NASHVILLE – The much-anticipated SEC Media Days kicked off in Nashville on Monday, with commissioner Greg Sankey taking the podium alongside coaches and players from LSU, Texas A&M, and Missouri. The event, hosted at the Grand Hyatt hotel, is scheduled to run through Thursday and is being televised on SEC Network, giving fans a chance to get a glimpse of the upcoming 2023 SEC season.
Tuesday’s lineup will feature representatives from Vanderbilt, Georgia, Auburn, and Mississippi State, as well as the coordinator of SEC officials, making it an action-packed continuation of the media extravaganza.
As media members prepared for the event, they were in for a treat with plenty of eyebrow-raising moments. Here are some of the biggest winners and losers from Day 1 of SEC Media Days 2023:
Winners:
- Texas A&M’s Players with Swag: Inspired by coach Jimbo Fisher, each of Texas A&M’s three players, McKinnley Jackson, Fadil Diggs, and Ainias Smith, added a touch of style to their media sessions by sporting trendy sunglasses from Balenciaga.
- Missouri’s Darius Robinson: Robinson made a stylish statement of his own, arriving in Alexander McQueen spiked shoes. Not content with just one pair, he bought two, one in white and one in black, and opted to wear one of each to his session, turning heads in the process.
Losers:
- Nashville: While the city got to host the SEC Media Days, it wasn’t without its challenges. Construction on the Broadway Bridge made the Grand Hyatt hotel difficult to access, causing inconveniences for attendees. To add to the frustration, the closure is set to last a little longer due to the construction.
- The NCAA’s Rules on Recruiting Comments: NCAA rules prevented Texas A&M’s recruiting wizard, Jimbo Fisher, from publicly discussing recruits who have not yet signed with the team. Fisher’s recruiting success, including landing 5-star wide receiver Cameron Coleman, could not be elaborated upon as a reporter asked about his approach.
Noteworthy Moments:
- Brian Kelly’s Accent: LSU coach Brian Kelly became an internet sensation when he adopted a fake Southern accent upon becoming the team’s coach in December 2021. At the Media Days, Kelly confirmed that he still uses the accent while recruiting and humorously noted that it has improved over time, adapting based on his location within Louisiana.
- Artificial Intelligence in Recruiting: Brian Kelly also revealed that LSU is embracing artificial intelligence in its recruiting practices, considering it an “intriguing opportunity.” However, Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz humorously shared he had as many thoughts on AI as AI does itself, implying he doesn’t have much to say on the subject.
- State NIL Laws: Commissioner Greg Sankey expressed concerns over the patchwork of state Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) laws, advocating for uniform rules to apply to everyone. He highlighted the challenges faced by high school and college athletes navigating the complexities of individual state laws to earn money from NIL opportunities.
As the SEC Media Days continue, fans and media alike can expect more revelations, inspiring moments, and intriguing insights into the upcoming college football season. With the spotlight on coaches and players, these media sessions provide a glimpse into the excitement and anticipation building up ahead of the 2023 SEC season.
