The SEC has threatened to allow its self-imposed ban on satellite camps to expire at the end of May if a national ban isn't enacted this month. As we wrote earlier this week.... let 'em.
More satellite camps would lead to more options and more information on both sides of the proverbial table. This can only be a good thing. I speculated on Omaha radio earlier this week that SEC staffs were likely formulating their own satellite camp schedules in the event a national ban fails, and Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema confirmed as much to ESPN's Championship Drive podcast on Wednesday.
“If these satellite camps go through, I’ve been in discussion with two Big Ten teams. I’ve been in discussion with teams in Florida and Texas, as well as the Cowboys,” Bielema said. “If this thing goes through, we’re going to do an exclusive camp right there with the Cowboys unique to us that no one else in the SEC will be able to do. That’s going to be a huge advantage.
“I’m talking about going east with a Big Ten team I’ve got a relationship with. If that pans out, some really good things could open the door.”
The Cowboys camp would be facilitated, obviously, through former Hog offensive lineman Jerry Jones, and the Big Ten team Bielema has a relationship with is probably his alma mater Iowa, though it'd be great if he and Barry Alvarez kissed and made up in time to share a field.
Bielema said his against-the-grain pro-style attack makes Arkansas a more attractive camp partner than, say, Texas A&M or Ole Miss.
“When we partner with these other schools, we really don’t recruit the same kids, offensively,” Bielema said. “They’re going after a spread quarterback and spread wideouts that want to catch the ball 60 times a year and have a quarterback be a second-string running back. That’s just not our game. It’s fun to be in our niche, because it’s been able to build something nice for us.”
Once again: here's hoping the ban fails and the SEC can join in on the fun.