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The Story of How Gatorade Was Invented

Published

5 months ago

July 17, 2025

In 1967, the Florida Gators football team was struggling in the heat, losing more fluid than they could replace. Dr. Robert Cade and his colleagues mixed water, sugar, and salts to help the players recover. The initial blend tasted terrible until lemon flavor made it drinkable. They called it Gatorade, and early field tests showed real benefit. A deal with a food company then brought Gatorade to the masses, paving the way for its rise as a top sports drink backed by its own research institute.

Key Takeaways

Gatorade began as a quick fix to stop the Florida Gators from wilting during 1967 practice.
Dr. Cade’s first recipe of water, sugar, and salts needed lemon to mask its off-putting taste.
Researchers measured fluid loss and salt balance to set guidelines on how much Gatorade athletes should drink.
A partnership with Stokely Van Camp secured bottling rights and put Gatorade in stadiums and stores.
Launching a sports science institute and signing pro teams helped Gatorade grow into a leading global brand.

Gatorade’s origin in a desperate hydration challenge

The story of Gatorade begins with a very real problem: football players in Florida were struggling immensely in the sweltering heat. Coaches needed a solution, and fast. The existing methods weren’t cutting it, and the players’ performance was suffering. This led to a collaboration that would change sports drinks forever.

Wilting football players in the Florida heat

Back in the summer of ’65, the Florida Gators were facing a serious issue. The intense heat and humidity were causing players to become severely dehydrated and, as some described it, “wilting” on the field. It wasn’t just about thirst; it was about the players’ physical ability to perform. The coaches recognized that something needed to be done to combat this, leading them to seek help from the university’s medical researchers. The situation was dire, and the need for a solution was urgent. The team’s performance was directly linked to their ability to stay hydrated and maintain their electrolyte balance. This electrolyte-carbohydrate drink was a game changer.

Dr. Robert Cade’s electrolyte formula breakthrough

Dr. Robert Cade, a kidney specialist at the University of Florida, took on the challenge. He and his team began investigating what exactly the players were losing during games. They discovered that the athletes were losing significant amounts of fluids and electrolytes, crucial for muscle function and overall performance. Cade developed a formula that aimed to replace these lost nutrients, a mix of water, carbohydrates (for energy), and electrolytes like sodium and potassium. This wasn’t just about quenching thirst; it was about replenishing what the body was losing. This innovative approach marked a turning point in sports science and hydration.

Players’ initial reactions to taste and recovery

The initial version of Dr. Cade’s concoction wasn’t exactly a hit with the players. In fact, many found the taste to be quite unpleasant, even describing it as “putrid.” Despite the taste, the players noticed a significant difference in their recovery and performance. They felt more energized and less fatigued during and after games. The positive effects on their physical condition outweighed the initial dislike for the taste. This led to further refinements of the formula, including the addition of flavoring to make it more palatable. The team’s success on the field, fueled by this new drink, quickly turned it into a professional thirst quencher and a legend in the making.

Gatorade’s flavor tweak and naming journey

Adding lemon to mask the potion’s putrid note

The initial version of Gatorade, concocted by Dr. Robert Cade, wasn’t exactly a culinary masterpiece. Players described the taste as, well, “putrid.” Imagine trying to convince athletes to drink something that tastes awful, even if it promises better performance. It was a tough sell. Thankfully, Dr. Cade’s wife stepped in with a simple, yet brilliant, suggestion: add lemon. This tweak proved to be a game-changer. The lemon flavoring masked the unpleasant taste, making the drink palatable enough for the players to actually consume it. It’s a testament to how a small adjustment can make a huge difference, turning a scientific formula into something athletes could tolerate, and even enjoy.

Settling on a name tied to Florida Gators

With a drink that was now (somewhat) tasty, the next step was branding. What to call this magical potion designed to keep the Florida Gators from wilting? The answer, it turned out, was staring them right in the face. The researchers formulated a balanced electrolyte-carbohydrate drink that would replace the key nutrients players were losing on the field. They settled on “Gatorade” as the most appropriate name for the drink, as it was specially designed for the Florida Gators football team. The name “Gatorade” was a natural fit, instantly connecting the drink to its origin and purpose. It was a stroke of marketing genius, even if unintentional at the time. It clearly communicated who the drink was for and where it came from, building an immediate association with the team and the university.

Team acceptance and early field testing

Getting the Florida Gators on board was crucial. After all, they were the target audience and the test subjects. The team’s acceptance wasn’t immediate, but as they experienced the benefits of [Gatorade thirst quencher], their skepticism waned. Early field testing involved tracking fluid loss and electrolyte balance during practices and games. The results were promising: players who consumed Gatorade experienced improved hydration and performance. This real-world validation was essential in building confidence in the product. The 1967 Orange Bowl win further solidified Gatorade’s reputation. Other teams began to wonder if Gatorade was the secret weapon, adding to the drink’s mystique and appeal. It was a combination of science, storytelling, and a bit of legend-making that propelled Gatorade into the spotlight.

Gatorade’s early experiments in performance science

Tracking fluid loss and electrolyte balance

Gatorade’s journey wasn’t just about quenching thirst; it quickly evolved into a quest to understand the science behind athletic performance. Early on, researchers focused on meticulously tracking electrolyte balance and fluid loss in athletes during intense activity. This involved measuring sweat rates, analyzing electrolyte concentrations, and observing how these factors impacted the body’s ability to function optimally. The goal was to pinpoint exactly what athletes were losing and how Gatorade could effectively replenish those vital components.

Marathon trials and subjective runner feedback

To validate their findings, Gatorade scientists conducted trials with marathon runners. These experiments involved comparing runners who consumed Gatorade with those who didn’t, carefully monitoring their physiological responses. One early study had runners doing different runs—one run where they didn’t drink at all and one where they were drinking a lot. However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. One runner involved in these early studies said that when they were giving him this water it was something like every few minutes, he was just miserable. His stomach felt terrible, he felt like he had an ocean rumbling around in his stomach, and he felt horrible. Despite the data showing positive physiological changes, some runners reported feeling bloated and uncomfortable from drinking so much fluid. This highlighted the importance of considering subjective feedback alongside objective measurements.

