The Heisman Hopefuls Podcast
The Heisman Hopefuls Podcast, hosted by Heisman historian Chris Huston, features year round interviews with top Heisman contenders, insider stories from Heisman history, hard-hitting discussion of the latest college football news plus updates on the Heisman Trophy Trust’s charitable work. New episodes every Thursday. Follow @HeismanTrophy on all platforms and watch clips on YouTube and TikTok. Contact: pod@heisman.com
The Heisman Hopefuls Podcast
Season Finale: 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter
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It's a massive season finale for the pod as we dive head first into Heisman weekend with interviews from 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of Colorado, plus finalists Ashton Jeanty of Boise State, Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Cam Ward of Miami. We also catch up with 1995 Heisman winner Eddie George of Ohio State, who fills us in on his experience as head coach at Tennessee State and reflects on how theater acting is a lot like playing football. We close things out with John Kanaras, the owner of AxiaTime, the official time piece of the Heisman Trophy, who joins us to talk about his new partnership with the Heisman Trust, plus some thoughts on his exciting new Diasimos time piece from watch expert Jonathan V. Last.
The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.
Email us at pod@heisman.com for feedback and inquiries.
It is my honor to announce that the twenty twenty-four Heisman Award goes to Welcome to the official Heisman Trophy Placid.
SPEAKER_08Travis Hunter.
SPEAKER_12And there you have it, folks, the two thousand twenty-four Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter of Colorado, the sports world's most prestigious individual trophy, goes to an extremely talented and versatile player who played on both sides of the ball. The first time this had happened since the early 60s, Ernie Davis, the 1961 Heisman Trophy winner, to be exact. And he's the first player to win the Heisman while playing significant minutes on either side since Charles Woodson won the award in 1997 while primarily playing corner but while also playing wide receiver. And this is Colorado's second Heisman Trophy coming on the 30th anniversary of the late great Rashan Salam's win in 1994. The Heisman Weekend is a magnificent world win for the participants. And Travis Hunter, of course, after winning the Heisman, went out and had a great time in New York City. We caught up to him very briefly the next morning.
SPEAKER_14All right, Travis, can you give me a couple words to describe the celebration with your teammates last night?
SPEAKER_13Uh it was fun, you know, exciting. And, you know, we had a great time, you know, being able to have those guys come out here and uh they helped me get closer to my goals, they helped me achieve my goals, so it was definitely special.
SPEAKER_14How many guys you had last night?
SPEAKER_13Uh I don't I can't recall, but I know it was a great it was it was a good amount of my team. Any surprising faces you see last night? Uh no, not really, you know.
SPEAKER_14All the people that I was expecting to come came. Okay. Can you give me a few more words to describe the moment you heard your name announced last night? I saw you kind of pause, you put your head down in your hands, and you went to Dion and your family and everybody. What was it like?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, I was just thanking God, you know, being thankful uh you is always key, you know. My belief is strong, so I definitely was just being thankful to God first. When you think about last night when you're older, what do you think you'll reflect on? Uh it's just a great moment, you know, a milestone in my life, you know, it is always gonna be there.
SPEAKER_14I'm sure your f your phone has blown up to a ridiculous degree. Have you got congratulations from any unexpected uh places?
SPEAKER_13Nah, you know, a lot of all the people, you know, they reached out before that I have been talking to, so it's definitely not unexpected. All right.
SPEAKER_14What Heizen members have you really appreciated meeting so far this weekend?
SPEAKER_13Uh all of them. I can't I can't pick out any, you know, that that's kind of selfish. You know, I would I was excited to meet everybody and I'm excited for them, you know, accepting with open arms.
SPEAKER_14Okay, and then moving forward, are you excited to get back to work now with your team after after today?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, definitely excited to get back to work. You know, I got one more game to play in college, so I'm gonna make it the best game.
SPEAKER_12We've got a lot more great content from Heisman Weekend. All four of the finalists we talked to on Saturday. Also, 1995 Heisman Trophy winner from the Ohio State University, Eddie George, joined us. And then, did you know that the Heisman Trophy now has an official timepiece? John Canaris of Axia Time watches is going to come on the show and talk about this great new watch Heisman branded and presented to the four finalists on Friday night before the ceremony. We're gonna talk to him a little bit later. And then piggybacking on top of that is Jonathan V. Last, editor of the Bulwark, who is also a watch aficionado, who's gonna tell us briefly what makes a great watch. So we'll get to all of that after this brief message.
SPEAKER_10Hey guys, this is Barry Sanders, the 1988 Heisman Trophy winner, and you are listening to the official Heisman Trophy podcast.
SPEAKER_12Did you know that the Heisman Trophy Trust has donated more than $20 million to a huge variety of charity-based groups via its Heisman Trophy Fund for Youth Development? That's right. The fund has helped countless charitable organizations that use sports to engage underprivileged young people in educational activities. If you are part of an organization or know of one, that would like to apply for funding, visit Heisman.com and click on the charities link at the top of the site. So once again, we sat down with all four of the Heisman Trophy finalists on Saturday morning, the day of the Heisman Trophy ceremony, and here's what they had to say. Travis Hunter, University of Colorado, 2024 Heisman Trophy Finalist. Thanks for coming on the show.
SPEAKER_13Yes, sir. Thank you. Thought you were about to say winner for a second.
SPEAKER_12Almost. Uh not yet. Do you have your speech ready?
SPEAKER_13Uh no. Nope. Definitely don't have a speech ready. You know, you can wing it? Yeah, I'm gonna go off the top of the door.
SPEAKER_12You know, there's two philosophies. Some people have a little bit, and some people just go out there and uh, you know, in everyone's experience from what I've talked to with the Heisman winners, you know, you kind of have your plan, you go up there, and then that moment happens.
SPEAKER_13And then no plan. No plan.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, yeah. Are you a pretty emotional guy? Do you think you think you it might be tough to collect yourself?
SPEAKER_13No, I don't think it's gonna be tough to collect myself until after the fact, until everything is done.
SPEAKER_12So yeah, yeah. Um, anyway, so congratulations on being a finalist. What was it like finding out uh that you were gonna be coming here officially?
SPEAKER_13Uh, you know, it wasn't it wasn't it didn't feel real to me. You know, I just until I got on the flight to come here when it hit me.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. Uh, you know, for for the Heisman Trophy, uh for someone growing up playing football, is the Heisman Trophy something that looms out there as as a goal? Is that something that people think about playing football? Uh did you think about that growing up?
SPEAKER_13Uh not growing up. I can't say I can't see her online until you're like, oh yeah, I think I'm gonna go straight to college and go get be a Heisman finalist. I can't tell you that I I dreamed of it either. You know, I was just playing a video game with my cousin, you know, this recent moment. Well, not this recent moment, but like moments back then we out there chasing, trying to get the main trophy, which was the Heisman trophy on the video game. And now the seeing me here is like, oh dang, I actually might have did envision me going to get it. You know, we had creative players and stuff trying to make them the best on each team and trying to win that trophy. So going back and seeing that moment's like, oh, this whole time I'm doing that, you know, I'm gonna be the person sitting there trying to win the trophy.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. Going into this year, did you have this though as a goal for this year? Did you think you had a chance to do it if you could, you know, put production on both sides of the ball?
SPEAKER_13Uh I definitely thought I could have production, you know, going to get it, but I didn't have it on my main goal list, you know. I try to make my goals as simple so you know I can far reach them. So I I put it on there, I wanted 1,200 yards, so I feel short of that, but I wanted also 12 touchdowns, and I, you know, have I got 14 and I have 15 total touchdowns, but 14 receiving. You know, I wanted six interceptions, I ended up with four. Yeah. So, you know, I have my goals like that, and I I touch them every day. You know, still. I still touch them the seasons. You know, I have one more game, so I still have one more chance to, you know, reach that for the whole, you know, the whole season. But I definitely touched my goal sheet every day. I didn't have the Hodgman trophy for winner on there, and I didn't have no personal awards, so I just wanted my team to win.
SPEAKER_12Right. One thing I'm really curious about is playing the two positions you play, uh cornerback, you're backpedaling, receiver, you're going forward. What kind of stress is that on your on your legs and your and your muscle memory? Like how how did you develop that ability to adjust? Because I I used to know these track guys and they'd run track and then they play corner, and it was such a huge adjustment to sprinting forward, to backpedaling. A lot of times it would just be a lot of tear on the knees and on the on everything.
SPEAKER_13I do a lot, I do a lot of recovery. You know, the recovery helped me out a lot. You know, I go to the training room, get treatment, you know, and then I go do my stuff outside of the training room and treatment. You know, it takes time, but you gotta be invested into it, and you gotta be willing to get to your next goal. So you gotta accomplish everything that's in your way, you gotta face everything that's in your way, face adversity. Sometimes I do get a little nicks and tears, but you know, I still fight through it.
SPEAKER_12If you had to choose one, like if the NFL said you gotta play one, which one would you rather play?
SPEAKER_13Whichever one helps the team.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. Um, so you've had a remarkable season. What what is what is like the one moment in the year that really stands out for you?
SPEAKER_13Uh the baylor game, you know, me forcing that formula, you know, it's a key factor in my uh in my career and in my life.
SPEAKER_12You started uh you have your own podcast, you do on YouTube. Yes, sir. How did all that start come about? When when did you guys come up with that idea of doing something?
SPEAKER_13Uh you know, I I played a video game already, so it's like, why not I just go ahead and start a screen and let people see what I do already? I do it for free. Why not get paid to do it? So I definitely started Twitch and started doing that, and then YouTube, like everybody wanna see what I'm doing outside of, you know, outside of football, but as well on the football field and like what I do leading up to the game. So I was like, okay, let me start my YouTube, let me do that for YouTube. And it just took off from there.
SPEAKER_12Uh, what's your experience been like in New York City since you've arrived? What did you uh what was it like meeting all those Heisman uh winners last night at the uh welcome ceremony and uh going out with Holly to various spots in the city? What's it what's it been like?
SPEAKER_13It's been very good. You know, I got to meet a lot of people that I never thought I'd meet in my life once again because I didn't think I'll be here. You know, just working working hard, it got me here, so I didn't think I'll be here. But yeah, it's it's been it's been good. You know, the moment in New York is cold, so I can't really tell you how I feel about that. It's freezing outside, but it it looks nice at night. You know, I went out to a food truck last night, got me something to eat, so definitely trying to trying to take in the whole moment.
SPEAKER_12Do you have a plan if you do win tonight? Uh you guys gonna paint the town red? Where are you gonna go out somewhere? And you got some plans and plans?
SPEAKER_13Uh well, so I have a couple of my teammates coming in, so I put them on a plane so they can come in and celebrate with me. So I'm gonna go over there and you know celebrate with the guys.
SPEAKER_12Uh you're engaged. Uh you're gonna be married in May. Is that still is that still on?
SPEAKER_13Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_12How's that how's that planning go? Where are you guys where you guys gonna get married?
SPEAKER_13We're far too ahead. We already, you know, we have nothing to do right now but go go look at the venue and check out the space that we're using.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, you gotta have a big wedding?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, gonna be a big wedding. Like I said, I was very blessed to have you know coaches in my life and and players, you know, a brotherhood that I've been able to build over the years, so I definitely gotta invite all the guys.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. What did you learn from uh your coach, Coach Sanders, about playing playing the position you play at least on the defensive side of the ball?
SPEAKER_13Uh I learned a lot, but I can't tell you one particular detail that he has told me. You know, just going out there working, you know, you don't want to let him down. So everything that he tells you it sticks with you. So you know, he watches us warm up every every day. He always tells us stay low. Yeah. You know, you know, it's stuff like that that that stays with you. It's like it's a part of the muscle memory. Because once you look, you already know what he's gonna say. So you already do it before he even gets it out.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. After you finish your NFL career, it sounds like you could be uh someone who could go and do TV, all this stuff. You you already experienced, he probably experiences anybody, you know. Like you already you're asking questions of people. Actually, I'm curious about that. You know, being someone who interviews people, uh-huh, do you find it hard to come up with good questions?
SPEAKER_13No, I don't don't I don't find it hard. You know, I just like I say, you you got like notes and stuff. I don't need notes. I just go out there, not throwing no shade at you. But yeah, no, no. I don't need notes. I you know I can think of stuff on a fly on a row. I don't like when people show me the questions because I want to be able to be prepared and to answer the questions without looking at them.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, yeah. Yeah. You got a great watch last night from Axia Time. What was that like just coming in and and having this cool bit of swag that kind of commemorates your weekend?
SPEAKER_13Uh it's nice. I'm never gonna wear it just because I want to put it on, you know. I want it all to be set up with the Heisman Trophy if I win it. And even if I don't win it, I still want it to be set up in a moment of what happened in my career my last year of college. So I'm thankful that they gave it to me. It's another, you know, another thing to add to the pal.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, put up on the on the mantle with all the other trophies and stuff.
SPEAKER_13Had the the jerseys and all the swag that I wear here, everything in the background in my game room.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, yeah. Uh, Alamo Bowl, BYU in two weeks. What's preparation gonna be like uh for that? You guys have a little bit of layoff here. What what's what's the attitude of the team going going into that?
SPEAKER_13Win. That's our attitude is the win to play Colorado football, but you know, preparation haven't been, you know, just next week would be two weeks away. Now I it's been preparation since we knew that we was gonna play in a bowl game. So we've been you know, most of the guys, you know, I could say been working and ready to go play.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, yeah. You ready to get back and uh get back to work?
SPEAKER_13Yeah, I've been ready. I mean, get back to work. I've been working the whole time.
SPEAKER_12So that's true. Well, Travis Hunter, thanks so much for coming on the official Heisman Trophy podcast. Good luck tonight. Yes, sir. Savor it, enjoy it, and uh good luck in the future.
SPEAKER_13Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you.
SPEAKER_12All right, we're here with Ashton Genty, 2024, Heisman Trophy finalist. Congratulations, Ashton, on uh making it to New York.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_12I remember uh you were on, I think, the third week of the season. Um we had you on the show. It's great to have you back. I remember you said that you had a bet that if you got 2,000 yards, you had to cut off your dreads. Are you uh when are you gonna do that? Have you set the appointment yet?
SPEAKER_03Well, so it's been a little while, but um really right after that, we had switched the bet around. Oh so I switched it you know in my favor because I knew I was gonna rush for 2,000. Yeah. So I was like, if I don't rush for 2,000, then I gotta cut my locks off. So that's why I still got them on right now.
SPEAKER_12Well, it's kind of like Samson, right? You got it's like your source of your strength.
SPEAKER_03Gotta keep them, man.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, yeah. So uh what's the experience been like coming to New York? I know you're getting asked a million questions, it's probably a whirlwind, but in your quiet times, have you sat back and just reflected on everything?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, it's been a great experience. Um, you know, especially for my family to be here and you know, just taking the whole moment with me. It's it's been amazing. Obviously, a lot going on, a lot of interviews, a lot of everything, but you know, that's kind of how my life is on the regular.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um, but I'm able to appreciate um being here. Um I've I've been here a few different times, but you know, this is a real special moment. This time it, you know, it hits different. Yeah. Um, but it's just been great. So, you know, in my free time, I've definitely just you know thought about the whole experience and just been so thankful that I'm here.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. What's what's some of the highlights so far uh on this uh it's only been one night so far, but but what'd you guys do last night?
SPEAKER_03Um I'm trying to remember we did so much. Uh or last night, yeah, we had um, you know, dinner kind of the welcome um party, I guess you could say.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, welcome reception.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, welcome reception. So um meeting all the former um Heisman winners, um, you know, meeting Tim Tebow, um Archie Griffin, you know, um Eddie George, you know, all those different guys, and you know, getting to actually talk to them and um get to know them more on a personal level, I think that's been the coolest part.
SPEAKER_12Were were the running backs especially eager to meet you? I know Archie, I talked to him last week and he was definitely excited about you because he's smaller back like you, and and uh he was just really talking you up when I talked to him.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, um they were definitely excited um to meet and and talk. And um me personally, I wanted to meet with all the the running backs that I could um just because there hasn't been very many many of us here, um, let alone to win.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. You're the only player here who is at his original school. And one thing I've noticed is you you've been you haven't been shy about wearing your Boise State gear. You came in yesterday and you had your your Boise State sweats on. Uh what's it mean for just uh the school and the community? There has been a previous Heisman finalist and Kellen Moore. And uh, you know, you're right here. And uh what what's it mean for for you and the school?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I think it means a lot. Um especially, I mean, just in the you know, the way college football is right now, um, you know, a lot of players, no nothing against the other finalists, because you know, everybody's story, everybody's path is different. Um, but you know, uh for especially for me, uh everybody who was in, you know, a lot of people who were in my position, you know, if they were actually in that, you know, they would have left and you know, took the money back, you know, bigger school, sure, you know, all all that type hype. Yeah. But, you know, f for me to stay, and obviously outside looking in, a lot of people are like, what? Like, why did he why would he do that? You know, um, but this is exactly why I stayed. Um, you know, to help bring Boise State back to where it used to be, put Boise State back on the map. I mean, obviously, it's been a little bit, you know, of time since Boise State's been, you know, dominant like this. Sure. Um, and really when they were, um, you know, it wasn't as much, you know, media and attention on them, you know. So to be the guy um in this era to help them do that, um, I think it's just a blessing. And um obviously I'm gonna rep my school because, you know, they're the ones who believed in me and you know gave me an opportunity, and that's why I'm here today.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, one thing I wondered about like this era is where where do you like if you're one of the other players you've been to three schools, like 30 years from now, which reunion are you going to?
SPEAKER_03I I feel like you just gotta go to the school you've uh um ended your career off at, I guess. I don't I don't even know, honestly.
SPEAKER_12Well you probably won't have to uh buy a meal in in Boise State in Boise again uh the rest of your life, that's for sure. Uh do you have your uh you have your speech ready for for tonight?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, um I do have it ready. I was actually uh practicing it last night.
SPEAKER_12Oh yeah, nice. Or uh what about your suit? Do you have a special suit for tonight?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, real special suit. Can't give away too many details. You know, y'all y'all see tonight.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, yeah. You uh one of the great bits of swag that they they give out, uh you got a great watch uh from Axia Time. I got it right here. Dude, what did you think? Are you a watch guy when when you got this watch? Do you think uh this will be will be an heirloom for you and your family?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, um, I mean I didn't think about it quite like that um until you said it, but um I've gotten into watches more recently, you know, as I've gotten a little older, I guess you could say. Just turned 21, you know. So um yeah, I honestly, yeah, I could see it being something like that, you know, just because this is such a special moment. And, you know, um, you know, if one of my kids plays sports and you know, it's kind of time to pass the torch and you know, give them something, you know, special or something always to remember you by, I think it was a cool piece or um, you know, just something to have.
SPEAKER_12What was the most memorable moment of this season? It's been a special season, you almost 2,500 yards rushing, 29 29 rushing touchdowns, just one of the most dominant seasons for a running back uh in history. You like the second leading rusher in this nation was like 600 or 800 yards, like a ridiculous amount of yards behind you. You could have just like given him your extra yards and he, you know, still wouldn't have uh come close. So what's uh what was like the big moment for you this year?
SPEAKER_03Um winning the conference championship. Um because that was like, you know, it it was everything we you know we wanted. I mean, all the work we put in during the season, um and then obviously you know, the getting the college football playoffs, that was probably one of the biggest games in Boise State history. Yeah. Um, you know, so to go out there and dominate like we did, um, the energy um in the stadium, it was crazy. Um and then, you know, the fans rushing the field after the game, um, it was it was crazy, man. It was it was amazing.
SPEAKER_12Uh you have uh the winner of SMU and Penn State coming up in the Fiesta Bowl uh in a couple weeks. Uh uh if you had your uh your choice, uh do you care who you play or is it affecting how you guys are preparing?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, uh we're preparing for both teams, um, because that's just the best thing to do. Um but honestly, we don't we don't care we play, you know. Coach D says it all the time, put the ball down. So whoever you know wins and you know plays us, we're ready for them.
SPEAKER_12And if you win the Heisman Trophy, uh uh what do you uh what do you plan on doing afterwards?
SPEAKER_03Are you just gonna go paint the town red or or uh Yeah, I've I've heard there's you know there's a lot of crazy stories of after people win the Heisman, but yeah um So I already got it planned if if I win, me and my family, even whether I win or not, we're gonna go out and celebrate. Um so my family's Haitian, so there's a very nice Haitian restaurant, and you know they're gonna keep it um open late for us, you know, eat some food, play some music, you know what I'm saying, enjoy the night, and then you know I gotta go around Times Square for a little bit, you know, just take it all in, you know.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, what's the uh what's like the typical Haitian meal? Like what's like the great Haitian meal that you would that people eat when it's Haitian?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. So um it would be rice and beans, um, fried plankton, we call it bonumpeze, um, and then grill, which is just um fried fried pork.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. Do you speak any uh any French or the the ver Haitian French at all?
SPEAKER_03Um not too much. You know, I've actually been trying to learn it, um, obviously 'cause I was born in the US, but you know, I got a lot of family members who speak it fluently, so I've made it a goal of mine um to learn it um real soon. So whenever I go back over there, you know, I can speak it fluently. That's awesome. Yeah, I don't know. I only know a few words.
