July 29, 2016 (2016-07-29) – July 20, 2018 (2018-07-20)
Last Chance U is an American documentary television series that is produced and premiered by Netflix. The six-episode first season explores the football program at East Mississippi Community College, which features several collegiate athletes that have had trouble in their lives and struggled with finding structure. The players are then required to perform at the junior college (JUCO) level, under the stewardship of coach Buddy Stephens, in order to prove themselves and return to Division I.[1]
The series' second season returned to Mississippi,[2] but transitioned to Independence Community College in Kansas for the show's third season,[3] which premiered on July 20, 2018.
Synopsis
The series focuses on all aspects of the football program at East Mississippi Community College, one of the most successful JUCO programs in the country. Major themes include the academic struggles of the players, some of whom have come from severely disadvantaged backgrounds. Team academic advisor Brittany Wagner is featured prominently as she is tasked with getting all team members to graduate on time. Head coach Buddy Stephens' struggles with controlling his temper is also a major theme, which is often juxtaposed with his devout Christian faith that he attempts to impart on the team.
Season 1
The crew followed the EMCC Lions during their 2015 season as they attempted to capture their fourth JUCO national title. While the team appeared dominant for much of the year, their season was derailed after a brawl broke out during their game with Mississippi Delta. EMCC was disqualified from the state playoffs and a potential berth to the national championship game.[4]
Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game
Season 2
Netflix returned to Scooba to follow their 2016 season. Once again holding national championship aspirations, the team faced a major hurdle in that only 32 of their players were eligible for their opening game with Jones County Junior College due to suspensions related to the previous season's brawl. EMCC lost that game, 27–25, their first season-opening loss since 2010.[6] The Lions would go on to win the rest of their games, but were left out of the national championship game when they finished the season ranked No. 3 in the polls.[7]
Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game
Season 3
Despite being invited back to EMCC for a third season,[9] producers decided to move the show to Independence Community College of Kansas.[10] The new location is different in that ICC has historically had much lower expectations than EMCC; in 2016, it ended the season 5–4, its first winning season in ten years.[11] The ICC Pirates had a very successful recruiting campaign for the 2017 season, landing many acclaimed players who began at NCAA Division I schools.[12]
Reception
The series was given a positive review by SB Nation's Jason Kirk, who summed it up as a "carefully crafted drama with personalities to care about."[13]
Franklin was officially added to the Auburn football roster in 2016 and played sparingly in his first season on The Plains, recording one passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns while backing up starter Sean White.[14] In August 2017, he transferred to Florida Atlantic University as a wide receiver.[15] After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Franklin signed with the Chicago Bears as a defensive back.[16]
On the show, Roberts mentions that if big offers don't come in, he's going to be content to move on to Mississippi State, where he would attend as a student and not walk-on to the football team.
True to his word, Roberts did not walk-on to Mississippi State.[17] However, after a quarterback transferred out of the team, Head Coach Dan Mullen approached Wyatt, who then walked-on to the team.[18]
Law was officially admitted to UAB after final clearance was provided on August 30, 2016. Struggling with academics and an injured knee, he did not play for UAB and left the team in May 2017.[19]
Staggers joined the Southern Miss football team after the culmination of his Junior year at EMCC. In his first season with the Golden Eagles, he led the team in receiving yards with 1165, and added 7 touchdowns,[20][21] and was placed on the Biletnikoff Watch List[22] He also had a team record 292 receiving yards in a single game.[23] After the 2018 season Staggers was invited to Washington Redskins minicamp. [24] He was waived on August 27th.
He played one year at Nicholls State and had 41 tackles, two sacks, and a touchdown. He then left, saying he wants to play at a higher level,[25] but returned in early 2018.[26] Ollie was invited to work out for the New Orleans Saints in preparation for the 2019 NFL season.[27] Although undrafted, Ollie was invited for the Oakland Raiders rookie minicamp and signed with the team shortly after.[28]
Andry played 10 games in his first season with the Colonels and had 17 tackles.[29] Played all 12 Games in his senior season while starting one. [30] After running out of eligability, Andry stayed at Nicholls State as a graduate assistant and later was promoted to defensive line coach.[31]
Signed by Auburn in 2016, but never attended.[33] Committed to West Georgia in 2017 and attended spring training but never played for them, and in August 2017 it was announced that he was leaving the team.[34][35] On 13 September 2017, Wright was charged with criminal homicide connected to a fatal stabbing in Tennessee in July.[36]
After finishing his college career at Marshall, Revis signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent and made the team's active roster during the 2018 season.[37] He became the first player from the show to appear in an NFL game after his debut on December 2, 2018 against the Indianapolis Colts.[38]
After sitting out the 2017 season due to blood clots in his arm, Johnson competed with Oklahoma transfer Chris Robison for the starting quarterback position.[39] After not starting for FAU, Johnson transferred to Texas Southern in 2019.[40]
Wright participated in spring football at WGU but left the school before the season began.[41] He was arrested for criminal homicide in September 2017.[42] On November 8, 2017 the charges were dismissed against his brother Camion, also featured on Last Chance U.[43] On August 8, Wright plead guilty to facilitation of aggravated robbery in exchange for having his criminal homicide charge dropped. He received credit for time served and was sentenced to five years of supervised probation.[44]
Had a breakout junior season in 2017, with 92 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and six forced turnovers. Named All-Big 12 by Pro Football Focus and second-team All-Big 12 by coaches and media.[46] Allen was officially invited for the NFL Scouting Combine in 2019. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft and became the first player of the show to be picked in the NFL Draft.[47]
Henry failed to receive an offer from a Power Five conferences school, and was listed on the 2018 ICC football roster.[53] He announced in January 2019 that he would be walking-on at Nevada.[54]
^Sammon, Will (April 18, 2018). "What having Chauncey Rivers eligible this season means for Mississippi State's defense". Clarion Ledger. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