Translating data into hydration guidelines

Based on the data collected, Gatorade began developing specific hydration guidelines for athletes. These recommendations aimed to optimize fluid intake and electrolyte replacement during exercise. Gatorade scientists ignored what the runner felt like and just focused on those changes in his body. And based on that, they came up with advice for how much liquid athletes should be drinking while they work out. At one point they’re advising people to take as much as—I think I calculated that it would be if you ran a three-hour marathon, which is actually quite fast, that you would end up drinking the fluid equivalent of, like, a six-pack of soda. These guidelines weren’t just about drinking more; they emphasized the importance of professional thirst quencher at the right times and in the right amounts to maximize performance and minimize discomfort. The company invested in their own scientific research to prove this.

Gatorade’s partnership with a food company to scale up

Stokely Van Camp agreement for bottling rights

Initially, Gatorade was a local phenomenon, mixed in labs and tested on the University of Florida football team. But to reach a wider audience, a partnership was needed. Stokely Van Camp, known for its baked beans, stepped in to handle bottling and distribution. This agreement marked a turning point, transforming Gatorade from a sideline experiment into a commercially available product.

Overcoming manufacturing and distribution hurdles

Scaling up production wasn’t easy. Stokely Van Camp faced challenges in maintaining the drink’s original formula while producing it on a large scale. Distribution was another hurdle. Getting Gatorade mainstream required establishing supply chains to reach stores and sports venues across the country. This involved:

Perfecting the manufacturing process to ensure consistent quality.
Building a distribution network to reach retailers nationwide.
Marketing the product to create consumer demand.

Bringing Gatorade to stadiums and local stores

The partnership with Stokely Van Camp allowed Gatorade to move beyond the university campus and into the broader market. Gatorade started appearing in stadiums, quenching the thirst of athletes and fans alike. It also made its way into local stores, becoming accessible to everyday consumers. This expansion was crucial in establishing Gatorade as the professional thirst quencher and a household name.

Gatorade’s identity as the professional thirst quencher

Crafting memorable slogans and professional tone

Gatorade didn’t just want to be another drink; it wanted to be the drink for athletes. The company understood that branding was key. It focused on creating a professional image, setting itself apart from sugary sodas and simple bottled water. This involved:

Developing slogans that resonated with athletes’ aspirations.
Using language that conveyed scientific backing and performance enhancement.
Associating the brand with dedication and hard work.

Differentiating from juices, sodas, and bottled water

From the start, Gatorade was positioned as more than just a beverage. It was a scientifically formulated solution to a specific problem: dehydration and electrolyte loss during intense physical activity. This distinction was crucial in setting it apart from other drinks on the market. Gatorade emphasized:

Its unique blend of electrolytes and carbohydrates.
The scientific research supporting its effectiveness.
Its focus on performance enhancement rather than just refreshment. The company’s initial slogan was “Gatorade thirst quencher: the professional thirst quencher.”

Earning trust through athlete endorsements

To solidify its image as the professional’s choice, Gatorade strategically partnered with high-profile athletes. These endorsements provided credibility and visibility, showcasing the drink’s effectiveness in real-world athletic settings. Some key strategies included:

Selecting athletes known for their dedication and success.
Featuring athletes in advertising campaigns that highlighted the drink’s benefits.
Building long-term relationships with athletes to foster brand loyalty. Iconic sports drink slogans have helped shape consumer perceptions of the brand.

Gatorade’s creation of a dedicated science institute

Gatorade’s success wasn’t just about quenching thirst; it was about understanding the science behind athletic performance. To solidify its position as more than just a beverage, Gatorade invested heavily in research and development. This commitment led to the establishment of a dedicated science institute, a move that would further legitimize the brand and shape the field of sports nutrition.

Funding new studies on hydration and performance

Gatorade recognized the need for concrete data to support its claims. The company began funding numerous studies focused on hydration, electrolyte balance, and the impact of these factors on athletic performance. These studies aimed to move beyond anecdotal evidence and provide a scientific basis for Gatorade’s benefits. One early study had runners doing different runs—one run where they didn’t drink at all and one where they were drinking a lot. This dedication to research helped Gatorade dominate the sports-drink market.

Collaborations with universities and medical experts

To ensure the credibility and rigor of its research, Gatorade actively sought collaborations with leading universities and medical experts. These partnerships allowed Gatorade to tap into a wealth of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that its research was conducted to the highest standards. By working with established institutions, Gatorade gained access to cutting-edge facilities and a network of researchers, further strengthening its scientific foundation. This collaborative approach helped to refine their balanced electrolyte-carbohydrate drink.

Publishing findings to support sports nutrition claims

Gatorade didn’t keep its research findings under wraps. Instead, the company actively published its studies in peer-reviewed journals and presented them at scientific conferences. This transparency helped to build trust among athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals. By sharing its data with the wider scientific community, Gatorade contributed to the growing body of knowledge on sports nutrition and solidified its position as a leader in the field. This also helped differentiate Gatorade from juices, sodas, and bottled water.

Gatorade’s rise to market dominance among sports drinks

Gatorade didn’t just stumble into success; it strategically carved its path to becoming the king of sports drinks. It’s a story of smart partnerships, memorable faces, and a constant push to stay ahead of the game. Gatorade’s journey to the top is a masterclass in branding and market penetration.

Strategic alliances with professional teams

Gatorade’s rise wasn’t just about taste; it was about visibility. Securing deals to be the official sports drink of major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB gave Gatorade unparalleled exposure. These alliances did more than just put the Gatorade brand on the sidelines; they made it synonymous with athletic performance at the highest level. It’s a simple equation: elite athletes drink Gatorade, so aspiring athletes should too.

Iconic athlete partnerships over the decades

Gatorade’s marketing strategy has always been about associating with winners. Think Michael Jordan. These weren’t just endorsements; they were partnerships that helped define Gatorade’s image. Here’s how they did it:

Credibility: Partnering with top athletes gave Gatorade instant credibility.
Aspiration: Seeing their heroes drink Gatorade made fans want to emulate them.
Memorability: Iconic ads featuring these athletes cemented Gatorade’s place in pop culture.

Expanding flavor lines and low-calorie options

Staying on top means evolving. Gatorade understood this and continually expanded its flavor offerings to cater to different tastes. Recognizing the growing health consciousness, they also introduced low-calorie options, ensuring they appealed to a broader audience. This adaptability has been key to maintaining their market share and fending off competitors. It’s not just about quenching thirst; it’s about offering choices.

Gatorade’s role in shaping sports marketing culture

Gatorade didn’t just quench thirst; it reshaped how sports were marketed. The brand understood that connecting with athletes and fans on an emotional level was as important as the science behind its drink. This led to some truly memorable campaigns that transcended the world of sports.

