Behind the Blueprint: The Architects of College Football

On the next episode of Behind the Blueprint, I sit down with Steve Bailoni to discuss the differences in recruiting and evaluation between Power 4 and FCS football programs. Steve shares how schools balance high school recruiting with transfer portal strategy, and why competitive toughness is a key trait he looks for in prospects. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at how alignment, trust, and communication within a staff drive long-term success.

On this episode of Behind the Blueprint, I sit down with Wes Drake, Director of Player Personnel at North Texas, to talk about his fast rise through the recruiting world and the lessons he's learned along the way. From unpaid internships to working at schools like Houston, TCU, and Northwestern, Wes shares what separates great programs and how his philosophy has evolved. We also dive into what he looks for in high school versus transfer portal talent—and how he's shaping the future at North Texas.

Next up on Behind the Blueprint is JMU’s Director of Player Personnel, Nathan Applebaum. From Florida to Michigan State to Fresno State, Nathan’s path has shaped a sharp, adaptable approach to roster building. In this episode, he breaks down how he blends data, culture, and player evaluation to keep JMU competitive in the portal era. You’ll hear how he handles roster management with a lean staff, what makes a great fit at JMU, and why production often beats hype.

Next up on our Behind the Blueprint podcast is Mason Behiel, General Manager for Tulsa Football. Mason shares how he went from studying civil engineering to building rosters in college football, what the GM role looks like at the Group of Five level, and how he and his staff are navigating the portal, revenue sharing, and roster retention in a constantly shifting landscape

In our debut episode of Behind the Roster: The Architects of College Football, I sit down with Nick Griffith, Director of Scouting at Temple. We dive into how he evaluates transfer portal talent, builds relationships that span recruiting cycles, and navigates the evolving landscape of roster construction in today’s college football. Hope you enjoy!