A great parent offers love and support. A great teacher offers knowledge and structure. A great coach offers the truth.

Over, and over and over, until something breaks or pops.

On THE draft oulier for 2026 and the coaching village that raised him

(FREE read)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/7169799/2026/04/07/nfl-draft-2026-charles-demmings-cornerback-sleeper/?unlocked_article_code=1.ZVA.-1q1.g9H2eLBml-6_&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

April 08, 2026 - 20:43 UTC

4
1
27
Wow, thank you for this.
0
0
2
Great job with this. Cool kid, terrific story.
0
0
2
Great long read, think you did a similar piece on Qwan'tez Stiggers a couple years ago, the CB that had quite a path to the NFL that went through the CFL. Really enjoy when you sink you teeth into a long form piece and tell a heck of a good story, thank you.
1
0
2
very kind, Erik, thank you -- and, yes, Qwan'tez is still one of the coolest people I've ever talked with
1
0
1
Man, great article. Knocked it out of the park
0
0
2