SPEAKER_12Right, right. Cool. Just like uh you only have a little bit of Italian left from your time and then.
SPEAKER_03Just a little bit, you know. A little bit.
SPEAKER_12Very good. Well, Ash and Genty, congratulations on a remarkable season. Uh thanks for coming on the show again and have a great time tonight. Just soak it up. Have the best, you know, just try to take it all in, and and it's something you're gonna remember forever for sure.
SPEAKER_03Sure. Thank you so much. Thank you.
SPEAKER_12Dylan Gabriel, University of Oregon. Welcome to the official Heisman Trophy Podcast.
SPEAKER_04Thank you so much. This is gonna be fun.
SPEAKER_12Congratulations on being named a Heisman finalist. What was it like finding out that you were one of the four finalists coming to New York City?
SPEAKER_04Yeah, I found out in the car uh in Vegas at the Campbell uh award show, and uh you know it was a big smile on my face knowing that uh I'm representing a a bunch of great guys and um the year we've had thus far. So uh it was special and it it's a special time, so I don't take it lightly, and you know, the connections you can make and the the people you meet um along the way is is special.
SPEAKER_12Was that something you had as a goal in mind getting to New York at least during during uh before the season started?
SPEAKER_04It wasn't necessarily a goal because uh you know my goals I I think were built a little a little differently, but knowing you know, if I accomplish my goals and and do it the right way, you know, you'll sit right where you need to be. And um, I was confident in that and you know, you look, uh I was focused on winning, and yeah, I'm right where I I I should be. So um I think more importantly, you just appreciate you know the journey and not what you get from it, but who you become and and how it sets you up for the future.
SPEAKER_12Uh you haven't been in Eugene that long. How has it been living in Oregon versus living in Norman and Orlando?
SPEAKER_04Super different. You know, I think Orlando was most alike, Hawaii and the tropical. That's why I think as a high school, I I definitely picked there, at least it was a part of why I picked there. And then, you know, I think in Oklahoma, um, gosh, that thing can go from 80 to 20 degrees within uh, you know, a short amount of time. So uh that weather was probably like the the most culture shock. And then when I got to Eugene, it's just like always pretty consistent. Yeah, it's like in that 40, 60 range. Right. There may be some drizzle in the winters and spring, but uh summers are beautiful. So uh you you appreciate uh all the differences, but I do miss that warm, sunny days.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, what about the fan bases? You know, very you know, all kind of uh uh pretty uh intense in their own ways. Uh what's what are the differences in the in those three fan bases?
SPEAKER_04I would say UCF and Oregon are the most similar in terms of you know used to innovation. Um innovation's kind of the culture. Um so new things excite them, yeah, and and fans love you know football. So I I would say those two are pretty similar. And I think Oklahoma was interesting, you know, it was like historic and the history is what you know people so pride themselves on, and um you know it it is a little uh old school in that sense, but um great people as well, but definitely you know, two different environments, I would say.
SPEAKER_12Sure. I heard you talking to Cam Ward when you when uh in the reception l yesterday, you were talking about the Big 12 and their styles. I wanted to ask you about like you've been you were in the AAC, Big 12, now the Big Ten, but like but Oregon is always you know is formerly a Pac-12 team and and it's always been like you talked about innovative and offense, uh, and you know, you're you're was uh Scott Frost wasn't your coach, but but hypo was and you kind of took over the same kind of style which you know Frost had at Oregon, so there's a connection there. What was the difference like like in the uh just the the offensive schemes that you uh that you took part in and that you saw, you know, in those two in the three conferences?
SPEAKER_04Yeah, I'll say in in the AAC and the Big 12, I I think I've truly been around the most creative coaches, and that's playing with or playing against. Yeah, um, and that's offensively and defensively. So um and and that's because they've had to evolve, right, with all these things that people are doing nowadays. But um I would say that was definitely you know creatively the most unique you know schemes I've been around and seen. And I think the Big Ten was probably like the most NFL ready in terms of scheme and um you know thought process. So um thank goodness it's towards the back end so I can you know learn that and and grow in in that way. But um I think you take those experiences from when you're younger and you know how to conceptualize different concepts and how to uh you know think outside the box, which I I love because you know, a guy we watch, shout out Dan Casey, you know, he's always obsessed with these new schemes and the execution of it, and then um you know, people you know try to you know replicate certain plays or have their own little twists, which yeah, you know, makes it unique.
SPEAKER_12Oregon's one of the schools, there's a few other schools that that really rely on the portal a lot. And I'm curious, like from an opposite standpoint, um offenses generally need more time to grow together and uh as opposed to defenses where it's it's schemes a little bit easier to you know to to pick up, whereas offense is a little more complex, right? So when you have new guys uh in your offense, uh like say you got whatever five different new guys who've come from another school, is it hard to to to create that uh level of continuity and cohesion that you have with an offense? And does it take take like a process over the course of a year kind of thing?
SPEAKER_04That's why I believe football's been the way it's been. You know, it's it's tough. Yeah. You know, and defensive uh defensive players and defenses in general have been better because you know, there is a uh you know, disconnect on offense, and like it's true and it's a lot more evident now because of all the change.
SPEAKER_12There's been a drop in offensive production, hasn't there, last few years because of this?
SPEAKER_04And it's been so much more competitive. Yeah. You know, so I I think the best it's the you know, the combination of the best players playing at all levels. You know, so if that top program has good players behind, they're gonna go play somewhere right away. Right. So the best players are playing all across college football, and then two, there's a disconnect between players. Sure. You know, and and that's why if you fight for connection, you can have success. Right. Because and and it has to be at the forefront because now people are having uh 30, 40 player overhauls, and you know, you you have to make it your own. You know, each year's its own DNA, and how do you uh make that team your own? So I think coaches are having challenges with that. Definitely players, like right when I got to Oklahoma, we didn't have a great year.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_04And then that year two, you see a team that a lot of people came back. Right. So the continuities there, the you know, like the confidence in scheme, the familiarity with players, so there's a lot that goes with it. But more than anything, I think this is gonna just prepare us for the NFL.
SPEAKER_12For sure, yeah. It's because it's become more like the NFL in that regard, right? Yeah, I was always curious about how you seem to be have really thought about this whole thing, right? And I guess being at three different places, you've had to deal with like you probably have to, as the quarterback, you look to as a leader, so you've got to like get everybody together.
SPEAKER_04Personal self-scout, you know, how do you how do you get better from stop to stop? You know, how does my routine improve? Um, how do I become a better leader? Yeah, you know, because the leader I was in 2019 can't be the leader I am now in in 2024, and that's not just because of personal growth and evolution. It was a different sport back then. It is, it is completely different.
SPEAKER_12That's so fascinating. You came out of Milani, Hawaii. Only one other Heisman winner came out of Hawaii, Marcus Mariota, who's in his 10th anniversary here uh for the Heisman. He's not coming here this weekend because he's got got to play in the NFL. What kind of impact did him winning the Heisman have on guys like yourself playing in Hawaii, whether youth football or high school? Was it just a big thing?
SPEAKER_04Yeah, it's he he was definitely the trailblazer at the quarterback position. You know, I think we've as athletes, you know, had like Mantai, Divorce Bulkner, right? All these these players, and there's more I'm forgetting, but now when you see uh a quarterback just like you do it, you know, that's a direct impact to a quarterback and and more than just myself. He he motivated and inspired so many you know athletes because of how he did what he did, you know, and he was a great example of that. Um and that's more than just the sport of football. So uh we appreciate him, and I think at a young age I I look at him and see a guy who's took advantage of his opportunity, you know, and and born and raised in Hawaii, just like me, yeah, plays the quarterback position, went to Oregon. How special is it now? You know, I'm wearing the number eight, ten years later, playing at Oregon in Austin. Amazing um things that he used to watch. So as a kid, my heart's smiling. But um, you know, I've appreciated that this whole you know time for sure.
SPEAKER_12Have you been able to forge a r any kind of relationship with Marcus at all?
SPEAKER_04I have.
SPEAKER_12Well, you're about halfway through Heisen weekend, you had the Friday, and then now the Saturday coming up. It's kind of a whirlwind. You're getting asked a million questions, probably tired of answer answering a lot of them.
SPEAKER_04No, I love it. I love this part of it. Yeah. I love this part of it.
SPEAKER_12Well, that's great. Well, I I was hoping to ask you some stuff that a lot of people, you know, don't ask you about. Yeah, well, no, I've I think we've already done a lot of it. I think talking about the but I wanted to ask you, what's been the highlight so far?
SPEAKER_04Well, I'll say this, and and um I can keep it off the record because you know it's it's what we talked about. Um last night, you know, I shoot, I'm not shy. I'd hit up Camden. I'm like, hey bro, like, can we connect? Whatever. I'm like, have me on the pod, right? Fourth and one. Sure. We got lost in communication. He thought I had my own pod, and he anywho, we didn't end up having a podcast. But we sat there and I remember getting there at like ten or eleven, and and then I look up, I'm like, dang, I need to go to sleep. Yeah, you know, but we sat there for four or five hours just talking, and and you appreciate that because there's you know, he said it best, there's you know, when you're around him, there's questions that you don't even think you'd ask, and just being around him, you get to ask that. So um I appreciate that, and what a great conversation, what a great time to have, and um just a great human being. Yeah, and he's got so much knowledge that he wants to share, you know. But are you asking the right questions? And um yeah, we had a we had a blast.
SPEAKER_12Actually, one thing I do want to ask you is going to three schools so 30 years from now when you're doing your reunion, uh I mean you pop into all three of them, or are you how does that work?
SPEAKER_04No, nobody even said that, but gosh, that's a great question. I initially when I was at you know UCF, I'm like, mom, like and making the decision to transfer, I'm like, mom, I want to be able to bring my kids back. You know, I do and this is hypocritical a little bit, but I did want to stay at one spot, you know, and it'd be my home. And and but you know, I thought how cool is it now? I get to go to three different spots and all the connections and friends I have. It's like now I can take the wife and kids to you know, Orlando, Norman, yeah, and Eugene. We'll just make our way back.
SPEAKER_12Three different networks that you can draw from as well, right? 100%.
SPEAKER_04100%.
SPEAKER_12Um we got the ceremony coming up tonight. You're gonna be on live TV uh in front of millions. You're used to playing in front of millions with your helmet on, kind of you know, amongst your whole team, a little bit more anonymous, but now it's gonna be big spotlight, TV show. You're probably gonna have the rehearsal here in a little bit to go over there and figure out what you're gonna do. Uh are you nervous about tonight at all?
