Sources are telling me (I would love to share brand names, but want to stay as anonymous as possible) that Hobbs Kessler is skipping his NAU scholarship for a six-figure deal with huge bonuses.
I think he'll take it and just do online school. Basically what he's doing now just without the money part.
This idea is not to much of a stretch, so I think most people can take a guess on who your brand names are.
I feel like going pro is the right move for him. He may be able to do well at NAU, but it seems like Smith's training is best for distance runners.
Could have just titled this thread the track smith deal
As well he should. What he’s doing is working, so no need to shake things up.
And runners need to strike while the iron is hot.
Doubtful it'll be Nike, they'll want him to join BTC or Julian's group. Nothing against Warhurst's coaching, it's about being able to market his performance which works far better in a group under the brand umbrella than as a solo agent. I do question who else would have the available money in budget and the willingness to spend it on a single athlete right now.
I mean I can't judge because I'm not a high schooler who just ran 3:34, but I think there a huge upside to running at least a single NCAA season. There's the social aspect of being on a university team for one thing, but the NCAA teaches you how to race. Yea he ran 3:34 but he came 5th, and if he's running pro his only benchmark is whether or not he can win races. Plenty of exceptional talents enter the NCAA but can't win a race, and learn to do so over their career. When they get to the pro ranks they can compete for championships.
If you are doubting the importance of being able to race, look at Sam Tanner.. runs a 3:34 and on multiple occasions makes it clear that he's got a lot to learn when things are tactical
If he believes he will get faster, then that contract will be waiting for him after he runs a year of NCAA and shows that he's that much better (or not). Athing Mu, Sydney McLaughlin etc. at least gave it a year and showed that they are levels ahead, and I don't think Hobbs is quite at that level
new era wrote:
I mean I can't judge because I'm not a high schooler who just ran 3:34, but I think there a huge upside to running at least a single NCAA season. There's the social aspect of being on a university team for one thing, but the NCAA teaches you how to race. Yea he ran 3:34 but he came 5th, and if he's running pro his only benchmark is whether or not he can win races. Plenty of exceptional talents enter the NCAA but can't win a race, and learn to do so over their career. When they get to the pro ranks they can compete for championships.
If you are doubting the importance of being able to race, look at Sam Tanner.. runs a 3:34 and on multiple occasions makes it clear that he's got a lot to learn when things are tactical
If he believes he will get faster, then that contract will be waiting for him after he runs a year of NCAA and shows that he's that much better (or not). Athing Mu, Sydney McLaughlin etc. at least gave it a year and showed that they are levels ahead, and I don't think Hobbs is quite at that level
The NCAA doesn’t teach you how to race. Running races teaches you how to race.
new era wrote:
NCAA teaches you how to race.
There is no one to race at the NCAA, Kessler is already faster than ALL college students.
He will learn racing with the pros and will make money doing it. The reason of him running 3:34 is because he tried to hang with the pros.
In my opinion, a year in college has cost Athing Mu 6 figures. If she stays with Texas A&M one more year, it is plain stupidity...
think firster wrote:
new era wrote:
NCAA teaches you how to race.
There is no one to race at the NCAA, Kessler is already faster than ALL college students.
He will learn racing with the pros and will make money doing it. The reason of him running 3:34 is because he tried to hang with the pros.
In my opinion, a year in college has cost Athing Mu 6 figures. If she stays with Texas A&M one more year, it is plain stupidity...
Don't build a strawman that collegians race ONLY collegians while on NCAA teams nor what you fancifully imagine as market value in a sport with minimal visibility. One year or even two with a limited racing schedule under someone like Lananna would be a fantastic transition from HS & Warhurst to the next level beyond. Smith wants complete allegiance to team goals at NAU, which isn't wrong yet not ideal for true superstars.
BOHICA wrote:
think firster wrote:
There is no one to race at the NCAA, Kessler is already faster than ALL college students.
He will learn racing with the pros and will make money doing it. The reason of him running 3:34 is because he tried to hang with the pros.
In my opinion, a year in college has cost Athing Mu 6 figures. If she stays with Texas A&M one more year, it is plain stupidity...
