Major Open For Business Milestone

Today, I want to start with a massive thank you to everyone reading this. Open For Business hit 5,000 subscribers this weekend, less than 13 months after it launched in July 2024.

THANK YOU for coming along for the ride.

When I started this newsletter, I had no idea what to expect. The response has been more than I could’ve imagined.

I’m forever grateful for your loyalty and your trust in me to deliver something entertaining and relevant each week. Believe me, we’re just getting started.

Anonymous Player Survey: Toughest Individual Player Matchup

I talked with nearly 30 players at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco to get candid responses on everything from who they think will win the league to the toughest place to play, the best quarterback, wild portal offers, and more.

Today’s installment of the Anonymous Player Survey asks: Who was the toughest individual player you matched up with last season in the Big 12?

Some of these players have graduated or gone pro, but it’s still fascinating to see which names stood out to the returning stars.

We ended up with a four-way tie for the top spot:

Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech/UCF)
Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
Wyatt Milum (OT, West Virginia)
Cobee Bryant (CB, Kansas)

Hunter transferred to Tech from UCF this offseason. Tyson is back to lead the ASU offense. Milum is now a Jacksonville Jaguar, and Bryant is with the Atlanta Falcons.

Here is the full voting breakdown:

Texas Tech/UCF DT Lee Hunter – 2
Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson – 2
West Virginia OT Wyatt Milum – 2
Kansas CB Cobee Bryant – 2
Kansas CB Mello Dotson – 1
BYU/Utah DT Keanu Tanuvasa – 1
BYU DE Tyler Batty – 1
BYU LB Isaiah Glasker – 1
Arizona OT Jonah Savaiinaea – 1
Washington/Arizona CB Tacario Davis – 1
Colorado CB DJ McKinney – 1
K-State WR Jayce Brown – 1
UCF WR Kobe Hudson – 1
Utah QB Devon Dampier – 1

“I know big number two (Lee Hunter) transferred to Texas Tech. I really liked his explosiveness, and I really liked his mentality of absolutely not caring what was going on, regardless of what was going on in the game. I had a lot of respect for him.”

“I actually played (Devon Dampier) last year. He’s great.” 

“The two kids from Kansas: Dotson and Bryant. Those dudes were good.” 

“Jordyn Tyson is tough.”

“Jayce Brown is a really good player. I've guarded him the past two years, so a really good player to play against. That's a league player, for sure.” 

“Kobe Hudson was great. Different release package. He was different. He’s a fun guy.” 

“I don't remember his name, but the tackle for West Virginia (Wyatt Milum). He was nice.”

The final installment of the Big 12 Anonymous Player Survey drops later this week, and it’s the wildest one yet. Players reveal the craziest ways coaches tried to lure them through the transfer portal. Let’s just say: creativity is at an all-time high.

What You Need to Know

• The preseason coaches poll is out. The Big 12 landed five teams in the Top 25; two more than the ACC. The highest-ranked Big 12 team sits at No. 11.

• Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt has six Big 12 teams in his Top 25. He picked a different side of the Holy War to rank, and his top Big 12 team isn’t the same as the coaches’ choice.

• Mike Gundy’s latest comments about the Oklahoma State quarterback battle sound a lot like what he said two seasons ago…right before the Cowboys rotated three quarterbacks to start the season.

• Bruce Feldman dropped his annual “Freaks List,” honoring the sport’s most jaw-dropping athletes. Nine Big 12 players from six different schools made the cut.

• Travis Hines at the Des Moines Register has great insight and details on Matt Campbell’s contract extension, including the buyout terms if another school comes calling.

Enjoying Open For Business? It would mean the world to me if you could share the newsletter with three of your friends who want Big 12 news without SEC or Big Ten bias. Tell them to sign up at OFBNews.com and get started today!