2015 NCAA Men's 4x4 Preview
2015 NCAA Men's 4x4 Preview
Texas A&M University (PB in 2014 2:59.60)
Last Year: DQ Indoors, 1st Outdoors
Despite getting disqualified from NCAA indoors, A&M returns in full force in 2015. Led by Bowerman winner Deon Lendore, the Aggies return Shavez Hart, Carlyle Roudette, Bralon Taplin, Deon Hickey, Hector Hernandez, and Gregory Coleman. Talk about depth. If they wanted, A&M could put probably together two teams and beat most of the country.
University of Florida (PB in 2014 2:59.73)
Last Year: DQ Indoors, 2nd Outdoors
Glass, Graham, Dukes, Hall
Remember the men’s 4x400m at Florida Relays? Yeah, the Gators return their entire relay team for 2015. Najee Glass, Hugh Graham, Jr., Dedric Dukes, and Gino Hall are on the hunt for a national championship. The Florida/Texas A&M battle from indoors, that resulted in disqualification, will resume. And these Gators are thirsty.
Louisiana State University (PB in 2014 3:01.60)
Last Year: 1st Indoors, 3rd Outdoors
LSU came out on top during the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships, partially because of the disqualification of A&M and Florida, and partially because they’re really fast. They came back and finished third during outdoors, and now Vernon Norwood, Darrell Bush, Quincy Downing, and Cyril Grayson are out to prove that their indoor win was no fluke.
University of Nebraska (PB in 2014 3:03.61)
Last Year: 2nd Indoors, 6th Outdoors
The homegrown Cornhuskers have done some serious damage in this event, and return five key players from their indoor and outdoor teams. Ricco Hall leads the way as the lone senior with multiple All American accolades to his name in this event. Jake Bender, Levi Gipson, Cody Rush, and Drew Wiseman gained success in 2014 that will give them more confidence going into the 2015 season. This is a team that could sneak into the top two yet again.
University of Arkansas (PB in 2014 3:03.89)
Last Year: 3rd Indoors, 8th Outdoors
The Razorbacks lost two valuable members from both of their All American squads in 2014, Travis Southard and Neil Braddy. They have young talent in Eric Janise, Jarrion Lawson and Omar McLeod that will look to bring the Razorbacks more points for the team that brought home the 2013 NCAA Indoor Championship. They won back-to-back indoor 4x4s in 2012 and 2013 and their rich history of success in this event will carry them into the national meet as a major threat.
University of Texas (PB in 2014 3:05.13)
Last Year: N/A Indoors, 20th Outdoors
The Longhorns are our sleeper pick for 2015. They’ve got three solid returners in Zach Bilderback, sub-10-second 100m guy Senoj-Jay Givens, and Chris Irvin. The difference? Penn State transfer Byron Robinson. Robinson was a talented freshman at PSU last season, clocking a 46.12 for 400m outdoors, as well as 50.75 for 400H. Despite his age, he brings a wealth of experience as a highly successful high school competitor that could give the Longhorns just what they need to sneak them into the indoor national meet come March.