Don't build a strawman that collegians race ONLY collegians while on NCAA teams nor what you fancifully imagine as market value in a sport with minimal visibility. One year or even two with a limited racing schedule under someone like Lananna would be a fantastic transition from HS & Warhurst to the next level beyond. Smith wants complete allegiance to team goals at NAU, which isn't wrong yet not ideal for true superstars.
To the level beyond? You mean a coach better than the one that kept Nick Willis relevant for almost 20 years? Or the one (that I’m assuming) helped Ferlic back from breaking both his arms to two 8:18 steeples this season? Or how about the coach that took a random high schooler to a 3:34 1500..? There is no new level to transition to, he’s arrived.
NWARunner wrote:
BOHICA wrote:
Don't build a strawman that collegians race ONLY collegians while on NCAA teams nor what you fancifully imagine as market value in a sport with minimal visibility. One year or even two with a limited racing schedule under someone like Lananna would be a fantastic transition from HS & Warhurst to the next level beyond. Smith wants complete allegiance to team goals at NAU, which isn't wrong yet not ideal for true superstars.
To the level beyond? You mean a coach better than the one that kept Nick Willis relevant for almost 20 years? Or the one (that I’m assuming) helped Ferlic back from breaking both his arms to two 8:18 steeples this season? Or how about the coach that took a random high schooler to a 3:34 1500..? There is no new level to transition to, he’s arrived.
Right, just like Cain had.
who care he not is ever gonna be as fast as the africans. just another overhype American "phenom"....we knowed how this turn out.
But his contract will be much larger which is all that matters. Go back to your hut with no contract while he earns $100k per year.
BOHICA wrote:
think firster wrote:
There is no one to race at the NCAA, Kessler is already faster than ALL college students.
He will learn racing with the pros and will make money doing it. The reason of him running 3:34 is because he tried to hang with the pros.
In my opinion, a year in college has cost Athing Mu 6 figures. If she stays with Texas A&M one more year, it is plain stupidity...
Don't build a strawman that collegians race ONLY collegians while on NCAA teams nor what you fancifully imagine as market value in a sport with minimal visibility. One year or even two with a limited racing schedule under someone like Lananna would be a fantastic transition from HS & Warhurst to the next level beyond. Smith wants complete allegiance to team goals at NAU, which isn't wrong yet not ideal for true superstars.
Don't hold this talented runner down. Hobbs has already transitioned. He would only be going through the motions in college to build up the resume of the coaches.
We can’t compare this guy to other high schoolers except for maybe Webb. He’s already at a pro level. Drew Hunter and others were not.
It makes no sense to risk injury in the NCAA and not nail down a six figure contract rate now.
He can “learn to race” in the diamond league against the big boys not Joey from Boise State.
DontForgetTheShoes wrote:
BOHICA wrote:
Don't build a strawman that collegians race ONLY collegians while on NCAA teams nor what you fancifully imagine as market value in a sport with minimal visibility. One year or even two with a limited racing schedule under someone like Lananna would be a fantastic transition from HS & Warhurst to the next level beyond. Smith wants complete allegiance to team goals at NAU, which isn't wrong yet not ideal for true superstars.
Don't hold this talented runner down. Hobbs has already transitioned. He would only be going through the motions in college to build up the resume of the coaches.
What US team has he made after weathering the rounds against his peers? World Juniors? World XC Juniors? Oh, NOTHING? He ran one great mark while under no real pressure. Typical LRC hobbyjogger cluelessness.
I don’t think they have the cash to do it, and would be apparel only, but what a huge get that would be for Tracksmith.
Kessler should pick up a Black Diamond or Petzl sponsorship and then win the trials in a rock climbing singlet. Show coop & silva & all the other noodle bod betas what a real man looks like
Weird this obsession LRC has with going pro. Most pro contracts are worth peanuts. This isn’t the NBA. I made more in my first job than all but a very few US runners do in a year. I wouldn’t have skipped college for that if it was an option. It is not like 4 years of college is going to greatly change his financial future one way or another.
I see someone like Drew and I just feel sorry for them.