Hezekiah West believed he had a new opportunity to join a college football team, which had been his lifelong dream.

The once-promising running back from Wayne County, Mississippi, missed part of his senior year in high school due to a torn thigh muscle, leading to a halt in interest from college coaches. Signing day passed without any offers.

In his search for a second chance, West turned to Mississippi Prep, a post-graduate football program not connected to any academic institution. The coaches promised him an entire new season to impress college scouts—all for a fee.

“We nurture athletes to play at the top level,” one coach texted West. “We believe you can compete at the next level.”

The assurances kept coming: Mississippi Prep would help him enhance his abilities, put him in touch with college recruiters, and provide game footage to highlight his skills, all while preserving his NCAA eligibility.

However, when he joined in 2023, the experience was drastically different than expected. Games were canceled unexpectedly, the video footage was often blurry—if there was any at all—and there were no indications that the team had any connections to college recruiters. West began to fear he had fallen victim to false promises but decided to continue with the program.

Having grown up inspired by athletes who left his community to play college football and returned as heroes, he still dreamed of achieving that same success.

“If I leave, what are my chances of ever playing football again?” he pondered.

West’s journey is not unique in the exploitative realm of post-graduate football, where numerous young men chase the hope of fulfilling their athletic goals, according to a YSL News investigation. These programs thrive in a largely unregulated gap between high school and college athletics, preying on athletes who may have received little attention from major schools, often due to poor academic performance, lack of size, or injuries.

Team owners typically categorize their players—often young men of color—as “at-risk” or “inner-city youth,” suggesting that their best chance for college comes through football. They recognize these aspirations—many are former college or NFL players—and have realized they can make grand promises while delivering little. They charge players thousands in fees with little accountability if their programs fail.

Here are some key findings from YSL News:

• Program owners frequently exaggerate or misrepresent the quality of food, living arrangements, and other promised services, often ending seasons abruptly and without notice.
• Injuries are common and tend to be exacerbated by a lack of athletic trainers or safety protocols. While high school and college teams adhere to strict health and safety standards, experts express concern for post-grad players who do not have these protections.
• Few players find the college opportunities they seek; those who do often succeed despite, rather than because of, their post-grad experiences.
• While some team owners have faced scrutiny from local law enforcement and federal authorities, no single agency is responsible for overseeing these programs.

The findings from YSL News result from over 100 interviews with young men who have participated in post-grad teams, along with their families, coaches, program directors, as well as medical and regulatory experts. The investigation also reviewed over 100 teams’ websites and social media platforms and incorporated hundreds of public records obtained from city governments, colleges, the IRS, and the players and team owners.

Experts like Chris Fore, a former high school and college football coach who has monitored post-grad teams for five years, advise students and families to consider junior colleges or directly trying to join college teams instead. He became skeptical of these programs due to their pay-to-play model.

“In all of California, you don’t have to pay to play junior college football,” he pointed out. “You only cover your classes, so that raised a significant red flag.”

Some players have found value in their post-graduate experiences, stating that they improved as athletes and uncovered new college opportunities. A few have received offers from junior colleges and NCAA programs, though those landing Division I positions remain rare.

Investigation: Prep-school players without a college commitment have paid him thousands for a shot at college football. What happened to their money?

Some team owners acknowledged issues with other post-graduate programs but highlighted the positive impact of their own teams. They described their efforts to YSL News as charitable, attempting to assist athletes who would have otherwise missed out, while asserting they were losing money in the process. Instead of addressing the worries about their programs, many dismissed critiques from players and coaches as mere bitterness.

Derrick Crudup Jr., the owner of Mississippi Prep and a former University of Miami quarterback, contested much of what West and at least six other players claimed regarding his program. He asserted that only one game was cancelled, not multiple. He also stated that he would not promise where players might end up.

“We have nothing to conceal,” Crudup declared. “We didn’t do anything wrong to any kid.”

Crudup further claimed that the coaches informed players about the living conditions ahead of time.

However, West and several other players told YSL News they anticipated decent housing and meals after enrollment, as they were influenced by the pitches made by coaches. West’s contract with Mississippi Prep, which he shared with reporters, mentioned “housing,” but failed to specify that he would share a small room with five other players in temporary accommodations meant for emergency workers following Hurricane Katrina. Meals were not included.

‘I felt powerless’

By the time athletes and their families comprehend that they were deceived by post-grad football programs, it is often too late to take action.

Michelle Palm shared with YSL News that she had reservations in 2022 about sending her son Kellen from their home in Spokane, Washington, to a football program in Florida named Prestige Worldwide Sports Academy.

A high school coach had cautioned her about potential scams. However, she dismissed those concerns since the coach, Roosevelt Roberts, had made a favorable impression during their phone conversations.

From their discussions and the attractive images on Prestige’s website, she was led to believe her son would stay at a luxurious resort in Fort Lauderdale, enjoy three meals a day, gain exposure to recruiters, and participate in at least seven games—all for a total cost of $6,600.

