Jerheme Urban Tells USA TODAY Why Families Must Stay Realistic About Ivy League Dreams vs. NFL Expectations

In a USA TODAY interview, Trinity University Head Football Coach Jerheme Urban stresses, "there's a difference between going to a great academic school and expecting that to translate to a pro football path." He underscores that many academically-focused schools, especially in leagues like the Ivy League, "don't offer athletic scholarships or NIL (names, image, likeness) money," which means families need to "be realistic about what they're getting into."

Urban urges recruits and parents to "balance academics, athletics, and long-term outcomes," rather than fixating solely on the dream of the NFL. As he puts it, "College decisions should set you up best for life after football, not just chase prestige or pro dreams."