https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb ... spartandhpThe most impactful man in a suit in college football over the past two seasons is not a conference commissioner, not an athletic director, not a TV analyst. He doesn’t sit on the College Football Playoff selection committee, doesn’t work at the NCAA, doesn’t negotiate contracts for coaches.
No disrespect to Jim Delany, Gene Smith, Kirk Herbstreit or Jimmy Sexton, but the most impactful man in a suit is a glib Arkansas lawyer with a zest for hooking bull sharks and University of Mississippi leaders. His work has radically altered both the 2017 and ’18 seasons.
Tom Mars is the reason why Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson has a chance to be the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, and why the Wolverines have a chance to make the playoff. Mars is the reason why Van Jefferson currently is the leading receiver at Florida and Tre Nixon is the No. 2 receiver at Central Florida. He is the reason why Deontay Anderson is the third-leading tackler at Houston. He is the reason why Jack DeFoor is playing this season at Georgia Tech, and Jarrion Street is playing at UAB.
That was Mars’ work as the Great Emancipator of Ole Miss transfers attempting to gain immediate eligibility elsewhere. He fought the school, fought the NCAA rules and won.
Meet college football's most impactful man this season
Meet college football's most impactful man this season
Victory is never permanent