In April 2022, Palm began making payments for the program, set to commence in September, as evidenced by the receipts and emails shared with YSL News. By July, she had already paid $3,850 and started to inquire about what her payments were specifically covering.

It was then that Prestige sent her a revised bill: The total “tuition” would be $7,500, with other deposits and fees accumulating to $1,100. Meals were not included either; they would cost an additional $1,150.

Staying at the Chateau Mar Golf Resort—advertised on Prestige’s website—would add thousands to the cost. Some players opted to pay and resided there, but Kellen ended up living in a Comfort Suites hotel, sharing a room with three others, one of whom had to sleep on a sofa.

“I also just found out that meals will NOT be included as initially promised, and even the ‘resort’ housing is not part of the plan,” Palm wrote in an email to Prestige.

The owner of the program, Kenney Wilcox, rejected the idea that he had misled Palm. He told YSL News that he couldn’t be accountable for what an assistant coach might have communicated over the phone. Meals were never included, he insisted, and the costs were clearly stated in the bill, including that Palm was choosing a “more affordable housing option.”

The agreement, which Palm shared with YSL News, provided no clarification about what that option consisted of. She believed she was getting a deal at the Chateau Mar, while neither the agreement nor the Prestige website mentioned anything about Comfort Suites.

Wilcox stated to YSL News that he would update the housing options on Prestige’s website, yet it continues to display images of the Chateau Mar, even though he claimed no players have stayed there since 2022.

“We keep promoting it because we want kids to pay for it,” he admitted. “If they can’t afford it, then we’ll assist them in securing a less expensive option.”

Palm mentioned that coaches later asked for more money to produce a highlight reel for her son to attract college scouts, something she believed was included.

Over the course, she stated that she spent around $10,000.

“I felt I had no choice since he was already there,” Palm expressed. “I’m in Washington state. I felt powerless.” Families like Palm’s find it challenging to seek justice when they discover they’ve been misled, and owners of post-grad programs often do not face significant repercussions for their actions. If they do, they can easily rebrand and continue their operations.

In 2016, a player initiated a class-action lawsuit against Jireh Prep, a post-grad basketball team from North Carolina, and its owners, Jeffrey and Kindra Rabon, faced a lawsuit after players received very little for the $13,000 they paid to join the program. The lawsuit alleged that the Rabons misled players about various aspects of the program, particularly by exaggerating their connections to college coaches.

The case lost momentum when the Rabons and their program filed for bankruptcy. Despite this, Jireh Prep continued its operations, with new coach Michael Hawkins stating that the Rabons have not been involved since 2021. Although the Rabons claim they are no longer part of the team, official business records indicate they are still registered agents for Jireh Prep.

In South Carolina, sheriff’s deputies charged Nathaniel Drayton, a coach for the post-grad Hardeeville Vikings, with defrauding players and hotel owners after a series of evictions for unpaid bills. He was convicted of two counts of defrauding a hotel and three counts of obtaining a signature under false pretenses, according to court documents. Three additional charges are still pending. Drayton has not responded to requests for comment from YSL News.

A Jasper County Sheriff’s representative informed YSL News that players did not receive promised meals, and the investigation is ongoing. In the meantime, a Hardeeville assistant coach attempted to recruit players for a new team in Georgia, which never materialized. He has since taken a position with a team in Virginia.

Meanwhile, in Florida, Kellen Palm discovered that even the promises fulfilled by Prestige were lacking.

A contractor would deliver all the meals at once, covering three or more days. This left players struggling to store numerous plastic takeout containers in a small hotel fridge, resulting in much of it going bad.

Many players left the team mid-season, leading the remaining few to play out of position and without sufficient rest. Initially starting with 40 to 50 players, by the end of the season, only about 15 were left.

When Wilcox, the owner of Prestige, canceled the season early, Kellen Palm returned home to Washington with little to show for his efforts.

Kellen Palm remarked, “It was a waste of money.”

Wilcox explained that he ended the season prematurely due to the high number of player departures, which left them unable to form a complete team. He did not offer refunds to the players, some of whom paid $12,000 or more for participation, stating that a full schedule is not guaranteed.

“I don’t think the 2022 season was a bad experience,” Wilcox said. “If they feel differently, that’s their perspective.”

Despite the chaos in 2022, Prestige still operates a post-grad basketball team. Although it had recruited players for a football team in the 2024 season, Wilcox canceled that as well before it started.

After the 2022 season ended badly, Michelle Palm attempted to recover some of her costs. Her emails and phone calls went unanswered until she filed a complaint with the reality TV show, Judge Judy. Eventually, she received her $750 housing deposit back.

“It’s a time in their life filled with hope and eagerness, and you want to support them as much as you can,” Michelle Palm said concerning post-high school athletes. “But not at any cost.”

What’s the emergency plan? Call 911

Bryson Kurtz repeatedly tapped the top of his helmet – the universal signal in football to indicate he needed to leave the field.

