Mock Draft Monday 6/17 '24
From Time
From Time
- Building A Board ‘25
- NBA Draft ‘24
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s Drake tune on this Mock Draft Monday is From Time. It’s the 7th track off the album Nothing Was The Same.
The chorus to this song is sung by Jhené Aiko. The LA native opened on for Drake on his Would You Like a Tour? ‘13. She would also make an appearance to perform this song on Saturday Night Live one of the times Drake hosted SNL.
Drake is appreictiave of Aiko’s direct messaging.
Way back before the worldwide stardom and his days in music, Drake was at one point on Teen Nick’s Welcome to My Crib. There was a cool scene where he is in his basement and shows them notebook full of lyrics. “I do music. These are full from front to back. Just songs, pages and pages of lyrics and ideas. Something that I’ll probably never use cause they’re old but I like to keep around for nostalgia purposes.”
These lines fit in quite well with Father’s Day. His dad, Dennis, was also a talented musician from Memphis. Dennis is half-brothers with Larry Graham, the member of Sly and the Family Stone. Music was in their family.
I’m still dealing with my own 2 day hangover from drinking with my parents Satuday night. I didn’t have a Corona, my mom had those. My dad and I tried these spiked Dunkin’ Coffees. I think that’s why still banged up. The funny thing is, no females came up, but reefer did happen to come up in conversation because my dad was playing Bob Marley.
The other part that’s oddly well-timed with this 1st Verse is that today’s my mudder’s birthday. She is NOT 66, but a 70s child. I always try to ask her for her age but I don’t think she’s great at math. Yesterday when I saw my grandma, she wished her a Happy 45th! I don’t know fellas, I think the ladies have their own math.
Happy Birthday, Mom!!
I wonder if these were rap lyrics from the notebook from the basement?
Aiko has a great voice and fits perfect with this song.
Porscha is an actress and one of Drake’s exes from Texas. Wonder if she is the one he references about in all my exes live in Texas like I’m George Strait line from HYFR. They must’ve dated at a time Drake still needed is mom’s debit card.
Trey Songz was a pretty big R&B artist right before Drake. He took the negative feedback and used it for fuel.
Bria is another one of Drake’s exes. He had a Bria’s Interlude on his mixtape So Far Gone from ‘09. The songs could be landmarks, but he also uses associates the buildings or places of the women that inspired his music at a time when I guess they took him sincerely; whereas now they must not believe him without proof.
Courtney from Hooters must be another ex. There’s a Hooters on Peachtree Road and a Ritz Carlton in Atlanta.
Ends both verses with the same lines that I wonder if he got from the notebook from the basement. The piano, Aiko’s soft chorus, and Drake’s quality lyrics had this song land #56 in the UK and #67 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This probably should’ve been a much bigger hit, but lands as one of Drake’s timeless tunes.
Listeners didn’t know it at the time but the outro to this song come Drake’s former security guard Baka Not Nice. It serves as a hint at his song Know Yourself which wouldn’t come out until his next album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late in the winter of ‘15.
On to the sports stars of tomorrow….
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.
Last week’s Worst Behavior sure drew some eyeballs from the college ballers. Technically it helped Week to Week Notes invade King James’ Castle as Bronny James checked out the Mock Draft Monday. In case you’re wondering, this definitely helps LeBron’s legacy.
Princely Umanmielen, Edge, Ole Miss
Princely Umanmielen is from Manor, Texas. The junior pass rusher has actually been with Florida since ‘20 but was granted that COVID extra year of eligibility thing by the NCAA. That ‘20 season, Umanmielen got off to a nice start to his career, recording 2 sacks in 6 games. His ‘21 season at Florida was a bit more inconsistent as he ended up with 1.5 sacks in 13 games. During his 3rd season with the Gators in ‘22, Umanmielen became a starter and with more consistent playing time improved to 4.5 sacks along with 9.5 tackles for loss. In ‘23, the 6’5” and 255 pass rusher had his best season yet, leading the Gators in tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (7), QB hurries (17), and tackles (39). For his play in ‘23, Princely Umanmielen was named 2nd Team All-SEC on the field while also being named SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll the past 3 seasons off of it.
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Tyler Booker is from New Haven, Connecticut, however, for high school he attended IMG Academy down in Florida. Ranked a 5-star OT and a consensus Top 10 recruit, Booker chose Alabama over the likes of Florida, Georgia, and The Ohio State Universtiy. As a freshman in ‘22, Booker played both guard positions for ‘Bama and was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team. The true freshman played 420 snaps, had 30 knockdown blocks, and allowed only one sack. As a sophomore in ‘23, Tyler Booker returned as the team’s starting LG. He was named 1st Team All-SEC by the AP. In his 12 starts in ‘23, Booker had 41 knockdown blocks and allowed 2.5 sacks. He was named to the OUtland Trophy Watch List, which goes to the top interior lineman of CFB. Entering the ‘24 College Football season, Tyler Booker has taken snaps at offensive tackle and may be in line to move on the outside of the offensive line. He told Roll Tide’s media, “I’m willing to do whatever this team needs to win. If I have to play tackle, I’ll play tackle.” At 6’5” and 350 lbs, Tyler Booker has the size, strength, and versatility to play guard or tackle at the next level.
Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Josh Simmons is from San Diego, California. The 4-star prospect out of high school chose to stay close to home at San Diego State. He redshirted as a freshman in ‘21, before becoming the Aztecs’ starting right tackle in ‘22. He impressed enough that when he entered the transfer portal, The Ohio State University came knocking on the door. In ‘23 as a Buckeye, Josh Simmons started at LT for the Ohio State. The 6’5” and 310 lbs OT graded out as a 67.5 overall grade by PFF College as he earned a 71.9 grade in pass protection along with a 65.8 run block grade. Simmons believes that his ‘23 season was just the start as he told Buckeye reporters, "I think toward the back end, I started to figure it out." The talented tackle will be protecting the blindside of the Ohio State QB competition as Will Howard, Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, Julian Sayin and Air Noland all duke it out for the spot at QB1.
