If you watched the Miami Dolphins play the Buffalo Bills on yesterday, you definitely did not see Pat White in the famous Wildcat offense formation.  The 44th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft was waived by the Dolphins on September 4, 2010, just prior to the start of the season.  It did not take long for White to find a new team, though.  But he is not on an NFL roster.  Instead, he is one of the newest additions to the Kansas City Royals farm system.

White was born in Daphne, Alabama and attended Daphne High School, where he played both football and baseball.  He won 2 state championships as an outfielder and pitcher for his high school’s baseball team.  But he did not play baseball at West Virginia University (because of a lack of African-Americans?) and likely will take a long time to adjust to life as a baseball player.  His meager Minor League salary will not compare to the $2.4 million in guaranteed money that he received for signing his original contract with the Dolphins.

As a professional football player, Pat White was signed with the agency Athletes First.  It is very likely that White will stick with the company, as Athletes First does have some baseball clients, even though they do not list any on their website.

Pat White Will Have To Get Used To Life In The Minors from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Not only 49ers faithful, but a lot of readers of SportsAgentBlog.com, are getting crabby with Eugene Parker.  Fans of the game of football cannot stand seeing one of the best wide-receivers in the 2009 NFL Draft class miss the first week of the season, and possibly the remaining fifteen games on the schedule.  A couple of days ago, I had heard that Michael Crabtree holding out until next draft was actually likely to happen, but then when the 49ers knocked off the Cardinals, which did not bode well for my Pick ‘Em score, Crabtree started to show some anxiety.

Yesterday was Crabtree’s birthday, which is probably a strong reason for him leaving the Bay Area.  I would not look too far into it and surmise that his leaving has anything to do with him completely breaking off conversation with the 49ers.

The clock continues to tick, and Crabtree remains far away from competitive football.  Each game Crabtree misses will likely change the 49ers offer to the disgruntled wide-out.  Why pay a player the same amount you were going to pay him before the season, if he is only going to play a fraction of the regular season games?

He left school early, so I guess he can at least tell himself that if he stayed another year at Texas Tech, he would not be making any money, anyway.  At least now, with his student-athlete tag removed, Crabtree can take as much money as he wants from any interested party (I’d bet that Eugene Parker is on that list).

Happy Belated Birthday, Mr. Crabtree from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The first three rounds of the MLB Draft have come and gone and starting at 12 p.m. EST, the draft will pick right back up with Round 4 selections.  But let’s take a break from baseball this morning to discuss a little bit of football.  The 2009 NFL Draft already occurred, and teams are currently right in the middle of their OTAs (Organized Team Activities).  Just as the MLB Amateur Draft is not the only draft for baseball (ex: the Rule 5 draft), the “NFL Draft” is not the only draft in football.  Every year, there is the potential for a NFL Supplemental Draft, which gives underclassmen ineligible for the upcoming NCAA season who did not have their names on the early entry list for the original NFL Draft, the chance to be drafted by an NFL team.

Teams rarely choose players in the NFL Supplemental Draft.  Only thirty-eight players have been taken since 1977; none were grabbed last year.  However, you can count on one team taking a chance on a former Kentucky Wildcat this year.  DE Jeremy Jarmon has entered his name into the pool and will be performing in a pro day for scouts on July 9th.  One week later, on July 16, he hopes to receive a notice that he will be playing professional ball next year.

ESPN reports that Jimmy Sexton of Athletic Resource Management (ARM) will serve as Jarmon’s agent.  Jarmon is already meeting with teams who may be interested in giving up one of their 2010 NFL Draft picks to take the DE in the Supplemental Draft.

Jeremy Jarmon tested positive for a banned substance earlier this year, which destroyed his chances of playing for Kentucky in his senior season.  Instead of sitting out a year or playing for an NAIA school, Jarmon has placed his name in the Supplemental Draft.  The early team to express a lot of interest is the Philadelphia Eagles.

What Team Will Take A Chance On Jeremy Jarmon? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Before Bowl season, he was listed as the best Offensive Lineman going into the 2009 NFL Draft.  Then he was banned from playing in the Sugar Bowl for apparently having dealing with an agent (which is a big no-no when you are a collegiate athlete).  Even though Smith was suspended from what would probably have been the most important single game of his young career, no one thought that it would take any toll on his draft stock.