This incident took place in October 2022 during a game where his post-grad team, Bonneville Football Academy, was being dominated by IMG Academy, well-regarded for developing top athletes.

With only 16 players on the roster, most were required to play multiple roles, causing significant fatigue. Kurtz, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound wide receiver, found himself playing left guard, a position typically held for larger players. Game footage on the recruiting platform Hudl shows IMG’s massive defensive linemen overpowering Kurtz consistently.

While on defense, Kurtz recalled leaping to intercept a pass and being struck by an IMG player upon landing, leaving him feeling dizzy and disoriented.

Although he requested to be taken out by tapping his helmet, his coaches did not comply. He ended up running off the field himself, only for the coaches to send him back in again.

Kurtz remained on the field for another three or four plays. He sensed that he had likely sustained a concussion, which would later be confirmed by a doctor. Since his coaches wouldn’t protect him, he sat down on the field, which finally caught their attention.

Once his coaches pulled him out, he was sent to the locker room, where he sat alone for the rest of the game. No one came in to check on him or assess any concussion symptoms.

YSL News interviewed several athletes like Kurtz who reported injuries during games and inadequate or no medical responses from their coaches or trainers. For example, West injured his shoulder while with Mississippi Prep and ended up having to arrange his own transport to the emergency room. C.J. Sheets, a teammate of Kellen Palm at Prestige Worldwide, experienced extreme dehydration and cried out in agony during a thirty-minute bus ride to the hospital.

Kurtz noted that had he suffered his head injury during a game in the NCAA, coaches would have been obligated to take him out for a medical assessment. Only after an athletic trainer or team doctor cleared him could he return to play.

If someone has a concussion, they won’t be allowed back on the field. Once a concussion is confirmed or even suspected, that player is out for the rest of the day.

Most states have similar protocols in high schools. According to research from the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut, a nonprofit focused on preventing sudden deaths in sports, 47 states mandate that athletes must sit out for the day if a concussion is suspected. All states, with the exception of Utah, require athletes with concussions to get clearance from a medical professional before returning to play.

Additionally, two-thirds of states require high schools to have emergency action plans in place for responding to serious health issues that could occur during practices or games, such as cardiac arrest or heatstroke. These plans outline the location of emergency gear, like Automated External Defibrillators, directions to nearby medical facilities, and the best access points for ambulances.

However, regulations for post-graduate football are lacking.

State laws do not extend to post-graduate sports, states Rebecca Stearns, COO of the Korey Stringer Institute, which monitors such policies in every state. Moreover, the National Post Grad Athletic Association (NPGAA), which has been overseeing at least 39 post-grad teams, including the Bonneville team where Kurtz played, lacks officially enforced health and safety standards.

Leo Etienne, founder and commissioner of the NPGAA, who also leads a post-grad team, admitted to YSL News that his team does not own a defibrillator and that his emergency plan is simply to call 911.

The lack of health and safety protocols in post-grad football is alarming given the sport’s inherent dangers and the demographics of its participants, according to Stearns.

Football is already responsible for most heat-related fatalities in sports, and young men, particularly Black males, face a higher risk of cardiac arrest.

“Without proper preparation, training, and equipment,” she noted, “saving that athlete won’t be possible.”

‘We recognize your talent, but we doubt your previous experience.’

On a sweltering September Sunday in Miami Gardens, Florida, the post-grad Naples Knights competed against the junior-varsity team from St. Thomas University. Approximately 20 players from the Knights, who were at a disadvantage in size compared to the full squad of about 60 St. Thomas players, aimed to showcase their abilities and gather game footage for college scouts.

Unfortunately, the Knights suffered a heavy defeat: 56-0.

Following the game, the team shared a highlight reel on Hudl, a platform for football recruiting. However, the video inaccurately portrayed Naples as the winners, mistakenly crediting them with the other team’s catches and touchdowns.

Jen Armstrong, owner of the Knights and previously convicted of home burglary in 2013, attributed the mistake to Hudl and stated that a coach would address the issue.

By mid-November, the video had garnered minimal views.

Players join post-grad football with a singular goal: attracting the interest of college coaches. Yet, only a handful succeed. Promised connections vanish, and game footage often turns out to be distant, shaky, or of poor quality. Only 3% of high school football players will advance to play for an NCAA Division I team, reflecting a statistic similar to Harvard’s acceptance rate.

Many high schools are unable to provide adequate resources to assist aspiring athletes in the recruitment process, noted Dave Morris, a college admissions consultant. This lack of information creates a fertile ground for exploitative post-grad program owners.

“They recognize that there’s a vulnerable population eager to play football but lacking resources,” Morris observed. “And they exploit that situation to the fullest.”

Some players reported receiving offers post-program, usually at junior colleges or smaller NCAA Division III schools, which they had originally sought to avoid. Others from larger institutions revealed that they forged their own paths independent of their post-grad teams. Cole Olson, for example, was a former punter for Mississippi Prep who played at Ferris State University, a Division II team in Big Rapids, Michigan, and is currently looking to transfer to another team.