Rise of Young Talent in College Football: A New Trend

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00:00You know, on that note, you've covered this great game for some time.

00:07Has it ever been like this in the past?

00:09Is this just an outlier of some really good, young, talented wide receivers, you know,

00:15coming in for their first year in the college ranks, or is it a sign of the times that these

00:19young guys are just developing a little quicker?

00:22I think it's the latter, Dubs.

00:24I think we've been seeing this now for the past four or five years that high school kids,

00:29the preparation, not just on the field, but off the field, but certainly on the field,

00:33too.

00:34The training that takes place, the camps that they go to, the all-star games where they

00:39get next-level-type coaching as 16- and 17-year-olds.

00:43These kids are phenomenally mature, both physically and mentally.

00:48They have never been more ready to contribute to college football, especially at a skilled

00:53position like wide receivers.

00:55So I think it is a trend.

00:56I think you're going to continue to see it.

00:58Spent some time with Jeremiah Smith back in March, down in Atlanta at an event.

01:04And the one thing that really stood out to me is physically, obviously, 6'3", very gifted,

01:10speedy wide receiver.

01:11But this kid prepares about as well as anyone I've ever spoken to.

01:16This kid cares about the routes that he runs.

01:19He cares about knowing the playbook.

01:21He is a technician.

01:23He has a high football IQ, and when you combine that with his physical skills, no surprise

01:29that he's playing at a Big Ten level as a teenager.

01:33It's been a phenomenal season for wide receivers.

01:35I think this is a sign of the times and a sign of things to come.

01:38Ohio State, get it done.

01:41Pretty impressive there in the Big Ten.