Mock Draft Monday 7/1 '24
Connect
Connect
- Building A Board ‘25
- Local Hoops & Puck Draft Picks
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune on this Mock Draft Monday is Connect by Drake. It’s the 9th track off Nothing Was The Same and we’re doing Drake songs in chronological order. That’s really the only connection with Connect.
Drake told Elliott Wilson in an interview that, “I had to get a baseball announcer into the re-cut the sample for Connect. He was in to jazz and all this other music and not really rap. He listened to the song and was like ‘Man, I don’t even know what genre to classify this as.’ To hear something like that reminded me I’m on the right path, this is good.”
Sidenote: There is only one Revere to ever play baseball in the MLB and that would be Ben Revere. Slap hitter who hit a career .284 for the Twins and Phillies around the time of this tune. 2 years after this song came out, Ben Revere made a great catch in the Game 6 of the ALCS for the Toronto Blue Jays, but he was in LF.
Kenza Samir, @kenzanotkendra, is a poet from Toronto. She recalled, "When I texted him, 'Isn't it amazing, how you talk all that s--- and still we lack communication,' he was like, 'Are you talking to me about me right now or is that for the song?’” Pretty funny, Kenza Samir has also collabortated with Drake for a book called Titles Ruin Everything.
(Source: SongFacts)
My only connection with this song is that half my shots in golf during the Rooster Cup over the weekend were eyes closed just swangin’.
Swangin’ here is a Houston, Texas, reference which plays because the song samples Swang by Trae, a rapper from H-Town. Apparently swangas Houston’s take on the lowrider. They’ll drive back and forth slowly in their car almost like a parade. To Connect this together, Drake uses a bit about baseball’s swinging for the fences, texts from a Toronto poet, and a Houston sample to make a song about a failed relationship.
On to the future of sports….
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.
Emery Jones, OT, LSU
Emery Jones is from Baton Rogue, Louisiana, where he went to Catholic Prep High School and won 2 state titles. Highly recruited out of high school, Jones decided to play for his home program with the LSU Tigers. During his true freshman season in ‘22, Emery Jones played RT opposite of Will Campbell. It was the first time in LSU history that both their starting offensive tackles were true freshman and worked for the Tigers as they went 9-2 in their year of development. Emery Jones was recognized with True Freshman All-American by ESPN for his ‘22 season. He returned his sophomore season in ‘23 for 12 more starts and more recognition. Jones was named 2nd Team All-SEC and LSU was selected as a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the nation’s top offensive line unit. The LSU Tiger Coaches also voted the 6’6” and 322 lbs. tackle as the team’s Offensive Lineman of the Year. LSU HC Brian Kelly stated of Jones, “He makes good choices, good decisions. He is never late to anything. He is reliable. This is a guy that we can count on. He is so reliable and that goes to his background, his family, and his high school. He is exceptional.”
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Blake Miller is from Strongsville, Ohio, where he was a 3-year starter on the Strongville High School football team. Miller didn’t allow offensive sack in either his junior and senior season, plus never missed a snap his senior season while playing both ways. In ‘22 as a freshman at Clemson, the Ohio Man was an All-ACC 2nd Team Selection and was named ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year by CFB Network. Miller started in all 14 games as a freshman and his 989 snaps that season are good for 4th in program history. The 6’6” and 310 lbs. RT returned his sophomore season with the same hard-nosed attitude making 13 starts while playing another 960 snaps. Miller plays with the type of attitude that’s perfect for the right side. Clemson HC Dabo Swinney said of Miller, "He's a giant. He's one of the strongest guys on the team.”
Nazir Stackhouse, DT, Georgia
Nazir Stackhouse is from Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he was a 4 star prospect who decided to stay in his home state for college. As a freshman in ‘20, Stackhouse only saw limited action in 6 of the Bulldogs’ 10 COVID Season games. In ‘21 as a sophomore, Stackhouse was again a reserve defensive lineman but his playing time increased as he picked up his first collegiate sack. After his first 2 seasons as a backup, Nazier Stackhouse was inserted into the Georgia starting lineup in ‘22. In 15 starts in ‘22, Stackhouse had 33 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and during the SEC Championship blocked a FG that was returned for a TD. As a senior in ‘23, the 6’3” and 320 lbs. defensive tackle had a career-high 2 sacks and even picked off his first career interception. While I don’t think he’ll be matchup up with WRs, it proves he has a set stacked wheels can nearly take it to the house. When asked about the near pick-6, Stackhouse told reporters, “I wanted to bat the ball and he threw it right into my hands… A dream come true for a defensive lineman.”
Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
Drew Shelton is from Downingtown, Pennsylvannia, just west of Philly. Growing up during the summer, Shelton worked at the youth summer camps at Dowingtown West and was also a member of the Student-Athlete Leadership Council. The consensus #3 offensive lineman recruit from Penn decided to stay in his home state with the Nittany Lions. As a true freshman in ‘22, Shelton made 5 starts at LT including one in the Rose Bowl against Utah. Shelton’s key block set the stage for Nicholas Singleton’s 87-yard TD run GIF’d above. In ‘23 as a sophomore, Shelton reverted back to the bench behind Olu Fashanu as the backup blindside blocker. The Jets ‘24 1st Round pick spoke very highly of Shelton’s potential, “If everything goes right, he should be a lot better than I ever was.” The ‘23 Academic All-Big Ten honoree has a goal to play in the NFL and use his platform to create an organization to provide opportunities in sports for underprivileged kids.
