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I know we know it, but it seems inevitable that the general public will soon talk about McDonald as one of the top safeties in the SEC.

At some point, opposing quarterbacks must stop picking on Jelani McDonald. According to Pro Football Focus, McDonald has been targeted 15 times in coverage through four games. That’s No. 1 among SEC safeties, and tied for 20th among FBS safeties, but McDonald has done his part to make teams pay for picking on him in the passing game. McDonald has allowed eight receptions for 76 yards (9.5 yards per reception). With two interceptions (PFF also has him down for one dropped interception), McDonald has held opposing quarterbacks to a paltry 28.1 NFL passer rating when they targeted him. A dynamic athlete Texas recruited out of Waco Connally in the 2023 cycle, McDonald has thankfully found a position where he’s flourishing, quickly growing into one of the most impactful defensive backs in the SEC. “We didn't really know what we were going to play him,” Steve Sarkisian said after McDonald intercepted a pass and recorded a tackle for loss in last Saturday’s 55-0 win over Sam Houston. McDonald is averaging 7.2 targets per snap, which ranks 14th among SEC safeties who’ve logged at least 20 coverage snaps, according to PFF. McDonald, whose 115 coverage snaps are the fifth-most by an SEC safety, has done his part to cushion the blow the secondary absorbed when Andrew Mukuba’s eligibility expired at the end of the 2024 season. “He was playing high school quarterback and, initially, we thought he was going to be a linebacker. When he got here, we moved him to corner, then he found his way back at safety, so his development has been different,” Sarkisian said regarding McDonald’s development. “He's always been very physically gifted, but learning to play the game from that perspective is a little bit different when you've been an offensive type of player. But, to his credit, he's worked on his craft.” The Longhorns will face tougher challenges when the conference schedule begins next Saturday, when No. 10 Texas hits the road to face Florida (2:30 p.m., ABC). Still, with Michael Taaffe owning the eighth-best coverage grade among SEC safeties (80.2) according to PFF, a top-tier safety tandem will go a long way toward the Longhorns developing into a championship-caliber pass defense. "Jelani has his physical ability, but now he's really tapping into the mental side of the game," Sarkisian said. "He's communicating at a high level, but his play-making ability is obviously elite. He's a great tackler — probably one of our best tacklers on our team. His ball skills are really good. I just think his confidence and who he's become as a leader, I think, has probably been the most impressive thing. This guy's a real leader on our team — he was a captain tonight — so I'm just really proud of all that he's done to get to this point in his career." View full news story

RIP

Florida has the money, the brand, and the fanbase—what they don’t have is the right coach. Napier’s clock is ticking loud, and the swamp is ready for its next ringleader. So who’s it gonna be?

If they’re opting out and refusing to play then withholding their money is truly justified.

Based on your analogy then the players should be allowed to leave and play somewhere else in 2 weeks. But they're not.

Sounds to me like VT has some serious money issues......as do a lot of other schools. They just happen to be the first using this approach. As I said several months ago, the UIL/money grab is going to create a 2 tiered Division 1. It will probably end up structures something similar to English soccer league where it is 2 tiered.

OK, I take back my suggestion to fire CDC. We should probably keep him around ...

The schools need to make them employees if they want to legally treat them like employees. Part of the stupidity of the SCORE Act is it would prevent student-athletes from "ever" being employees. It makes no sense.

Then what can the schools do? It’s disingenuous to say all the hypocrisy is on the schools. These kids have put in their 2 week notice and expect to be paid for the rest of the year.

It's been a few months since I read this now, but the article said that Chase Daniel is the most expensive player in NFL history if you take his salary per snaps taken and also salary vs TDs thrown. So, yes. Great gig if you can get it.

These NIL rev share contracts can NOT be pay for play. Yet those are the grounds Va Tech is using to stop payment. Again, the charade has to stop.

It depends on the way VT wrote their contracts. Now, you’re going to see players negotiate for additional clauses if the head coach leaves. It’s already a way to enter the portal. I get VT’s argument, but I’m not sure it meets the spirit of the bylaw they are citing. Heitner is already bringing suit against them. We’ll see.

This should be pretty straightforward depending on the language in the contracts. On the surface, I don’t have a problem with a school not paying someone for not working, but the school can’t unilaterally enforce that unless the contract allows it. However, to call it fraudulent misrepresentation seems excessive.

I love the Otter.

I love hockey, but I’m a Bruins fan! Texas does have a D2 ice hockey team that I somewhat follow. Made it to the ACHA D2 Nationals last season.

I will be at the Grayson game tonight excited to watch Tyler Atkinson🤘

I agree with you. He’s a great coach…but his stubbornness may be his undoing.

Several players have redshirted after the firing of the coach with the intention to preserve a year for when they portal. If the redshirt is the players choice, and not from the school, that to me is akin to "opting out" and thus, I am not sure if I have an issue withholding the payments.

I believe they do have an ice hockey team. I'm a Bruins and Penguins fan but might have to convert to Dallas, my neighbor loves the stars. Florida remains the team to beat.

Adapt or die. He's a good coach, just stubborn.

What, no UT ice hockey team? Fire Chris Del Conte !! The Longhorns do have an excellent Quidditch program - surely we can find a connection between that and the NHL that's of interest to someone somewhere ?

Is Dabo finished?

Missouri is one of the better teams in the SEC, behind Texas, Kentucky and A&M and on par with Florida and Tennessee. I am curious to see if Ella Swindle is back tonight.