Strive Sports Podcast

If I could use three words to describe my friend, my colleague, former Ohio State Buckeye Wide Receiver, they'd be:
- Humble
- Outgoing
- Resilient

And Johnnie's road has not been easy. In fact, adversity is something JD knows all too well...

Before he excelled at Ohio State's Football program, JD's passion for football began in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. More specifically, Dwyer High School, where Dixon would go on to become ESPN's 5th ranked Wide Receiver recruit (in the nation) in the 2014 high school recruitment class. Likewise, ESPN's 34th overall ranked recruit, 247 Sports' 62nd, and Rivals 117th (one of these rankings seems a tad off).

Back then, a Florida Gators fan at heart, JD most specifically admired and appreciated [then] Head Coach's Urban Meyer's coaching style. Low-and-behold, that affinity would become a reality, but not in Gainsville, Florida... no, try 1,080 miles north... in Columbus, Ohio.

In 2012, Coach Urban Meyer would be hired on as the Ohio State Football's program next football coach. Two years later, he would grant a scholarship to a, then, 18-year old Johnnie Dixon to come and play for him over the course of the next four seasons. In those next four seasons, along with the help of some fellow recruits:
- Terry McLaurin (2014)
- Parris Campbell (2014)
- Curtis Samuel (2014)
- Marshon Lattimore (2014)
- Raekwon McMillan (2014)
- Sam Hubbard (2014)

(and those are just to name a few recruits)...

Johnnie Dixon would not only help the Buckeyes win three Big 10 titles (2014, '17, & 18), but not to mention, earn a title his freshman year, and even be voted on as team captain by his senior year.

However, JD's journey hasn't always been 'smooth sailing'...

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In this week's episode of the Strive Sports Podcast, Keegan Hartman (@KeeganHartman1 via Twitter) sits down with former USFL & Ohio State Buckeyes WR, Johnnie Dixon (@YoungKing_JD5 via Twitter) to discuss life, the offseason, spring league merger, and yes... THE Ohio State Buckeyes. JD gives us neat insight and perspective on his close relationships with former teammates, fellow OSU wide receivers: Curtis Samuel, Parris Campbell, and Terry McLaurin.

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One of the kindest, hardest working, and most humbled human beings I've ever come to know, Marcus is a vibrant personality who possesses a deep knowledge and affinity for the field of Content Creation. Marcus Gray, aka @ijvisualz (you can find and follow Marcus on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter) has become one of my favorite follows on social media, but was someone who I developed a strong friendship with in my time with the USFL. His passion began in college, in which Marcus attended McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA.

A student-athlete with the the McNeese State football program, Marcus's FIRST real love for videography came in one of his Mass Communications classes when he was helping to conceptualize construct a music video. Low-and-behold, roughly four years later, Marcus has had his content recognized by companies such as:

- Under Armour
- Overtime
- SportCenter

and most recently concluded a four-month venture with the United States Football League (USFL) as a Freelance Social Media producer, producing content within the Memphis, TN hub.

Interested in his work? Take a look at some of Marcus's work, and stay up-to-date on his future ventures as a creative:

Marcus Gray's Portfolio: https://ijvisualz22.myportfolio.com/ Marcus's Socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ijvisualz?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ijvisualz/?hl=en Twitter "X": https://twitter.com/ijVisualz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, like, follow, and keep up-to-date with Keegan Hartman's content:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeeganHartman1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keegoamigo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keegothamigo?lang=en
Adobe BeHance Portfolio: https://www.behance.net/keeganhartman Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and HIT THE BELL notification so that you never miss another episode!!

One of the most storied careers to have been cultivated out of Webb City, Missouri, but when Kiante Hardin arrived to Webb City High School in the Fall of 2010, little did he know he'd excel and flourish most on the gridiron. Ranked as the #17th best recruit in Missouri's 2015 high school recruitment class, as well as the #113 best corner in the nation (ranked by 247Sports and ESPN), Hardin's versatility as an athlete allowed for him to excel in nearly every position he was thrusted into. After his high school career under Coaching legend, 17x MSHAA Class 4/5 State Champion, HC John Roderique, Kiante would actually play for another well-known football coach in his college career- a former Webb City Cardinals' football coach as well- then, University of Minnesota's Jerry Kill.

