Analyzing the Difficult Texas Schedule

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L it in now before two l eight, seven, seven, three nine three, four four, four eight times applly S optimum dot com for details The Texas longonghorns have an elite recruiting class already. But if they had this guy His Mail Kamara, Anybody that's a Texas fan know that name You are locked on College crossover, part of the locked on Podcast Network Oour team every day this crosssover lockked on longonghorns and wcked on the portal. I'm Brian Smith along with Brad Kellner. Brad, I appreciate you stopping in to talk all things Longhorns We werere to talk a little arrch Manning and their schedule to Manning Academy later in the show. John Meredith, arguably the best recruit in the land, committed to the horn to Dallas area player O line and D line recruiting But the Texas one works. They got four alignen in the boat. they got six D alignen and they're still trying to work on this guy we're going to talk about to kind of start to show Ismel Kamara, but to set everything up just to put it in perspective They've got the number six class by twenty four seven or excuse me, no. twenty four seven, number five, number six by rivals. number eight by ESPN. ESPN's got them with twelve, top three hundred recruits They got eleven kids in state. They're really focusing on the lone star state and just kind of dab on in other spots. I think Texas has done this right. And they're still in the boat for this guy by the name of Ismael Kamara You and I were joking But this is one of the freakier things that I've seen and I'm Very fortune. I get to travel around the country and watch football all the time But Israel put up a video for those you haven't seen it, seek it out yourself He's playing soccer at six six give or takeick three hundred and forty Brad. Yeah. And it looks quote unquote natural at an upper level. Again, I said six six three, forty Those words along with playing soccer Do not normally facilitate normal conversations Iit it up and I'm like What on God's green earth is this? Brad, what did you think when you when you saw it like What were your thoughts? Brian, I'm not even sure this guy' from God's Green Eth. to call him a freak is the understatement of all understatements. You mentioned it six six three hundred forty and look, there are plenty of big offensive lyemen who are, you know, getting close to entering college football, but there aren't a whole lot who can move the way Ismel Kamara can from France only been in the States for a couple of years relatively new to American football Bys hit the ground running and yeah, the expectations for this young man are incredibly high. He's one of the top rated offensive tackles in the class, five star And he would be I don't want to call them the icing on the cake because there's still more out there for Texas to add in this twenty twenty seven cycle. But if they're able to get this dude in the boat, then that's going to change the overall look and feel of Steve Sarquesian twenty seven class for sure. I absolutely agree. and there's For those that don't know, and I'm sure if you're watching this pod, you're pretty interested in UT football recruiting Among others Sam Spiegelman, who covers the state of Texas religiously for rivals has put in a prediction are designed with the horns as well as longt timee friend of mine, Steve Wil Fong Same thing And I believe one of the guys that runs the rivals, Texas side. I believe he did as well. But here's the odd part. Kamara hasn't taken any OVEs yet But he's allegedly going to announce. Now like you said, he's from France He doesn't go by the rules here in America apparently, but if you're a five star level recruit Okay, that's part of it, but He's been recruited by everybody. Oregon still wants him, andM still wants him and on and on and on Is this the cherry on top for the class? if they especially if they can get in this week. But again, we don't have any gate, but there's rumors that he's going to pop Veron again without an OB Brad, is this the cherry on top for the O line class for the horns? O line class, abbsolutely. I mean, you mentioned that Brian, Texas already does have four line men committed in this twenty seven cycle and four guys that they feel pretty good about. But we're talking about a potential plug and play starter from the moment he steps foot on campus. and you and I were talking before the show, Brian. L Trevor Goozby preseason all American left tackle up, Texas. He does have two years of eligibility remaining. I don't think he's going to exhaust both of them, right? I mean, this is a guy who could have gone pro after this past season. And I think if he did, he would have been a late first round pick, but if he has another Stellar season in twenty twenty six. I think he's going to be a very high first round pick in the twenty twenty seven NFL draft. Texas has a couple of tackles kind of waiting in the wing, but there's no obvious replacement for Trevor Gooseby going into the twenty twenty seven season. So NIL is obviously a part of this recruitment. It helps that Camera now lives in Texas and plays his high school football in Texas, but of the longghors The way Texas recruits, you don't often get to pitch. you could be a day one starter if you come to Texas. It's usually like, ye, we'll see, we We'll let you compete But there's a real possibility for Camara to start day one at left tackle for Texas. So I mean, again, they've they've done a good job in the trerences in this class, but he would be without question their most talented big body They add to the fold How many other guys besides Gooseby are likely B whether eligibility pro likeike is there going to be a big turnover in the O line I get that maybe he plays left tackle, but man. Left tack on the SEC's hard, but as a freshman Brad That's rough. If he can do it great Is there another spot he could possibly plug into or is it definitely going to have to be tackled? Yeah, it's a great question. And look, Texas did have this with