Category Archives: NIL

A National Disgrace

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Of all the opinions on Georgia’s offseason issues, this is certainly one of them.

“We laugh about the arrests and low graduation rate…”

With all due respect, no one is laughing about these things, except for rival fans, who then turn it into righteous indignation. This, mind you, coming from a Miami fan, the same Miami who covered up a serious traffic incident with star defensive player Reuben Bain:

Former Miami defensive end and 2026 NFL draft prospect Rueben Bain Jr. was involved in an auto accident in 2024 in which a passenger later died because of injuries sustained in the crash, according to a report published Sunday.

Bain was cited for careless driving for the accident that occurred at about 4 a.m. local time on March 17, 2024, on Interstate 95 northbound in Miami, according to documents obtained by The Read Optional.

The crash report alleges Bain was driving a 2021 Land Rover SUV that had three other passengers — fellow Hurricanes football players Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly, along with a 22-year-old Georgia woman, Destiny Betts. Bain’s vehicle rear-ended another car, veered into a concrete barrier, then ricocheted into another barrier before coming to a rest on the shoulder of the highway.

Betts was taken to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, according to The Read Optional. The outlet reported that Betts was in a coma for nearly three months before she died from her injuries on June 13, 2024.

At some point, this is where the new sports media has to take a look at themselves and ask “what have we become”…when the time comes where Chip Towers looks like real integrity in journalism, we have a real deal shitposting problem.

And when it comes from fans of a program like Miami, where they are actively harnessing NIL to compromise the integrity of the sports by poaching every decent player they can find, all the while continuing to not even win their own worthless conference, you know we have a real deflection problem.

Youth Springs Eternal

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Here’s something for you.

Youth isn’t always a bad thing, unless you’re Curt Cignetti and your minimum age requirement for a transfer or recruit is the age of 25. I kid, kind of.

With the five for five deal in place, this will likely balance out over time, but it’s worth noting that there are several teams in here that are currently projected to be CFP participants at year’s end, and even portal heavy teams like Texass and TAMU, and especially Miami, are making this list, too.

For context, Georgia is ranked 8th in returning production with 68% (Notre Dame is first, with 72%), so 2026 will be a real litmus test for Kirby’s way in the NIL era, as well as his longstanding reputation as a player developer.

We’ll know soon enough how well that plays out.

Kirby and Wes Must’ve Had a Conversation

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This is unheard of, unless you’re talking about Kirby Smart…but we’re not…we’re talking about Georgia Baseball here.

Daniel Jackson will join Charlie Condon in Colorado, and was Georgia’s highest draft pick at number 37. The rest of the list:

  • 37th – Daniel Jackson, Rockies
  • 77th – Joey Volchko, White Sox
  • 109th – Ryan Lujo, Angels
  • 170th – Justin Byrd, Angels
  • 207th – Caden Aoki, Rangers
  • 209th – Dylan Vigue, Royals
  • 220th – Ryan Wynn, Mariners
  • 237th – Kolby Branch, Rangers
  • 243rd – Matt Scott, Guardians
  • 258th – Tre Phelps, Pirates
  • 356th – Caleb Jameson, Diamondbacks
  • 392nd – Kenny Ishikawa, Reds
  • 607th – Brennan Hudson, Cubs

Not a bad draft day…what remains to be seen is whether some of these Dawgs with remaining eligibility will take the MLB route or come back for another year of NIL. As an example, Phelps’ slotted value is $214k, and although NIL deals for Phelps aren’t publicly available, it’s estimated his NIL and sponsorships were in the seven figure range. Who knows if Buc-Ees will get involved with the team next year, either.

It’s just business, right?

Riddle Me This, Riddle Me That

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So, we are all fairly familiar that a new Georgia transfer, expected to be a contributor to the defensive secondary, ran afoul of the law down in Glynn County in May. It seemed our long season of off season issues were about to begin. Well, we’ve now had two issues with Dawgs dismissed.

