Jon Joseph

Is better recruiting Bruin in Westwood? Can't get any worse, can it? DeShaun Foster ushers in a new era of recruiting at UCLA: 'I've seen signs of life' THEATHLETIC.COM Foster is introducing a more traditional method of building a roster by putting an emphasis on recruiting high school prospects.

Will Bo be ready to go? Snap judgments: Which AFC rookies will earn the most playing time? WWW.YARDBARKER.COM With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview, it's time to focus on how the teams will deploy their picks on the field. J-P-J is expected to start at guard for the Raiders.

Zach Wilson does not appear to have a long tenure in Denver. Broncos make unsurprising decision on new QB Zach Wilson WWW.YARDBARKER.COM Wilson, of course, will be seeking a fresh start in Denver.

Iowa was a top 25 team in 2023 and has good viewership; better than Miami's which isn't saying a lot. The Orlando market is now larger than the Miami market. Iowa sells out its stadium, 69, 250 seats, every game, and Miami doesn't come close to doing the same. Iowa has not had a losing season since 2012 and has an excellent home record some of which can be attributed to Iowa playing in a weak West Division. Oregon misses Iowa this season but plays Iowa in Iowa City in 2025. All of the B1G public schools have a huge number of alumni who watch the games and subscribe to and watch the Big Ten Network. BTN has 50M subscribers and is expected to add more with Pac-4 coming on board.

The proposal is precisely the reason the B1G and the SEC joined forces. David Marsh's comment is spot on. A division into a Super League has occurred. The B1G and the SEC will not agree to any change that would equate them with any 'lesser' conferences. 'Management' when it comes to dealing with the players and their rights will be the Power 2 and possibly other programs that will be able to afford the buy-in. Not too different than what NCAA President Baker proposed without the power to have his proposal approved. The marketplace has separated the Power 2 from the rest. I think 'accretive' programs, Notre Dame, Clemson, North Carolina, and FSU for example, will be added to the Power 2 and that revenues within the two conferences will no longer be split evenly among member teams. Certain conference members may drop football but stay on board for other sports. Title IX implications will have to be reconciled. I say, 'Thank goodness for some leadership.'

A win for J Smith and Sparty. https://athlonsports.com/college-football/michigan-state-jonathan-smith-ed-woods-college-football-transfer-alabama-crimson-tide

No QB transfer has ever entered a new program with Dillon's stats. Oregon's Dillon Gabriel eyes a Bo Nix-type rise in Eugene: 'I want to maximize my time' - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM As a sixth-year senior, Dillon Gabriel steps into a situation where his predecessor, Bo Nix, did precisely what Gabriel aspires to do

Thanks, Ryan. Nice results for Dan who, while spreading sugar on the draftees noted that the goal is to have the same number of players drafted in the first two rounds. With the help of UW and Oregon in particular, the New B1G finished with 70 players drafted. Only 4 drafted from Ohio State. Ohio State would have had 10 or more players drafted if all draft-eligible Buckeyes entered the draft. This bodes well for Ohio State in 2024. Michigan with 13 players drafted did not tie or exceed Georgia's record of 15 players drafted in 2022. 3.88 B1G players drafted per team. Thanks to Texas having 11 players drafted, the New SEC finished with 73 players drafted. 4.56 per team. 2 fewer teams than the 18 in the B1G. Quinn Ewers is back for Texas but I am not convinced that Texas can overcome the loss of its top 3 WRs, TE, RB, and two stud DL interior defenders. Oklahoma only had 3 players drafted and as we know, Dillon is gone, and the entire OL has to be replaced, I think both Texas and Oklahoma are preseason overrated, especially Oklahoma with a brutal in-conference schedule. Thanks again, Ryan.

The proposal is precisely the reason the B1G and the SEC joined forces. David Marsh's comment is spot on. A division into a Super League has occurred. The B1G and the SEC will not agree to any change that would equate them with any 'lesser' conferences. 'Management' when it comes to dealing with the players and their rights will be the Power 2 and possibly other programs that will be able to afford the buy-in. Not too different than what NCAA President Baker proposed without the power to have his proposal approved. The marketplace has separated the Power 2 from the rest. I think 'accretive' programs, Notre Dame, Clemson, North Carolina, and FSU for example, will be added to the Power 2 and that revenues within the two conferences will no longer be split evenly among member teams. Certain conference members may drop football but stay on board for other sports. Title IX implications will have to be reconciled. I say, 'Thank goodness for some leadership.'

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/sec-and-big-ten-on-the-cusp-of-historic-move-to-change-cfb-forever The B1G and SEC 'consortium' is taking proactive steps instead of continuing with the NCAA's reactive steps. I see this as being very positive for the sport of college football which is under attack on so many fronts with no leadership, only liabilities, from the NCAA.

Details are left to be worked out of course but revenue sharing may solve many issues and keep football as a college sport and not a direct NFL subsidiary. SEC, Big Ten developing plan to share revenue with players in potential landmark change to college athletics - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The model being discussed by college sports' top conferences could go a long way toward settling outstanding lawsuits

In 1971, the year Plunkett won the Heisman, my friend, John Sande, started in the Rose Bowl for Pac-8 champion Stanford, weighing in at 215 pounds. John was named the center on the Rose Bowl 1970s all-decade team. Plunkett and WR Randy 'The Rabbit' Vataha were drafted by the Boston Patriots. John joined them in the Boston area at Harvard Law School. Stanford upset Ohio State, 27-17, and John out-played the 'behemoth' Ohio State nose tackle Jim Stillwagon who weighed in at an unheard of 240 pounds. Players today are bigger, stronger, faster, and wealthier.

