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Boise State AD on SEC Tampering: ‘What’s a Hard Push Look Like When He Never Entered?’
Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Boise State athletic director Jeramiah Dickey stirred up the portal buzz by calling out Arkansas’ pursuit of Taylen Green and Ashton Jeanty as a pair.

On X, he asked, “What does a ‘hard push’ look like from Arkansas, considering Ash never entered the portal? Became a Bronco Legend!”

 

That declaration underscores Boise State’s pride in Ashton Jeanty’s legacy and appears aimed at calling out Arkansas’ football program for attempting to lure a kid into the portal behind the scenes.

Green is already well known in Fayetteville from his time with the Razorbacks, and speculation swirled that Arkansas wanted to land Jeanty alongside him. Dickey’s tweet serves as both a reminder of Jeanty’s impact and a subtle warning: smaller programs aren’t going to let SEC teams trample over them.

The “hard push” mention hints at an overt bid that never fully materialized or was turned down, especially since Jeanty didn’t test the portal waters.

Dickey positions Ashton Jeanty as a pivotal figure whose legacy the program won’t casually surrender. In the world of NIL and transfer rumors, this serves as a reminder that tampering remains illegal, despite its prevalence and the infrequent punishment it receives.

Arkansas’ effort, whether real or overstated, now belongs to the Boise State storyline. Dickey’s candid response moves past subtlety and into a public relations strategy designed to protect what Boise State has built while putting the Razorbacks and the SEC on notice.

At its core, this clash isn’t just about two players. It highlights how brand loyalty, portal posturing, and athletic directorship intersect in modern college football.

Boise State’s AD hit back with confidence when dealing with Arkansas, reminding fans and rivals alike that established program legacies don’t get uprooted overnight.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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