Own the group chat with The Weekender, which highlights the biggest stories in collegiate sports, standout lyrics from Eleven Warriors, and a look at what’s next.
Quinn Ewers is back on the field in Burnt Orange
The once-future phenomenon in the state of Ohio has his hair raging harder than ever.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers: I’m just excited to be in the home state. #Hookem pic.twitter.com/O6wvtntd9G
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) April 14, 2022
Ewers made his debut for Texas in the Longhorns’ spring game last night, though head coach Steve Sarkisian neutered the lead on points or statistics between staff groups over line depth concerns.
The former Buckeye completed just one of his first five tries but eventually uncorked a 60+ yard touchdown that quickly sent shockwaves through the Lone Star State.
Quinn Ewer’s first TD as a longhorn? A 60+ yard bomb. pic.twitter.com/RI1KIXGEfZ
— Robby Espin (@RobbyEspinCFB) April 24, 2022
Ewers’ debut wasn’t flawless, however, as he ended up throwing a somewhat sloppy interception down the middle.
Heres Ewers int. Looks like he didn’t see number 11 pic.twitter.com/6S4Hu3eFVy
— Brodie (@StroudHEISMAN) April 24, 2022
Only time will tell how comfortably the mullet will settle into the home.
Lincoln Riley’s relationship with Oklahoma fans just took a poetically bizarre turn
Oklahoma fans don’t like Lincoln Riley. That’s understandable, considering the former Sooners coach abruptly left the program for USC shortly after the end of the Big 12’s regular season — and to call it abrupt might be an understatement.
For the first time in 25 years that the OU head coach show was taped on Sundays, Lincoln Riley was 3-4 hours late for show time. Now complete no-show confirms he’s SC bound. #Earlier have been lopsided since the beginning of Baylor week. Disastrous – recruitment. commits SEC. #Earlier @news9 pic.twitter.com/zAq4KURMU6
— Dean Blevins (@DeanBlevins) November 28, 2021
Riley’s flight to Los Angeles has sparked an offseason-long storm of anger in the Oklahoma fan base. Sooner believers even popped up in Dan Hope’s quote tweets this week to poke fun at what they say is the City of Angels’ utter disinterest in the impending return of the Trojans into the national conversation.
The saltiness of OU fans in the quote tweets even this many months later Lmfao my goodness https://t.co/BnZviNdv3J
— Andrew G Haubner (@A_G_Haubner) April 20, 2022
The next day, Riley published an open letter to Oklahoma Football via The Players’ Tribune.
There are countless memories, both on and off the field, from my time in Oklahoma that will stay with me forever.
to @OU_Footballout of @LincolnRiley.https://t.co/oTghzAs26H
– The Players Tribune (@PlayersTribune) April 20, 2022
It is difficult to describe the purpose of this letter. It’s not an apology to the Sooners – rather an explanation of the steps and thought processes that led to Riley’s tumultuous decision to leave Norman. Essentially, the former Oklahoma head coach was smitten by the stars after receiving a call from some agents in sunny California.
As much as my family and I loved Norman and appreciated the success we had on the field, sometimes life throws curve balls at you at the most unexpected of times. To be honest, I always thought I would end my coaching career at OU. But when my agent called to tell me of USC’s interest, I was immediately intrigued by the possibilities. — Lincoln Riley on The Players’ Tribune
Unfortunately for the Sooners, sometimes life throws curveballs that pay off $17+ million oceanfront real estate.
John Daly II is now a NIL ambassador for an ‘iconic brand’
“I have seen my father’s great relationship with Hooters over the years and am proud to continue my family’s association with this iconic brand.” — John Daly II
Hooters signed their first father-son duo NIL:
John Daly and his son, Arkansas freshman John Daly II pic.twitter.com/OzCTIRm8qq
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 19, 2022
On some weekends, the stories write themselves.
ICYMI
CJ Stroud starts as a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite
What surprised some was CJ Stroud, who was the betting favorite to win next season’s college football Heisman Trophy ahead of reigning winner Bryce Young. Stroud opened at +200 odds compared to Young’s +400.
Ryan Day thinks Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau ‘can be a force in the fall’
Although Zach Harrison and Javontae Jean-Baptiste have started the spring game, the optimism surrounding the standouts behind them is stronger than ever. Griffin Strom summarizes Ryan Day’s thoughts on Sawyer and Tuimoloau’s first appearances after the Spring Game.
Spring Game Snap counts
Just about every available healthy Buckeye played in offensive-versus-defense scrimmage at Ohio Stadium last weekend – 84 in total. For those curious about the array of different names and positional groups, here’s a nice recap from Dan Hope.
What’s next
- Men’s Lacrosse: vs. Michigan, today at 7 p.m. ET
- Women’s tennis: Big Ten Tournament, Wednesday @ Iowa City, IA
- Men’s tennis: Big Ten Tournament, Friday @ Madison, WI
- Men’s Golf: Big Ten Championship, Friday @ French Lick, IN