NY Times Article on Jaron and Cal Football

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01Bear
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3:43p, 9/14/25
The article pretty much sums up the conversations on this board about the football program and the support (or lack thereof) the administration historically provided, the change in leadership, Jaron being a star, Cal's fears about losing him to another program, and the Cal Legends NIL Collective.

Also, Sebasta is quoted.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6619776/2025/09/12/jaron-keawe-sagapolutele-cal-quarterback/
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Eastern Oregon Bear
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3:49p, 9/14/25
Here's the non paywalled link: https://archive.ph/WQ7e0
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75bear
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In reply to 01Bear • 4:59p, 9/14/25
You buried the lede:

Setema and Tiki have both made it clear they hope their son stays at (and graduates from) Cal, where the coaching staff has embraced their family and communicates with them almost daily. Most importantly, they can see how happy their son is.

"A lot of people have approached me and asked me, 'Oh, OK (there are) all these tweets about (how) there are going to be schools poaching, there's NIL,'" his mother, Setema, said. "But that's not for me.

"My concern is that Jaron is happy, that he can thrive, can continue to grow as a student, as an athlete and just overall. Just enjoy this whole process that he's going through right now."
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udaman1
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In reply to 75bear • 5:47p, 9/14/25
75bear said:
You buried the lede:

Setema and Tiki have both made it clear they hope their son stays at (and graduates from) Cal, where the coaching staff has embraced their family and communicates with them almost daily. Most importantly, they can see how happy their son is.

Promising thought, but we all know what will most likely happen.
Assuming Wilcox staying on is part of the JKS-at-Cal scenario?
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okaydo
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6:38p, 9/14/25
*The Athlethic
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pingpong2
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In reply to okaydo • 7:26p, 9/14/25
okaydo said:
*The Athlethic

Isn't The Athletic part of the NYT?
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01Bear
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In reply to 75bear • 7:52p, 9/14/25
75bear said:
You buried the lede:

Setema and Tiki have both made it clear they hope their son stays at (and graduates from) Cal, where the coaching staff has embraced their family and communicates with them almost daily. Most importantly, they can see how happy their son is.

"A lot of people have approached me and asked me, 'Oh, OK (there are) all these tweets about (how) there are going to be schools poaching, there's NIL,'" his mother, Setema, said. "But that's not for me.

"My concern is that Jaron is happy, that he can thrive, can continue to grow as a student, as an athlete and just overall. Just enjoy this whole process that he's going through right now."

Would you expect anyone in Jaron's camp to say otherwise? Should I remind you that last year's Cal's starting QB was all in on Cal, after "going 98 yards with my boys!" until he wasn't?

At this point, I've stopped putting any faith in what athletes and their families/representatives have to say about their desire to remain at a school. Those statements are worth less than the paper they're written on.
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okaydo
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In reply to pingpong2 • 7:54p, 9/14/25
pingpong2 said:
okaydo said:
*The Athlethic

Isn't The Athletic part of the NYT?


Yes, The Times acquired The Athletic, which has replaced The Times' sports department.

But saying The New York Times wrote this implies that The New York Times wrote this, which implies that it's a sports story unique enough to be done outside of The Athletic's purview.
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01Bear
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In reply to okaydo • 8:02p, 9/14/25
okaydo said:
pingpong2 said:
okaydo said:
*The Athlethic

Isn't The Athletic part of the NYT?


Yes, The Times acquired The Athletic, which has replaced The Times' sports department.

But saying The New York Times wrote this implies that The New York Times wrote this, which implies that it's a sports story unique enough to be done outside of The Athletic's purview.

The website is the NY Times's.
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Bearly Clad
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In reply to 75bear • 9:03p, 9/14/25
Gotta say, I don't know them personally but everything I've seen and heard from the Sagapolutele family screams that they're just honestly really good people all around
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01Bear
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In reply to Bearly Clad • 11:56p, 9/14/25
Bearly Clad said:
Gotta say, I don't know them personally but everything I've seen and heard from the Sagapolutele family screams that they're just honestly really good people all around

I don't mean to disparage Jaron or his family. That's the furthest thought from my mind! Rather, I'm just saying that in this new era, I'm not going to expect a student athlete to remain loyal to any particular school. College ball is a business (more than ever), now; I expect student athletes to do what's best for themselves and their families.
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ducktilldeath
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In reply to 01Bear • 1:38a, 9/15/25
01Bear said:
75bear said:
You buried the lede:

Setema and Tiki have both made it clear they hope their son stays at (and graduates from) Cal, where the coaching staff has embraced their family and communicates with them almost daily. Most importantly, they can see how happy their son is.

"A lot of people have approached me and asked me, 'Oh, OK (there are) all these tweets about (how) there are going to be schools poaching, there's NIL,'" his mother, Setema, said. "But that's not for me.

