We Can’t Explain It, but There’s No Question at This Point Let’s go ahead and say it:  2010 is “College Upset Year.”  We’ve noted it in two previous T*W*I*S pieces, but it continues to happen week after week.  It’s to the point where we have to recognize it for what it is.  In practically every … Read more

Oklahoma QB and former NSR prospect Landry Jones cemented his position as one of the Sooner’s all-time great signal callers on Saturday.  Landry took to the air in record fashion in a 43 to 10 mauling of the Colorado Buffaloes in Norman.  Throwing for a career-high 453 yards and four touchdowns, Landry’s total was the second-best … Read more

“Athletic Character” Puts Many Prospects Over the Top Ask college coaches this: “Would you prefer a kid with talent lacking in desire over a less talented one with an all-or-nothing approach?”  Almost every coach will opt for the kid who will practice and play hard every time they put on the uniform.  Talented prospects that don’t seem to be invested … Read more

West Virginia Star Tennis Player Shares Her Journey Dave Johnson, NSR’s Northeast Florida Area Director, immediately saw the extraordinary promise in Ashley Pilsbury.   A tennis “lifer,” Ashley came by her talent honestly.  Her dad, Eliot, was an accomplished tennis pro, at one point being ranked No. 22 in world singles.  Later, in what would eventually become an indelible influence on … Read more

Young Athletes Get More than W’s and L’s from Leading a Sports-related Life Let’s not forget where we were or where we could be.  Instead, let’s relish where we are.  There are a lot of options and distractions out there for kids and parents in this the fast-moving, Digital Age.  Yet, chances are that if … Read more

Shot in the Dark Was Literally That on Fourth Play-0ff Hole How we love cool endings and this is one deserving of our weekly award for what’s good in sports.  This time we head out to the Nevada desert and TPC Summerlin to find our TWIS recipient.  We would say it’s Jonathan Byrd’s lucky day, but … Read more

Jones’ 300+ Yard-Game Fails to Lift Sooners in 36-27 Loss Being rated #1 is turning out to be more of a curse than a compliment.  For the third consecutive week, the nation’s top-ranked FBS program was shut down by an underdog.  This time it was Missouri’s turn to spoil (and revel in) the day as … Read more

Improvements Are Possible if the NCAA Gets Out of Its Own Way It’s been about a month since newly appointed NCAA president Mark Emmert moved into his Indianapolis digs, but we haven’t heard a lot from Mark.  Good for him.  Let’s hope he’s hold up in the NCAA confines trying to get a grip on what … Read more

Espinoza is the Recruiting Coach for a Half Dozen  Brownwood Kids We love it when a plan comes together.  In this case, all the stars came into alignment for NSR’s Jason Espinoza (left), one of the company’s top licensees and scouts who covers the Heart of Texas territory.  NSR clients love Jason for good reason – … Read more