blue Bell Park.
ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The NBA has drafted once again and, as usual, there are a lot of disappointed kids who got bad advice and remained in the draft rather than return to college for another year. Memo to kids who think they should be playing in the league: If the scouts say you aren’t likely to go in the first round or the first 10 picks of the second, stay in school. There are only 60 picks in the draft, 11 of which were spent on international players. A lot of kids who weren’t picked are waking up this morning disappointed and after the disappointment wears off, they will start pointing fingers at someone who gave them bad advice, likely a good friend or well-meaning relative, an AAU coach or some wannabe runner who’s trying to score points with an agent.
Besides shaking my head over the number of kids who should have gotten better advice, I’m also shaking my head at the draft from top to bottom. This has to be one of the weaker draft classes I’ve seen in years. There are a lot of good players who were taken but very few difference makers and not a one that I see capable of making a 10-wins of more difference to the team that selected him. Check out the box score of game seven of the recently concluded NBA championship finals. Of the nine players who saw action for the champion Golden State Warriors, only one was younger than 26 (Jordan Poole) and he’s been in the league since 2019. The best teams are almost always made up of veterans and they don’t rely on a rookie changing their fortunes.
A few thoughts to jump start your Friday morning:
RON POLK HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE PORTAL AND NIL
Although he was addressing baseball with the 18-page letter he sent to the NCAA, the legendary coach (Georgia Southern, Mississippi State, Georgia and Mississippi State again) has suggestions he believes should be considered to bring the transfer portal and NIL under control.
Regarding the portal, Polk believes players who leave on their own volition should have to sit a year. The exception is if a coach is fired, leaves for a new school or scholarship money is reduced (that applies more to baseball since it’s rare for a player to be on a full ride with only 11.7 available).
“Some of these schools should change their name to portal university,” Polk told Stefan Krajisnik of the Clarion Ledger.
Polk also believes NIL deals should be limited to $10,000, any more than that and the player becomes ineligible. Of course, the NCAA has thrown its hands up and claims it has no way to stop what’s going on with NIL, but Polk doesn’t buy it.
Polk said, “The NCAA says, ‘Well, we have no control over it. This is something lawyers got involved in with Congress. Well, step up and fight. Step up and fight if it’s not right because you’re getting boosters involved in recruiting right now and that’s against NCAA by-laws.”
I applaud Polk for taking a stance and offering solutions to a growing problem, but I’m of the opinion that (a) it’s too late and (b) if Congress gets involved the only thing that will happen is a bad problem will become worse. I hate this analogy because I’ve heard it way too many times in recent months, but the toothpaste is out of the tube. I can’t see going back to the former transfer rules and I can’t see the courts doing anything but striking down any effort or legislation that will restrict earnings, particularly since athletes are already cashing in and in some cases making millions.
GATORS LAND POWER HITTING CF IN THE TRANSFER PORTAL
If Colby Thomas doesn’t sign a professional contract after next month’s Major League Baseball Draft, then the Gators have found the replacement center fielder for Jud Fabian, who is expected to go in the first two rounds of the draft. Thomas hit .325 with 17 homers and 45 RBI before he suffered a torn labrum that cost him the final 16 games for the 40-18 Mercer Bears.
Thomas is a Valdosta High product who was a 37th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 2019. He’s still a very highly regarded prospect so there is a very good chance he will be drafted. The question is will it be by a team he wants to play for and will the money be enough to entice him to sign? If he comes to Florida, Thomas will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Due to Mac Guscette’s decision to enter the portal and the uncertainty regarding BT Riopelle, who could return to UF if he doesn’t like the team or the money when MLB drafts next month, the Gators are likely to be searching for a catcher via the transfer route. It is possible the answer could be in Collin Price, a Thomas teammate at Mercer. Price hit .315 for the Bears with 18 homers and 58 RBI. He struck out only 34 times in 203 at-bats. Price is well-regarded by MLB scouts not only because he’s a real talent behind the plate but because he’s also played first base, third base and center field effectively in his collegiate career. Another possibility in the transfer portal is West Virginia catcher McGwire Holbrook, an Orlando Bishop Moore product who has two years eligibility remaining. Holbrook hit .322 with six homers and 42 RBI in 2022.
OLE MISS VS. OKLAHOMA FOR THE CWS CHAMPIONSHIP
Three weeks ago the Ole Miss Rebels (43-23) were sweating out whether or not they would be selected as one of the 64 teams in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Three weeks later Ole Miss has punched its ticket to the championship series of the College World Series thanks to a complete game 4-hit shutout by Dylan DeLucia, who didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven in the Rebels 2-0 win over Arkansas (49-22).
Ole Miss was one of the last four teams selected for the tournament, but the Rebels have spent the last three weeks playing like a team that not only was vastly underrated but one that belongs in the championship series where they will meet Oklahoma. In their 8-1 postseason run, the Rebels have gotten dominant pitching with three shutouts and two games in which they gave up only one run. In Omaha, DeLucia has thrown 16 innings, giving up eight hits and one run while striking out 17 without giving up a walk.