SPEAKER_04I'm built for it. You know, I'm uh I'm confident because of my preparation, who I am. You know, I when they when the lights come on, I'm I'm the same guy when the lights turn off. So I ain't gotta be anyone I'm not. And uh that gives me extreme confidence of embracing the moment, loving every second of it. And uh, you know, however this thing goes, I I'm I'm representing my team. Yeah, you know, and and that's with great honor. I love those guys and know how much time and effort we put into this thing. So uh I'm gonna smile, I'm gonna have a good time. And you know, Dan Dan Fitzpatrick was giving me a hard time last uh yesterday, um, but he's a he's a funny old man.
SPEAKER_12You've got uh the winner of Tennessee, Ohio State, and the Rose Bowl. You've already played Ohio State. From what's your preference to play? I mean, do you want to play the team uh you know you've already prepared for once, or you know, do you want somebody fresh, maybe who's not as prepared for you? How what's the philosophy on that as you guys get ready?
SPEAKER_04There's so many pros and cons of both. You know, and uh I think you you could root for a team or like, hey, I want to play this team, but what'll be will be, and I think having a great plan for both, and then once we find out attacking that, um, regardless, we're gonna play a good team. So that's what we do know. So uh it's it's winner go home and the stakes are high, but you love that. Yeah. As a competitor, you love that, you know, part of it. So I'm looking forward to it. You know, I'm looking forward to January 1 history in the Rose Bowl.
SPEAKER_12Have you played there before?
SPEAKER_04I did um against UCLA this year. Oh, that's right. So we do have a taste, you know, it's it's it's a bit home to us. Um, so we're we're gosh, we're excited. Like who wouldn't want to play in that moment? You know, for sure.
SPEAKER_12You got this great watch uh from Axia Time last night. Uh you know, the Heisman they give a lot of swag, but I you know, in my years of coming to the Heisman, that's the coolest thing that any of the finalists have gotten. Well, what do you think about getting such a cool uh watch, which is really like as you step out into your professional career, it's like a good like coming out present to like just have as as you like growing up, right? You got a real watch now.
SPEAKER_04For sure. I I think it's super cool, and I think the the presentation of it, I think you uh you appreciate you know the the journey, the the experience, you know, and and that's uh uh uh uh item that you can look back on and you just appreciate because you can tell a story, you know, and and remember. I I I feel like items now to me are are stories. Sure. You know, and and this is a a huge part of you know my my whole story, so I'm I'm excited and uh you know I'll definitely be rocking it, but that that might have to be one that you know stays on the trophy case for the family.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, you know, it seems like you've you put a lot of thought into everything you do after your plan career is over. What what are you planning on doing? It sounds like you'd be a great broadcaster, communicator, some kind of thing. Is that something in the back of your head one day?
SPEAKER_04Never say never. You know, I I take pride in how I communicate, you know, and and it's not about presenting myself in in that way. It's just being authentic to who I am. And like I said, confidence is huge, you know, and and playing the quarterback position, you gotta have it. Yep. Because if you don't, how are you gonna convince you know ten others to believe in you uh when the game's on the line? So um that that sense of belief, that self-confidence is is important to me. And um I like I said, I'll never say never. We'll we'll see what happens. And I kind of like the unknown. Right. I I've gotten more comfortable with not knowing what's gonna happen in the future because you know, I I've I'm here's to say this. I I've been trying to adopt this mentality. Tomorrow's not not real, it's fictional.
SPEAKER_12Sure, you know, only the pr only the present, right?
SPEAKER_04And it it's so you know, easy to say, like, oh dude, like but once you truly adopt it, you maximize the day. Right. You know, and people are like, hey, do you want to do this? And I'm like, gosh, I don't know if I'll do it tomorrow.
SPEAKER_12Do you break down your day into into into smaller moments and then and then break that down into smaller moments?
SPEAKER_04I do, yeah. And the routine to me is huge, you know, and how I but if I can't do it tomorrow, right? And it's something like, yeah, I don't know if I'll be I'm gonna do it today. I'm gonna figure it out. Right. Like, how can I walk away from a conversation with Cam? Yeah. I'm gonna sit in that moment, you know, and I'm I'm gonna embrace and enjoy it because all that knowledge. Or if I I get to enjoy this podcast with you, yeah. Like, what if these are my last words? I don't know. Great point, great point, great. I want to leave a long-lasting impact and give everything I got. Um, and I think that's because you know, I'm I'm I'm self-aware of of what I want. Um I got a clear vision of of what I want to do, what I want to accomplish. So um I'm just full steam ahead.
SPEAKER_12For sure. You know, we we we're hoping to have you on during the year. We're glad we finally did get you on. It was worth the wait. Good luck tonight. Good luck uh against uh whoever you play uh in the bowl game, and uh, you know, best of luck in the future. Thanks for coming on the show.
SPEAKER_04Thank you.
SPEAKER_12All right, Cam Ward, University of Miami. Welcome back to the official Heisman Trophy podcast you were on last year uh at Washington State. Congratulations on being a 2024 Heisman finalist.
SPEAKER_05Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_12Thank you, appreciate it. So, uh, what was it like when you found out that that you were one of the four chosen to come to New York? Did did you have a uh were you watching the show? Did you expect to be named?
SPEAKER_05Uh yeah, I did expect to be named, uh, all the plays, you know, that I made this year. Um I was watching it on the Monday Night Countdown, that's when I found out. So, you know, it was exciting to you know be up here with especially with three other good players. So, you know, I'm just excited to get it going.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, what's your experience been like so far?
SPEAKER_05It's been good. Uh seeing the city, uh getting a chance to chill with Holly Row. Um, she's a funny person. So, you know, I get a chance to you know meet some of the other Hosbit winners. Um, I've just been you know been soaking in the moment, and uh it's been just it's been a you know a dream come true.
SPEAKER_12Who have you met so far of the past winners?
SPEAKER_05Um got a chance to meet Eddie George, RG3, um Gino. I've been met. Um, but you know, those those are I can't I can't remember the other's name. George Rogers, maybe. I think you I did meet George Rogers. I did meet George Rogers, yes, sir.
SPEAKER_12What about the other finals? Had you met any of them before?
SPEAKER_05Uh Travis, I met before. We met at uh Pet 12 Media Day two years ago. Uh, but it's my first time meeting Dylan Ashton.
SPEAKER_12You and uh Travis both started out in the FCS. And I remember you telling me last time on the show when I asked you about the difference between FCS and the FBS, and you said the skill players are pretty much the same, it's just mainly in the lines. So it's kind of amazing that both you guys uh started out the FCS, went through your uh different routes, and now you're here in New York.
SPEAKER_05Yeah, it's been it's been amazing. Um there's no real difference from FCS to FBS. Um I'll really say the biggest one exposure now. Um and I think that's why it's you know you have to stress to get to FBS so much now for that exposure. Yeah. Um but you know, it's been exciting, especially, you know, players like Travis too, who started FCS, uh work his way up. Um, I mean, you know, you just you really put yourself in a position to make football plays, and that's the biggest thing is getting on the field.
SPEAKER_12You went from uh uh West Columbia, Texas, I believe, to Pullman. Uh well, at first uh incarnate word and then to Pullman and now to Miami. Huge culture shock. What was the culture shock like going from Pullman all the way down to South Florida?
SPEAKER_05Uh it's way better. It's way, way better. Um get to be back in some, you know, sun just like back in Texas. Um, you know, food's good down there. Uh so it's been way better down here. And um just Coach Chris Ball and the team, you know, what we got going on, you know, for now and what they'll have in the future, you know, it'll be good. Um and I just think I just think coming to Miami, you know, just it just benefited a lot of people, not only myself, um, you know, just what we're able to do this year. Um, my teammates, what they're able to do individually, also myself. So, you know, it's it's been it's been nice. It's been fun to have this year.
SPEAKER_12Is it harder to focus on football in a place like Miami as opposed to a place like Pullman where there's just more distractions and more fun things to do?
SPEAKER_05Um I actually found it easier to focus uh in Miami. Um just gotta have a routine, you gotta stick to it. Um and I I'll say that's the biggest thing. Uh I don't really and like where the school is, we're not really in like downtown. We're on a we really in a little neighborhood, so you know it's easy, it's easy to stay locked in.
SPEAKER_12How well did you get to know Miami and its tradition and its past heritage of players at least very short period of time you're there? Did was it a crash course and all that kind of stuff?
SPEAKER_05Uh not really. I get I got a chance to know a little bit. I I don't know everything. Um I got the only real piece of history I have was watching the you, the documentaries, all that, meeting Michael Irvin, um Gino, um all the other old heads. So it it was good to meet those guys. They caught me up a little bit. Um, but in the day I was more focused on, you know, in the in the present time, you know, making a making a statement for myself and my team. Um I believe we did that this year.
SPEAKER_12Well, you guys won the most regular season wins for Miami since 2017, and if you win the bowl game, we'll be the first 11-win season for Miami since 2003. So that's a long time. Um and you are the first Heisman Trophy finalist for Miami since 2002 when there was both Ken Dorsey and Willis McGaehee. Did you know about any of any of that stuff and what you've accomplished? Has anyone told you about about just like that huge gap, uh, you know, in in Heisman finalists for for Miami and now you being here, you know, ending that drought?
SPEAKER_05Yeah, um I I've I've known about it a little bit. Um not really Willie, um, but Ken for sure. Um and I mean it's a challenge that you want to take on. Uh that's the reason why I play quarterback positions, one of the hardest positions to play in the world. So um you take on challenges so you can, you know, you can you can challenge yourself and you know end up beating those obstacles. So um you just gotta be a competitor.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. You had a great year last year for Washington State, but you really Jumped up to the next level this year. 41,000 or 4123 passing yards, uh, 41 total touchdowns second nationally. How much of that is due to having different players around you, different scheme, and also just your natural growth as a quarterback, do you think?
SPEAKER_05I just think the timing and the preparation we had just made it all come together. Um the offense, the offenses were different from Wazoo to here. Um we did a little bit more, better concepts, I would say, here, just down the field in intermediate game. Um and I just think just the timing that you know I had with the receivers, it made it work out so good. Um the O-line that we had, see lead their top five O line in the country. So, you know, they're the real reason why you know everyone ended up you know getting their style, their stats uh while we had one of the number one offenses in the country this year. So uh, you know, every everybody, you know, we weren't a selfish group on offense. Everybody came in every week, you know, we tried to do what we had to do to win a football game.
SPEAKER_12You showed an amazing ability to have comebacks and just ice in your veins in the fourth quarter. Was that something that uh you always thought you had, or are just you just do what it's kind of happened naturally with Miami at Miami? It seems like it was really uh uh almost happened every week, it seemed like.
SPEAKER_05Um we just like to make the game interesting. Um don't nobody want to wake up on a Saturday and blow a team out by 50 or lose by 50. That's boring. That's boring, right? Yeah, it's boring. We're trying to compete out here, so you know, and any given any given day you can either lose or win. So, you know, you just gotta be you just gotta be on your P's and Q's every week. So um I think we did that for the majority part. We didn't do it every week like we needed to. Um, but you know, we did win a lot of football games this year.
