Upon his arrival to play in 2023, he encountered a starkly different reality. Games were suddenly canceled, and the video footage, if available, was blurry. The team seemed disconnected from college coaches. He began to question the empty promises that had enticed him, but he persevered. Growing up, he idolized those who left his hometown to play college football, aspiring to be like them.
Fearing he would lose the chance to play football if he left, he remained. His experience mirrors that of many in the exploitative world of post-graduate football, as revealed by a USA TODAY investigation. These programs thrive in the unregulated space between high school and higher education, preying on athletes overlooked by major colleges.
Program owners, often former college or NFL players, target young men of color, labeling them as “at-risk” or “inner city youth,” claiming football as their pathway to college. These owners make lofty promises while charging exorbitant fees, often failing to deliver on basic necessities like food and lodging.
Injuries are common due to the absence of proper safety measures. Unlike high school and college teams, post-grad players lack adequate protection. Few players receive the college offers they seek, and success is typically in spite of the program, not because of it.
While a few team owners have faced legal action, there is no overarching regulatory body overseeing these programs. USA TODAY’s investigation, based on extensive interviews and public records, highlights the deceptive practices prevalent in post-graduate football.
Former coach Chris Fore advises students to consider junior college or college walk-on opportunities instead. He criticizes the pay-to-play model of post-grad teams, contrasting it with California’s tuition-free junior college football.
Hezekiah West, having had high hopes for his post-grad team, Mississippi Prep, felt let down by unfulfilled promises, including assistance in college recruitment.
After completing their post-graduate experience, many athletes found it to be valuable and beneficial to their skills. They reported improvements in their game and the discovery of new college opportunities. Some have even received offers from junior colleges and NCAA schools, though the chances of going Division I are rare.
Investigation has revealed that unsigned high-school players paid significant amounts of money for a chance at college football. Questions arose about where the funds were utilized. While some team owners acknowledged issues with other post-grad programs, they portrayed their own programs in a positive light. They claimed to be altruistic, assisting athletes who may have otherwise been overlooked and operating at a financial loss. However, instead of addressing concerns raised about their programs, many dismissed criticism from players and coaches as disgruntled opinions.
Derrick Crudup Jr., owner of Mississippi Prep and a former University of Miami quarterback, disputed the accounts provided by West and other players regarding his program. He clarified that only one game was canceled, not several, and he refrained from making promises about players’ future placements.
Despite Crudup’s assertions, West and others revealed that they had expected comfortable accommodations and meals based on promises made by coaches during recruitment. West shared his contract with Mississippi Prep, which guaranteed “housing,” but did not specify that he would be living in a single room with five other players in temporary lodging meant for emergency workers post-Hurricane Katrina. Meals were not provided as initially anticipated.
A comparison of images from 2023 showcased the living conditions at Mississippi Prep, illustrating a cramped living situation for players. Many players felt deceived and helpless upon realizing the disparity between what was promised and what was delivered.
Stories like Michelle Palm’s shed light on the challenges faced by families navigating post-grad football programs. Despite initial doubts raised by a high school coach, Michelle proceeded with sending her son Kellen to a Florida-based post-grad team called Prestige Worldwide Sports Academy. Assured by a positive phone conversation with coach Roosevelt Roberts and the enticing pictures on Prestige’s website, Michelle believed Kellen would reside at a luxurious resort in Fort Lauderdale, receive three meals daily, exposure to recruiters, and a guaranteed seven-game season for a flat fee of $6,600.
However, as payment towards the program commenced, the costs escalated beyond the initial agreement. Additional charges totaling $7,500 were imposed for tuition, along with separate expenses for deposits, fees, and meals amounting to $1,150. Contrary to expectations, accommodations at the Chateau Mar Golf Resort, as advertised, required further substantial payments. Kellen ended up residing at a Comfort Suites with cramped living conditions, contrary to the lavish promises made earlier.
These accounts underscore the challenges and discrepancies faced by families and athletes in navigating post-grad football programs, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability within the industry.
