Why I Love College Football More

There are a multitude of reasons why I look forward to college football season more than I do the NFL season now.

Seeing certain players sprouting up on a program’s roster or depth chart is one of them. It always excites me because there was a time when a lot of them would either ask me for a story or get any kind of help on the recruiting trail, with me emerging as a part-time guidance counselor.

I was basically a part of the village that raised that aspiring player; a village I happen to enjoy living in to this day.

I love looking at rosters in the Pac-12, Mountain West, Big Sky, the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Division II, DIII and NAIA realm…because I always find a player I once highlighted or once helped push out considering his circumstances. Seeing his name emblazoned on a team’s roster or depth chart for the upcoming game gives me chills with knowing his journey on how he got there and watching what his biggest supporters went through to get him to a four-year institution.

I was never alone with promoting a name out. There were coaches and family members who went on this trek with them. Also, I always believe that my role is as small as an ant. But I’m reminded by others how important my role really is.

Don’t give me wrong, I’ll be among the millions of Americans who will be glued to their televisions once the NFL season starts up. I’ll be watching for the past Fresno State greats and former Passing Down alums – including recent first round pick Jared Goff - who are on an NFL roster this upcoming season. I’ll especially say “Keep Pounding” when I cheer on my beloved Carolina Panthers starting on Sept. 8, who happen to have former PD alum Shaq Thompson at one of the linebacker spots.

But I’ll especially pay close attention to schools like Washington, Washington State, Oregon State, Boise State, Idaho, Nevada, UNLV, my alma mater Fresno State, Sacramento State, UC Davis, San Jose State, USC (Fight On!), Arizona, Arizona State, Wyoming, Air Force, Colorado State, Cal, Louisville, Wake Forest and many others this fall. Because those aforementioned teams have that one guy who had a village rally behind them to help with their ascension, a village I was gladly a part of.