SPEAKER_12For sure. You got the Iowa State um cyclones up in two weeks, the Pop Tart Bowl. I know you you your goal is to get the playoffs and you guys fell just short, but what are you guys doing to rebound and prepare for that for that big matchup?
SPEAKER_05Uh really just you know, have motivation. Uh, motivation is our last game that we ever gonna play with each other. Um the locker room's gonna change. Um, it's inevitable. You know, I'm gonna be out of here, senior's gonna be out of here, somebody's gonna hit the transfer portal. So, you know, we just gotta understand that this is our last game together. We just gotta go out and give it, give it our all one more time.
SPEAKER_12Cam Ward, University of Miami, 2024 Heisen Finalist. Congratulations once more. Thanks for coming on the show again, and uh good luck in the future.
SPEAKER_05Yes, sir. I appreciate it. Thank you.
SPEAKER_12Thank you.
SPEAKER_10This is Ron Dane, 1999 Heisman Trophy winner, and you're listening to the Heisman Trophy podcast.
SPEAKER_12Our next guest is the current head coach at Tennessee State. We've been trying to have him on the show for the last couple seasons, but we ran into him in New York and were able to get him on. We're talking about Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy winner out of Ohio State. Little fun fact, I actually did interview him about 12 years ago, uh, back in 2012 at the Pac-10 Media Day, Pac-12 Media Day, I guess it was back then. Of course, in addition to being a fantastic player at all levels of football, Eddie is also an accomplished stage actor. So a bit of a renaissance man in the Heisman world, and we were happy to talk to him. All right. Well, we were here with Eddie George, 1995 Heisman Trophy winner out of the Ohio State University. Welcome to the show. Great to have you on.
SPEAKER_02Man, glad to be here. Great to be here. I love coming to New York this time of year.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. You know, there's uh I think there's like a core group of Heisman guys who come here every year. Most of them are guys from the late 70s, early 80s. And, you know, I'd like to see more guys from your era come in. Do you think maybe you can start corralling some of these guys to start?
SPEAKER_02Yeah. I mean, well, Desmond will be here. He's here, he's here every year uh because he does the show with ESPN. Yeah, of course, you know, Toretta, um uh unfortunately Rashawn Salam uh passed away. Uh let's see who else. Ricky Williams could be here. Um we got Ron Dane. Yeah, he's here. Worfle's here, bro. Worfle's here. Um who am I missing?
SPEAKER_12Uh most of the guys are here from the 90s, I think.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, Charles isn't here. Um let me see. Uh for Danny Three was uh um Charlie Ward. Yeah.
SPEAKER_12Charlie's usually here. I don't think he's here this year, though.
SPEAKER_02It's 93, 92 is who?
SPEAKER_12Uh well's 92, 90. 91 was uh was Desmond. Desmond and 90. It was Ty. Ty.
SPEAKER_02So yeah, Ty's got a kid.
SPEAKER_12So I I would I would throw the question. You guys you guys are doing pretty well. Doing all right. So for those uh Heisman fans out there who don't know, you are in your uh you just finished your fourth season.
SPEAKER_02Fourth season, yes.
SPEAKER_12Tennessee tech.
SPEAKER_02What's it what's Tennessee State?
SPEAKER_12Oh, Tennessee State. Was it Tech before?
SPEAKER_02No, Tennessee Tech is a rival. Oh, yeah, Tennessee Tech. No, it's fine. It's it's it's fine. I know you guys don't pay attention to FGS, but it's okay.
SPEAKER_12Cardinal sin.
SPEAKER_02No, it's okay. It happens. So um Tennessee Tech um is uh our rival. Uh Tennessee State um in HBCU in Nashville, Tennessee, um has uh 19 since 1912 has had their program, a very rich uh program in terms of uh football, a lot of uh history there um in terms of the men that they've produced in the NFL, uh two in uh two NFL Hall of Famers, a slew of uh national titles, great head um Hall of Fame coaching. I mean, just uh a wealth of of greatness in terms of just the athletic side. That's just football. You're talking about you know, track and field and so forth. So it's those stories that I love to hear for people to be reminded of in terms of what has turned out. And now me being the the the head coach for Tennessee State for the last four years has been remarkable, and it's been my goal to bring um the school's greatness back to prominence and through sustainability, and I think we had a breakthrough this season. Awesome. I know we had a breakthrough this season by having a co co um champions in the OVC.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, that's congratulations for that. Uh, you know, one of the uh uh perennial uh kind of questions is you know, when you're a great player and you become a coach, you don't see many great players who be who who do well as coaches. But what what are the challenges like because for being a coach when you have a standard for yourself that you set and then you have to apply that to other people and have the level of patience and all that kind of thing?
SPEAKER_02That's what it is, it's patience, yeah, it's diligence, it's perseverance, it's grit. You have to you have to love and be um addicted to the grind. You know, and the grind is not a bad thing, it's just a process. And you don't worry about the end result, you just focus on the habits that create the result, the desired results results that you want. So um I can't speak for for other players that have played the game, but it's it's a calling. I mean, it took uh some time for me to develop into a to become a coach in the idea of being a coach, um in the football sense. Yeah, but also understanding that I've always been a coach, if that makes sense.
SPEAKER_10Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Now is just dedicating my time and devoting my time and energy into uh into that on a consistent basis. And and it's really um creating a culture, an environment, and a lifestyle inside of a building that's that's true, tried and true, and uh being committed to that consistently. Right. Um and as as people buy into it, they see the benefits of it, and that's that was the breakthrough. And now you're seeing the results on the field. You just see what people see on Saturdays and Sundays when teams are winning, is uh the endless hours that go into it in the off-season, summer, spring, and fall, um bringing in the right people, the constant m the constant messaging, uh and also leaders living it and breathing it themselves, not just talking about it. It is a living, breathing organism that that you have to uh nurture like a child, like a baby, and and it does not stop, you know. Uh the moment that you stop paying attention to it, the moment that it gets stale, it atrophies and and you have to rebuild it, and you've lost um the the momentum that you've that you've created.
SPEAKER_12If you're looking at a player and you want to recruit a player, what's your pitch to to to a player coming to Tennessee State?
SPEAKER_02I don't have a pitch. I don't I don't have a pitch, I don't have a set of notes that I I talk about. Yeah, I'll hit bullet points in terms of location and um the benefits of coming to play with Tennessee State. Uh I stay away from that. I think it's it comes across as uh not truthful and and and not authentic. Yeah I like to have conversation, I like to engage in a real meaningful conversation in terms of what is it that the player wants. And I'm interviewing them like they're interviewing me to make sure you're the right fit.
SPEAKER_01Right.
SPEAKER_02Um and that's and that's how I approach it. It's very organic. Um I try to create connection and I try to build a real relationship where there's transparency, there's uh there's intimacy there in terms of of me really getting to know you and you really getting to know me, so there's a real partnership. Yeah um and through that there's trust built, and then you're really um creating a real relationship, and there's a real understanding of here are the terms, this is what would here are my expectations, and I can help you accomplish your goals and your dreams by following this process. Right. And in any point where we're not in harmony with that, then there's a disconnect, and it's time to go set our separate ways. So I mean I don't I I I just I I find that those sales pitches are disingenuous and it's not real, and it's just to get it's a transactional uh deal for me. So I I really try to connect on the on a spiritual and human level.
SPEAKER_10Great.
SPEAKER_12You know, the you've you have four seasons now and it's been concurrent with the most radical changes in college football and then years and years and years and years and years. So and I you know it's funny, you have some coaches that in 2018, 2019 were very successful, and now we're almost in a different sport now. And maybe some coaches who were who maybe signed up for this profession with the understanding that it would be like I'm gonna recruit players, you know, come up with schemes, you know, manage my you know, uh do all the things you do as a as a coach, and now flip to six years later or whatever, and and and we're seeing it each every year more and more. Transfer portal, NIL, uh, you know, conferences have realigned, the regionalism that used to kind of help your team because it was like the local team, you know, and uh it's all changed. And uh, but you kind of started about right when that started. So maybe uh I guess maybe it is it is it a benefit not to have had that previous experience of being used to the the old way.
SPEAKER_02Uh I think there there could be been some benefits there. Um it's changing, I think, I know for the better. Um I think there's still there's a lot more that needs to be done in terms of regulation and and rules applied when it comes to the NIL era and and compensating our our players uh much needed. It's gone caught up with the times. I mean, it's a big business. Yeah. And what we're seeing is a NFL model and college sports. And it has to be uh structured that way uh because of where we are. I mean the days of uh being a college recruiter and just recruiting the talent is are long gone. It's roster management now. It's an it's an NFL GM philosophy that you have to embrace, like in terms of salary cap, uh terms of NIL, uh, in terms of um of structuring deals that are incentivized, you know, where it's uh it puts uh accountability on the player as well as as the coaching staff and so forth. So it that's where we're headed, and and that's what I've learned. And I haven't gone through it, been through it as a player. Um certainly now as a head coach, it's changed every year. It feels like you know, I have to re-recruit my own class. Yeah, you know, I have uh insane, I have uh a phenomenal two, a couple of great players that that are refreshmen for me last year that are exploring different opportunities. And so in essence, I am um developing players for FBS programs. Right. And I'm gonna hold I'm gonna hold that true. Like, okay, you know, this is what you want, I get it, and let me prepare you for that. So it it's a different day and age, and you have to embrace that. So the old way of doing things, some coaches, you don't want to deal with it. And and rightfully so, but this is where we're moving to or toward is not going to change. They're going to expand the uh the playoff system, so that means more games, more dollars, and and more players, you know, looking for big, bigger and better opportunities. So it's up to us to figure out, hey, what are those points of engagement? How do we engage these kids? What are their interests? Because now it's no longer about playing for a program that you want to help build and win championships. Right. It's a wide open free agent market about what I can get, and that's the problem. It's it's greed sometimes. Sure. Some kids are big bubble, right? I'm like, you I see a kid in Alabama leaving in the portal going to where? Like, I'm thinking, man, you've already made it.
SPEAKER_12You made it like where are you gonna go? Those guys going to Ohio State, are they kind of swapping, you know, they're going around.