Iconic ad campaigns on television and in print

Gatorade’s advertising wasn’t just about showing athletes drinking the beverage. It was about crafting stories. Think about the famous “Be Like Mike” campaign featuring Michael Jordan. It wasn’t just an ad; it was an aspiration. The campaign tapped into the desire to emulate greatness, associating Gatorade with peak performance. These ads weren’t just selling a drink; they were selling a dream.

Catchy taglines that became household staples

“Is it in you?” became more than just a question; it was a challenge. Gatorade’s taglines weren’t just catchy; they were motivational. They became part of the cultural lexicon, used by athletes and everyday people alike. The brand understood the power of a simple, memorable phrase to connect with its audience. Consider these examples:

“Gatorade is thirst aid for that deep down body thirst!”
“Life is a sport, drink it up!”
“Power to Win!”

References in movies, music, and fan rituals

Gatorade’s influence extended beyond traditional advertising. It became ingrained in popular culture. You’d see it in movies, music videos, and even fan celebrations. Remember the Gatorade shower, where winning teams drench their coach with Gatorade buckets? It became a symbol of victory, further solidifying the brand’s association with success. This organic integration into culture was something money couldn’t buy; it was earned through consistent messaging and genuine connections with the sports world.

Gatorade’s response to dehydration myths and criticism

Gatorade’s rise wasn’t without its share of debates and challenges. As the brand became synonymous with athletic performance, questions arose about the science behind hydration recommendations and whether they were always in athletes’ best interests. It’s a complex area, balancing the need for fluid replacement with the potential risks of overhydration.

Debating overhydration versus performance gain

There’s a fine line between optimal hydration and overdoing it. Early Gatorade studies sometimes pushed athletes to consume excessive amounts of fluid, leading to discomfort and raising concerns about hyponatremia (low sodium levels). It became clear that a one-size-fits-all approach wasn’t ideal, and individual needs varied greatly. It’s interesting to consider that:

Some athletes felt miserable drinking so much, even if lab results looked “better.”
The focus was often on measurable changes in body temperature, sometimes ignoring the athlete’s subjective experience.
Recommendations at one point suggested drinking the equivalent of a six-pack of soda during a three-hour marathon!

Reconciling lab metrics with athlete comfort

Gatorade’s initial approach heavily relied on scientific data, sometimes at the expense of athlete comfort. Scientists would track fluid loss and electrolyte balance, but the athletes themselves weren’t always feeling great. This disconnect highlighted the importance of considering both objective measurements and subjective feedback. It’s a reminder that:

The body has built-in protection mechanisms against mild dehydration.
Ultra-marathon runners can often perform well without excessive hydration.
The relationship between salts in the blood and fluid levels is crucial.

Evolving recommendations in light of new research

Over time, Gatorade adapted its hydration guidelines based on new research and a better understanding of individual needs. The company invested in the Gatorade Sports Science Institute to further explore the complexities of hydration and performance. This evolution reflects a commitment to:

Acknowledging the potential risks of overhydration.
Tailoring recommendations to specific sports and environmental conditions.
Promoting a more nuanced understanding of fluid balance and electrolyte replacement.

Gatorade’s global expansion and future outlook

Gatorade’s journey from a sideline solution to a global phenomenon is quite remarkable. But what does the future hold for this iconic sports drink? Let’s take a look.

Moving beyond American fields into international markets

Gatorade’s expansion beyond the U.S. wasn’t always a slam dunk. Getting into new markets meant figuring out different cultures, tastes, and regulations. One key move was partnering with iconic athletes like Michael Jordan, which gave them instant credibility in countries unfamiliar with sports drinks. It wasn’t just about selling a product; it was about selling a lifestyle. The global electrolyte drinks market is constantly evolving, and Gatorade needs to adapt to stay ahead.

Addressing health concerns over sugar and additives

Consumers are increasingly aware of what they’re putting into their bodies. This means Gatorade faces pressure to offer healthier options.

Here are some challenges:

Reducing sugar content without sacrificing taste.
Finding natural alternatives to artificial additives.
Being transparent about ingredients and their effects.

It’s a balancing act between performance, taste, and health. Can Gatorade maintain its edge while catering to health-conscious consumers?

Looking ahead to new formulations and sustainable packaging

The future of Gatorade isn’t just about what’s inside the bottle, but also the bottle itself.

Here are some areas of focus:

Developing new formulations that cater to specific athletic needs.
Exploring sustainable packaging options to reduce environmental impact.
Using technology to personalize hydration recommendations for athletes.

It’s about staying relevant in a world that’s constantly changing. The brand needs to keep innovating to remain a leader in the sports drink industry.

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Some thoughts on the Cookie Man and college football’s funniest coaching search so far

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25 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

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Good morning, and thanks for spending part of your day with Extra Points.

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The trouble with trying to plan an editorial calendar in advance is stuff just keeps happening. I had a different story planned for today, but recent events have caused me to want to speak from the heart about something else.

Friends, I’d like to talk about the Cookie Man

As most of you know, BYU is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, colloquially known as the Mormons. Devout Mormons do not drink alcohol, do not smoke, do not consume THC beverages or edibles, do not view pornography, do not gamble and generally do not participate in many of American society’s socially acceptable vices. Shoot, they don’t even drink coffee.

So what do you do when you need to temporarily dull the pain of being alive but are theologically prohibited from doing what everybody else does? You eat junk food. Utah County loves it some fancy soda pop and 1,500-calorie cookies.

Which is why it’s so funny that perhaps the most visible booster during the Kalani Sitake will-he-or-won’t-he-go-to-Penn-State storyline was Jason McGowan, the CEO of Crumbl Cookies. According to the Extra Points style guide, McGowan will henceforth be referred to as either “Big Cookie” or “the Cookie Man” in this publication.

It’s not every day that the public-facing booster of a fan base produces something so deeply aligned with that market. It’d be like if the biggest Wisconsin bag man were a cheese magnate, the biggest Idaho donor were the CEO of All the Potatoes, or the biggest Rutgers booster working in, uh, waste management.

As poet laureate and sports economist Lil Wayne once remarked, “real G’s move in silence like lasagna.” The boosters you hear about on Twitter — the people who are constantly talking to message-board owners — aren’t usually the ones throwing the biggest checks around. Those deep-pocketed boosters also typically don’t come from fun industries. There are exceptions, but across most schools, the biggest athletic boosters are folks involved in law, tech, high finance and, occasionally, agriculture.