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Kenneth Grant is from Merrillvile, Indiana, where he played on both sides of the line as a high school senior. Aside from starting 4 seasons at Merrillvile High School, Grant also lettered in track and field as he was a good shot put thrower. As a freshman in ‘22 at Michigan, Kenneth Grant saw limited action in 14 games. He returned his sophomore season and saw much more playing time, including 5 starts in 15 games played. Grant earned 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors as he compiled 29 tackles, 5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 7 pass deflections, and an interception. At 6’3” and 339 lbs., Kenneth Grant has the the quick twitch and strength to be an elite pass rusher from the interior. With even more opportunity in playing time on the horizon, Grant’s draft stock will continue to rise.
NY Local Hoops & Puck Drafts
The Knicks, Devils, Islanders, and Rangers each made draft selections last weekend, here they are…
Pacôme Dadiet, SG, France
Pacôme Dadiet is from Aubagne, France, and was selected by the New York Knicks in the 1st Round with the 25th Pick. I’m going to have trouble pronouncing his name so from here on out in New York he’s Pac Dad. The now 18 year old doesn’t turn 19 until the end of July. He started playing professional basketball in ‘21 when he was just 16 years old. After 1 season in Paris, Dadiet switched the German Professional League where he played 15 minutes a game and average 6.4 points per game while shooting 36% from 3 this past season. Pac Dad has a ton of boom or bust potential, but already as an NBA body at 6’8”. He seems to already have a nice pull up jumpshot game and is fearless of defenders in his face, a good sign for a young player. Pac Dad will likely be a developmental piece that the Knicks focus on at practice or possible even in the G-League to make sure he learns.
Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette
Tyler Kolek is from Cumberland, Rhode Island, and was selected in the 2nd Round of the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. The lefty PG originally started his collegiate career with George Mason, winning the A-10 Rookie of the Year in ‘21, before transferring to Marquette. In his 3 seasons as a Golden Eagle, Kolek steadily improved among the Big East competition. This past season was Kolek’s best as he was named a 2nd-Team All-American and a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award (best college PG). Kolek led all the land with 7.7 assists per game while also averaging 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals. The 6’3” PG is not only an excellent decision maker as a passer but can also hit from beyond the arc as 39.5% 3-point shooter the past 2 season. Tyler Kolek will come off the bench to back up Jalen Brunson this upcoming season and should be able to contribute immediately.
Kevin McCullar Jr., SF, Kansas
Kevin McCullar Jr. is from San Antonio, Texas, and was selected by the NY Knicks in the 2nd Round. The 6’7” forward originally played for his home state at Texas Tech. In his first 3 seasons at Texas Tech, McCullar averaged 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. He transferred to Kansas in ‘22 and immediately made an impact for the Jayhawks as he was named to the Big 12 All Defensive Team. This past season was McCullar Jr.’s best offensively. He averaged a career-high 18.3 points and 4.1 assists per game. One thing on his game that McCullar Jr. will need to improve on is his 3-point shot (31% in college), but if he can get that down the long-wingspanned wing has a shot at being a solid 3-and-D player.
Ariel Hukporti, C, Germany
Ariel Hukporti was born in Stralsund, Germany, and was also selected in the 2nd Round by the NY Knicks with the last pick in the NBA Draft. While he is only 22 years old, Hukporti already has years of professional experience from his days playing in Germany and New Zealand. The 7-foot center last year averaged 8.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game for Melbourne United. Ariel Hukporti seems to have a solid baby hook shot, which I’m a fan of, need more of that post play in NBA.
Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (RUS)
Anton Silayev is an 18 year old Russian who the Devils selected with the 10th pick in the ‘24 NHL Draft. After getting picked by New Jersey, Silayev met Marshawn Lynch behind the scenes of the NHL Draft because of course Beast Mode is a massive fan of hockey and knows plenty of puck. The 6’7” defender has a wicked lefty slap shot. He was considered at Top 5 prospect but fell in the draft to 10 because of NHL teams are weighing risk/reward on Russian prospects. Russia has been barred from participating in international tournaments, so scouts are limited in the amount of live in-game action they see. One NHL exec told the AP, “It’s definitely more of a gamble at this time. You are at the mercy of their team over there.” Another NHL Cenrtal Scouting director, Dan Marr, mentioned, “It’s a tough situation and remember we’re still taking teenagers here. This is life’s adversity very front and center.” The Devils felt the risk was worth the reward.
Cole Eiserman, LW, USA U-18 (USHL)
Cole Eiserman is from Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was taken at 20 by the New York Islanders. The 17-year-old is 6’ and will be playing LW for Boston University this upcoming season. On Draft night, Eiserman was seen on FaceTime telling a friend the Isles have “the sickest colors” so he sounds elated. Eiserman won a gold medal for Team USA in the Under-18 Men’s World Championship in ‘23. In his last 2 seasons playing for the USA Hockey’s National Team Developmental Program, Cole Eiserman played in 119 games and sniped 127 goals. A high-upside pick for the boys out east.
EJ Emery, D, USA U-18 (USHL)