In an email to Prestige, Palm stated that the ‘resort’ housing was not part of the plan. Program owner Kenney Wilcox denied misleading Palm and mentioned that he could not be held responsible for what an assistant coach may have said over the phone. Wilcox clarified that meals were never included in the costs, which were clearly outlined in the bill. According to the agreement shared by Palm with USA TODAY, there was no detailed information about the “more affordable housing option” she believed she was getting. It turned out her son would be living in a cheap hotel room with three players, two beds, and a couch, which was not what she expected.
Wilcox mentioned that he would update Prestige’s website to clarify the housing options, although pictures of Chateau Mar were still being promoted, even though no players had stayed there since 2022. Palm later discovered that additional money was requested for a highlight reel for her son, which she thought was already included in the initial payment of about $10,000. Feeling helpless, Palm mentioned that parents in her situation often have limited options when they realize they have been deceived by post-graduate program owners.
In a similar case from 2016, a player filed a lawsuit against Jireh Prep in North Carolina and its owners, Jeffrey and Kindra Rabon, for misrepresentations about the program. The lawsuit was unsuccessful after the Rabons declared bankruptcy, but Jireh Prep continued operations under new leadership. In another incident, a coach of the Hardeeville Vikings was charged with defrauding players and innkeepers, with investigations still ongoing.
Meanwhile, in Florida, players at Prestige faced challenges with meal deliveries, as they received all their meals at once for multiple days, resulting in storage issues for the plastic containers.
In their hotel mini fridge, Kellen Palm and his roommates struggled to store the numerous takeout containers they received twice a week, resulting in much of the food sitting out and growing moldy. Due to several players leaving the team midway through the season, those remaining were forced to play out of position and without breaks. Starting with 40 to 50 players, only about 15 players remained by the end of the season. When the owner of Prestige, Wilcox, prematurely ended the season, Kellen Palm returned to Washington feeling like his time there was a waste of money. Despite players paying significant fees, Wilcox did not issue refunds, citing that a full schedule was not guaranteed. Prestige continues to operate a post-grad basketball team, but the football team’s 2024 season was also canceled before it began. After the disappointing 2022 season, Michelle Palm sought to recover some of her money through various means, including filing a complaint with a reality TV court show. The experience has left her cautious about supporting athletes post-high school at any cost. In a separate incident, Bryson Kurtz found himself in a dangerous situation during a game where he felt concussed but was not promptly taken out by his coaches. This lack of immediate medical attention is a troubling trend among athletes, as many have reported similar experiences of insufficient care on the field.
While playing for Mississippi Prep, C.J. Sheets, a member of Kellen Palm’s team at Prestige Worldwide, experienced intense pain and cramping due to severe dehydration during a half-hour journey on the team bus to a hospital. If Kurtz had sustained a similar head injury at an NCAA college game, the league would mandate that coaches remove him for a medical assessment. Only after an athletic trainer or team physician confirmed the absence of a concussion would he be permitted to return to the field. If a concussion were suspected or confirmed, he would be sidelined for the remainder of the day. High schools in most states adhere to similar protocols. According to data from the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut, 47 states require athletes to sit out if a concussion is suspected. All states except Utah prohibit concussed athletes from resuming activity until cleared by a medical professional. Additionally, two-thirds of states mandate that high schools have emergency action plans in place for potential health emergencies during practices or games, such as cardiac arrest or heat stroke. However, post-grad football lacks regulation. Rebecca Stearns, the chief operating officer of the Korey Stringer Institute, noted that state laws do not cover post-grad sports, and the National Post Grad Athletic Association (NPGAA) does not have written health or safety requirements despite governing over 39 post-grad teams. Leo Etienne, the NPGAA’s founder and commissioner, revealed that his team does not possess a defibrillator, with the emergency plan being to call 911. The absence of health and safety protocols in post-grad football is especially troubling due to the sport’s inherent risks and the demographic of its participants. Stearns emphasized that football contributes significantly to heat-related deaths in sports, and college-aged men, especially Black men, are at a higher risk of experiencing cardiac arrest. She stressed the importance of preparedness, training, and access to essential equipment in saving athletes’ lives.
