The Weekender: Falcons Defensive Coordinator’s Son Prank Calls Shedeur Sanders, Rich Rodriguez Looks to Restore WVU’s Former Glory and UK Wants to Make Its Athletic Department an LLC

By 11W Staff on April 27, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Shedeur Sanders
Michael Ciaglo-Imagn Images
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Shedeur Sanders prank called by coach’s son

As former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders remained undrafted through Friday, a video surfaced on social media showing the quarterback receiving a call from someone impersonating New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis.

“It’s been a long wait, man,” the caller said. “We’re going to take you with our next pick, but you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer. Sorry about that.”

The NFL’s investigation into the prank call didn’t take long, as Jax Ulbrich – the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich – admitted Sunday that he was behind the prank, having obtained the number from his father.

The Falcons also apologized for the incident in a statement, though they are not expected to discipline Jeff Ulbrich for his son’s actions.

During a conference call with Cleveland-area reporters after being selected by the Browns in the fifth round on Saturday, Sanders said the prank didn’t faze him.

“It really didn’t have an impact on me,” Sanders said. “I mean, OK — I don’t feed into that stuff. You’ve seen Deion (Sanders) Jr.’s YouTube video. My reaction to it, I don’t — it is what it is. Of course, it’s childish. Of course, I feel like it was a childish act, but everybody does childish things here and there.”

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski criticized the prank callers on Saturday, calling the situation “sad” and saying, “people are morons.”

Sanders wasn’t the only prospect targeted by prank calls during the draft. Former Penn State tight end Tyler Warren said he received a call from an unknown number before the Indianapolis Colts selected him No. 14 overall. Former Ohio State and Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord also reported a prank call before being selected No. 181 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rich Rodriguez looking to return WVU to former glory

On Dec. 13, 2024, Rich Rodriguez admitted that leaving West Virginia for Michigan 17 years ago was a mistake.

"This is really surreal," Rodriguez said during an introductory press conference for his second stint with the Mountaineers. "I never should have left."

Over four months later, Rodriguez told ESPN he still feels the same. Rodriguez went 60-26 at West Virginia from 2001 to 2007, winning one Sugar Bowl and one Gator Bowl while leading the program to four AP top 25 finishes. Now back in Morgantown, Rodriguez aims to restore the Mountaineers to their former standard.

"I grew up in ... a coal mining town; they had a plant right there. This place does mean more," he told ESPN. "I went to school here. I understand the people of the state. It's blue-collar and (has) an underdog mentality, but also a lot of pride in everything that we do. There's no professional team in the state. There's not another Power 4 team in the state. So a lot of people's happiness can grow when West Virginia athletics has success. I knew that when I played here, I knew that before I played here, I knew that when I coached here, so that's still the same.

"There are a lot of people that buy these tickets, and that's a big expense to them, and I think we owe it to them, you know, maybe not to win, you're going to make mistakes, whatever. But we owe it to them to at least play with great passion."

Rodriguez believes the former standard will take effect soon, and its impacts will be evident to those who watch West Virginia in 2025. He told ESPN that you don't have to know X's and O's to see effort, and effort will always be non-negotiable in his eyes. He believes the Mountaineer fan base deserves nothing less.

"It's human nature to be average, it's human nature to be lazy, and we have to fight that every day," he said. "And we — and I — will keep fighting it. I have no problems fighting it until it becomes ingrained into every person in the program."

Kentucky wants to make its athletic department an LLC

Kentucky asked its board of trustees Friday to approve a plan to convert its entire athletic department into an LLC, a move the school said would position it to adapt to the new climate of college athletics.

According to a Kentucky press release, Champions Blue LLC would enable the Wildcats to establish a public-private partnership to raise funds and manage expenses as college athletics transition into a new era, if the House Settlement is approved and schools are permitted to share revenue with athletes in the future.

A board composed of business and professional sports experts would advise Kentucky president Eli Capiluoto and athletic director Mitch Barnhart under the proposed model, which the school stated in its press release would be the first of its kind.

"We believe this is an innovative approach — a new structure and governance model that thoughtfully contemplates how we strengthen athletics, protect and promote the university and open up new opportunities for growth," Capiluoto said in a press release. "It's a foundation and model that we are calling Champions Blue. Athletics and its success have always been the result of an incredible and productive partnership with campus. It will continue to be in the future — if we seize the opportunities in front of us to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

Barnhart added that Champions Blue LLC would help Kentucky thrive in the next chapter of college athletics.

"Our mission remains the same: to put championship rings on fingers and diplomas in hands," Barnhart said in a statement. "But how we accomplish that goal — how we finance our teams, protect our future and support our student athletes — will have to change. ... That's what this new model represents: an understanding that in the market we are in that we have to be creative. We have to find new ways to generate revenue, manage expenses and think about opportunities to grow."

ICYMI

2025 NFL Draft Central

Ohio State led all schools with 14 selections in the 2025 NFL draft and tied its school record for total picks. However, the Buckeyes fell one selection short of Georgia’s record for the most picks in a draft. For complete coverage of Ohio State at the draft, visit the Eleven Warriors NFL Draft Central.

Ohio State Football Transfer Portal Tracker

Ohio State didn't lose a single scholarship player to the transfer portal during the spring window, an accomplishment that brought great pride and relief to head coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes have also landed two transfer portal commitments in the past week: former North Carolina defensive end Beau Atkinson and former West Virginia offensive tackle Justin Terry. Learn more about Atkinson, Terry and other Ohio State transfer portal news with the Eleven Warriors Transfer Portal Tracker.

Ross Bjork Calls for College Football Calendar Changes

After experiencing the full grind of a Buckeye national championship run that lasted all the way until Jan. 20, Ross Bjork told ESPN that if college football wants to avoid “unintended consequences,” it must adjust the College Football Playoff and transfer portal windows.

What’s Next

  • 125 Days: Ohio State football season opener vs. Texas
  • 188 Days: Jim Knowles returns to Columbus for Penn State vs. Ohio State
  • 216 Days: The Game
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