I’ve talked to a few folks connected to BYU over the past few days, and I’m quite confident that was also the case here. It’s very funny to write “BIG COOKIE DEFEATS PENN STATE” or “COOKIE MAN OUTBIDS BIG TEN BLUEBLOOD” or something, but that isn’t actually what happened. The Cookie Man helped BYU keep Sitake, but if we’re interested in being Accurate Serious Professionals, it’s worth noting that Penn State’s contract offer was still more money than what BYU ultimately paid the coach, and that money didn’t all come from the Cookie Man.

It would be very funny if that money came from other LDS-adjacent industries (BIG MINIVAN! BIG UNFASHIONABLY MODEST FORMAL DRESSES! BIG FOLDING CHAIR!), but I imagine its sources were boring stuff like “executives at Goldman” or “various Silicon Slopes tech companies.” That’s more common, but it doesn’t make a good tweet.

Also, speaking of BYU and money …

Part of what makes this storyline so interesting to me, specifically, as a national college sports writer and also a guy who was a Mormon for a really long time, is how unlikely it would have seemed even just a few years ago.

BYU — and, for that matter, LDS institutions generally — has a reputation for not really paying top dollar anywhere. If you’re a professor, a baseball coach, a computer programmer or a construction manager, chances are, you can make more money doing what you do somewhere else. Part of that is a reflection of Utah’s labor market, but part of it is also ideological. BYU doesn’t want people attached to the institution by golden handcuffs. They want folks who want to be there. Do I always agree with that thinking? No, but I understand it.

By paying a football coach in the neighborhood of $9 million (as reported here and here), coupled with the investment in the men’s basketball program, it’s clear that BYU is prepared to spend competitively in the market. Whether that attitude changes elsewhere within church employment is interesting to me, but likely outside the scope of this newsletter.

I do think it’s worth noting where that money is coming from. BYU is a private school, and as such isn’t obligated to share contracts, MFRS reports or financial info at all, no matter how many times I ask very nicely. So I don’t have specific receipts.

But I do know that LDS church officials are very sensitive to the idea that specific church funds would be used for athletic payrolls, coach or athlete. Devout Latter-day Saints also pay a 10 percent tithe on their income to the church, money that is used to pay for educational, charitable and ecclesiastical operations around the globe. The idea that some widow’s mite in northern Brazil was used to pay LJ Martin would be a scandal … if not to the world, then certainly to most of the church community.

I’ve been told increased athletic investments are driven primarily by donors, rather than existing operational funds. And while I’d love to actually look at the books myself, I legitimately do believe that.

I’ll be curious, as senior church leadership becomes more global, or as public frustration with the status quo of college sports grows, whether there will be internal pushback on the optics of paying this kind of money. But maybe not! As the last 100-plus years have shown us, fans and the academy might get upset about rising expenses or ideological shifts … but they hate losing even more.

FWIW, I think Sitake is a very good football coach and worth locking up for BYU, especially given the paucity of other experienced LDS football coaching candidates. Will Penn State’s hire work out? Or any of these other hires? I have no idea. Can’t-miss hires fail all the time, and fourth choice candidates sometimes turn out to be the right ones.

A few quick back-of-the-notebook thoughts:

It looks like the SCORE Act, the Republican-driven college sports legislation that would have codified much of the House settlement terms, is dead … for now. Democratic leadership whipped against the vote, and just enough Republicans defected to keep the thing from passing. My read on the situation is that the defeat of SCORE shouldn’t be read as a bipartisan rejection of the idea that Congress shouldn’t get involved in these issues. In fact, at least one GOP rep, Chip Roy (TX), is saying that Congress should be more involved. I look at this more as a reminder that issues that have nothing to do with college sports can impact the legislative calendar, and the path to getting anything passed right now is razor-thin.
Anyway, I think this about sums it up:

Here’s what else we’ve been working on:

On Monday, I laid out the good, bad and ugly of the Extra Points business. We’re growing, our future is bright, but we need to be built less around ME. All of the details, and a 15 percent off discount code (sale ends this evening!) are here.

We want to finish the year strong, and we have some original reporting, special projects and plenty of FOIAing in the hopper the rest of the month. You can read everything we write by making sure you’ve upgraded to a premium subscription. These subscriptions pay our bills, from FOIA fees to bowl game sponsorships to travel and more.

And hey, as a parting gift, we finished a big update to Who’s That Football Team. We now have a daily Puzzle challenge. The game is totally free! Today’s clue comes from the FCS ranks, but who knows who will by our mystery program tomorrow….

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Rep Jeffries blasts SCORE Act, labeling it the ‘Lane Kiffin Protection Act’

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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The proposed SCORE Act promises to provide the NCAA with a limited antitrust exemption in hopes of protecting the organization that regulates student athletics from potential lawsuits over eligibility rules, and it would prohibit athletes from becoming employees of their schools.

Shortly before it was set to be brought to the floor on Wednesday, House leadership canceled a vote on the SCORE Act. The decision came amid concerns about whether Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., had secured the required votes for passage.

Following the delay, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., voiced his concerns about the chaotic events leading up to what ultimately became a failed effort to move the bill forward.

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Hakeem Jeffries speaks at a press conference

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“The question that a lot of people are asking this week related to the SCORE Act legislation is who exactly directed Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise to bring this bill to the floor this week? Was it the big donors connected to LSU? That legislation would not have benefited college athletes. It would hurt college athletes, take away the antitrust exemption. It would preempt the ability of states to actually pass legislation that promotes the health, the safety and the well-being of their own college students.”

GOP REP RIPS BIG TEN COMMISH AFTER SCORE ACT VOTE GETS DELAYED

Jeffries continued: “It would take away legal rights to seek redress the organized labor unions across the country were strongly opposed because it undermined the ability of college athletes and undermined their freedom to negotiate, took away collective bargaining rights. And of course, the players’ associations across every sports league led by the NFL Players Association were opposed to it because they concluded, when evaluating the bill on the merits, that it would actually hurt college athletes, not help them.”

Jeffries then facetiously renamed the SCORE Act to the “Lane Kiffin Protection Act.”

Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin speaks to the media during SEC Media Day at Omni Atlanta Hotel on July 14, 2025. (Jordan Godfree/Imagn Images)

“Why would Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise think it was a good idea to bring the Lane Kiffin Protection Act to the floor of the House of Representatives? Legislation that would do nothing to benefit college athletes and everything to benefit coaches like Lane Kiffin, who got out of town, abandoned his players in the middle of a playoff run to go get a $100 million contract from LSU, the home state of Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise.”

Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise and Hakeem Jeffries

(L-R) Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), participate in the first nail ceremony for the construction of the 2025 presidential inauguration platform on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Sept. 18, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

“People are asking the question, why did you decide to bring this bill this week with all the other issues that the country is demanding that we focus on, led by the affordability crisis that they claim is a scam and a hoax, but that the American people know is very real.”

A narrow 210-209 procedural vote was enough to get the bill to the House.

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The SCORE Act calls on schools to share revenue, per terms of the House settlement, per terms of the House settlement to the tune of 22% “if such rules provide that such pool limit is AT LEAST 22 percent of the average annual college sports revenue of the 70 highest-earning schools.”

The bill would also prohibit schools from using student fees to fund NIL payments.

Proponents of the proposed legislation have argued the SCORE Act would introduce some stability to college sports amid a landscape that increasingly lacks adequate regulation. However, critics have pointed to the possibility of returning arguably too much power back to schools and the NCAA.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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Jacob Rodriguez’s college football journey: From QB to LB to Heisman?

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Max OlsonDec 4, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
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- Covers the Big 12
- Joined ESPN in 2012
- Graduate of the University of Nebraska

LUBBOCK, Texas — In December 2021, Jacob Rodriguez felt lost.

The young quarterback had just ended his freshman season at Virginia. Coach Bronco Mendenhall had unexpectedly stepped down. Rodriguez decided to transfer but had minimal tape as a college passer and few options. He had a creeping doubt, too, that maybe it was time to give up his quarterback dreams.

Texas Tech was willing to take a chance on him under two conditions: It didn’t have a scholarship available, and it didn’t need a QB. If Rodriguez wanted to come home to Texas and play for new coach Joey McGuire, he would have to learn to play linebacker.

Rodriguez took out a student loan to pay for school. He couldn’t find an apartment when he arrived in January 2022 and moved in with his older brother at the University Pointe apartments. He slept on the floor of his brother’s bedroom, on a foam queen mattress topper folded in half for a little more cushion.

He started sixth on the linebacker depth chart. He lifted weights twice a day to bulk up and watched film to figure out a position he had never played in high school. Back then, Rodriguez wasn’t envisioning someday becoming the All-America performer he is today.

“My biggest concern was not really trying to get a scholarship,” he said. “I was just trying to make the team. I’m fighting to survive.”

Four years later, Rodriguez is the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and the best linebacker in college football. His No. 4 Red Raiders are about to play for a Big 12 championship. Then, they’ll advance to the College Football Playoff. Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe it.

The mustachioed, cowboy hat-wearing captain married to a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot is enjoying a historic senior season and experiencing a new level of fame this fall as Texas Tech pushes him for Heisman Trophy consideration. No other college defender over the past 20 years has put up the stats he has with more than 100 tackles, seven forced fumbles and four interceptions.

And Rodriguez is ready for more as the Red Raiders prepare for the program’s first Big 12 title game against No. 11 BYU on Saturday (noon ET, ABC).

“Man, it’s such a great story,” McGuire said. “In the age of all this money, which is great — I mean, I’m all for it, obviously — this is one of those great stories for college football.”

Rodriguez always had his believers as a record-setting quarterback coming out of Wichita Falls, Texas, but Heisman good? No, even those who know him best say this is getting ridiculous and see it as pure proof of his determination. If Rodriguez could tell his 19-year-old self where he’d be standing today after his humble beginnings?

“That was a long time ago,” Rodriguez said with a smile. “But I’m very proud of that. I think it’s something that I’ll hang my hat on for a long time.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here, doing what we’re doing.”

HIS CHILDHOOD DREAM was to become the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.

“Oh yeah, you betcha,” his brother Joshua Rodriguez said with a chuckle.

Jacob Rodriguez was born in Hastings, Minnesota, the youngest of five siblings in a family that competed in everything, from croquet to UNO to holiday pancake decorating. Joe and Ann Rodriguez signed up Jacob and his twin brothers Joshua and Jeremiah for wrestling at a young age because “we were breaking everything,” Joshua said.

Jacob got started at age 3 and won two youth state championships by the time he was 7, pinning every opponent he faced during his second title run.

“That’s one reason why he’s so good at tackling: all those single-leg and double-leg takedowns,” Joshua said.

When the family moved to Wichita Falls in 2010, the boys were eager to start playing tackle football. The twins would play linebacker at Rider High School. Jacob, a four-sport athlete, played varsity as a sophomore and went on to break school records with more than 10,000 career total yards and 106 touchdowns.

“He was the guy, the talk of the town,” Rider teammate Jed Castles said. “He was signing autographs when we went out to restaurants.”

Rider coach Marc Bindel occasionally let his star quarterback play safety, but Rodriguez was a QB first and foremost with a playing style that evoked Tim Tebow comparisons.

“We always called him Captain America,” Bindel said.

Rodriguez was an ESPN 300 recruit, but recruiters were split on his college projection: Should he play offense or defense? Then-Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein gave him his first FBS offer in 2019 and saw his potential as an athletic quarterback.

But others saw something else. In a game against Canyon Randall during his junior year, Rodriguez made a fourth-and-1 play on defense they still talk about to this day. He burst through the line, grabbed the running back by his legs, lifted him in the air and slammed him on his back for the stop.

Bindel had a coach on his staff send the clip to then-Texas Tech defensive coordinator Keith Patterson. The next day, the Red Raiders offered Rodriguez a scholarship as a linebacker. Baylor would end up doing the same after McGuire became its outside linebackers coach in 2020. Rodriguez ultimately received more offers for defense than offense.

But Mendenhall and his Virginia coaches made Rodriguez a priority — and convinced him he could be their next Taysom Hill. His plans to fly out for a spring break official visit were canceled by COVID-19. Rodriguez still committed and enrolled without ever visiting campus.

“I think we all knew his best chance to make it big was going to be on defense,” Bindel said, “but in his heart, he wanted to play quarterback. And why would you not want to try to play quarterback in college?”

Virginia had an established starter in Brennan Armstrong, who broke single-season school records in 2021. But the Cavaliers also had a way to get Rodriguez on the field as a freshman. He agreed to back up Keytaon Thompson at their FBP (football player) position, a hybrid role in Robert Anae’s offense that could entail pretty much anything.

Rodriguez wore No. 98 and Thompson, a former quarterback at Mississippi State, wore No. 99. They lined up at slot receiver, outside receiver, tight end, running back or behind center. They would motion all over the field before the snap and throw blocks, run routes or take handoffs. It was intentional chaos, aimed at confusing opposing defenses.