Kelvin Banks. Now early in Kelvin Banks' Texas career, the Longhorns were still in the big twelve. So it wasn't quite the same animal as playing in the SEC. But I think some Texas fans will remember banks and be like, no, we can get away with this You know, it's a good question U the starting centers a red shirt senior. He'll be gone after this year. They got Melvin Siani the right tackle from Wake force. He played left tackle for the Demon Deaconss the last couple of years. He's playing right tackle at Texas. Another guy with two years of eligibility remaining, but could go pro after this one and then the right guard Brandon Baker who's shifting inside from right tackle. He's going into year three in college a former five star. I know you covered him back in the dayays. So U Yeah, look, it's hard to tell, right? They don't have everybody guaranteed to be leaving. I think four out of the five projected starters could come back, but obviously these are some talented cats and if Texas has the year that Longhorn fans hope they have There's a chance three or four or maybe even all five of these guys are departing for the NFL. Yeah, with that, just to put it in perspective, like Brad is saying. They got four guys in the boat. If you add Kamara The other kids and I'm just going by the rankings on twenty four seven Every kid they have committed was highly recruited The Swanson kid out of Dallas, South Oak Cliff, one of the best programs in Texas Most years he would be your number one lineman and he still could be when it's all said that like he's super talented as well. He could play guardard tackle and then the other kids, theyve got a kid from California Lucas Rad. that pronounced at or Orange Rutheran one of the best programs in California, bigig tackle. They got Jackson Cook, a kid from Westwake right there in Austin and then they also have Key on Hem Hill Woods get out of Columbus, Texas They've done a great job. So Regardless of whether or not Kamara comes in it's important to note that And then on the other side of it, defensive one, they've got six guys in the boat I did some research on this recently, Brad I don't think anybody has signed as many quote unquote large defensive linemen as Texas over the last five years, including Georgia, which is saying something and they've just basically tried to copy formula and not if there's anything wrong with it But I mean, like three fifteen It's kind of like a normal size. They've got a couple of those guys in the boat already, Tyler Alexander And they also have another kid that's really, really massive Cassie Curry out of Sierra Canyon Just an earth I love that kid I think that guy's got a chance to be a three and out player So If you're a Texas fan, in the Trenches You should be super, super happy. U before we go to the second part of the show, talk about Meredith and some of the kids that are Greety, James and some other discussion points Is there anything else about this class? anyybody you think is maybe underrated or anybody else that you think deserves a world? What a b Yeah, you know, he's definitely not underrated, but a guy that every Longhorn fan and every LSU fan and every Florida fan has been talking about is Easton Royal, right? You talk about cherry on top types for this recruiting class. Another five star who's currently committed to Texas. feeles like every week there's a national guy saying, Oh, LSU' close to flipping or Florida is close to flippingom He's from the New Orleans area. LSU doesn't like to let their in state talent leave very often. That's obviously a guy that a lot of Texas fans are going to be paying attention to all the way into December. And then I'll talk about Brock Williams, the tight end that Texas committed you know, from Libertyville, Illinois, four star top five tight end in the class according to all the industry and composite rankings. as so many Longhorn fans are focused on Easttern Royal and oh my gosh, could Munch and sales also be coming to Texas too. There's been a lot of receiver noise for Texas but Rock Williams committed over a month ago and Texas has had so much news since then. I think his name has kind of been lost in the fold. but I really like his game. I think he's got a chance to be a difference maker as a passast catching tight end when he gets to Texas When we get back, I'm going to give a little story on Eastter Royal from some of my conversations with him in a video that I had the opportunity to take That is next right here. this crosssover walked on longonghorns and walked on the board Today's show is brought to you by our friends over at Fandel, the biggest stage in soccer is here and every match feels like it has the potential for a memorable moment One goal can completely change the energy of a ballgame, shift momentum, and alter the outcome in an instant. That's what makes tournent soccer so exciting for the opening whistle to the final gig Now, Fandu is giving fans another reason to stay locked in every match with every goal pace. Bet on a match and get bonus bets for every goal scored in that match More goals, mean more bonus bets, all you have to do is turn on your token So if you're really into what's going on And this has been a great tournament so far for the United States. That's great you can watch all the USA games, but what about watching some other matches that may have some opportunities, you will if they're going be higher scoring or just that one match where it goes down to the wire, you have a better chance to have more and more fun with another bet with Bandor from the opening whistle. to the final kick Let there be goals on Phantom This is fl. com T get started MeTV is America's number one classic TV entertainment network, airing over sixty of the greatest TV series every week. Now, MTV presents The Golden Girls of Summer, showcasing the best of the Golden Girls. Watch Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Shia, weeeknights on MeTV at ten PM nine central. Log on to meTV dot com now to find out where to watch MeTV free over the air and on