"My concern is that Jaron is happy, that he can thrive, can continue to grow as a student, as an athlete and just overall. Just enjoy this whole process that he's going through right now."

Would you expect anyone in Jaron's camp to say otherwise? Should I remind you that last year's Cal's starting QB was all in on Cal, after "going 98 yards with my boys!" until he wasn't?

At this point, I've stopped putting any faith in what athletes and their families/representatives have to say about their desire to remain at a school. Those statements are worth less than the paper they're written on.

Fernando was born in Miami. What association would he have with CAL to stay? It's not like those programs are in the same conference.
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concordtom
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In reply to okaydo • 3:32a, 9/15/25
okaydo said:
pingpong2 said:
okaydo said:
*The Athlethic

Isn't The Athletic part of the NYT?


Yes, The Times acquired The Athletic, which has replaced The Times' sports department.

But saying The New York Times wrote this implies that The New York Times wrote this, which implies that it's a sports story unique enough to be done outside of The Athletic's purview.

Thx. This explains a lot.
It would have been very rare for this story to hit the old nyt pages.
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Cal88
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In reply to 01Bear • 7:28a, 9/15/25
01Bear said:
75bear said:
You buried the lede:

Setema and Tiki have both made it clear they hope their son stays at (and graduates from) Cal, where the coaching staff has embraced their family and communicates with them almost daily. Most importantly, they can see how happy their son is.

"A lot of people have approached me and asked me, 'Oh, OK (there are) all these tweets about (how) there are going to be schools poaching, there's NIL,'" his mother, Setema, said. "But that's not for me.

"My concern is that Jaron is happy, that he can thrive, can continue to grow as a student, as an athlete and just overall. Just enjoy this whole process that he's going through right now."

Would you expect anyone in Jaron's camp to say otherwise? Should I remind you that last year's Cal's starting QB was all in on Cal, after "going 98 yards with my boys!" until he wasn't?

At this point, I've stopped putting any faith in what athletes and their families/representatives have to say about their desire to remain at a school. Those statements are worth less than the paper they're written on.


JKS picked Cal twice, once as a recruit, and the second time as a transfer out of Oregon, so he and his family have a high degree of trust and favorability towards Cal and its staff. I think his parents get that the real money is going to be in the NFL and their focus will be on preparing him both as a football player and as a young man.

There are no guarantees that JKS will stay at Cal 3-4 years, but it is also not a foregone conclusion that he will transfer elsewhere if things go well for him at Cal.
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blungld
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7:42a, 9/15/25
It's a sad state of affairs that TWO GAMES into a freshman's college career we the fans, the player and his family have to consider and deal with payouts from agents and other schools and how to keep this person at Cal. There is no way one can have a normal college experience, concentrate and academics, and improve themselves as a player with so much noise and distraction. And, it robs fans of just enjoying the player and watching him develop and the feeling of him being "one of our own."

The environment we have all let transpire is corrosive and corrupt. I really hate the changes. Would love to just cheer on this team and support JKS.
The Bear will not quilt, the Bear will not dye!
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Bobodeluxe
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8:29a, 9/15/25
It's a business. The players are here for one year, maybe. Next year, a mostly new roster. Buy a ticket, or don't.
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pingpong2
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In reply to blungld • 9:08a, 9/15/25
blungld said:
It's a sad state of affairs that TWO GAMES into a freshman's college career we the fans, the player and his family have to consider and deal with payouts from agents and other schools and how to keep this person at Cal. There is no way one can have a normal college experience, concentrate and academics, and improve themselves as a player with so much noise and distraction. And, it robs fans of just enjoying the player and watching him develop and the feeling of him being "one of our own."

The environment we have all let transpire is corrosive and corrupt. I really hate the changes. Would love to just cheer on this team and support JKS.

NIL by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. Transfer portal by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. NIL + transfer portal = horrible experience for fans.
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ac_green33
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In reply to pingpong2 • 9:13a, 9/15/25
pingpong2 said:
blungld said:
It's a sad state of affairs that TWO GAMES into a freshman's college career we the fans, the player and his family have to consider and deal with payouts from agents and other schools and how to keep this person at Cal. There is no way one can have a normal college experience, concentrate and academics, and improve themselves as a player with so much noise and distraction. And, it robs fans of just enjoying the player and watching him develop and the feeling of him being "one of our own."

The environment we have all let transpire is corrosive and corrupt. I really hate the changes. Would love to just cheer on this team and support JKS.

NIL by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. Transfer portal by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. NIL + transfer portal = horrible experience for fans.