The video featured the Naples team as the winners, falsely attributing catches and touchdowns to the Knights. Team owner Jen Armstrong, previously convicted of home burglary, blamed Hudl for the mistake and assured that a coach would correct it. By mid-November, hardly anyone had viewed the video.
Players enter post-grad football aiming to impress college coaches, but the reality is that very few succeed. Many promises made by programs evaporate, leaving players with subpar game footage and limited opportunities. Only 3% of high school football players will make it to an NCAA Division I team, a statistic comparable to Harvard’s acceptance rate.
Jen Armstrong, co-founder of the Naples Knights, is seen talking to a player during a game against the St. Thomas University Bobcats in Miami Gardens, Fla. Lack of resources in many high schools leaves aspiring athletes vulnerable during the recruitment process, creating an opportunity for post-grad program owners to take advantage of their dreams.
Some players mentioned receiving offers after their post-grad program, often from junior colleges or smaller NCAA Division III schools they had hoped to avoid. Others found success independently from their program, like Cole Olson who transitioned from soccer to football, eventually playing for Ferris State University.
Olson’s experience at Mississippi Prep fell short of expectations, with limited support in securing offers and inadequate game footage. Despite struggles, he managed to secure a scholarship at Midland University through the post-grad program. However, the lack of trust in the program’s reputation made it challenging for Olson to gain recognition from larger colleges.
Misleading success stories on Prep’s website further fueled skepticism among college recruiters, who doubted the credibility of the program. Similar challenges were faced by other players, such as West, as they navigated post-grad programs in pursuit of college football opportunities.
In 2023, Cole Olson enrolled at Mississippi Prep with dreams of propelling his collegiate football aspirations to new heights. However, as he reflects on his experience with the post-grad football team, Olson expresses a sense of disappointment, stating that he did not receive the anticipated support in terms of recruitment assistance or acquiring fresh game footage.
While acknowledging that Mississippi Prep may not have fulfilled all his expectations, Olson’s former teammate, Crudup, highlights the pivotal role the program played in Olson’s journey. “If he didn’t compete at Mississippi Prep, I doubt he would have landed where he is now,” Crudup remarks, emphasizing the program’s impact on Olson’s trajectory.
Despite the perceived shortcomings of his time at Mississippi Prep, Olson managed to draw attention from recruiters through established high school connections. Following his stint at Garden City Community College in Kansas, Olson eventually found a home at Ferris State, crediting his varied experiences for shaping his collegiate football path.
Reflecting on his time at Mississippi Prep, Olson suggests that alternative routes, such as starting at a junior college or walking onto a team, may offer more promising avenues for aspiring college football players. In reaching out to individuals considering Mississippi Prep, Olson offers a cautionary message: “This path may not be as straightforward as it seems.”
As the conversation surrounding post-grad football programs continues to evolve, questions arise regarding the efficacy and value of these initiatives for young athletes. Amidst the allure of a fresh start and enhanced opportunities, players like Olson shed light on the complexities and uncertainties inherent in pursuing such paths.
In a landscape where success in collegiate sports often hinges on strategic decisions and fortuitous connections, Olson’s journey serves as a reminder of the multifaceted nature of the recruitment process. While programs like Mississippi Prep may offer a platform for aspiring athletes to showcase their skills, the ultimate path to collegiate football success remains a nuanced and individualized pursuit.
As the debate surrounding post-grad football programs gains momentum, it is essential to consider the diverse perspectives and experiences of those directly impacted. Through candid accounts and reflections, players like Olson provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating the competitive world of collegiate athletics.
In an era where the pursuit of athletic dreams intersects with the complexities of recruitment and collegiate pathways, individuals like Olson offer a glimpse into the realities of striving for success in the realm of post-grad football. As aspiring players weigh their options and contemplate their next steps, the story of Cole Olson serves as a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and perseverance required to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate sports.
For more investigative reporting on issues at the intersection of sports, higher education, and law enforcement, stay tuned to USA TODAY for in-depth coverage and analysis. Contact our reporters Chris Quintana and Kenny Jacoby for further insights and updates on this developing story.
