conspectus
\ kən-ˈspek-təs \
noun
1: a usually brief survey or summary (as of an extensive subject) often providing an overall view

Each week, Greg Brandt and/or Brad McDaniel will write a conspectus from the week of football that was. Since this is the first edition, we’ll summarize some of the most notable news from the summer. Things that caught our attention this summer include a new modern offense and a big-time suspension in the SEC, new rules, a couple of prep quarterbacks, and of course, the Transfer Portal.

LSU New Offensive System

After an exciting spring game, the Tigers look to fully install a new offensive system. During the spring game, we saw things from the LSU offense that we haven’t seen before. They opened up the game with four wide and used running backs flexed out wide to get involved in the passing game. With the athletes that the Tigers have access to down south, they will have plenty of options for playmakers in this new offense. If LSU is truly open to changing to this more open system, they will give teams in the SEC a new level of danger when facing the Tigers. Joe Burrow was quoted during spring ball saying “I think the stuff we are doing right now is very innovative, it’s a change of direction from what we were last year but we are still going to have some of what we did last year.” An innovative offense with playmakers like JaMarr Chase, Terrace Marshall, and Justin Jefferson could make for a lot of fun in Baton Rouge this coming season. 

Jeremiah Holloman Season-long Suspension 

Holloman appeared to be ready for his chance to be the Bulldogs’ top wideout. He was the team’s leading returning receiver and was poised to be Jake Fromm’s, go-to man. Holloman was accused of assault by his ex-girlfriend stemming from an incident from spring of 2018. It appears once the Bulldogs knew of Holloman’s charges they launched an investigation which led to his season-long suspension. Shortly after, Holloman entered the Transfer Portal. Georgia will now look to former Cal Golden Bear, Demetris Robertson. As a true freshman in 2016, Robertson had over 700 yards and 7 TDs but injuries and a transfer derailed his last two seasons. Incoming freshman Dominick Blaylock and George Pickens will have the opportunity to earn early playing time. 

NCAA Tightening Up Transfer Waiver Rules

The NCAA is looking to tighten up how athletes seek immediate eligibility after a transfer. Over the past year, the NCAA has been pretty inconsistent with who is granted immediate eligibility and who isn’t. “The updated language of that same guideline is less broad, requiring “documented extenuating, extraordinary and mitigating circumstances outside of the student-athletes control that directly impacts the health, safety or well-being of the student-athlete.”

From Dan Wolken’s recent article on the subject, in certain cases, a written letter from the student-athletes former Athletic Director would be required to be granted a waiver. After this recent news, it appears gaining immediate eligibility will be harder than ever. Even cases when a student athlete transfers due to an illness in the family are less likely to be approved unless they can prove they are transferring to help care for the sick family member and have documented caregiving plans. 

USC Transfer Portal Success

USC’s 2019 recruiting class was disappointing on all accounts, but they’ve had as much success with the Transfer Portal as any school out there. The Men of Troy finished with the 22nd-best class according to 247sports. However, once you add in Bru McCoy and Chris Steele and recalculate, the class moves up to 13th overall. Backup QB Matt Fink entered the Transfer Portal and flirted with Illinois before deciding to stay at USC. Head Coach Clay Helton said that Fink will compete with JT Daniels for the starting job. You can believe that if you want. WR Velus Jones also entered the Transfer Portal before deciding to stay put. Jones will provide much-needed WR depth in the new Air Raid offense.

Rule Changes Focused on Player Safety

I hope you enjoyed that 74-72, 7 overtime marathon between LSU and Texas A&M last Thanksgiving because that’s the last game like that you’ll see. Beginning this season, teams will alternate two-point conversion tries from the 3-yard line after the fourth overtime. Teams will also get a two minute rest after the second and fourth overtime periods. 

In the past, targeting penalties either stood as called or were overturned after review. Beginning in 2019, referees will have to confirm or overturn targeting calls on the field. Players who commit three confirmed targeting fouls will face a one-game suspension. Sticking with the player safety theme, all blind-side blocks will now result in a 15-yard penalty. Previously, only blind-side blocks above the shoulders were penalized.

Graduate Transfer QBs

Long before the Transfer Portal became what it is now, graduate transfer quarterbacks were a big part of the offseason. It seems like the majority of grad transfers ended up sitting at their new school, but every now and then it works out for both player and team. Here are a few of the most intriguing grad transfers for 2019:

Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma: We may have gotten ahead of ourself by assuming that Hurts is the Sooners’ new starter, at least according to Lincoln Riley at Big 12 Media Days. Riley said Hurts has yet to win the starting job. If there really is a competition, I assume it’s between Hurts, tFR Spencer Rattler, and rFR Tanner Mordecai. Hurts really improved as a thrower last season at Alabama and the dual-threat aspect of his game isn’t a secret. Lincoln Riley hasn’t started a quarterback that he recruited out of high school yet, so I’ll give the nod to Hurts.

Kelly Bryant, Missouri: Just a couple of years ago, Kelly Bryant led Clemson into a CFP battle against Jalen Hurts and Alabama. Things change fast in this start or depart environment. Bryant is a completely different QB from Drew Lock and that makes this fit more exciting than most. Missouri is currently appealing a bowl ban, so how much they’ll have to play for this season is still up in the air. 

Riley Neal, Vanderbilt: Transferring from Ball State to Vandy isn’t really headline-grabbing, but Neal goes to an underrated spot where he’ll be surrounded by one of the most talented offensive trios in the conference.

Nick Starkel and Ben Hicks, Arkansas: The Razorbacks picked up two grad transfer quarterbacks this spring. Nick Starkel transfers in from Texas A&M and Ben Hicks from SMU. Hicks isn’t as talented as Starkel, but he has the early edge because he’s played for Chad Morris before and he was enrolled for spring practice. I’m not sure it matters who wins the job. Neither changes the win total.

Brandon Wimbush, UCF: Wimbush vs. Darriel Mack, Jr. was shaping up to be one of the most intriguing position battles heading into fall until Mack suffered a broken ankle. Mack’s injury doesn’t appear to be season-ending, but it effectively ends his pursuit of the starting job in 2019. Mack successfully replaced star QB McKenzie Milton after he blew out his knee in 2018. According to Head Coach Josh Heupel, the competition is still open, the participants have just changed. It’s now Wimbush vs. rFR Quadry Jones and tFR Dillion Gabriel. This competition is probably just a formality. Wimbush – a very talented runner but wildly inaccurate as a passer – should win the job with no competition from Mack.

2019 Elite 11

Three-star, uncommitted QB CJ Stroud claimed the 2019 Elite 11 MVP. He scored a 50 in the Pro Day Workout, breaking Tua Tagovailoa’s record in the event. According to a Trent Dilfer tweet, Stroud paced his team in 7on7 by completing 62 of 82 passes with 12 TDs and 0 INTs. Haynes King, who recently committed to Texas A&M over Tennessee, had a great week as well. His high school team runs a pro-style offense, but he was the most athletic quarterback at The Opening.