Sports, Politics, and Music by Ryan Kantor

2021 Clemson Positional Grades

Clemson had a tumultuous football season that fell below expectations in 2021. Despite that, they still managed to battle their way to 10 wins behind a defense that remained elite despite a bevy of injuries. Some position groups shined while others struggled. As a 2021 season review, I delved into the stats, PFF grades (based … Continue reading →

After Returning for Senior Season, Travis Etienne Could be a Rare First Round Running Back

The 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland begins on April 29th where the Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to kick off the proceedings by taking Clemson’s standout quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He isn’t the only Clemson Tiger projected to be drafted though. The Tigers are expected to have four players taken, which is actually their fewest since 2018 … Continue reading →

Storylines of Clemson’s 2020 Season

This football season was a strange one, wasn’t it? Clemson finished 10-2 with marquee wins over Miami and Notre Dame (ACC Championship) and losses to Notre Dame (regular season) and Ohio State. It was Clemson’s 10th straight 10-win season and their sixth straight ACC Championship. All in all, Clemson’s season was a success. This is … Continue reading →

Book Review: Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly (No Spoilers)

After watching the Social Dilemma on Netflix, I’ve decided my New Year’s resolution for 2021 will be to read more and spend less time on social media. For a resolution to hold any weight, it must be specific and measurable, so I’m going for 26 books and no Twitter app on my smartphone. I’m not … Continue reading →

Stop Winning Pointless Games, Start Winning Championships

Professional sports promote parity in their annual drafts by rewarding early picks to bad teams and late picks to good teams. In MLB and the NHL, it can take a while for those early draft picks to start making a major impact on the team, while in the NFL those impacts can often be felt … Continue reading →

Cancellations Impact on the National Championship Hunt, Heisman Trophy Race

On August 10th, the Big Ten and Pac-12 cancelled their college football seasons citing fears from a European study on a COVID-19 related heart condition called Myocarditis. Since the decision was made, several doctors have come out and called the study deeply flawed. Additionally, a massive player movement dubbed #WeWantToPlay showed that nobody is “asking … Continue reading →

Finding Unity in Sports is an Important Part of American Culture

This terrible pandemic has deprived us of sports for far too long. In these months without live sports I’ve contemplated where they fit in society. At times, I’ve wondered if they’re too important. Do we put them too close to the center of our life and derive too much of our self-identity from them? Are … Continue reading →

Optimism for Fall Football Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nearly every American has been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Sports fans have missed March Madness and at least to-date the NBA and NHL playoffs. MLB’s opening day and the Masters have also suffered lengthy delays. More importantly, over 75,000 Americans have died and over 33,000,000 have become unemployed as a result of lockdowns … Continue reading →

A Look Back at Some of My Favorite Clemson Football Players (#5 – #1)

I previously posted my #12 through #6 favorite players. That list included Grady Jarrett, Austin Bryant, Mitch Hyatt, James Davis, CJ Spiller, Hunter Renfrow, and Christian Wilkins. Now we’ll take a look at my five favorite football players in Clemson football over the Dabo-Swinney era. #5 Deshaun Watson (QB 2014-2016) The first three-year player to … Continue reading →

Sports, Politics, and Music by Ryan Kantor

Home Runs, Apple Pie, and Rock 'n Roll

Finding Conversation in a Sound Bite Society: Objections to God

If the College Football Playoff Ever Expands, Here’s the Conference Realignment That Should Accompany It

We Bid Farewell to Clemson Football Alumni

Assessing the Greatest Clemson Football Coaches of All Time

My Journey Touring College Football Stadiums

Book Review: Coolidge by Amity Shlaes