SPEAKER_02They're swapping for a couple hundred grand here or there, and I'm like, uh, I guess I get it, but you know, at some point, you know, you gotta plant your feet down, you gotta grind, and there's a bigger play at stake here. Like, you know, so I I I I'm just trying to wrap my arms around it, embrace it as best I can, but at some point, the powers that be have to put structure around this, and there has to be a cap on what certain people can do. I mean, it's boy, great parody to our game. If you look at the matchups, are phenomenal for this first round of the playoffs. Typically, you don't see these things, you know, in in uh during this time of year where you're a home team, you got a uh team that's uh that can host a game against a brand that you haven't played in years, like Ohio State, Tennessee. That's right, that's exactly the second time in the history of college football that these two teams are going to play. Yeah, and the first time a game will be played in Ohio Stadium ever in December. So that's that's remarkable. So there's still a lot of work that needs to be done.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, yeah, and also with there's like the fan bases are still the same, but the fan bases are thinking, well, we have NIL now, so coach should be able to get a get uh players in and can and win right away because they can get whoever they want. Well, listen, but it's unrealistic, right?
SPEAKER_02It I mean the expectations are are yeah, you you buy the best team, right, but you still have to develop the chemistry.
SPEAKER_12And you don't, yeah, because you don't know if the guy you're getting from other schools actually gonna work out for you.
SPEAKER_02Right. You got I mean the portal is is good in some senses, but some some there are guys that are in there that are just be recycling just to and they don't have the the talent or the grit or the willingness to to go through the hard stuff. Yeah. That that's the part. You still there's still room to develop high school kids in this day and age, and that's the unfortunate part about it, is that high schoolers, really good players, are being lost in the shuffle. Right. And and I'm seeing it because they're coming to me.
SPEAKER_01Right.
SPEAKER_02And I'm like, okay, come on, let me develop you and move on. But that that's that's the part of it that that's being missed.
SPEAKER_12Especially in the lines, right? Because if if you're if you're a left tackle, uh you're a freshman left tackle, and and and and your fans are like, Oh, we need to build the line, bring in a uh senior, fifth-year senior from the portal. But meanwhile, so he's playing while you're left tackle who you know, maybe not a freshman, maybe he's a retro sophomore, right? He could have been starting that year and going through the bumps and bruises that everyone has to do, but now someone's playing ahead of him, and and he might just leave now because he's not gonna get a chance to play that year or whatever.
SPEAKER_02Right, and you're seeing a lot of those kids fall to the lower programs to get tape, to get experience, and then trying to go back up. And then, you know, it's it's wild. And and to think that our fan base is okay, you you again, you look at Florida State, I think they spent a great deal of money on their roster, and you saw the what happened there. Yeah, you know, absolutely, yeah. So so it's something it does not work sometimes, and sometimes it does. I think you have to strike the balance between the two. Yeah, but you still have to do the hard work and develop kids, and and that's where I get my joy. I love to develop as I've been developed, and I know the blueprint of that.
SPEAKER_12Right. Well, let's talk a little Heisman 1995. You were here with I think Tommy Frazier, Danny Worple was here as well. I think Troy Davis might have been the fourth, the fourth.
SPEAKER_02Troy Davis, uh Darnell Archery from uh Darnell Archery, that's right, because they had that great year.
SPEAKER_12Yep. Uh what do you remember about your your time up here? Uh it was actually a pretty I mean you won somewhat comfortably, but it was a there was a pretty good field. I think that was a really good finalist field.
SPEAKER_02It was excellent. Yeah.
SPEAKER_12I mean I mean Tommy could have just as easily won a you had three the top three were incredible, I'd say.
SPEAKER_02Three Heisman winners in the room. I mean, you can say that because Danny Worfer won it the next year. Right. And Tommy, you know, me or Tommy, you know, might as well have could have done it. So Tommy's a college football hall of famer.
SPEAKER_12Yeah.
SPEAKER_02So in the year and what he meant to college football was was huge. So to have edged him out for it is is really speaks to the quality of the candidates that year. Um so that's what I remember. I mean, Nebraska was the the top dog of that time and of that era. And uh we came along and I I headed up Ohio State, and certainly Danny Dip was doing his thing, and Northwestern had their run. Uh, went on to play in the Rose Bowl. Um, Darnell, I mean uh Troy Davis at that time, back to back 2,000 yards a year, which was unheard of. Yeah. So it was it was tremendous talent, and in that era, um, I I just phew, it was a lot of a lot of competition. Yeah, but I never looked at it as me versus the field. It was more of a team award than anything else because you have to have a great defense in order for me to get opportunities to to run the ball, and I have to have a great offensive line that opens up holes, I have to have a quarterback that can make the necessary throws to stretch the field to keep balance. So it speaks to uh the team and the era that um that I played with, and I represent that. You guys were loaded on your team. We had some dudes now. So Dudley, uh the Dudley was tight end, Orlando was our tackle, no, Nikki Sualua was our fullback, uh, Bobby Hoying, our quarterback, the great late Terry Glenn was our ride receiver who won the Blitnikov that year. Um defensively, Sean Springs, who was all American, uh Mike Frabel, Luke Fickle. Um we had uh Antoine uh Winfield, he was a baby at that time, he was a freshman. So we had some players on that team.
SPEAKER_12I remember it was I think the Notre Dame game that I think really was your coming out party that year. You had a good year the year before. You had like 1400 yards, but you were coming from uh uh was that we was that you had come from Mount Union or Fork uh Fork Union um Military Academy. Military Academy. I think the only other I think Gino, uh not Gino, but Vinny temporary also went there. And and I think you had a sophomore year at Ohio State, and then you kind of played a little bit, and then junior year you broke out, right?
SPEAKER_02Well, my freshman year came in, played some. I was a goal line running back, had success, fumbled twice against Illinois, um, and then kind of you know faded to the background on that, and they played some upperclassmen that were that also played in the NFL, Raymond Harris, Butler Benote, Jeff Cothrin, and uh played backup role to them. My sophomore year played sparingly, and then um it came to me. I was the the the next guy in line, and I was able to uh put together a good junior year, which got me some uh notoriety. I was second team all Big Ten, uh, but no one I was on nobody's Heisman watch list going to my senior year.
SPEAKER_12And you were like the the the really uh the first of the really big modern backs, I think. And you look at uh Derrick Henry now, yeah, right? And it's just you you you're like 6'3, 6'4, you know, like in that range, and he's in that range. You do you look at him as a kindred spirit as a running back?
SPEAKER_02Well, he played with the Titans too. Yeah. Yeah, he was uh hot on my heels. Uh for a lot of I think he has the he does have the record for touchdowns now, which I held for some time. But uh Derek, um of course with both bigger backs, there are similarities there. Um Derek, I mean, he is a big back that can hit the home run from anywhere on the field. I think he has um, if I'm not mistaken, probably five or six runs over eighty yards in the NFL, I think, which is a record. Which you wouldn't think he'd be the guy to do that. Right. Right. But it speaks to his speed and power. And, you know, for us, we impose our will because of our size. So you you're you're left with some business decisions when you see us in between the tackles and um and have the ability to say, okay, a back and say or defensive back and say, okay, I'm gonna let him run by me and I'll catch it. No, you're not catching him.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_02I mean, I had good speed, but he has uh world class speed, and that that's the the difference.
SPEAKER_12It's kind of funny that that coming out of high school, they weren't sure if he was a running back or not.
SPEAKER_02I know, I get it. You know, defensive end, tight end. A full back linebacker. Man, he had to fight the same things, but you know, it's something about Totten the Rock, man, that that's in your spirit. Yeah. And you think about Derek, he has accumulated from high school, college, and now professionally. Ridiculous. Some I want to say almost 30,000 yards or something crazy like that.
SPEAKER_12He was the all-time leader rusher out of Yuli. Yeah, 10 grand. And then in college, I think he had something ridiculous, like 5,000 or something. I don't know what the number is. Somewhere around there. I think I think he had uh, you know, because he didn't really play full time. They used to platoon a little bit, and then that last year he had yeah.
SPEAKER_02And then of course now he's over the 10,000 yard mark in the NFL and counting.
SPEAKER_10Crazy.
SPEAKER_02And uh it's like how is this this dude is on a different level in terms of recovery. Right.
SPEAKER_07I mean, just all taking a beating, right?
SPEAKER_02Oh like this is crazy. But uh kudos to him. And I've I've gotten to in fact, um, Derek won the award uh 20 years after I did, 2015. And um, we've had a great relationship when he came down to Tennessee, had a stint there, and was the face of the franchise. And we've had various talks, and and I've I've really enjoyed watching him grow and mature. Yeah, and he's just a good dude, man. He al in fact, he always he reached out uh a couple times when I got the head coaching job. Yo, that is awesome, man. That is that is amazing. That was a cool dude. He's a cool dude. He's like a big kid. I love him, man. I hope I can't wait till he comes back to the Heisman back in the fold and come bring some added value to it because he's huge for us.
SPEAKER_12For sure. It's the 90th anniversary of the Heisman Trophy. These four finalists, Travis Hunter, Dylan Gabriel, Cam Ward, Ashton Genty, of course, Genty, great running back. What do you think about him as a runner?
SPEAKER_02I think he's great. He has great balance, vision, uh, tenacity, run after contact. Uh again, you know, you can bottle him up for three quarters and then he'll bust one for 80 yards and just lean on the defense. Um, the thing that I love about him is his he's gonna be a prof uh an outstanding professional because he's hungry for more. You know, some guys will, you know, be happy with the year that they've had and and kind of l love the lifestyle that that that comes along with being a professional athlete and or a superstar.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_02But this kid is asking questions on, hey, I wanna I want to wear a gold jacket one day. And what does it take? And and I don't have one yet. But but uh um but you know, i i it's just uh his his heart and his mindset is is for that. So when I watch him run, I'm like he reminds me uh close to what Barry Sanders.
SPEAKER_10Right.
SPEAKER_02Oh yeah, very much like a Barry Sanders type. There's only one Barry. Right. You know, I mean doesn't quite have the f the slinky ability to But yeah, his no one does. Barry is a cat with explosiveness. I mean he he has that same kind of build and almost put up the same numbers as Barry. And when you think about Barry's season, 12 games, and still 26 and 30. That is that's ridiculous. Yeah. But it the be in the same conversation with Barry deserve he's well deserving of the award than anything else. So it's some really, really intriguing con candidates this year. And of course, with with Travis Hunter, what he's been able to do when uh defensive player in the Big 12 as a corner, but also when the Bolitnikov, a national award for wide receiver, is completely unheard of. That's never been done.
SPEAKER_12Do people understand the difficulty? Uh I mean, people don't really get it, do they? Like the the the having to backpedal and and run for like you're you're doesn't don't most people's bodies just protest to that that kind of um I I can't answer that question.
SPEAKER_02You know, I've never done it, had to play the I mean in high school, but he's doing it at a tremendously high level. Yeah. And and you gotta I mean I I remember when we played against Jackson State, um, Tennessee State when he was a freshman, and we were looking at the film like, okay, we hope he doesn't play. Right. Because he was hurt, I think a lot of people. He was hurt, and he he plays a different level. Uh-huh. Um it's athleticism. He can make he can he can bait you into making a throw that that you think he's not going to be there, and he's there and picking it off, and he's dangerous after the catch.