The Rebels are playing like a team of destiny but winning the best two-of-three championship series that starts Saturday will be a challenge since they had to play an elimination game Thursday. Oklahoma (45-22), which last played Wednesday, won its bracket in three games and will be able to start ace Jake Bennett (10-3, 3.66 ERA) on a full week’s rest. DeLucia is the Ole Miss ace but since he had to pitch Thursday just to get the Rebels to the championship series it seems the only way he’ll be pitching is if the Rebels make it to game three Monday night and he’s only called on to throw a few innings.
ARCH MANNING TO TEXAS
The latest in the rather impressive line of Manning quarterbacks – Arch, grandson of Archie and nephew of Peyton and Eli – chose Texas as his college destination Thursday, picking the Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian over Georgia and Kirby Smart. While much is being made of Texas also being the choice of Arch Manning teammate and tight end Will Randle, the decision probably had more to do with what Sarkisian has done with quarterbacks in the past. Most recently, Mac Jones, whom Sark transformed into a Heisman finalist and first round draft pick of the New England Patriots when he was at Alabama as the offensive coordinator in 2020. That’s when Arch began a relationship with Sarkisian. It also doesn’t hurt that Sarkisian’s list of former pupils includes former Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer (at Southern Cal), Jake Locker (Washington, former first rounder) and Cody Kessler, who set passing records at Southern Cal and was a third rounder.
Texas already has Quinn Ewers, a former 5-star who spent last year at Ohio State only to ride the pine and transfer to UT in January, and former 4-star Hudson Card. Ewers will be draft eligible in 2023. Who knows if Card will stick around once Arch is on campus.
SEC FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/BASKETBALL
Alabama: A Mississippi court has dismissed the marijuana charge against cornerback Eli Ricks from a traffic stop back on May 1. Ricks was stopped for doing 90 in a 70 zone and for having no insurance. He was found to be in possession of a gram of marijuana, but the Mississippi court dismissed that charge. He copped a guilty plea to the speeding charge. Ricks is a transfer from LSU ... Heisman Trophy QB Bryce Young will probably be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Even with Arch Manning saying thankee but no thankee to Nick Saban, Bama still has a crowded QB room for 2023: Redshirt freshman and former 4-star Jalen Milroe, true freshman and former 5-star Ty Simpson and 4-star commitment Eli Holstein. You have to wonder which one(s) will transfer out … Point guard JD Davison was taken in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics with the 53rd overall pick.
Arkansas: Now that the Hogs have been eliminated at the College World Series, head coach Dave Van Horn can be called the best current coach to never win the national championship. Van Horn has been to the CWS nine times, seven with Arkansas and two with Nebraska. Of course, what DVH has done pales in comparison to Mike Martin, whose 0-for-17 times at the CWS without winning at FSU is a record that will never be broken … Center Jaylin Williams was taken in the second round with the 34th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Auburn: Jabari Smith was taken third by the Houston Rockets in the NBA Draft. He’s the highest drafted player in Auburn basketball history. Also take in the first round, with the 22nd pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, was center Walker Kessler.
FLORIDA: Former UF point guard Andrew Nembhard, who spent the last two seasons at Gonzaga, was the first player taken in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Nembhard, a former 5-star recruit to UF out of Montverde Academy, scored 636 points and passed for 367 assists in his two years for the Gators. He finished his 4-year collegiate career with 1,308 points and 691 assists.
Georgia: Georgia, which came in second in the Arch Manning sweepstakes, has a crowded quarterback room. You have to wonder how long Kirby Smart will keep former 4-star Carson Beck and former 5-star Brock Vandagriff happy with Stetson Bennett IV likely to start every game if he’s healthy. And then there is 4-star Gunner Stockton, the true freshman from the 2022 recruiting class who enrolled early. Someone is likely to transfer.
Kentucky: Shaedon Sharpe, who enrolled at Kentucky midyear and then never played a game, was drafted 7th in the NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers ... Point guard TyTy Washington, who averaged 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season at Kentucky, was taken 29th in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies.
LSU: Forward Tari Eason was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 17th pick of the first round in the NBA Draft.
Tennessee: Point guard Kennedy Chandler was taken in the second round with the 38th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs.
Texas A&M: Baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle is hoping the Aggies run to the final four in the College World Series will speed up renovations and possible expansion of Blue Bell Park.
ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The NBA has drafted once again and, as usual, there are a lot of disappointed kids who got bad advice and remained in the draft rather than return to college for another year. Memo to kids who think they should be playing in the league: If the scouts say you aren’t likely to go in the first round or the first 10 picks of the second, stay in school. There are only 60 picks in the draft, 11 of which were spent on international players. A lot of kids who weren’t picked are waking up this morning disappointed and after the disappointment wears off, they will start pointing fingers at someone who gave them bad advice, likely a good friend or well-meaning relative, an AAU coach or some wannabe runner who’s trying to score points with an agent.
Besides shaking my head over the number of kids who should have gotten better advice, I’m also shaking my head at the draft from top to bottom. This has to be one of the weaker draft classes I’ve seen in years. There are a lot of good players who were taken but very few difference makers and not a one that I see capable of making a 10-wins of more difference to the team that selected him. Check out the box score of game seven of the recently concluded NBA championship finals. Of the nine players who saw action for the champion Golden State Warriors, only one was younger than 26 (Jordan Poole) and he’s been in the league since 2019. The best teams are almost always made up of veterans and they don’t rely on a rookie changing their fortunes.