Mock Draft Monday 5/13 '24
Furthest Thing
Furthest Thing
- Building A Board ‘25 (Vol III)
- NBA International Draft Prospects
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune on this May Mock Draft Monday is Furthest Thing by Drake. It’s the 2nd song of his album Nothing Was The Same. I was a fan of the whole album, but was especially a fan of this one…
…Enough to use the opening line as an Instagram caption back when I was a cool college kid.
The tone of this tune is Drake describing being somewhere in the middle of things.
Here he describes the feeling one gets after 2 and a quarter pints of Guinness drank. It’s when the ideas start flowing.
I’m still waiting to hear back from Jennifer Aniston, just thought you should know.
After opening up with Tuscan Leather, a rap song, this is more of an R&B vulnerable tune that Week to Week Notes calls an Aubrey.
In this verse, Drake opens up about the pressures he feels to deliver another classic album after Thank Me Later and Take Care. He also uses the title of the album in a lyric. It’s an indicator that he feels people think that he has changed as a person to which he responds…
He’s still doing the same things as before his fame except keeping them on the low. Here we get the use of the title of the song Furthest Thing, which is him claiming he’s not perfect much like everybody else. We all have our own set of flaws.
Shopping Bag Drizzy’s flaw appears to be his being a player towards women. The lines are fairly straightforward, but now you know why this is considered an Aubrey. The fellas will not admit to listening to this song.
Dermot Kennedy does a great piano cover of this song as the 2nd part of his song called An Evening I Will Not Forget. Hey, if Dermot Kennedy likes the song, you know it’s good.
The 2nd half of this song picks up and Drake switches to rapping as he tells us that Sandi gave him her blessings to proceed with music. He also addresses how his rap competition is worried and then creatively uses his bodyguard’s nickname, Spoons, along with the other kitchen cutlery.
I’m not sure who exactly these lines are directed towards, but my guess is it could either be about Kendrick or Kanye.
Derrick Rose tore his ACL and had to sit out the ‘12 NBA Playoffs and ‘13 NBA Season. Drake after dropping Take Care in ‘11, had to take some time to make Nothing Was The Same. This is one of the first times he uses his nickname The Boy in a song.
Let’s talk ball…
The ‘25 NFL Draft won’t be in Lambeau Field until April 24th, ‘25. I don’t have a Mock Draft for that class, still have to learn more about the players first. So, just like last year’s Mondays, we’ll get started with the biggest names in College Football for this upcoming season, adding 5 more players every Monday Mock Draft to Build A Board.
11. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Mason Graham is from Anaheim, California. In high school, he wrestled and played football for Servite High School in Anaheim. He was named by the LA Times as the High School Football Player of the Year in ‘21. For Servite, Graham played both ways on the lines, sacking QBs as a pass rusher and protecting his own as an offensive tackle. Despite the recognition, Graham was overlooked as a collegiate prospect as most outlets had him pegged as a 3-star recruit. He ranked as low as 399th nationally and 69th in the state of California by the likes of ESPN. As a freshman for Michigan in ‘22, Mason Graham was more of a depth piece, however, he did make 2 starts and in his first collegiate start he picked up his first collegiate sack. He finished the ‘22 season with 2.5 sacks and 27 tackles on the season, nothing crazy but PFF College saw the potential as they named him to their Freshman All-American Team. In ‘23, Mason Graham was named a starter and quickly proved why. In his 13 starts, Graham had 36 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. He constantly was a disruptor on the interior of the best defense in college football in ‘23. Graham had one of his best games in the College Football Playoff Semi-Final against Alabama when he was named Rose Bowl MVP for making a critical TFL in OT. While not as massive as some DTs in the NFL, Mason Graham at 6’3” and 318 lbs., possesses great quickness which may have come from his days as a wrestler in high school. Expect him to have another huge season at Michigan in ‘24.
12. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson is from Detroit, Michigan. His father, Deon Johnson, was a defensive back at Michigan from 1990 to 1994, helping the Wolverines win 3 Big Ten Championships. Deon Johnson is a founder of Sound Mind Sound Body, an elite training program that helps student-athletes in the Detroit-Metro area with mentorship both on and off the gridiron, such as tutoring for SAT prep. Will Johnson played for Grosse Pointe South High School where he was a 4-year varsity starter, the first in their program’s history. In high school, Will Johnson was more of an offensive playmaker, totaling 1,302 all-purpose yards receiving, rushing, and returning punts as a senior. Johnson was recruited as a CB and was considered a 4-star prospect. He decided to follow in the footsteps of his dad, Deon, playing for his home state. As a freshman in ‘22, Will Johnson made 5 starts at CB while playing in all 14 games as depth and a special teams contributor. Johnson came down with 3 interceptions and broke up 6 other passes as a freshman. Just like his teammate Mason Graham, Will Johnson would be named to PFF College’s Freshman All-American Team. In ‘23 as a sophomore, Will Johnson was inserted into the starting lineup and he again was a ballhawk with 4 more INTs. Sports Illustrated named him 1st Team All-American and he was a consensus 1st Team All-Big Ten CB. Johnson was named the National Championship MVP, as he picked off Michael Penix on the first play of the 2nd half. Expect Will Johnson to yet again be a big-time player on the Wolverine defense as their undisputed CB1.
13. Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
Jack Sawyer is from Pickerington, Ohio. The Sawyer family has plenty of athletes in their genes. His grandfather played in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system, his dad played football for Findlay College, and his mother was a star basketball player at Pickerington High School. Jack Sawyer dominated high school football as a junior in ‘19, picking up 13.5 sacks. His senior year of high school was during COVID so games were played, but Sawyer was still highly recruited as a 5-star prospect. Sawyer was listed as the #1 player out of Ohio and #4 nationally in the ‘21 recruiting class. During his 1st 2 seasons at Ohio State, Sawyer was used as a defensive end and their hybrid “jack” position, which is more of a standup outside linebacker role. In his first 26 games at Ohio State, Sawyer totaled 8 tackles for loss with 6 sacks. After his sophomore season, Sawyer and Ohio State decided it would be best to have the versatile defender focus on playing defensive end. He had his best season yet in ‘23 with 45 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and a career-high 5 sacks. Jack Sawyer is already known as one of the premier run-defenders in college football, so expect his offseason this year to be filled with more focus on pass-rushing training. If Sawyer can improve upon that element of getting to the QB, he will have a great chance at becoming a 1st Round pick in the ‘25 NFL Draft.
14. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Ollie Gordon II is from Fort Worth, Texas. As a senior at Trinity High School Gordon II had 257 carries for 2,546 yards (averages out to pretty much a first down every carry) and 35 TDs. As a true freshman in ‘22, Ollie Gordon II played in every game but didn’t make his first career start until their Bowl Game. Gordon II had 62 carries as a freshman for 308 rushing yards, which came out to a team-best 5 yards per carry. By the end of the season, the Cowboys liked what they saw out of Gordon II and he was named the starting RB for the ‘23 season. As a sophomore, Ollie Gordon II took the NCAA by storm, leading the nation in rushing yards with 1,732 while coming in 2nd in TDs with 21. Not only does he have the speed, but Gordon II is a physical runner as well, running for over 1k of those yards after contact. The 6’2” RB was the Doak Walker Award (nation’s top RB), a consensus All-American, and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He returns this upcoming ‘24 College Football season as a junior and a top Heisman Trophy candidate.
15. Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
Kelvin Banks Jr. is from Humble, Texas. The offensive tackle was heavily recruited as the #6 ranked player nationally and the top tackle of his class. Banks Jr. chose to play for his home state team as a Longhorn. In ‘22 as a freshman, the 6’4” and 324 lbs. blindside tackle made 13 starts. He was named 2nd Team All Big-12 and was tabbed an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. He helped Bijan Robinson win the Doak Walker Award. In ‘23 as a sophomore, Banks Jr. made 14 starts at left tackle as he was named a 2nd Team All-American as well as a 1st Team All-Big 12er. This was enough for Texas to be named a Joe Moore Award semifinalist, which goes to the Nation’s top offensive line units. With another season blocking for Quinn Ewers and/or Arch Manning, Kelvin Banks Jr. will have a shot to showcase why he should be one of the first offensive linemen off the board in the ‘25 NFL Draft as he has proven to be a reliable pass blocker against the likes of Dallas Turner and a paving machine for the likes of Bijan Robinson.
With the NBA Draft set for June 26th, we’ll add 5 more NBA Draft prospects to a list in preparation for a Mock Draft 1st Round. Today’s first 5 players are all the top international prospects who are entering the NBA Draft.
Nikola Topic, PG, Serbia
Nikola Topic is from Novi Sad, Serbia. The 6’6” PG is looking to follow in the footsteps of other Serbian NBA players such as Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic, Vladamir Radmanovic, Nenad Krisic, and today’s MVP Nikola Jokic. Topic is only 18 years of age but has already played professionally in the Basketball League of Serbia, the Adriatic League, and the EuroLeague. In the ABA (Adriatic League), Nikola Topic averaged 15 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 31% from 3. From the clips and highlights that I’ve seen of him, I see a lot of Tony Parker in his game. Topic is taller than Tony Parker was, but the Serbian looks very much like the former Spur great when on drives. Maybe I’m seeing things but Topic’s handle or dribbling style seems to be quick, loose, and almost forward-like much like Tony Parker.
Alex Sarr, C, France
Alexandre Dam Sarr is from Bordeaux, France. The region is famous for its specific Bordeaux red wine. Alex Sarr is a 19-year-old center who stands 7’1” and only 224 lbs. As a teenager, Sarr has experience with Real Madrid, the Overtime Elite program in the US, and is currently in the Australian National Basketball League. During the ‘23 NBL season, Sarr averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. So far in the ‘24 NBL season, Sarr has slightly improved those averages to 11 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. Sarr appears to have the ability to attack on offensive drives and a good mid-range jump shot. In the NBA, he will need to add on some weight, but his size and coordination make him an intriguing prospect. I’m thinking like a Serge Ibaka type.
Zaccharie Risacher, SG, Spain
Zaccharie Risacher is from Málaga, Spain, which is one of the oldest cities in the world being that it was founded by the Phoenicians in 770 BC. His family is French but he was born there because his dad was playing professionally in the Spanish League. After growing up in Spain, Zac Risacher moved to Lyon, France, where he would then play for the French under-21 league. The 19-year-old now plays in the EuroLeague where this past season he averaged 13.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 57% from beyond the arc. The wing player is measured to be around 6’9” with a long wingspan. After watching 15 minutes of Euro League highlights I’m seeing some Latrell Sprewell in his game.
Tidjane Salaun, PF, France
Tidjane Salaun is from Paris, France. The 6’10” power forward is only 18 years old but has played professional basketball in Europe since ‘21. He currently plays in the Top French BBall League called the LNB Pro A for the Cholet Baskets. In his past season, he averaged 9.53 points, 3.84 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 32% from 3. Tidjane Salaun gives me young Keith Van Horn vibes.
Matas Buzelis, SF, G-League