SPEAKER_12Yeah. He's great at sliding around around uh bodies to do the catch.
SPEAKER_02I mean, his catch radius is ridiculous, and he's just a freak athlete. Yeah. And you look at his numbers um as a receiver, over a thousand yards receiving, we see what he he's a playmaker on. He's he impacts uh how an offense can attack him because if we throw his way, it's gonna be a problem. So he takes away half the field. He is a good tackler in space because I I said, okay, he he's got a slender body. Let's go, let's go test that man. Let's see if he can hit somebody. Yeah. Oh, yeah, he can hit. Okay. So he's the complete player. And um his his demeanor, he's very confident, um, humble, um, well coached. He's a smart, savvy, uh, but has a high football IQ because he's being coached by Prime. So man, he's he's he's the real deal. Yeah. He's the real deal.
SPEAKER_12I meant to ask you, actually, I did ask you off offline uh about your your acting career. You did some you did some theater, which is great. You know, it's it's great seeing people who want to branch out away from from you know, and get uh, you know, you could easily rest on your laurels and and do all that stuff, but you challenge yourself and you do something out of your comfort zone. What was the genesis of of that whole that whole project?
SPEAKER_02Well, after I retired, um and in short, I I was getting required about acting gigs. And I was going to be better on television and to be able to tell stories and so forth. And I said, what better way than to start where it all begins in theater, live theater? Yeah, studied for a long time, I would say eight, nine years. Um this is not just something that you know a celebrity jumping on stage. I I did Chicago just two streets over for sure for eight-week run in 2016. Yeah. Um prior to that, I was doing um I was acting in the the Nashville community um with their the the repertory theater, uh doing plays like Julius Caesar and Um Othello and Um Raisin in the Sun, uh Top Dog Underdog, uh, you know, just really immersed in that world and uh and until you wanted to respect the world of acting.
SPEAKER_12But it's kind of like uh, I mean it's probably a glib thing to say, but acting's a little bit like football. You gotta hit your marks, you gotta be lined up.
SPEAKER_02Teamwork. You know, the the play only works if everybody's on the same page you're doing your role, no matter big or small. If you have two lines or no lines, you have to be present in the moment for the other actors. Same thing holds true. You might, as a a um football player, you might have one play on special teams and is it's a block.
SPEAKER_10Yeah.
SPEAKER_02You know, staying on your block or getting off your block or sub or doing submarine on a kick off on a punt returner on a punt returner to get the ball, and it's so insignificant but significant at the same time. Whereas, you know, on stage you may have to not have any words, but stay engaged with the other actor and giving them something to play off of. Yeah, there's nothing more distracting and discouraging when another actor is just waiting for their lines to be said. Right. The art of acting is listening and responding and being truthful and honest and vulnerable in imaginary circumstances.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Um, and I and I bring that to coaching. You know, um the the very same things that I've done on stage, I I'm for my players. I'm being truthful in those moments. And that's what I've had to learn is how do you communicate that on a consistent basis? And sometimes it's not by words, it's by action.
SPEAKER_10Right.
SPEAKER_02You know, it's by it's by um invoking an energy and um a sense of urgency just by how you or how I respond, how I'm moving in practice, how how engaged and locked in I have to be, and focused you have to be. So um all of those things that I've learned over the years and been through with acting and business and um and football has helped me be to become a coach. Uh where I am now.
SPEAKER_12Well, Eddie George, 1995 Heisman Trophy winner out of Ohio State. Appreciate you coming on the show. Finally, finally glad that we were able to run to each other and get out of here.
SPEAKER_02I'm glad we made this happen.
SPEAKER_12Really appreciate it, and enjoy the rest of the weekend. God bless you. Thank you, Chris. Thank you.
SPEAKER_08This is Archie Griffin, 1974 and 1975's Heisman Trophy winner, and you're listening to the official Heisman podcast.
SPEAKER_12The Heisman Diasimos symbolizes the artistry and precision with which these athletes perform on the field. Made from premium components and handcrafted by master artisans, this timepiece celebrates the creativity and athleticism each finalist has demonstrated on the gridiron. The many people who helped each athlete achieve their success are represented by the repeating pattern on the dial. AxiaTime is proud to celebrate the 2024 Heisman finalist with a timepiece that tells more than time. Okay, we are here with Axia Time founder John Canaris. Welcome to the official Heisman Trophy podcast.
SPEAKER_09Thank you, Chris. Great to be here with you.
SPEAKER_12The Heisman De Asimos is a watch that you created in a partnership with the Heisman Trophy. Tell me about this exciting partnership and all about the watch, and uh I'm gonna ask you about how Heisman Weekend went after that.
SPEAKER_09Sure. Yeah, so we're really excited about this partnership. Uh it's a really a dream come true to be able to make an ultra-custom timepiece to commemorate such a special moment in time for these athletes. I mean, what bigger stage than the Heisman Trophy for an athlete to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy? And so the brand is all about commemorating life's big uh moments and big achievements. And so when we um met with Rob Whelan and the and the team at the Heisman Trophy Trust to talk about creating a timepiece to commemorate you know these athletes and the honorees, uh what we agreed to was to create something you know uh really special, uh heirloom quality timepiece uh that would um honor the the Heisman tradition and that the athletes could could keep to cherish the moments and memories.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, it's a gorgeous watch. Uh on Friday night uh before the Heisman ceremony, there was a uh presentation of four watches for the four Heisman finalists. Tell me about that whole experience and what it was like presenting uh those great watches to the four finalists.
SPEAKER_09Yeah, it was really an exciting opportunity for us and for the brand almost coming out, so to speak. Uh, we're not a very well-known brand yet. Uh the concept is is still kind of new and the brand is only a few years old. And so we had an opportunity in front of the press corps to present the watches, introduce you know, both the company and the watches to the press corps and and then distribute the watches to the athletes and to see the smiles on their faces. And you know, we captured some of this on video, and it was you know, going back and look at it, looking at the video, it was really um heartwarming and rewarding to see their genuine reaction, you know, of thrill um at the at the quality of the timepiece, at the design, and uh got a chance to talk to each athlete a little bit. They seem to really like it. Um I think uh you know this is a special time in in their lives, and I think as they get distance from it, it'll probably be even that much more special.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I can confirm in talking to the finalists on Saturday morning, I asked them about the watch. And it seemed like they really took to heart your um your speech at the uh presentation where you mentioned about this being a potential heirloom, something to give to pass on to their kids. I think that really inspired them. Um tell me a little bit about just the the style of the watch, the design of the watch. For those out there who are into watches, um what's what makes this watch so good?
SPEAKER_09Yes, so we use really premium components. So for the watch geeks out in the audience who might be listening, it's a titanium five case, which is a premium metal, super durable, super light. Uh, and but we had it plated in a bronze color as uh to honor you know the Heisman trophy itself. Um and so we wanted to honor the Heisman tradition, and so we layered in a lot of symbolism in the design elements, real um deliberate design elements. So the Roman numerals are you know, classic kind of um nod to the classic heritage of Heisman. The um uh the movement on the back is a premium movement, uh Slita SW300, so it's a real upscale movement. We have an exhibition back case, which is which means you can see the movement itself, and the and the movement, the precision of that mechanism symbolizes the precision with which the athletes uh um compete on the field. Uh we we layered in the very specific elements around the the Heisman logo and word mark on the crown, on the rotor. We engraved uh the uh the athletes' names on the back and the year so that they'll have this to you know to remember and hand down to the next generation. And then and then one of the other elements that um a colleague you know noticed, and admittedly I I didn't notice it initially, but it was a brilliant observation. The alligator strap, the square scaled alligator strap, um, really is a nod to the helmets of old, the leather helmets of old. So, you know, kind of crafting a design that both honors the Heisman tradition but brings it to the modern era with modern components and a classic design. To me, the most meaningful though, of all of the design elements was the repeating pattern on the dial. It's a silhouette of a football, and it's intended to represent all of the people behind the scenes who help the athlete achieve their level of success. So parents, coaches, teammates, and many more.
SPEAKER_12Wow, that sounds super cool and super meaningful. Now, I understand that you also have some other great college football-related partnerships, including with the college football playoff, and you're also putting together some uh school themed watches. Uh, can you tell me a little bit about those projects?
SPEAKER_09Yeah, so with college football playoff, we have uh a couple layers to the partnership. You know, one is uh making an heirloom quality watch for all the athletes competing in the playoff, and so that's available to the athletes in the gift suite that they have prior to each bowl game or each round of the playoff. It's a gorgeous watch that we worked on in collaboration with CFP. And then we have a series of designs for the fans. So for each team compete, each of the 12 teams competing in the playoff, we have two design options for each of the fan bases, uh, but they're limited edition, limited to only 100 of each. And and then in parallel with that, we're licensed with a number of universities, um, both in and outside of CFP, where we're making custom designs uh for those universities to honor people's affiliation with their alma mater, graduation gifts, um, things like that. So again, the brand is all about commemorating life's big moments, and you know, graduating from a university uh is a big moment in someone's life. And so we we've got heirloom quality timepieces to honor all those occasions.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I've heard lots of chatter from people who go to various schools saying how excited they'd be to have this kind of watch uh with uh their school's brand on it. Is this something eventually you envision there being pretty much most of the the major schools fan bases having access to?
SPEAKER_09Oh, for sure. Yeah, I and you wouldn't know it looking at our website, but we're already licensed with over 50 universities. It's just that you know the with the growth that we're experiencing with CFP and Heisman, we just don't have time to catch up and get all those designs up. But by the spring, I suspect we'll have all those designs up and we'll continue to add more and more universities. The concept has really, I think, resonated with many people. Um it's a high quality heirloom quality timepiece with a real subtle and elegant design, very different from the the typical souvenir watch you might find in a college bookstore. So for for people who are you know uh discerning and want a really nice timepiece, I think this matches the aesthetic and quality they might be looking for.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, and of course, uh I understand that this whole concept for you uh started out, uh the origin story for it came about uh from your experience as a college athlete, which which I think is a great story. And for those of you who who haven't been college athletes, it's it's something that happens all too often. So let's let's hear that story about how you got inspired about this.
SPEAKER_09Sure. So I I was a college athlete a long time ago. I played lacrosse at the University of Pennsylvania in my senior year. We won the Ivy League Championship and we went to the final four. It was a real special time in my life, and the university gave us a timepiece to commemorate that season. And I still have the timepiece. I've got a very tortured relationship with the timepiece because I love it for what it represents, but I don't like it so much because of the styling and quality. And, you know, I became a kind of a watch enthusiast after graduating from university, and because the styling and quality of that watch didn't match what I was looking for, I started to seek out a really high-quality, stylish watch to commemorate that season. And after 30 years of looking and not finding what I wanted, I decided to do it myself. It kind of became my midlife crisis. And so I started uh making watches, high-quality watches for big events and um uh mainly in the lacrosse space, given my network and heritage championship teams and the like. And what started as a passion project uh blossomed into a growing business, and and so I decided to lean in and do it full-time this year.