“It was pure creativity,” Thompson said. “A lot of the stuff [Anae] came up with, I don’t even think he knew it would work. If it looked good, we’d go with it.”

It was an awful lot of running, so much so that Rodriguez said he went from 215 pounds to 185 during the season. He played 169 snaps but only four at quarterback. The rookie didn’t expect to become a Swiss Army knife on offense, but he embraced it.

“I was having a blast,” Rodriguez said. “I was just happy to be on the field.”

All these years later, Rodriguez believes he would’ve finished his college career at Virginia if Mendenhall hadn’t surprised everyone by resigning that December after a 6-6 season. Thompson called it a “totally unexpected curveball.”

“I loved it there and loved the people there,” Rodriguez said. “But I kind of went there to play for him.”

He made the 1,300-mile trek home to Wichita Falls, unsure what his future might hold. And his phone wasn’t ringing.

“There wasn’t a whole lot of buzz,” Bindel said.

TEXAS TECH ASSOCIATE head coach Kenny Perry excitedly called Bindel the morning after Red Raiders’ first spring practice in 2022.

“Jacob Rodriguez is a bad motherf—er,” Perry told him.

The high school coach’s reply?

“Yep, and he’s playing for free right now…”

After leaving Virginia, Rodriguez had asked a few people to reach out to McGuire on his behalf in the hopes he could join the Red Raiders. Two Rider teammates, Castles and E’Maurion “Dooda” Banks, played for Texas Tech. One of his former youth coaches, Dudley McAfee, is a Tech grad and knew McGuire well. All three vouched for Rodriguez to the new head coach.

“Dooda was like, ‘Coach, if we can get this guy on our team, we need to get him,'” McGuire said.

McGuire vowed he would put Rodriguez on scholarship as soon as one became available. These were the early days of NIL before collectives helped take care of walk-ons. Tech could provide him two meals a day, but he would need to take out a student loan to cover his classes and books.

“It was kind of one of those deals where, well, I got to go somewhere,” Rodriguez said.

More importantly, Rodriguez had to accept his future was on defense. Texas Tech already had three starter-caliber quarterbacks in future second-round pick Tyler Shough, Behren Morton and Donovan Smith.

Bindel has no doubt Rodriguez could’ve made it as a tough dual-threat QB such as Georgia Tech’s Haynes King had he found the right opportunity. Rodriguez doesn’t fault other coaches for missing on him during his month in the portal, especially given his role with the Cavaliers.

“I really didn’t have any quarterback film,” he said. “I just had a whole bunch of other stuff.”

Ann Rodriguez suspects if he hadn’t gone to Virginia to play quarterback, he would’ve regretted never trying. He had received plenty of advice that linebacker was his best path to the NFL. It still wasn’t easy to give up his childhood dream.

“There were a lot of tears shed and a real thought process about it,” his mother said. “It took a lot of him really looking inward and deciding, ‘You know what? I’m going to do whatever it takes.'”

It was Joshua’s idea for Jacob to move in and save money. The brothers lived in a four-bedroom apartment with three random roommates they initially didn’t know. The bedroom was certainly tight quarters — the brothers had to share a bathroom and closet — and Jacob would sleep near the foot of Joshua’s bed. Eventually, they squeezed in a twin-sized mattress for him.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t even know if those guys would be able to say, ‘Yeah, I lived with Jacob Rodriguez,'” Joshua said. “He was never there. He’d go to workouts at 5 a.m. and was gone before they woke up. He’d come back at 9 p.m. after classes and film.”

Rodriguez said he’d go in for the 8 a.m. lifting session and come back at 2 p.m. for another while working to get back to 220 pounds for spring practice. His offensive knowledge helped, but learning to play his new position was a completely different challenge. Former Texas Tech inside linebackers coach Josh Bookbinder said Rodriguez had all the right traits coming out of high school to be a great linebacker — he just hadn’t played the position.

The hardest part early on was the physicality of Texas Tech practices. Quarterbacks never get touched in these settings. Rodriguez had to get the hang of hitting and getting hit day after day. “I’m like, ‘Dude, how can I sustain this?'” he said. If he were to queue up his 2022 practice film today, Rodriguez expects it would probably look “awful.” He barely had a clue.

“The one thing he showed really early was his effort was nonnegotiable,” Bookbinder said. “He may not have known exactly what he was doing at linebacker, but he was running his ass to the ball.”

Texas Tech coaches loved the potential they saw in the spring of 2022. When McGuire called Rodriguez into his office before August preseason camp, the linebacker genuinely didn’t know why. The head coach asked him to call his parents and let them know he was on scholarship.

“There was a lot to learn, but Jacob is a football dude,” McGuire said. “He was raw, but he picked up stuff so fast because he’s really intelligent. Football makes sense to him.”

All the little details — his footwork, hand use, the angles he took in tackling, how he struck ball carriers — came with reps and time as he graduated from playing on instincts to processing and better understanding formations, sets and situations. After playing backup snaps as a sophomore, Rodriguez’s development accelerated throughout his second offseason in Lubbock to earning a starting job entering 2023, but a foot injury sustained in the season opener sidelined him for most of the season.

“It’s like you had all the ingredients on the counter,” said Bookbinder, who’s now coaching at TCU. “You just had to mix them up and let it cook for a little bit.”

The Jacob Rodriguez who returned in 2024 was finally ready to put it all together with an All-Big 12 season, finishing second among all Power 4 defenders with 127 tackles. And the one who returned for his senior year in 2025?

“He’s the best player in college football,” Perry said.

SESI VAILAHI TOOK the handoff and ran up the middle. Rodriguez met the Oklahoma State running back in the hole and stood him up. But this wasn’t your typical tackle for loss.

Vailahi staggered backward, attempting to break free. Except the veteran linebacker wasn’t going for a takedown. No, he was thinking theft. Rodriguez ripped the football right out of Vailahi’s grip and ran the other way for a 69-yard touchdown.

Literally took it away and took it to the house.

Best defender in the country.

📺 @ESPNU | https://t.co/G56N3v07Kv https://t.co/SKua435dYH pic.twitter.com/1FGuLyRaEt

— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) October 25, 2025

He has been filling up the Heisman highlight reel week after week. Like the two Kansas State fumbles he punched out. The one-handed interception at Utah. The pick he deflected to himself against BYU, or the screen pass he jumped in front of against UCF.

