Calvin Jackson Jr. shines on ‘Last Chance U’

The third season of Last Chance U dropped yesterday on Netflix. I’m a nerd when it comes to this show and just happened to have the day off.

So I watched four episodes and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

Cougs fans will be interested because 2018 signee and incoming wide receiver Calvin Jackson Jr. is on the show as one of the Independence Community College Pirates’ top players. He’s constantly making plays and is featured almost exclusively for his on-field performance.

He’s not one of the players the cameras follow around, at least through four episodes. But he is prominent in the game action. He’s seen briefly at other points of the first four episodes during practice and in class, as well as a brief meeting with coaches.

He tweeted a picture back on July 5 showing cameras around him and WSU coaches during the season:

That picture appears to have been taken at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, which was where Independence played its last game of the season on Dec. 3.

Jackson isn’t the only WSU-related player on the Pirates. As Theo Lawson pointed out, current commit Chad Davis is a DB for the Pirates.

Close followers of past Last Chance U seasons might recall that Peyton Bender showed up in season two as an opposing quarterback. So that’s three past, current and future Cougs who make an appearance on the show, for those keeping score.

If you’re interested, SB Nation had a good review of the newest season. Here’s my quick, amateur review of the first four episodes (no spoilers):

• Once again, it’s fantastic storytelling. After it was announced Netflix would move to a different school, many wondered if the filmmakers could come up with something as good and as unique as it did at East Mississippi. They did, because....
• The head coach is crazy. Like, really really crazy. His f-bomb count is through the roof, which gets a little old. He’s constantly in verbal fights with players and coaches (and a security officer at one point), but he’s definitely a hell of a guy to follow around with a camera.
• This season’s academic figure is English teacher LaTonya Pinkard and she is an absolute saint.
• The background stories of the players really are the pathos of the show. Many of these guys are literally on their last chance for one reason or another (some self-inflicted, others not so much). It can be gut-wrenching at times but it’s a great glimpse into their lives.

Enjoy the show.

Fred Mauigoa named to Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List

Junior center Fred Mauigoa was one of 10 Pac-12 centers named the the Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List. In total, 58 centers across the country are on the list. The trophy goes to the best D-I center.

Washington State’s Fred Mauigoa one of 10 Pac-12 centers to earn Rimington watch list nod | The Spokesman-Review
Mauigoa, an Iliili, American Samoa, native who started all 13 games for the Cougars last season as a sophomore and anchored the nation’s second-best passing attack, is the first WSU center named to the watch list since Riley Sorenson in 2016.

Mike Leach to host a book signing

I had no idea there was a book—released last year—about Mike Leach’s departure from Texas Tech. I mean, other than Swing Your Sword.

Apparently there is, and if you happen to be in the Lubbock area, Leach will be signing copies on Monday.

Mike Leach Is Returning to Lubbock for a Book Signing
Former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach is coming back to Lubbock for a book signing on July 23 at Barnes & Noble.

Non-WSU news that is still interesting

Message boards from TexAgs to TigerDroppings keep college football weird | ESPN.com
Fans like Stormy Daniels, federal judicial nominees and undercover school presidents (who are former CIA directors) keep college football weird on message boards.

Nick Saban would welcome a major change to the Alabama schedule
Alabama has had the best players and best coaching in college football for a decade, but there is another reason why the Crimson Tide rule the sport: scheduling.

Coaches and their everlasting quest to coach turnovers | ESPN.com
Football coaches constantly stress the importance of takeaways and ball security. But does it really all just come down to luck?