Portal Money, Miami Mayhem

Strap in, degenerates, the off-season mirage is almost over.

If college football were a stock, we’d be in peak meme-investor territory. A QB lawsuit transfer, a $1.5M portal bribe, and Tony Petitti shutting down the SEC? It’s July chaos season. We’re sprinting toward kickoff with the grace of a punter trying to return his own blocked field goal.

This newsletter is for the psychos building depth charts in July, the freaks tracking backup QB reps, and anyone who can tell you which SEC coach is most likely to say something truly unhinged next week.

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📰 HEADLINES: Where Sanity Goes to Die

Big Ten in Vegas? No Notes.
The conference showed up in Sin City like it owned the place—and maybe it does now. Tony Petitti doubled down on four automatic bids for the CFP, took subtle shots at the SEC, and sidestepped Michigan’s scandal like a pro. If you didn’t hear the theme music from “Succession” during his presser, you weren’t paying attention. 📎 Read More

Jake Retzlaff, QB, Tulane (and Plaintiff?)
The ex-BYU gunslinger is headed to Tulane after being suspended for an honor code violation, then filing a lawsuit against the university. Most players transfer through the portal. Retzlaff used a courtroom. Can he stay out of headlines and actually play? 📎 Read More

Carson Beck Rerouted to The U
Former Georgia QB1 Carson Beck has recovered from UCL surgery and is transferring to Miami. As in: yes, he’s joining a QB room already bursting at the seams. Either Mario Cristobal is creating a Hunger Games scenario at quarterback or someone’s changing positions. 📎 Read More

Indiana Tampering Story Gets a Price Tag
Curt Cignetti says one of his guys was offered $1.5 million to leave after committing to IU. That’s not NIL. That’s portal extortion with a courtesy phone call. Who was behind it? Nobody’s naming names, but feel free to start your conspiracy boards now. 📎 Read More

🔥 Game We Can’t Wait For: Miami vs. Notre Dame, Aug 31

One of college football’s spiciest dormant rivalries wakes up in Week 1. Miami brings a rebooted offense (with Carson Beck?) to Hard Rock Stadium, while Notre Dame aims to spoil the party with a defense that doesn’t trust anybody.

• What to watch: Beck’s debut, Damien Martinez vs. ND’s front, and Mario Cristobal’s in-game clock management (a horror show in 4K).

• Early Line Vibes: Expect a tight spread (3–7 pts). Take the under if you hate joy.

• Fantasy Angle: Damien Martinez is a top-10 back if Miami stays committed to the ground game.

📈 Fantasy Focus: Bet Your Team on This Guy

Damien Martinez – RB, Miami (ACC)

You might know him from Oregon State—where he racked up 2,167 yards and 16 TDs the past two seasons. Now, he’s the lead back in Mario Cristobal’s run-heavy scheme at Miami, and folks… the runway is clear.

• Why he matters: The Canes lost their top two backs and reloaded the O-line via the portal. Martinez brings power, vision, and has flashed enough as a receiver to make PPR managers tingle.

• The fit: Cristobal doesn’t just want to run the ball—he needs to. Martinez is tailor-made for the downhill attack, and there’s no committee threat right now.

• Stat zone: Last year vs ranked teams, he averaged 5.8 YPC. The dude doesn’t disappear when the lights get bright.

• 2025 projection: 1,200+ yards, 8–10 TDs if Miami keeps the game script close.

• Ceiling comp: Think 2021 Sean Tucker.

• Guarantee: If he doesn’t hit 1,000 yards, I’ll personally bench Mario’s headset myself.

🤑 “Bag Secured” – NIL Tracker

Texas A&M is the new ATM.

• $50.5M in athlete NIL compensation in a single academic year.

• Most in the country. Again.

• The line between “collective” and “conglomerate” is thin—and the Aggies just erased it.

Congratulations to whoever signed the 7th-string linebacker to a 6-figure Chick-fil-A deal. Just know he’ll enter the portal by Week 3.

That’s all for this week’s edition of Converting On Fourth Down—where we chase the chaos, track the bags, and whisper sweet nothings to transfer portal databases at 2 a.m.

Whether you're prepping for your 14-team dynasty league or just waiting to tweet “Texas is back” ironically—remember this:

Hope is undefeated in July.
Reality shows up Week 1.

— The Convert on Fourth Down Team

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