“Every time you look up, he’s at the ball,” Morton said. “The way he can cause and flip momentum in a game, there’s not another player in the country who can do that.”

Rodriguez has created seven turnovers by himself. His FBS-leading seven forced fumbles are more than 53 teams have all season, including Georgia, Ole Miss and Notre Dame, and he’s four away from breaking Khalil Mack’s FBS career record of 16.

McGuire has plenty of respect for Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, the trio of quarterbacks currently leading the Heisman race with one week to go. But he’s not going to relent in campaigning for Rodriguez.

“The thing for me is there’s nobody at the quarterback position that is having a year that we haven’t seen before,” McGuire said. “He’s having a year at the linebacker position that we haven’t seen.”

For comparison: Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o finished with 113 tackles and seven interceptions but zero forced fumbles during his Heisman runner-up season in 2012. Te’o was the unquestioned top player on the No. 1 team in the country.

Rodriguez points to Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey, their projected first-round pick with 12.5 sacks, as the best player they’ve got. His answers in news conferences offer praise toward teammates and coaches. But among his peers, there’s no question.

“This is a talented football team,” Morton said, “and it’s led by Jacob.”

McGuire shook up Texas Tech’s defense after an 8-5 finish in 2024. He brought in defensive coordinator Shiel Wood from Houston, splurged in the portal with a rebuilt defensive line that cost more than $7 million and inked arguably the top transfer class in the country.

Rodriguez considered going pro at the end of last season and went through senior day ceremonies before the home finale. But he put his trust in McGuire and watched as his coach and general manager James Blanchard assembled the kind of roster that could finally compete for a Big 12 championship.

“You could tell as soon as we put pads on for spring ball: Hey, we’re going to be a special group,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve never had this much fun playing football ever.”

Texas Tech’s determined efforts to make Rodriguez a Heisman finalist took a creative turn two weeks ago. Ahead of its home finale against UCF, McGuire texted Joe Rodriguez to break the news: Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich was working on a Wildcat package to utilize Jacob at quarterback.

“I said, ‘Coach, that’s so freaking awesome,'” his dad said. “I’ve been pushing that for four years. I told him, ‘Be careful, because you’re going to let that beast out.'”

Joe did not warn his wife that this was in the works. Jacob’s wife, Emma, was the one who told her inside Jones AT&T Stadium, a few plays before the moment arrived in the first quarter. She asked her to try to stay calm. Texas Tech running back Cameron Dickey said he got goosebumps when he overheard Leftwich ask, “Is J-Rod ready?”

“He goes out there,” Ann said, “and we both immediately started crying.”

The home crowd got so loud that Rodriguez worried he might mess up the snap cadence. But his offensive line paved a wide-open lane for an easy 2-yard score. He got to go in and do it again Saturday at West Virginia.

Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with his FIRST CAREER OFFENSIVE TD for @TexasTechFB ‼️

And he hit the Heisman as his celebration 👀 pic.twitter.com/zzOWSXR1Qr

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 15, 2025

“Just like old times, man,” said Thompson, his former Virginia teammate.

It was all so cathartic for those who know Rodriguez best, who watched how relentlessly he worked to turn into the linebacker he is today and know what he gave up getting here. The dream had to change along the way, but he wouldn’t change a thing now.

“We couldn’t have dreamt this up,” Ann Rodriguez said.

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NIL

New Arkansas coach Ryan Silverfield says it won’t take long to rebuild the program

Published

5 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ryan Silverfield had a second stop to make Thursday after his first press conference since being hired as Arkansas football coach.

He had to face the people he needs to win over, the ones the Razorbacks need to increase their spending so they can compete with the SEC’s power programs.

Silverfield signed a five-year, $33.5 million deal to take over in Arkansas earlier in the week. He had coached Memphis since the 2020 season, plus a single game with the Tigers as interim head coach in 2019. Memphis qualified for a bowl in every season with Silverfield at the helm and peaked in 2024 with an 11-2 record. The Tigers hold an 8-4 record ahead of a likely bowl game.

Those kinds of results at Arkansas would be a boon. The Razorbacks’ season concluded Saturday with a loss to Missouri. That ended a 2-10 season with an 0-8 record in the Southeastern Conference, the third season in the last seven Arkansas finished with those marks.

“This program is built on pride, resilience and toughness, and it’s time to bring it all back,” Silverfield said at the press conference. “Being all in together, we will rebuild it, we will earn it, and we will make this state proud.”

Finances were one of the biggest points in both the press conference and the public introduction a few hours later. Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek has made a point for the last year that the Razorbacks need more contributions for NIL funds in order to compete at a higher level in the SEC. The first audible announcement over the loudspeaker before Silverfield took the dais was one asking for money.

NIL war chests are tight-lipped secrets across college football. But Arkansas’ football attendance, which equates to revenue earned, ranks fifth from the bottom in the SEC. Both Silverfield and Yurachek said finances were a key topic during the interview and contract negotiations.

Arkansas's new head football coach Ryan Silverfield speaks to reporters... — Arkansas’s new head football coach Ryan Silverfield speaks to reporters during an NCAA college football press conference, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. Credit: AP/Hank Layton

“I think it’s our competitive advantage not to give details of what that is, other than to tell you that it is a significant investment in all aspects of our football program that will move us to the top half of spending in all of those categories I mentioned in the Southeastern Conference,” Yurachek said. “I don’t believe we need to be at the top of spending. We need to be somewhere where we’re really competitive and Ryan and I are on the same page with where we are.”

Quarterback KJ Jackson and defensive end Quincy Rhoads Jr. both joined the press conference and announced they would return to the team in 2026. Jackson, a rising sophomore, took over as Arkansas’ starting quarterback for the final game of the season and is largely considered the future of the position. Rhoads finished in a tie for fifth in the SEC in sacks (8) and second in the league in tackles for-loss (17 1/2).

Silverfield told fans he doesn’t think a rebuild will take long.

“It’s not one of those things where we’re sitting here saying, ‘Hey, you know, Hunter, I need three years to rebuild this,’” Silverfield said. “No. We can start rebuilding the culture the moment we step down.”

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NIL

Arkansas football receives seven-figure NIL boost

Published

6 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Just days into his tenure as head coach, Ryan Silverfield has already made a major impression, on more than just the Razorbacks’ players and fans. According to Arkansas Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek, a donor committed to a seven-figure donation to the football program after spending just five minutes with Silverfield in a club box at the Hogs’ basketball game last night.