Hardin would arrive to the University of Minnesota's football program in the Summer of 2015, listed as an 'Athlete' on the roster. The position designation was not just one of those rare "odes" to Hardin's versatility at Webb City, but an actual designation for Kiante to live up to while with the Minnesota Gophers from 2015-2017. As a freshman cornerback with the Gophers, Kiante would see action in all 13 games for the Gophers, recording 13 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBU. Not to mention, Hardin would play an integral role in the Gophers return game, tabulating 328 all-purpose yards off of 11 kick-offs and 9 punts. He would go on to earn the team’s Outstanding Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. However, his sophomore year would boast an even better campaign on the field… In his eight total games for the Gophers, Kianted racked up 39 Tackles, 2 INT’s, and 6 PBU’s as a cornerback. Likewise, a whopping 260 kick return yards.

After some unforeseen off-the-field matters near the conclusion of his sophomore season, Kiante would ultimately revert to DII college to finish out his collegiate career. In 2017, Hardin would find himself with the Pittsburg State Gorillas program, redshirting his first season. Riddled by injury his second season in 2018 with the Gorillas, Kiante would finish strongly in his final season with Pitt State (2019)- across 11 games, Hardin nabbed 27 tackles, 3.5 TFL’s, 15 PD’s, 4 INT’s, 1 TD. His resume would land him an invite to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in 2019. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the previous years, Kiante has embraced an abundance of opportunities at the professional level, including stints in the NFL, CFL, and most recently, the USFL, playing with the Michigan Panthers of the North Division. You can follow him on Instagram @kiantehardin . Follow us on: Twitter: @strivesportsmo Instagram: @strivesportsproductions Facebook: COMING SOON TikTok: COMING SOON Follow Host Keegan Hartman: Twitter: @KeeganHartman1 Instagram: @keegoamigo (Links for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio will be provided shortly after the episode's debut on 09/10).
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Episode Timestamps: 00:01- Episode Intro (Duration: 01:00 min,)
01:05- Prologue: Kiante Hardin's Biography 08:15-
Introduction: Kiante Hardin
12:10- Growing Up in Webb City: Cardinal Pedigree
17:56- Most Desired Position?
19:42- G.O.A.T. Talk: Coach John Roderique's Impact on Kiante's Football Career
26:15- Freshman Year: Playing in the BIG 10 & for the Minnesota Gophers
31:50- Exciting Challenges: Top 3 Receivers You've Ever Faced?
35:39- How to Prepare Mentally & Physically for Dominant WR's
47:25- "Striking Gold" w/ the 49ers: First Rookie Mini Camp
55:50- A Look Ahead: Kiante's Future

During this week's inaugural episode of the Strive Sports Podcast, host Keegan Hartman sits down with Arizona Wildcats' legend- a Heisman finalist at that (2014)- 2x USFL Champion, Birmingham Stallions' LB Scooby Wright III. In this episode, Scooby opens up about his high school and collegiate career, going from a 2 ⭐️ recruit out of Cardinal Newman High School (Santa Rosa, CA) to one of the Arizona Wildcats' most prolific defensive players, and the accolades to prove it: 🏆 Chuck Bednarik Award Winner (2014) 🏆 Rotary Lombardi Award Winner (2014) 🏆 Bronko Nagurski Award Winner (2014) 🏆 Pat Tillman PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year (2014) and that's just college... However, near the conclusion of is illustrious career at the Univ. of Arizona, Scooby would have to endure a plethora of injuries which would ultimately hinder him along his professional career/journey. Since leaving Arizona in 2015-'16 for the draft, having been drafted and released by the Cleveland Browns in 2016, Scooby has embraced many opportunities with a multitude of professional football leagues, including the AAF, the XFL, and most recently, the USFL... Aside from his professional career, Scooby opens up about his offseason workouts, his hobbies that keep him prepared for the USFL's spring season, as well as projects the trajectory of the Arizona Football program as they embark upon a new conference venture, merging with the Big 12 in 2024. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Episode Timestamps:
00:01- Episode Countdown (Timer)
03:55- Opening Monologue- Keegan Hartman
05:45- Offseason MMA/Hobbies & Life Update(s)- Scooby Wright III
11:15- Finding My Passion for Football- Scooby Wright III
21:04- "Stars Don't Matter..."
22:53- Turning Eyes at the Nike SPARQ Combine
28:04- "_____ was my DREAM SCHOOL..."
29:06- "Why Arizona?" 32:02- Sophomore Sharkdawg
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Follow Scooby Wright:
Twitter 'X': https://twitter.com/TwoStarScoob Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seventhroundscoob/ Follow Keegan Hartman: Twitter 'X': https://twitter.com/KeeganHartman1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keegoamigo/