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Barrett Carter is from Suwanee, Georgia, where he was a highly-touted 5-star athlete. As a freshman in ‘21, Barrett Carter became the first player in program history to rock the number Zero. While he only made 1 start as a freshman, Carter returned to the Tigers in ‘22 as a different player. As a sophomore, he earned 13 starts at linebacker, amassing 73 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 10 pass deflections, and 2 INTs. After his ‘22 All-Ameircan season, Dabo Swinney called Barrett Carter, “one of the best pure football players I’ve had in 20 years.” Swinney has coached a helluva lot of great football players so that’s telling. In ‘23, Barrett Carter was named All-ACC as he had 62 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 6 pass deflections, 1 INT, and 3.5 sacks. Carter is an extremely versatile linebacker who can be elite in pass coverage as well as pass rushing on blitzes. Barrett Carter had a decent chance of being a Day 1 or Day 2 Draft Pick in the ‘24 NFL Draft, so his return to Clemson will be substantial. Expect the leader of the Clemson defense to have a huge season in ‘24.
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
Danny Stutsman is from Windermere, Florida, and was a 4-star prospect out of high school. During his freshman season as a Sooner, Stutsman played in 10 games and finished with 38 tackles. As a sophomore Sooner in ‘22, Danny Stutsman took over as the team’s starting LB and he would be recognized with a All-Big 12 honorable mention. In ‘22, Stutsman led the Big 12 in tackles with 125, averaging out to 9.6 tackles per game. 10.5 of those tackles were for a loss, as Stutsman also had 3 sacks and 2 INTs. At a junior in ‘23, Danny Stutsman was named All-Big 12 1st Team. In 12 starts, the Florida man linebacker led the Sooners in tackles (104) and tackles for loss (16). He also registered 3 more sacks and another INT. Stutsman will need to improve in pass coverage (PFF graded 64.2), however, he is an elite run defender, and one of the most suretacklers in the ‘25 NFL Draft.
With the NBA Draft set for June 26th, this Monday will be the last 5 player profile. Next Monday will feature a full 1st Round Mock Draft the week of the ‘24 NBA Draft.
Ja'Kobe Walter, SG, Baylor
Ja’Kobe Walter is from McKinney, Texas, which is about 2 hours north of Baylor. Walter led his hometown high school to their first-ever state title as he was rated the #17 player of this freshman class according to ESPN. As a freshman at Baylor in ‘23, Walter was excellent as he averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and about a steal per game while shooting 34% from 3. Walter was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. The 6’5” guard has a 6’10” wingspan, which should help him vastly on defense and rebounding. Ja’Kobe Walter had a bit of a flair for the dramatic as a freshman, scoring 28 points in his debut and averaging 19.5 points per game in his 2 March Madness games last year.
Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
Kel'el Ware is fiom North Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was a ‘22 McDonald’s All-American. As a freshman, Ware started his collegiate career with the Oregon Ducks. In 35 games with the Ducks, Kel’el Ware averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game mostly coming off the bench. After his freshman season out west, Ware decided to transfer to Indiana last season. For the Hoosiers, Ware started 30 games and he led the team in scoring (15.9 points), rebounding (9.9 boards), blocked shots (1.9 per game), and field goal percentage (58.6%). Him and his fellow Big Ten big man, Zach Edey, were the only players of the conference to average over 15 points and 9 rebounds per game. Ware was named 2nd Team All-Big Ten as well as Big Ten All-Defensive. Not only can the 7’1” big man catch lobs and put back dunks, Ware also proved he can shoot from deep as well, hitting on 43% from 3 as a Hoosier.
Isaiah Collier, PG, USC
Isaiah Collier is from Atlanta, Georgia. Collier was ranked as high as the #1 overall recruit to enter College Basketball last season season. In high school, he won the Georgia state title 3 years in a row while averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. In ‘23 he was named the Georgia Mr. Basketball and he was a co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American game. At USC, Isaiah Collier averaged 16.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. The freshman PG, showed the ability to finish fancy and create shots for himself as well as his teammates. If he can improve upon his 34% shooting from deep, Collier has a shot becoming an excellent starting PG in the NBA.
Ron Holland, SF, G-League
Ron Holland is from Dallas, Texas. He was a part of the High School Class of ‘23 and was a consensus 5-star McDonald’s All-American prospect. Rather than go to college for a season, Holland decided to join the NBA’s developmental league. The forward played for the G League’s Ignite. Holland averaged a team-high 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. It’ll be interesting to see how scouts view his 1 year in the G League instead of in College Hoops.
Devin Carter, PG, Providence
Devin Carter is from Miami, Florida. In high school, Carter attended Doral Academy where he averaged 28.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game as a senior. Out of high school, Carter’s first stop in college would be South Carolina. As a Gamecock in ‘22, Carter played in 30 games, averaged 9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. After his one season at SC, Devin Carter decided to transfer to Providence. As a sophomore in ‘23, Carter made 33 starts for the Friars and improved his numbers to 13 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Coming off a very solid season, Carter was able to improve once more in ‘24. In 33 more starts for the Friars, Devin Carter again improved to 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He also added 1.8 steals and a block per game on the defensive end, while shooting 38% from beyond the arc offensively. The 6’2” guard showed improvement after every season and was able to take on more responsibility on the offensive end, with more seasoning in the NBA, the ‘24 Big East Player of the Year has the potential to become a starting PG.
Johnny Furphy, SF, Kansas