Even one portal season is tolerable, having the winter AND spring portals makes it outrageous.
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CalGal1
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In reply to concordtom • 9:15a, 9/15/25
My dad texted me this morning that there was, however a picture/paragraph about Sagapolutele in the NYT (hard copy). Not *this* article (I sent it to him to confirm), but a pic and a mention in the actual paper.
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concordtom
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In reply to pingpong2 • 9:27a, 9/15/25
pingpong2 said:
blungld said:
It's a sad state of affairs that TWO GAMES into a freshman's college career we the fans, the player and his family have to consider and deal with payouts from agents and other schools and how to keep this person at Cal. There is no way one can have a normal college experience, concentrate and academics, and improve themselves as a player with so much noise and distraction. And, it robs fans of just enjoying the player and watching him develop and the feeling of him being "one of our own."

The environment we have all let transpire is corrosive and corrupt. I really hate the changes. Would love to just cheer on this team and support JKS.

NIL by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. Transfer portal by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. NIL + transfer portal = horrible experience for fans.


When will multi-year contracts become a thing?
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ac_green33
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In reply to concordtom • 9:32a, 9/15/25
concordtom said:
pingpong2 said:
blungld said:
It's a sad state of affairs that TWO GAMES into a freshman's college career we the fans, the player and his family have to consider and deal with payouts from agents and other schools and how to keep this person at Cal. There is no way one can have a normal college experience, concentrate and academics, and improve themselves as a player with so much noise and distraction. And, it robs fans of just enjoying the player and watching him develop and the feeling of him being "one of our own."

The environment we have all let transpire is corrosive and corrupt. I really hate the changes. Would love to just cheer on this team and support JKS.

NIL by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. Transfer portal by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. NIL + transfer portal = horrible experience for fans.


When will multi-year contracts become a thing?

Once the NCAA, Congress, or the courts recognize student-athletes as employees. Until then, I think it would be impossible to enforce.
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Anarchistbear
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10:27a, 9/15/25
The kid has a chance to make millions as an undergraduate. The value of any degree is offset by this.

If he is interested in being a professional football player then coaching and competition matter in addition to money.

Hanging over all of this is the shelf life of an athlete. Seeing Jahvid Saturday night reinforced this.

Hard decisions for a kid and his family not even knowing their dynamics
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sycasey
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10:57a, 9/15/25
If Cal is able to match the best NIL offers from other schools (a big if), then I'm not sure I see JKS leaving. He and his family seem really happy to be associated with Berkeley.

If he does leave, then all of the online comments of "he'll look great in the SEC next year" feel misinformed to me. Seems like he'd want to stay on the west coast so his family can more easily see him play. There are plenty of programs out west that can pay what the SEC can pay.
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Bobodeluxe
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11:14a, 9/15/25
Once the pay/per hits the middle $millions, coaching and exposure on a bi0 or sec program is the surest move to a high draft position.

It's a business.
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GrizzledBear
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11:23a, 9/15/25
Like many thing on this board that have played out over the years, until Walmart begins to sell crystal balls no one knows sh*t about the future. But I guess it's fun for y'all to argue over it - go crazy!

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Cal88
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In reply to Bobodeluxe • 11:25a, 9/15/25
He's been getting plenty of national exposure at Cal already. We have 2 high tier QB current starters in the NFL, including one of the best ever, he's going to be pretty visible to scouts and analysts at Cal. JKS has tested the waters at a bigtime program already and wasn't awed, didn't like the vibes.
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sycasey
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In reply to Bobodeluxe • 11:27a, 9/15/25
Bobodeluxe said:
Once the pay/per hits the middle $millions, coaching and exposure on a bi0 or sec program is the surest move to a high draft position.

It's a business.

Is it? I don't think the ACC and Big 12 are really hurting your chances at exposure or draft picks. Literally the first two picks in the last draft were from those leagues.
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bencgilmore
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11:45a, 9/15/25
late notice, but my biggest takeaway is that its really crazy how transfers have gotten so pervasive....

... in high school.

JKS' coach says it actively worried him. I know my local high school (Newbury Park), who has a 4/5 star QB in Brady Smigiel, has a ton of transfer WRs this year (supposedly a lot have to sit out for 5 games or something? Smigiel joked they'd be a run only offense on a radio show over the summer until they're all eligible).

As hard as it is in college, its truly unfathomable that they're dealing with the same thing in high school..
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bencgilmore
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In reply to udaman1 • 11:54a, 9/15/25
udaman1 said:
75bear said:
You buried the lede:

Setema and Tiki have both made it clear they hope their son stays at (and graduates from) Cal, where the coaching staff has embraced their family and communicates with them almost daily. Most importantly, they can see how happy their son is.

Promising thought, but we all know what will most likely happen.
Assuming Wilcox staying on is part of the JKS-at-Cal scenario?

