I was going to comment this on another thread but I have had this thought a few times. There is a music performance major or set of majors so why not a football major? Create a college of sports performance or something and offer tracks. For those who have pro sports aspirations give them an education in the management, economics, nutrition, coaching, ethics, etc. Give some credit hours for their time on the field to reduce the course load in season. Include internships in coaching or refereeing in the community or in other related business segments like college of education. I think a program like this could have a huge impact in keeping players engaged in school and would prepare them for the business way better than a interdisciplinary studies degree might. It seems odd to me that something like this doesn’t exist. What am I missing here?

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Sam Jackson wants to finish his career like he started.

The UCF offensive lineman arrived at UCF in 2017, winning a National Championship his first season and back-to-back conference championships.

Thanks to a redshirt and an extra year of eligibility, he'll close it out with a sixth season this fall. One more ring is the goal.

The versatile Jackson is a multi-year starter who has mostly played tackle but can also play guard. He also practiced at center during the spring so he could be ready in the event he's needed.

We caught up with the Bradenton native following the first day of preseason camp.

-Even though this is his sixth camp, he said his mindset to behave like "he's the first guy off the bus" and this is still new to him.

-The focus of camp is to gel with the guys and becoming a strong offensive line unit.

-The 2022 offensive line is "huge."

"We've got some big boys and some good tackles. And we've got a lot more depth. That was evident through spring and evident for this season. Having good talent throughout the depth chart is important."

-Asked about running backs, these guys are "bigger" than the Adrian Killins days. Isaiah Bowser is the power back and guys like Johnny Richardson and Mark-Antony Richards are the speed guys.

"We've got like six or seven guys that could play running back at any school."

-What of the quarterback competition between Mikey Keene and John Rhys Plumlee?

"Competition breeds success... We'll see in film who does the best. I know whoever is chosen at the end of the day, all the guys will respect it. Even John Rhys and Mikey will respect it, either one."

-The summer practices were beneficial for the incoming transfers to get acclimated. Now they can jump into camp with a quicker transition.

-What are his goals?

"I'm super excited. I didn't come back here to not win every game. I want to leave how I came in. That's the goal. We want to go undefeated. We want to win the championship. I know there's a lot of talk about the Big 12 and all that, but we're all focused on this year. I'm excited for the program to go on because you want to leave it better than you found it. Personally, setting myself up for a future after college. That's very important to me and on my mind as I go through the season."

-They play to "seize the moment."

"We're set up to be really good. We have a really good team on both sides of the ball. A lot of talent. We have the ability to do what 2017 did. That's how it is. You've got step up and seize it. When the opportunity presents itself, you've got to get it."

-Jackson noted Anthony Montalvo for his weight room work over the summer.

"He's a freak. I don't think people understand. That guy is a weight room freak. He pushed me and Lokahi (Pauole), we were all together. He helped me out. He put the work in and looks a million times better."

Good off-season viewing. I agree with ours, your mileage may vary. It’s alphabetical so you can zoom to the teams you want to see.

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Transfers from A5 programs (1,054): one-third went to another A5 program, another third signed with a non-A5 FBS program, 17% went to FCS, 12% remain unsigned.

Transfers from non-A5 programs (892): 14% went to A5 programs, 18% went to another non-A5 FBS program, a third went to FCS and 27% remain unsigned.

UCF tied with Wyoming as the non-A5 program who had the most outgoing transfers sign with A5 programs (8).

DBs were the position group that comprised the most transfers, WRs were the 2nd most, and more QBs transferred than RBs.

Watched a replay of the bowl win over UF last night and two things stood out:

1. We must become more dynamic at the QB position. Keene has only average arm talent
and is not a running threat. Plumlee is much more suited for what Malzahn likes to do
offensively and can be the dual threat that pressures a defense. Keene reminds me of
former QB Kyle Israel, more of a game manager than an offensive weapon. If Plumlee shows
to be a capable passer in camp, then the QB ”controversy“ will be settled quickly.

2. We MUST find an answer to our kicking game. Sean Moffitt and Matthew Wright were great
kickers for us and we have not been good since. Obarski has the leg strength but has not
shown he can kick under pressure. Only 1 of 6 from over 40 yards last season and he missed
a 45 yard attempt in the bowl game. Given our schedule this year, it would not surprise that at
least one game could be decided by the kicking game. Have to believe this is a priority for our
coaching staff.