“The defendant is a 19-year old university student with no criminal record and who volunteered with ‘Where Colors Shine,’ a program to help children with cancer,” according to the state’s motion on July 2 that was signed by assistant district attorney James Abely. “On May 8, 2026, the defendant was the driver of a vehicle; there was a vape device in the rear seat area of the vehicle—outside of the defendant’s reach. The vape liquid may have contained THC. The State is unable to determine the THC level, if any of the liquid. Additionally, the GBI lab is not currently measuring the THC levels of such liquids.

Riddle had told police there was no marijuana in the vehicle but later explained that there was, the police report said.

A July 1 warrant for dismissal listed all three charges against Riddle, including the speeding charge, as now being dismissed.

Odd, he admitted to it, but seemingly his good character contributed to the dropped charges, similar to Zachariah Branch’s background helping in his case.

Or maybe the NIL war chest is making its way around to legal offices near you.

Exercising in Futility

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Shot:

Chaser:

I’m fully convinced that the NCAA isn’t a governing body anymore, it’s just a law firm that exists to generate billable hours for no greater purpose at all.

Adding to the Coffins

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Er, I mean, coffers. Looks like Tennessee and Tech are finding ways to bolster their funds. First, in Knoxville, where they may be adding a page from the Braves organization’s playbook to add a Battery-like entertainment district to Kneeland.

In a GTPRefugees exclusive, I’ve obtained an artists rendering of the plan:

Meanwhike, at the North Avenue Trade Center, they’re finally noticing sports. Girls are next.

Good for them. I didn’t know people could raise so much money with a combined 0-17 record over these many years against Georgia. Let’s ensure we help them raise more money next year, shall we?

The Big XII Doesn’t Care About Credibility

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You know it’s true when they do this.

My biggest question: all this for just 20 million? Seriously? Whats next?

This is the most Mickey Mouse thing yet, reminds me of all those attractions at Epcot that were brought to you by a corporate sponsor. Yeesh.

Monday Musings: Football Meets Football…Are You Entertained

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Russ reached out to query about the Refugees interest in this, oh, I don’t know, something to do with soccer…oh, yeah, the World Cup.

As we gather here and birch about litigation and NIL with college football, a most American (if not SEC) thing happened yesterday when President Trump successfully got Balogun’s red card (which would make him ineligible Fridays tilt with Belgium…kind of like sitting out for targeting) overturned through legal maneuvering.

Me, I’ve actually watched Premier League for years, so I’m a fan and it’s been fun to watch. And as I watch, I, like others, see opportunities to improve our favorite sport, college football, from everything from VAR reviews to this:

Now that would be great, would it not?

From the fervent fans from around the world appreciating our country to today’s game of “do you believe in miracles” where arguably the best team the US has fielded takes on traditional powerhouse Belgium (5pm), this has been a wonderful event.

So…are you watching on pins and needles? Or, if you’ve never had much interest, have you started watching this year? What do you like about it….or what do you not like about it?

discuss.

Mea Culpa Community College

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Shot:

Chaser:

This actually makes the most sense and seems to be the most genuine acceptance of responsibility and steps towards redemption to date…and note that it doesn’t involve attorneys.

Still, I wonder if Sorsby will get the $5 million from Texas Tech…I’m sure that the litigation hasn’t cooled completely on this situation yet.

Is 2026 the Year?

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In terms of talent management and retention, Kirby’s on the mother.

No doubt the most solid unit on the team is the defensive side of the ball, and seeing some guys coming back who’ve developed well in their time in Athens leaves on wondering what can be with this group.

There’s an embarrassment of talent on both sides of the ball, and both of the offensive and defensive sides of the ball are solid, although questionable in depth. There’s hardly a place out there where I can say we have an area of concern, although out biggest opponent (outside of the ACCPD) will be the one that’s plagued us for years: injuries.

Stay healthy, and there’s a high ceiling. Start losing guys at key positions, and the impact of NIL on roster management and stacking five stars may become apparent…but based on the graphic above, Kirby may have been quietly working the Kirby formula throughout the tumultuous NIL/Portal shifts that we’ve seen throughout the years.

What’s your ceiling and floor for the Dawgs this year? Who do you see being our trap game opponent, and why?