How do you best decide who the top scouts and evaluators are in the NFL? It’s something we’ve been trying to do since 2022 with our BART List awards, which we’ve presented for three years running. While we’re happy with the acceptance of the awards across the league, we’re always striving to do things better.

We’ll start voting this weekend, and this year, there are two things I really want to improve:

• More participation — We want every scout to vote. We’ve gotten a significant portion of the scouting community but we can do better. There are still a few teams whose firewalls seem to block us, but most teams are getting our emails. We’ve just gotta figure out how to motivate people to vote.
• More objective results — We’ve seen a greater concentration of voting from some teams, which has led to more scouts from these teams being honored. This is not to say the scouts who’ve won previously weren’t worthy, but we want to make sure. To combat less-than-objective voting, this year, we’re asking scouts not to vote for anyone on their own teams. We don’t have a way to police this, so we’re hoping the honor system will be enough. 

We also don’t want to water down the awards, which is a constant concern with the scouts I’ve spoken to about this (it’s probably not surprising that professional evaluators are concerned about quality).

Now let’s look at the numbers and the divisions within the scouting community. If you take all the scouts on all 32 teams that aren’t GMs, you come up with 557 scouts, from VPs of Player Personnel down to the youngest coordinators and player personnel assistants (scouting assistants aren’t candidates for awards yet). I broke them into four strata:

• All pro scouting professionals (from DPPs on the pro side down to the pro scouts themselves) — 110
• All college scouting types at the executive level (from college directors on up to just below GM) — 182
• All college “road” scouts (college/area scouts and national scouts with at least seven seasons visiting schools) — 197
• All other scouting personnel with six or fewer seasons in the league, which I call the Next Wave (area scouts, coordinators, scouting assistants, etc.) — 68

Again, scouting assistants aren’t eligible for awards and don’t get to vote just yet. Now let’s look at the categories and the numbers of winners.

• Best pro department (3 teams): In the past we’ve honored individual scouts in this category, but after talking to people across the league, it’s just too hard to know the best scouts in the industry when you work only with your own staff. So, instead, we’ll vote on entire staffs this year and and declare three winners.
• College/Executive (3 per conference): This is pretty self-explanatory and will mirror what we’ve done since introducing it in 2023. 
• College/Road (7 per conference): Once again, this is pretty self-explanatory. This year will be our fourth honoring seven “road” scouts in each conference.
• Next Wave (3 total, regardless of conference): I’ve gotten some pushback from seasoned evaluators that the new folks don’t need an award yet, but I want to try it this year. 

I think dividing all scouts into four strata helps keep people voting on the people they know the best, or at least I hope so. Obviously, only pro scouts will vote on the best three pro scouting departments. However, when it comes to college scouting, the question is, are scouts from one strata familiar with the ones from other strata? Are “Next Wave” scouts knowledgeable of the best executive-level scouts? Are “road” scouts knowledgeable of the young ones? If we limit voting only within strata, will that give us more purity, but not numbers? I’m really chewing on this. 

I guess my questions are this: 

• Is dividing into four strata the best way to separate the difference classifications of scouts?
• If we limit voting to within the strata only, will there be enough votes cast to really have representative voting? Or is it better to have just one ballot and to let all four strata vote on the same one?
• Should we even have awards for the “Next Wave” division? One scout suggested that it would be better for them to wait. I think that has merit, but I also like the idea of rewarding the best young people in the business.

So here’s what I decided. There will be four ballots, one for each strata. Pro scouts will only vote on the best three pro departments. College executives, college road scouts and young scouting personnel (next wave) will vote on the best within their own respective divisions. All three college divisions will also vote for superlatives (best running a pro day, best gathering contact/background info, best on a school visit) and for best strength coach, best pro liaison, and most improved visit. 

We’ll hope for the best. If it doesn’t work out, I guess we’ll try something different next year. We just hope we get the results that best represent the community.

 

One thing I try to preach is that if you want to work in football, and you’re really serious about it, you may need to find your own way in. There are far more than the two paths — player representation and scouting — that we focus on at ITL, and that’s true even if you are a former NFL player with all the connections that come with that status.

This brings me to my friend, Hannibal Navies, who knows the truth of finding one’s way all too well. “Bull,” as his friends call him, played for some good Colorado teams in the late 90s before being drafted by the Panthers in the fourth round in 1999, then playing almost a decade with four NFL teams. The thing to recognize about Hannibal is that, at least in the decade I’ve known him, he’s never been content to let opportunities come to him. He’s always pursued them.

I met him somewhere in the 2010s when he was considering opening a gym and really investing in combine prep. Partly due to my counsel (I think), he decided the barrier to entry was too high, which led him to continue searching for his niche. Along the way, he’s been involved in several charitable endeavors and even runs his own camp aimed at surrounding youth with mentors and getting them on the right track in life.

Just this week, I found out he’s part of a pretty exciting company with a unique concept. It’s rare when you come across a player who really knows the struggle that comes with making the NFL (typically Day 3/UDFA types) who don’t want to give back to young men trying to make the same climb. That leads them to wanting to develop a foundation, but often those players aren’t making the truly big money it takes to start their own. That’s where Hannibal’s company, Athletes Charitable, comes in.

Athletes that are part of Athletes Charitable don’t need to employ reliable family members or capable professionals to run their foundations for them. They let Athletes Charitable do that through the services provided like IRS compliance, event insurance for camps, payroll and HR services, application for grants, legal support and plenty more. You also don’t have to come up with a board of people, like all 501(c)3 organizations have to. It’s like a one-stop shop for anyone seeking to start a foundation. It really takes a player’s interest in helping others from good intentions to good practices. 

If you’re an agent who has players interested in starting a foundation, but you don’t know how, you don’t have to farm it out to a dozen different organizations. You can just contact Hannibal to get started. On the other hand, if you’re just someone looking for a way to get started in the game, I encourage you to consider Hannibal’s path. After looking at one of the more popular roads into the business, combine prep, he found a less-traveled one that serves other people. What’s more rewarding than that? 

Today, the NFLPA holds its “boot camp” for new agents in the form of a Zoom session that lasts from 2-5 p.m. Though I’m not an agent, and have never been one, there are questions I’d love to ask (and I encourage them to be asked by someone today). Here’s what’s on my mind.

Director Howell said only one or two players had “matriculated” to the NFL from the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Who gave him that information? This is objectively untrue. More than 20 players were drafted in 2023, the last year of the NFLPA game, and according to the game’s former executive director, Dane Vandernat, 60-80 players went to camps each year. The NFLPA is often accused of turning its back on smaller agents/agencies, and this was the one material advantage they provided to the contract advisors who struggle to get clients into the Shrine and Senior Bowls. It was good for literally thousands of players, as well. If the game is going to be cancelled, agent are deserving of a better reason than that it was ineffective.

It continues to be difficult to get basic questions answered. Has there ever been any thought given to giving Mark Levin, who is over agent affairs, better help? Most agents are big fans of Levin, who truly cares about helping and is, for the most part, responsive. However, when you’re talking about 1,000 agents, about 15 percent of whom are brand new, it’s a tall order to ask one man to handle all their queries. The PA makes plenty of money. Why not give him some help? 

Why is the agent exam held in July? If this continues to be the policy, which coincides nicely with the Oct. 1 registration exam, shouldn’t rookie agents be given some kind of dispensation on Year 1 of the three-year rule? It just makes sense that if the NFLPA is going to expect a $5,000 commitment from new agents who pass the exam, they owe them some kind of head start on the business. The mere fact that it’s almost Thanksgiving and only now is the PA conducting its “boot camp” speaks volumes. Our Zoom sessions took place in late September. Once again, new agents get shafted by the calendar as set forth by the NFLPA.

It was recently announced that the NFL Combine will be held in Indianapolis in 2026, as well as 2025, though there is no guarantee it will stay there going forward. Everyone in the NFL agrees Indy is the best location for all concerned. What kind of pressure have you put on the league to keep it there? The NFLPA, as does the NFL, loves to make money, so it probably isn’t going to stand in the way if the league wants to move the event to Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas, or any of the other proposed destinations. This is great for fans, but not for the people doing the business of the game. The PA has a voice on this if it has any interest in using it. 

The annual meeting for NFL agents will be held at the NFL Combine, in person, for the first time since 2019. Is this a one-time occurrence or will this continue to be the policy, now that the pandemic is behind us? We at ITL continue to hear that the distance between NFLPA staffers and the agents they serve is prohibitive, so this is a good move. In addition, networking between agents, which has its benefits, is almost zero since the Players Association made the exam virtual. There’s something to be gained by meeting in person, especially at the hub of all NFL business, the Combine. We would urge the union to return to this policy indefinitely. 

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The good teams are sorting themselves out from the bad ones as we reach the NFL season’s midpoint. That means the winds of change will be blowing soon. 

In my capacity working with people in the game behind the scenes, plus our administration and presentation of the BART List Awards, I get to know and hear about a lot of talented people. Here are 20 that I think warrant serious consideration this offseason for GM and other senior executive jobs. 

Note: I’ve tried to recommend a few people who are not on the usual interview carousel. That means there are people here who still may be one or two seasons away from consideration, but who still have earned the respect of their peers. There are also a few that just missed the cut (I wanted to limit it to 20), but who will pop up on future lists. 

By the way, this list is presented in no particular order (not even alphabetical). I did this pretty spontaneously, but I like the way it came out, so here goes.

James Liipfert, Executive Director of Player Personnel, Texans: Houston went from a lost franchise to a Super Bowl contender practically overnight, and that’s easy to forget. Liipfert, who had a lot to do with that, has been highly regarded for a while, and is ready. It’s hard to find front office types who don’t like him.

Mike Martin, Director of Scouting Advancement, Lions: I’m going to continue to be loud about Mike, even if he rarely shows up on these lists. Vanderbilt-educated and a guy who put his time in running the roads as an area scout. I think a lot of Lions staffers will get interviews this cycle, depending on the number of openings.

Tariq Ahmad, Director of Player Personnel, 49ers: Tariq may still be a year away, but he’s probably the next Adam Peters as he’s racing up the ranks for one of the NFL’s 3-4 best franchises. I could see teams wanting him to get a little seasoning (he’s been a DPP less than a year), but I could also see someone rolling the dice. He’s been honored by his peers all three years that we’ve held the BART List awards (one of only a half-dozen people who can say that).

David Blackburn, Director of Player Personnel, Commanders: Like Tariq, David is in his first year as a DPP, so maybe he needs a little more time, but he’s on his way. Has Ravens roots, and Washington’s quick rebirth means he’ll get a shot soon. At least, he should.

Ian Cunningham, Assistant GM, Bears: Texas roots, Virginia-educated, ex-player, has worked for two of the league’s best franchises (Eagles and Ravens). He’s gotten several opportunities but turned some down. If the Bears can finish strong, maybe that gets him across the finish line.

Alonzo Highsmith, Senior Personnel Executive, Patriots: Here’s another guy who doesn’t get the credit he deserves because he doesn’t play the media game, but I’d argue there is no one who’s a better evaluator who’s gotten fewer GM interviews than Alonzo. The only reason he hasn’t won a BART List Award every year is because of his time with the Hurricanes. He’s always done things the right way. I’m never gonna stop promoting him. He deserves a shot.

Jon-Eric Sullivan, VP of Player Personnel, Packers: I don’t understand why Jon-Eric doesn’t turn up on more of these lists. One of these days, a team is going to get a great GM and, against all odds, everyone will say, “who’s this guy?” He’s a big reason the Packers always win.

Ed Dodds, Assistant GM, Colts: Ed is another one of the handful of front office types who’s won a BART List Award all three years we’ve had voting. Intense and thorough, he’s had lots of interviews, but it just hasn’t happened yet. I wonder if the Colts’ struggles this year hamper him this offseason.

Kyle Smith, Assistant GM, Falcons: Kyle has been under the radar, in my mind, but he’s a big presence in Terry Fontenot’s front office in Atlanta. The Falcons’ success this year may give him the boost he needs. Remember, his father, A.J., had a lot of success with the Chargers and Bills.

Terrance Gray, Director of Player Personnel, Bills: Terrance got deserved opportunities this last offseason, but it seems like he wasn’t a popular candidate before then, and I don’t know why. He’s another former BART List Award winner who’s a major reason for Buffalo’s success.

That’s 10 names. I’ve got 10 more, but you’ll need to read today’s Friday Wrap to see them. If you’re not already registered for our newsletter, which is free, you can do that here.