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Lake Mary (Fla.) four-star cornerback Braeden Marshall will announce his decision on Saturday night at 6:45 p.m. EST and Rivals will be there to cover it live. His top five included Nebraska, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh and UCF but he recently trimmed his options to a top three: The Huskers, Tar Heels and Badgers.

Just like John Walker, I switched my YT channel to show generic Rivals branding.

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Looks like it updated with some numbers

A “kid” who grew up right next to us was shot and killed last night in the line of duty as a police officer. He grew up with our daughters. In fact, they both just had lunch with him two weeks ago. His sister has gone on vacations with us. He worked in a small town of 8,300 people in Elwood, Indiana. He was shot and killed during a traffic stop. He served 5 years in the Army prior to joining the police force. We have know him and his family for 15 years… such devastating news. He was only 24 years old. Rest In Peace Noah!

Looking to sell my Garage C Parking Passes for the entire season. $150 for the entire season.

Message me for more details.

John L.

We're one month out from the first home game so let's hear everyone's plan for tailgating food.

I'm only setting up for the Sat games but I'm busting out the smoker and cooking at home the day before or leading up to tailgating.

GT - Brisket (wrapped in smoked wagyu tallow)
SMU - Spare ribs (Berkshire pork and using pork lard when wrapping has been a game changer)
Temple - Wings (boiled and then finished on the grill)
Cincy - Pork belly (tried a binder of mustard and hot sauce w/ just salt and pepper - it was phenomenal. Only about a 4 hour cook so could be done day-of)
Navy - Smoked salmon? (If noon game, could make lox for bagels)

But the past decade has been a harsh come-down from the peak the two major sports achieved despite a College Baseball World Series win in 2017.
It seems those loyal to the Orange and Blue had their expectations rise too high or at least that is the opinion of Florida football great Chris Doering, who recently aired his grievances with the fans duing an interview with Jake Crain of the “Crain and Co. Show.” Here is what the legendary wide receiver had to say.

“I’m a lifelong Gator fan. The son of two Florida grads. I lived in Gainesville growing up, so I feel like I can say this. Our fan base has become the worst. In terms of criticism and lack of patience. (Billy Napier) hasn’t even coached a game yet and his popularity has been up and down mostly because of the recruiting criticism he has gotten. That’s ultimately what cost Dan Mullen his job.”
“I don’t think people understood the disarray the program was in. The lack of elite SEC talent on that roster. I hope Florida fans understand where they are right now, and how difficult the schedule is. I think if they go 8-4 with the schedule they have to face, that should be viewed as a successful season.”

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UCF Football Head Coach Gus Malzahn, RB Isaiah Bowser, and WR Ryan O'Keefe meet the media to preview the 2022 football season. With a schedule that features 7 home games, and 2 road games in state, are the Knights poised to reclaim the AAC crown in 2022?

Click here to watch.

I saw this article this morning about a French fashion company accused of 'culturally appropriating' a centures-old Chinese skirt. After reading the article, I still wasn't sure I understood what Dior's alleged crime was. If they had acknowledged it was inspired by an ancient Chinese design, would that have been okay? Or was it that they used it in the first place?

Seems to me that our modern history is full of examples of cultural appropriation, if that's the issue. Wasn't rock 'n roll inspired by American Deep South 'Blues' music? Wasn't the hit series, 'The Office' inspired by the British show of the same name? Isn't Disney+'s mega-hit TV show 'The Mandalorian' inspired by the 1960s Japanese TV show, Lone Wolf and Cub? I don't recall the Mandalorian's creator, Jon Favreau, mentioning Lone Wolf and Cub in any discussions of his show. Is that an example of cultural appropriation too? Maybe it's just me, but I see a Grand Canyon-wide difference between being inspired by another person's work of art versus stealing another artist's song or story, etc.

Show me anything that became super-popular and I'll show you dozens of similar products that came afterwards. Whatever happened to the notion that imitiation is the sincerest form of flattery?

Garage C parking pass for all 7 home games. DM me if interested. $140 by Venmo or PayPal and I can transfer the passes in Ticket Master.

Check your email or your account.

I just picked up a couple extra tix for the Louisville game. There were not that many seats avail. Maybe 200.

Figure this is a good thread to start before camp opens up

Offense- Javon Baker and Ryan Swaboda (does Kobe Hudson count? No production here but he’s going off this year)

Defense- Branden Jennings and Lee Hunter

Day 1:
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Nearly 80% of respondents believe schools will pay athletes directly within the next decade. Nearly 75% think the sport will eventually follow some sort of professional model, perhaps with schools forming conferences based on their willingness to pay players.

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to kickoff.

RIP
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