The winner of the Andre Smith sweepstakes was Alvin Keels and Global Management Group.  Many rumors had been circulating that Todd France and FAAM were the favorites, but Keels came out on top.  For the time being.  I doubt that Keels knew what he was getting into when the talented O-Lineman signed with his company.  Andre Smith ended up showing at the NFL Combine unfit to perform, refused to participate, and then fled the scene.  To make matters worse, the picture above came out and the press was eating it up.

Then Smith scored a 17 on his Wonderlic Test.  And then, with only days remaining before the NFL Draft, Smith dropped Keels in favor of Priority Sports.  Somehow, some way, Smith was a top 10 pick.  His thanks to Priority Sports was a big middle finger.  Yesterday, Jim Trotter of SI.com reported that Smith dropped Priority Sports and guess who Smith is apparently going to hire to fill the void…Alvin Keels.

This is what Keels had to say in response:

“I haven’t been rehired yet,” Keels told us via e-mail.  “Honestly, I might not get him back.  If I do get him back it definitely wasn’t planned that he fire then rehire me.”

But who fires an agent only to re-hire him later? Oh wait, apparently Jeremy Shockey is in the midst of doing the same thing with Rosenhaus Sports Representation as we speak.

Interestingly, Neil Stratton of InsideTheLeague.com reports that even before Smith first hired Keels, he was with DeBartolo Sports.  That means that once Smith officially signs with a new agent (or a new agent who also happens to be a former agent), it will be the fourth time he has signed on the dotted line.  Andre Smith has still not taken a snap in a professional game.

Who Wants To Be Andre Smith’s Agent? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

The former Wake Forest linebacker very well may be one of the most complete persons as well.

The 6-foot-2, 254 pound Curry visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. earlier this month and met with 12-year-old Bryson Merriweather, who is at the hospital battling leukemia.

Following two years and five rounds of chemotherapy, Merriweather is in remission.

A youth football player, Merriweather received a big surprise from Curry during the visit. The projected third overall pick asked Merriweather if he would join him in New York for the 2009 NFL draft. As every 12-year-old would, Merriweather jumped on this unique offer. Merriweather will sit at Curry’s table alongside the top prospect’s family and friends. It will be the first time Merriweather, who lives in Madison, Ala., will visit the Big Apple.

In an era where player conduct is viewed about as important as statistics, Curry has shown NFL teams that he is more than just the most physically well-rounded outside linebacker the draft has seen in a while. He has shown a level-headedness capable of leading an NFL locker room.

The hospital visit, set up by Curry’s agent Andy Ross, is a story that transcends sports. Curry is a week away from being one of the first ten players selected in the draft and cashing in on a huge contract, yet he still connects with people who are less fortunate than himself.

Curry’s altruistic awareness demonstrates that he is more than just a football player. He sees an opportunity to use his burgeoning talent and career to make the world a better place, which is something athletes in his situation seem to forget at times. It is easy to get caught up in the bright lights of New York City and the monetary figures that will be thrown around following the draft, but Curry has proved he is able to keep life in perspective. He is privileged to be in this situation and he certainly won’t let distractions of an NFL lifestyle stop him from fulfilling his potential.

Curry is sure to be a fan favorite for years to come.

Curry Keeps Life and Football in Perspective from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) seems to be doing a good job marketing one of the nine CAA clients that Brandon Thorn predicts will be selected in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.  Darius Heyward-Bey was one of the stars of the NFL Combine and has seen his draft stock rise ever since.  The former University of Maryland wide-receiver took a little while to decide that he would forgo his senior season and enter the draft; he has not looked back since making that important decision.

While Heyward-Bey has done his part by putting up impressive numbers for scouts, CAA has continued to do everything in its power to strengthen Heyward-Bey’s name off the field.  Heyward-Bey has been busy making public appearances for fans, building a strong social media presence at ImATopProspect.com, making guest appearances on shows like ESPN’s First Take, signing autographs, filming future commercials, and more.

The people at CAA obviously get it.  They understand the value of openness, reaching out to fans, and embracing new social media.  It will undoubtedly open doors to potential corporate sponsors after Heyward-Bey becomes a top pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.  But Dancing with the Stars is not in Heyward-Bey’s immediate future…

Then, to emphasize that he still has his limits, Heyward-Bey said, “You’ll never catch me on a reality show.”