SPEAKER_12Fantastic. Well, these are just gorgeous watches. Uh, it was a great presentation at the ceremony uh around the weekend. Uh I'm sure the finalists are gonna cherish this for a long time. For those of us who aren't Heisen finalists or those of us who aren't college football playoff participants, but but want to uh keep track of uh the the products that come out of your uh company and and who want to maybe get a uh school branded watch, uh, what's the best way for them to do it?
SPEAKER_09So the best way to find us is at our website at zaxia time.com, a x-i-a time.com, and you can see all our great designs and and uh sign up for updates and and we'll send out uh alerts as we add more schools.
SPEAKER_12Great. And Axia, uh as uh maybe not many of you know out there, is Greek. Uh go ahead and tell our audience uh what it means in Greek.
SPEAKER_09So we're we we try and give a lot of watch for the money, so so Axia means worth or value, so we want to give a good value, uh both in terms of the quality and styling, but the the cost and the experience.
SPEAKER_12Well, great, great. Well, John Canaris of Oxia Time, thanks for coming on the official Heisman Trophy podcast. Uh, congratulations on your partnership with the Heisman Trophy Trust. These are fantastic time pieces for anyone who wants to commemorate life's special moments.
SPEAKER_09Terrific. Thank you, Chris. Really appreciate you having us on.
SPEAKER_12So talking to John got me curious about the topic of timepieces and watches. So I brought in a subject matter expert, not typically known for watches. Jonathan V. Last, the editor at the Bulwork. Here's what he had to say. All right. Well, we're very pleased to be here with Jonathan V Last, editor of the Bull Work, Watch Aficionado. Any chance we have to talk to someone uh who is this much into watches uh for uh this kind of circumstance, uh, we had to take it. So, Jonathan, thanks for coming on the official Heisman Trophy Podcast.
SPEAKER_11Thanks for having me, and what a beautiful watch you guys have come up with.
SPEAKER_12Yeah, I I was really curious about um, you know, we we found out that uh, well, I found out that we're we have an official watch now, and we just talked to in the earlier segment with the owner of the watch company, John Canaris, and he has a very interesting story. He used to be a lacrosse player, and uh when you he got to the finals of the lacrosse championships for the University of Pennsylvania, and the only thing they gave him was a was a crappy watch to remember, to remember it by. And he says, we need more to remember things by than that. And actually, I was curious, is was there a first watch for you that that sort of got you into watches?
SPEAKER_11You know, I've been a watch guy since I was third grade. I think I got my first watch in third grade, and my whole life I've just felt a little naked without one on the wrist. And even once we moved into the world of cell phones and stuff, I uh I I always want to watch this. And once I I didn't start buying real watches, like I was, you know, I was buying like Cassios and and Timex Iron Mans, which are great for what they are. That's what I wore as a as a kid.
SPEAKER_12The old Cassios, yep. Love them.
SPEAKER_11Yeah, yeah. I wore them all the way through like age 27.
SPEAKER_12And it was that with the cal with the calculator on it at all?
SPEAKER_11Some of them have the calculator, yeah. Yeah, and those things are honestly in the the watch community, as I talk about my fellow nerds, those things are revered. Like nobody looks down on those things because they're they're great for what they are. Um, but I bought my first automatic watch when I was about 30. And an automatic watch is a watch which basically uses 200 year old technology to power it. It's just physics. There's a there's a there's a rotor and a spring, and the power just the fact of moving your wrist throughout the day and moving your arm, it winds itself basically. And uh there's something romantic about it because it's these things are less. Accurate than your $5 Casio. You know, they're accurate to normally within anywhere from two seconds a day to like 20 or 40 seconds a day. But there is something about having a living piece of metal, which has an actual beating heart on it that is not dependent upon technology or anything like that with you. And over the course of my life, having watches that are tied to things and moments and people, I think most watch guys, if you if you talk to them, they'll tell you that that is the biggest part of it. It isn't it isn't about getting the most expensive watch. It isn't about getting the rarest watch. I think for some people that might be it. But for most of the people who love watches, it is about having a tangible physical connection. And a lot of it is also about having things that pass on to your kids. So, you know, like I have a bunch of watches that my kids see me wearing every day. And someday when I'm gone, they'll have these things. They'll be able to put onto their wrist a thing that they remember dad wearing all the time. And there's just something special about that. And that's why I think these watches that you guys have come up with are so great because these guys will have them for their whole lives. They'll give them to their, you know, they'll give them to one of their kids someday. The favorite kit will get the Heisman watch. They won't get enough, enough of them for all of their kids. Yeah.
SPEAKER_12It's funny. I talked to one of the uh the finalists later and I asked him about it, and he's like, I don't think I'm gonna wear it. I just want to put it up on the mantle. I I think they're they're you know, when you uh have a watch with that meaning, I was always wondering about that. Do you worry about damaging it? You know, you're jostling around in New York going through the subway and you scrape your wrist on the on the railing. I always worry about that kind of thing.
SPEAKER_11Yeah, so different, I mean, different people have different different views on this. My own personal view is that uh I never want to own a watch that I'm afraid to wear. And that's why for me, like there's a dollar value above which I simply couldn't own that watch. Not because I couldn't afford it. I mean, of course I couldn't afford it, but because I just I wouldn't be able to wear it without being worried. But the way I freed myself of this, and this is a thing that like everybody makes in their, I'm gonna say that's pretentious phrase, but in their watch journey, Chris, uh what they everybody feels a little bit funny at first because, like, oh, this thing costs so much money, right? And you know, whether you're talking about $75 or $500 or $5,000, like it's a lot of money. It's more money than you need to spend to tell the time.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_11Um, but I the way I think of it is this watch is mine. And the things that accumulate on it, the scrapes, the scratches, those, those are what make it mine.
SPEAKER_10Uh, good point.
SPEAKER_11Because I've had those uh as I've worn it through the world. And that's what makes mine unique and different from anybody else who has this same model watch, is that theirs will be different, right? It's like a fingerprint or getting a scar on your knee or something like that. And that's how I free myself. Um, and I that's how I encourage people to look at watches. Don't look at it like it is a prize piece of art or like a baseball card that's in perfect grade that you never want to touch or something like that. Look at it as a a living thing that exists with you, that's yours. And so it should have all the scrapes and dings and scratches on it that you get through life. And none of that is bad. It's all fact.
SPEAKER_12There are many watches, but this one is mine, right? Yeah. Um I uh I've I heard that the Apple Watch was sort of a um impetus for revival and watch culture, ironically, because it's uh people weren't wearing a lot of watches, and then they got the Apple Watch and they got used to wearing something on the wrist, and and then it was like, well, if we're gonna have something on the wrist, we should make it look a little less, you know, just purely functional and just something a little more interesting and attractive. What just looking at this watch, uh what sticks out to you just from a visual standpoint?
SPEAKER_11I mean, the first thing that jumps out at the at me on the Heisman watch is that the color scheme, which is bronze and black, which is gonna instantly connect you to the Heisman. Like that's what the Heisman Trophy is, right? If you close your eyes and picture it for a minute, you will picture the amorphous glob of the trophy, right? But but those colors that you're seeing in your mind's eye are all bronzes and blacks. And that's what this thing has. And then it's got this very classic Roman numerals around the, you know, on the dial. It's kind of a nice textured dial. It's a little bit of a not quite a waffle pattern, but it's got a texture to it, and that contrasts with the textures on the outer ring of the dial where the numerals sit. And then it's got a on the bezel, it's got a what's called a coin edge around the bezel. Uh, and it's all just it's very understated and it's very evocative of the Heisman trophy itself, which is the whole point of it. Right? The the point is to connect this watch to this moment in time that you, you, you know, these what are these kids? Like 20 years old, 21 years old? 21, 22, 23. Yeah. Uh this thing that they did in their youth, they've these kids have 60 years of life in front of them, right? They're gonna do so many other things, and and almost none of it will be related to football, right? They'll play professional football for a few years, maybe 10 years or something like that. But even if they are Hall of Fame level players, they're gonna spend way more of their life out of football than in football. And this watch will just be a memento that not only ties them temporally to it because they they got it at the thing, but it looks of it and evocative of it. And uh I just when I think of these guys passing this watch down to one of their kids someday, it almost makes me teary. Yeah, you know, because these 80 years 80 years from now, there's gonna be some 30 or 35-year-old kid who this watch is left to by their dad, and they wear thinking about their dad and their dad's life and having watched their dad wear this watch. It's just a it's a beautiful thing.
SPEAKER_12Well, like you, like you said before we got on, we could talk about this for a long time. Uh, but I know you're a busy guy. Really enjoyed catching up with you uh on watches and learning a lot about uh watches and appreciate you coming on the show and letting our audience know about watches.
SPEAKER_11Chris, thanks for having me and thanks for doing such a nice thing for these kids.
SPEAKER_12Thank you, Jonathan. The last of the bulwark. Uh, keep up the good work, and we'll see you around.
SPEAKER_00Hi, this is Billy Sims, 1978 Heisen Trophy winner. You are listening to the official Heisen Trophy podcast. Boomer!
SPEAKER_12And on that rather boisterous note, it's time to bring this pod to a close. This is the final pod of the season for us. It's been an excellent second season. We appreciate everyone who helped us get it done. Thanks to all the players, all the coaches, all the media people, all the sports information directors. Thanks to the Heisman Trust for making it possible. Thanks to Rob Whalen and Tim Henning. It's just been a great season. Congratulations to Travis Hunter for winning the Heisman Trophy. Congratulations to all the finalists. And just a reminder that with college football going crazy with NIL and transfer portal and conference realignment, all this craziness, the Heisman Trophy remains a bulwark, if you will, against the ravages of the modern football era. So for those of you who still appreciate the traditions of college football and the Heisman Trophy, we appreciate you listening. Don't forget to like us, follow us, review us, tell your friends and family. And on behalf of the Heisman Trophy Trust, I'd like to wish everyone out there a very blessed holiday season. So long, everyone. The official Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and is hosted, co-produced, edited, and engineered by Chris Houston. Paul Goldberg is the executive producer and editor. Special shout out to Isaac Loencron, and big thanks to the Heisman Trophy Trust and its executive director, Rob Whalen, and associate director Tim Henning. The official Heisman Trophy podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and anywhere you listen to your favorite podcast. You can also find clips of our show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Just go to Heisman Trophy.