Love for Jackson Powers-Johnson. 10 notable steals from the 2024 NFL Draft WWW.YARDBARKER.COM With the NFL Draft now over, here's a look at 10 notable steals.

More love for Troy. Seems to be the consensus 'why so low?' guy from the 2024 draft. Four NFL Draft 'projects' with the best chance to develop into stars WWW.YARDBARKER.COM For the most part, the NFL Draft is a gamble, meaning there are no guarantees. However, that uncertainty creates a stage for prospects without the highest expectations to emerge. With that...

Whole lotta love for Denver getting Troy Franklin in the 4th round. Prisco's NFL Draft 2024 grades for all 32 teams, including best and worst picks: Commanders receive only A+ - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Pete Prisco hands out grades to every team for their 2024 NFL Draft class

A different take on 2025. Caldwell, Stewart, and Conerly go in the 1st round. NFL Mock Draft: Way-too-early first round predictions for 2025 247SPORTS.COM The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is officially in the books. As the rest of this year's draft rolls on, we're tempted to look ahead with a way-too-early 2025 NFL Mock Draft.

Early position grades for the 2025 NFL Draft: Down year for QBs, WRs stand out, No. 1 contenders at EDGE, CB - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM The run on QBs in 2024 suggests teams know the 2025 class isn't as good

Way too early 2025 draft 1st round projection from SEC-centric SB Nation; I think a number of the Ohio State players will go higher than projected. 2024 SEC 12 picks. 2024 B1G 11 picks. Oregon's Stewart and Muhammad are projected to go in the first round. Will Stewart be the Ducks best WR? Muhammad the best CB? NFL mock draft 2025: Early projection is light on franchise QBs, heavy on defense WWW.SBNATION.COM It’s never too early for a look at next year’s draft class. Here’s our first look at the 2025 NFL Draft.

Terrific post, thank you, Charles. Unlike Prime Time, Dan 'gets' that you need a good group of recruits augmented by the portal. Going one way, Dabo Swinney, or the other, Deion, is not a championship approach.

This is a smart move if baseball is where his athletic future lies. Does baseball award full scholarships?

THANK YOU, NJ!

Do subscribe to the B1G Network, BTN. Pac-12 Network to the B1G Network is moving from Single-A to The Show. I tape and watch B1G Today every day. It comes on at noon Eastern. I don't know if the first airing is at 9 AM Pacific or is delayed to Noon Pacific.

Mike, always great to get your thoughts. Michigan - I think the D especially the DL, will be terrific. But the offense? I expect Moore to continue with the approach of playing great D and running the ball. The OL is a complete rebuild. Orji and Warren both looked OK at QB but I do not believe either guy can win games throwing the ball. And compared to 2023, the schedule OCC and in-conference ramps up in 2024. I think 9-3 is this season's high-water mark for the Wolverines. Ohio State - Agree with you, the Buckeyes D will be awesome. Only 4 Ohio State guys were picked in the draft. Why? Because Harrison was the only highly touted draft-eligible player to say goodbye to Columbus. 9 players return for a Buckeyes D that was terrific last season and with the addition of Caleb Downs from Bama, will be better this season; especially, with the easiest schedule among B1G title contenders. Ohio State is a lock to be undefeated when the team visits Autzen on 10/12. MIZZOU - The 16th out of 16 teams easiest schedule in the SEC. Will Mizzou go 10-2 and make the Playoff or 9-3 and be on the cusp? QB and one of the best WR's back but the D was hit hard by the draft and the DC leaving for LSU. Auburn - With Michigan State transfer Thorne the presumed starter at QB I do not see a lot of room for improvement. Surprising that Freeze has not been able to upgrade the position. Texas - I need to see it before I believe the Longhorns lofty preseason ranking. Texas lost a lot of studs to the NFL. Will 2023's close wins in the B12 be wins in the SEC? I think Georgia will defeat Texas in Austin and also defeat Alabama without Saint Nick whom Kirby defeated once in 5 tries, on the sideline. Let's Get It On!

Fun scrimmage but with split squads how do you truly judge anything including the terrific D line play against two make-shift O lines? The best news. Over 40,000 in attendance; hats off to the OBD fans. No one was seriously injured. All of the dinged players are expected back for fall (summer) practice. A good time was had by all including the fans who stayed for a postgame concert. Another classy Ducks move. Moga? My goodness, he is FAST! He almost beat Cobbins to the end zone. At first, I wondered which of the DBs had this kind of speed before realizing that the guy closest to Cobbins was Moga. A lot of fun and it was great to see every player who dressed get reps.

Denver receives an A- grade and is not roasted for taking Bo at 12 by people who watch every play by every player. This is the best draft summary that I have seen. 2024 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams WWW.PFF.COM PFF grades all 32 teams' 2024 NFL Draft classes after three days and seven rounds of selections.