“This new commitment is the first step in the process of building a championship program at Arkansas,” Yurachek said.

A Sign of Confidence in Ryan Silverfield’s Rebuild

The donation is more than a symbolic gesture. For a football program that has struggled to compete financially with other SEC powerhouses, seven figures provides critical resources. From recruiting and coaching staff salaries to roster development and facility improvements, Silverfield now has tangible backing to begin implementing his vision immediately.

That such a commitment came in less than a week on the job highlights the clarity and passion Silverfield brings to the role. During his introductory press conference, he emphasized finances as a central pillar of his plan, noting that rebuilding Arkansas football will be a swift process.

““It’s not one of those things where we’re sitting here saying, ‘Hey, you know, Hunter, I need three years to rebuild this,’” Silverfield said. “No. We can start rebuilding the culture the moment we step down.””

Ryan Silverfield

Back in September, after the dismissal of former head coach Sam Pittman following six seasons, Yurachek acknowledged that Arkansas didn’t have the funding necessary to compete with the majority of SEC programs. Attendance revenue ranked near the bottom of the conference, and NIL war chests remained limited, hindering recruiting and player development.

Yurachek, however, was optimistic that a new hire could change that. Silverfield’s arrival, and the immediate donor confidence, has confirmed that progress is underway.

““Finances were a key part of both the interview and contract negotiations,” Yurachek said. “It’s clear Ryan has a vision for how to rebuild this program, and he’s already inspiring donors to step up.””

Hunter Yurachek

For players, it signals that the program has momentum and ambition, which can be a powerful motivator on and off the field. Additionally, immediate financial support allows Silverfield to act quickly without waiting years to implement changes, a rare advantage in college football.

A New Era in Fayetteville

Silverfield’s first week has sent a clear message: Arkansas football is ready to change. With donor confidence, administrative support, and a clear vision, the Razorbacks are positioning themselves for a rapid turnaround after years of struggles.

““We’re not going to wait to start this rebuild,” Silverfield said. “The culture begins today, and we have the resources and the plan to make it happen.””

Ryan Silverfield

For fans and recruits alike, the combination of strong leadership and newfound financial backing signals that Arkansas football is entering a new era, one aimed at competing at the very top of the SEC and soon.

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NIL

Hunter Yurachek dishes on ‘new financial commitments’ for Arkansas football

Published

6 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Arkansas vice chancellor and director of athletics Hunter Yurachek formally introduced Ryan Silverfield as the 35th coach in the football program’s history on Thursday afternoon to assembled media in the Broyles Center. As part of the hour-long introductory press conference, Yurachek answered a plethora of questions regarding the financial support surrounding the football program.

Back in September, following the Sam Pittman’s dismissal after six seasons as coach, Yurachek admitted that the football program didn’t have the necessary funding to compete with the majority of SEC programs in football. At the time, he seemed optimistic that would change in lock-step with a new coaching hire.

As part of his opening statement on Thursday, Yurachek revealed the funding has indeed improved. The goal is to build a championship program at Arkansas and, as Yurachek put it, this new commitment was the first step in the process of accomplishing that goal.

“The top-down alignment of a new financial commitment from our Board of Trustees, the University, the department of athletics and so many generous donors that have taken place over the last several weeks was the first step to us being all in on this goal,” Yurachek said. “This financial commitment will push us to the top half in key SEC items such as our assistant coaches pool, our strength and conditioning staff, our support staff pool and our talent acquisition through revenue sharing and legitimate NIL.”

Yurachek was peppered with questions regarding this ‘new financial commitment’ but wouldn’t divulge any specifics on the budget or amount of newly committed funds, citing a competitive advantage as the reason not to. He did, however, say the investment was “significant.”

“I think it’s our competitive advantage not to give details of what that is other than to tell you that it is a significant investment in all aspects of our football program,” Yurachek said. “That will move us to the top half of spending in all of those categories I mentioned in the Southeastern Conference.

“I don’t believe we need to be at the top of spending, we need to be somewhere where we’re really competitive and Ryan and I are on the same page with where we are. It allows him to go out and hire the assistant coaches that he believes he needs to hire to build a championship program and to invest in our revenue sharing and legitimate NIL to make sure that we acquire the best talent for our roster.

“I want to make sure that we have a competitive advantage. I think once you put your financials out there and tell other schools what you’re doing, that allows them the opportunity to come meet you where you are or exceed where you’re at.”

While the financial commitment is improved according to Yurachek, he also revealed they’re still not to the level they want to be from a fundraising standpoint. He explained that the program is off to a good start with the last few months, but they still haven’t accomplished their goal.

“We’re not to the finish line, but I will tell you from a fundraising standpoint, we’re off to a great start,” Yurachek said. “With the athletic department is going to commit is significant and that’s how we’re going to reallocate some of the dollars that we have. The board is going to make a commitment to our football program as well, and all of that is significant. I don’t want to tie down a specific dollar amount to any of that, because I don’t want to limit what we can do

a couple of different revenue sources that we’re looking through, both through our foundation and through the athletic department, and then just how we reallocate money that we’re currently spending within our department, whether that’s from a salary standpoint, an operational standpoint, but we feel like we can do some things differently to be more efficient, that we can reallocate more dollars to our football program.

Yurachek explained that some of the financial commitment from the athletic department will come from reallocation of what they’re currently spending. He mentioned salaries, operations and that there are other ways they can be more efficient which helps push more money toward football.

When asked how fans will be able to notice the new financial commitment behind the football program, Yurachek pointed to Silverfield’s recruiting and staff additions among other things.

“It will come when he announces some of the people on his staff, that will be the first piece,” Yurachek said. “Then when you see how our roster comes together after the transfer portal officially opens in January, you see we’ve got a couple of young men in here (Quincy Rhodes and KJ Jackson) that are coming back. That’s a part of the financial commitment that we’ve made into our football program, to be able to retain those high-caliber, very talented young men.”

It’s not just Yurachek and his staff helping get Arkansas football in better financial shape. Silverfield himself has hit the ground running in that department and has made a difference in just a matter of days. Yurachek shared a story of the new Razorbacks head coach leaving quite the impression on one donor at Thursday’s basketball game.

“Let me touch on his fundraising prowess,” Yurachek said of Silverfield. “He doesn’t even know this yet. He was in the courtside club last night, and he was doing what he does in building relationships with donors. Right off the bat, he walked away from one donor, the donor came up to me and committed to a seven figure gift to a football program, just with a brief five minute encounter.”

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