Darius Heyward-Bey Could Be One Of Nine CAA Clients Taken In The First Round from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Besides Knox, National Sports Agency has three other 2009 NFL Draft prospects at the Combine.  They are: Pannel Egboh (Stanford), Paul Fanaika (Arizona St.), and Lardarius Webb (Nicholls St.).

Johnny Knox May Do Wonders For National Sports Agency from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Kevin Grant #30 Akron University

Dynasty Football 2009 NFL Draft Prospect

Kevin Grant is a 6’2 250-pound senior inside linebacker for the Akron Zips.  He led the Zips’ in tackles this past season and possesses an uncanny ability to find the football.  Kevin’s extreme dedication and leadership allowed him to play and start in ALL forty-nine Akron football games over the past four years. Kevin truly is half man, half machine.

Growing up in Herndon, Virginia, Kevin attended Herndon High School, where he was a two-sport athlete playing football and basketball.  As a senior, Grant Earned first-team all-district, all-region and All-State.  He was also named to the 2003 George Michael “Golden 11″ and honored as the Defensive Player of the Year for his district and region.  Upon leaving high school, Grant broke the Herndon single-season tackle record with 139 stops in 2003.

He decided to take his studies and athletics to the University of Akron Zips.  While Virginia Tech and many other great institutions were looking at Kevin’s talents, he ultimately chose Akron.

He took a redshirt the 2004 season, until his redshirt freshman season in 2005, when he started in all 13 games at the bandit position in the Zips tough defense.  By the end of the season Kevin was fourth on the team in tackles with 73 and ranked third in sacks with 4.5. He recorded a season-high seven solo tackles at Middle Tennessee State, and finished with eight total stops on the night.   He was honored as a third team CollegeFootballNews.com Freshman All-American and The Sporting News Honorable Mention Freshman All-American team and ended the season earning the Harry “Doc” Smith Award as the top freshman on the Zips squad.

After an impressive redshirt freshman season, Kevin The Machine Grant did only better in his 2006 sophomore campaign.   He started all 12 games at middle linebacker and ranked second on the team with 87 tackles overall, one shy of team leader John Mackey’s 88. He was tied for second on the team with eight tackles for losses. The Machine continued his consistency in tackling and ranked 22nd in the MAC with an average of 7.2 tackles per game.  He had an impressive day at Kent State, earning a career high 15 tackles, including career-high eight solo stops.  KG ended the season as the defense’s Most Valuable Back (Linebackers and Secondary) by the Akron coaching staff for the 2006 season.

The following season Kevin showed his toughness and dedication all year long, leading the team on defense starting and playing in all 12 games.   He ranked third on the team with 74 stops. The machine recorded 11 tackles at Indiana, and had double digit stops with 10 at Bowling Green, leading all Zips.  Kevin anchored the defense and had at least six tackles in a game eight times and at least one tackle for loss in four of Akron’s last ?six games, including two each at Buffalo, at Bowling Green and at Miami.  After the end of the 2007 season he was rewarded for his hard work and leadership by earning third team All-MAC from the league’s coaches.

Prior to the Zips 2008 season Kevin was tabbed preseason second team All-Mid-American Conference by Athlon and was nominated as a captain on defense. When the season got underway the true terminator came out in Kevin as he continued to lead the team playing and starting in every game and recorded a team leading 85 tackles including 50 solo stops. Kevin additionally led the squad with 8.5 tackles for loss and with 4.0 sacks.  Grant amassed 319 tackles in his career, making him 18th-best among active NCAA players.  He earned 36.0 career tackles for losses putting him 21st among active NCAA players.  The machine ranks in the Top 25 in tackles and tackles for loss in the NCAA.

The Machine amazingly started and played in ALL 49 games during his collegiate career and was donned captain during his senior season.  This shows that he has a lot of leadership abilities and is mentally tough to play throughout the entire year.   At the NFL level, the seasons are longer and the games are much tougher.  Kevin’s stats show that he has what it takes to stay healthy for an entire season, physically and mentally; something that many amazing college players cannot claim (Knowshon Moreno, Chris Wells, Percy Harvin). With the assets he already has along with his continued drive to improve his speed and overall abilities, Grant has tremendous upside. Kevin’s consistency and determination on and off the field will make him an asset to any NFL team.

We are extremely excited about the addition of Kevin to the Dynasty family.  Go ahead and check out his new website: http://dynastyreps.com/grant/

Please direct all media/interview inquiries to: press@dynastyreps.com

Dynasty 2009 NFL Prospect: Kevin Grant from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules