The Shotgun/Throwdown (4/20/18): Ezekiel Rose bringing leadership and energy to the West Virginia Mountaineers

Welcome, By-Godders, to The Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU’s best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions.

We’re gonna start things off bright-and-early this morning and probably rustle some jimmies in the process. Listen, we’re already deep in the offseason doldrums - what else are we supposed to talk about today? The Mothership did a fantastic “Weed Week” series this week, and I just had to share it.

It’s 2018. Get with it.

Athletes are leading cannabis into the mainstream | SBNation
The cannabis industry was looking for spokespeople who could connect with a mainstream audience. Who better than athletes?

Weed and sports: A timeline | SBNation
A brief history of busts, businesses, and everything weed and sports over the last 47 years.

Cannabis is fueling one of the best runners in America | SBNation
Running high and free with Avery Collins in the Colorado mountains.

Which weed is right for athletes? A case-by-case look. | SBNation
An expert looks at different types of athletes and offers up some cannabis suggestions.

How athletes beat weed tests (and why it’s so easy) | SBNation
Skirting discipline is easy in a sports world that can’t embrace weed, but also won’t really crack down on it.

The gender double standard of weed in snowboarding | SBNation
A Q&A with Madison Blackley, a snowboarder who embraces cannabis

Weed stigmas are changing, but people of color are still paying the price | SBNation
The perception of cannabis is changing with legalization, but racial divides still exist.

The UFC fighter who says she lost her sponsor over cannabis | SBNation
After being dragged into the murky waters where marijuana legalization and mixed martial arts regulation intersect, Cynthia Calvillo is understandably frustrated.

Why it can be okay to call it ‘marijuana’ instead of ‘cannabis’ | The Verge
As marijuana goes mainstream, people are rethinking the term, claiming we should ditch "marijuana" because it’s racist, and instead, say "cannabis." Individuals should say what they like, but this rule is too simplistic for such a complex drug. We should develop more, not fewer, words for what we need to say.

FDA committee recommends first marijuana-derived drug for use in US | CNN
An FDA advisory committee unanimously recommended approval of an epilepsy drug that would be the first marijuana plant-derived CBD medicine for prescription use in the United States.

Football

Ezekiel Rose drinking in the entire Mountaineer experience | Blue Gold News
Rose is combining the athleticism he’s long had with his improved size at 275 pounds and now the experience of a complete season of major college football. He’s made big strides, but admits he is not a finished product.

An early projection of WVU's starting defense | The DA
With spring football in the books, West Virginia will turn its attention to summer workouts and fall camp.

Baseball

Mazey takes similar approach to hockey and baseball | The DA
WVU baseball head coach Randy Mazey is what many analysts would consider an old-school game manager.

WVU baseball's Marques Inman is a rally within a rally | Charleston Gazette-Mail
Last season, West Virginia University’s baseball team made its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1996 before losing to Wake Forest in the regionals.

West Virginia Athletics

Duo Earns World Championship Bids | West Virginia Athletics
Sophomore Morgan Phillips and freshman Sarah Osborn of the West Virginia University rifle team earned a pair of podium finishes at the 2018 National Junior Olympic Shooting Championships for Rifle and Pistol at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Smith Lands on the NWCA All-Academic Team | West Virginia Athletics
Redshirt senior Jacob A. Smith of the West Virginia University wrestling team was awarded a spot on the 2018 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team, released on Thursday afternoon.

Around The Big 12

Predicting top entertaining nonconference Big 12 games in 2018 | Big 12 Diehards
The first four weeks of the 2018 college football season are set to provide a number of intriguing nonconference games involving a Big 12 team.

Sooners exit spring practice with major recruiting momentum | Big 12 Diehards
In the span of six days, the Sooners rocketed from the No. 18 class in the 247Sports composite ranking to the No. 1 class by picking up six commitments, running the total 10. Eight of those pledges who gave Oklahoma a verbal pledge carry a 4-star rating.

Mike Gundy says Taylor Cornelius is Oklahoma State's starter coming out of spring | Big 12 Diehards
Senior quarterback Taylor Cornelius is Oklahoma State’s starter — for now.

Around The NCAA

Jalen Hurts transfer from Alabama? His dad’s quotes make it seem possible | SBNation
THANK YOU FOR CALLING PAPA DANA'S TRANSFER HUT AND BAIL BONDS EMPORIUM, PLEASE HOLD

In a down year, college football teams are scrambling to land QB recruits. Let’s keep track as 2019 QB dominoes fall | SBNation
The quarterback recruit crop for 2019 is lacking in elite talent. That’s tough if your school needs to land one.

TODAY’S FBS TEAM PREVIEWS BY BILL C

As always, SB Nation’s Bill Connelly is working his way through every Division I FBS football team, from Georgia State to Alabama. Check out the teams Bill has already previewed by clicking HERE.

Tulane is moving closer to its breakthrough year | SBNation
Willie Fritz doesn’t typically need long to get a program rolling, but his Green Wave defense might still hold him back in 2018.

THE DEFINITIVE EDSBS NFL MOCK DRAFT | Every Day Should Be Saturday
BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT THE NFL AND WANT IT TO SUCCEED, THIS IS NOT A LIE, TRUST US

The Browns Have Considered Drafting Two Quarterbacks | The Ringer
With more draft capital than any team in the modern NFL era, Cleveland has at least given thought to selecting two signal-callers in the 2018 draft

Remembering Bruno Sammartino, 1935-2018 | The Ringer
Two wrestling fanatics—David Shoemaker and ‘Billions’ cocreator Brian Koppelman—email about the life, legacy, and career of one of the greatest pro wrestlers ever

We couldn’t do this without a little music to set the mood. There’s a little something for everyone here. Enjoy.

---

Have any tips, suggestions or requests for what you want to see in The Shotgun/Throwdown? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or contact us on social media.

Follow us!

Twitter: @smokingmusket
Facebook: The Smoking Musket