As with all things, it would depend on the context. If Wilcox is pushed out or leaves after a 5 to 7 win campaign this year, do we elevate Harsin or Rolo? Are the poly coaches and players that he's built relationships with still here? Do we have a 5 star WR or two committed?

Impossible to say without all the details in hand. But as Sebasta says in the article, he's chosen Cal twice, including once over his childhood dream school and an SEC team that has won multiple titles this decade.

Additionally, the easiest recent Cal player to compare him to is Goff. 4-to-5 star recruit, signed/joined during a time of transition. Goff's story isn't exactly the same as a legacy, and obviously that was just before NIL/Portal shenanigans, but he had other offers and it wasn't necessarily automatic that he'd stay with Cal after we axed Tedford. He wanted to be here, the staff saw what they had, and he stuck. If anything JKS' feelings about Cal have been even more effusively positive.
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blungld
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In reply to Anarchistbear • 1:24p, 9/15/25
Anarchistbear said:
The kid has a chance to make millions as an undergraduate. The value of any degree is offset by this.

If he is interested in being a professional football player then coaching and competition matter in addition to money.

Hanging over all of this is the shelf life of an athlete. Seeing Jahvid Saturday night reinforced this.

Hard decisions for a kid and his family not even knowing their dynamics

You're not wrong, but (and I know I am probably in the minority here) that is the problem. A society that values money over education and happiness, and a system of athletics (and culture) that slaves to money and media. He seems to be a great kid who of course can retain his high moral character hopefully and get an education now or later. That doesn't excuse the culture we have all created around him and others. Him having to make those choices are a reality. That reality is a social sickness in my opinion.
The Bear will not quilt, the Bear will not dye!
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Anarchistbear
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In reply to blungld • 2:07p, 9/15/25
blungld said:
Anarchistbear said:
The kid has a chance to make millions as an undergraduate. The value of any degree is offset by this.

If he is interested in being a professional football player then coaching and competition matter in addition to money.

Hanging over all of this is the shelf life of an athlete. Seeing Jahvid Saturday night reinforced this.

Hard decisions for a kid and his family not even knowing their dynamics

You're not wrong, but (and I know I am probably in the minority here) that is the problem. A society that values money over education and happiness, and a system of athletics (and culture) that slaves to money and media. He seems to be a great kid who of course can retain his high moral character hopefully and get an education now or later. That doesn't excuse the culture we have all created around him and others. Him having to make those choices are a reality. That reality is a social sickness in my opinion.


The culture was created a long time ago. Where it began was giving an "athletic scholarship" for playing football to someone who is less qualified academically and less likely to graduate than his peers. This makes no sense for an academic institution other than money.

I prefer the current system because athletes are no longer indentured servants and have choices
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calumnus
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In reply to ac_green33 • 3:03p, 9/15/25
ac_green33 said:
pingpong2 said:
blungld said:
It's a sad state of affairs that TWO GAMES into a freshman's college career we the fans, the player and his family have to consider and deal with payouts from agents and other schools and how to keep this person at Cal. There is no way one can have a normal college experience, concentrate and academics, and improve themselves as a player with so much noise and distraction. And, it robs fans of just enjoying the player and watching him develop and the feeling of him being "one of our own."

The environment we have all let transpire is corrosive and corrupt. I really hate the changes. Would love to just cheer on this team and support JKS.

NIL by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. Transfer portal by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. NIL + transfer portal = horrible experience for fans.

Even one portal season is tolerable, having the winter AND spring portals makes it outrageous.

Players are free to transfer at any time (other than in season but I'm sure that could get challenged). The Portal is just a way to make it a somewhat organized marketplace for both the players and the schools. Without the Spring portal there would be kaos.
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pingpong2
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In reply to concordtom • 3:25p, 9/15/25
concordtom said:
pingpong2 said:
blungld said:
It's a sad state of affairs that TWO GAMES into a freshman's college career we the fans, the player and his family have to consider and deal with payouts from agents and other schools and how to keep this person at Cal. There is no way one can have a normal college experience, concentrate and academics, and improve themselves as a player with so much noise and distraction. And, it robs fans of just enjoying the player and watching him develop and the feeling of him being "one of our own."

The environment we have all let transpire is corrosive and corrupt. I really hate the changes. Would love to just cheer on this team and support JKS.

NIL by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. Transfer portal by itself, not such a bad experience for fans. NIL + transfer portal = horrible experience for fans.


When will multi-year contracts become a thing?

The "student" part of "student-athlete" precludes schools from locking in players.

I know it'll ruffle some feathers here, but it's been a long time since recruited players have been "student-athletes". It's high time we drop that facade. The NCAA can keep that moniker for walk-ons or those without scholarships, and let the other players just be contractors. Quit pretending like they're no different academically from the rest of the student body who didn't get in on a football scholarship.
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