cable, satellite, and select streaming services. MeTV is memorable entertainment television All right, as promised, a couple back brown drops here. Everybody talks about NIL being the end all be all. It is not. Relationships are N IL can get you over the wine. I've spoken to Easter Royal many times. Great guy. T's be honest, he told me that Texas did not repeat did not give him the biggest in Iowa But he disliked the relationships, how they recruited him. that's why he made his original commitment But he still wanted to evaluate everything But that being stated, When he announces that he shut it down Well all know. I don't have any prediction on that. Brad, if you want to jump in on that farire away, but I wish I could. I wish I could say that yeah, Eouon Royal later this week is going to shut it all down. Now this is one that I think Longhorn fans are going to sweat for a while. I mean he has come out multiple times and you know, reaffirmed his commitment to Texas, but there's a difference between reaffirming and closing up shop. So I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon, unfortunately for Longhorn fans Yeah, it could be a while, but here's a reason to be excited about him nonetheless. I had the opportunity to watch him run right at me Running a four two nine forty and that was a laser. That was last year That was at borderline two hundred pounds then So I don't know. he's one one hundred ninety last year, whatever he's about to say, maybe two hundred now Same getting young man, though, he's really really well spoken and he's down to earth. so Wherever he goes are getting one heck of a football player Now I want to talk about another guy And it's the player that ironically T Eastn Ran. against in the finals of the Under Armor Future fififty event that Easton ran the for tonight That would be John Meredidith No I Coming out of the gate in that race. He swooppt at the line and ran a fourth three two Must be nice, Brian must be nice I got that on video and I talked to him about it after he goes, Yeahah I swipped and I said, You know one ly That's a that's a twenty yard dash for us these days or three two. Yeah, no, I'm a huge fan. How can you not be a huge fan of this kid? I mean, he's the number two recruit in the country, the number one corner in the country. He's got the size. he's got the speed seemingly has everything that you want in a good cornerback recruits and yeah, you're talking about guys who could potentially be early impact players at Texas I have a hunch. It's going to be hard to leave John Meredith off the field when he gets to Austin, he's just that type of talent Yeah, I know Texas is very, very well versed and bringing in good DBs. That's not a news flash. The last several years they brought in a lot of those guys There aren't too many that. are as savvy as him or as physically gifted. And I could just tell you from being around John,y's quiet guy. but he is very, very dif Yeah, it's crazy because you know, everybody remembers the Arch mananning recruitment and ultimate commitment. John Meredith is the highest graded commit that Texas has gotten since Arch Manning in that twenty twenty three class and he is a top five a graded commit that Texas has ever gotten So that's the type of player. I know the grades aren't the end all be all, I know they're not always right. but just in terms of how people in your industry view this young man, that's the type of player we're talking about here. So this was a big, you battle between Texas and Texas A and M. There were obviously other schools in the mix to. everyverybody wanted this guy, but this sort of became an inate matchup between the Longhorns and Naggies and Texas able to get the commitment a week or two ago. That was a big one for Texas and cornerstone piece in this twenty twenty seven class without question Yeah. he's he's going to be an impact player in some capacity. And When I saw him last year at under Amor, not going to lie that That's a young man. It didn't matter if they're playing man, D didn'tatter if they're playing Zone. He just made pointays. He's very savy He've been well coached He'll make an impact for the Horns Turning the page and just kind of looking at some other guys. giveive a little credit Again, as we noted earlier, six players committed to the horns or defensive linemen Most recently, Jason Johnson, another big guy But he he's still smaller than some of the others though, Brendon Brnd. It's he's only two hundred seventy. He's a small fella, you know It's amazing how much size they've added But he was a highway recruited kid We've talked a little bit about East to Royal. Bedy James is the one. we're waiting to see what happens. if he does officially flip to LSU got the Norleans ties. We'll see Three kids that I want to give a little love to Hi, Newtson quarterback out of Sithson Valley. I think he's very underrated. He fits Sark system very, very well, Big kig good R spinn it. Noah Roberts the running back out of Arizona. He could fly I think he will be very good in the screen game. like Texas throws the ball to the backs do a heck of a job with that. He will be a very good player in that regard. And just because he's probably from the panhandle, Kyron Brown a recent commitment Wide receiver for Texas. I think he's really good player too. So I love it. Yeah, give some love to the three stars. like I'm sure a bunch of schools have a lot of success stories with three stars, but the Longhorns have had a bunch of them as of late. You know,'av Andre Sweet, bigig human being ended up being a top forty draft pick was big twelve defensive player of the year in his final year in Austin That guy was a three star Now Gunner Helm who had one of the most productive tight end seasons in Texas football history. three star, Treay Weisner was the starting running back the last couple of years transferred to Florida state three star. So you know, people on of everyone gets caught up in the blue chip guys and I'm not saying you shouldn't. thoseose guys are really, really good. But Texas in recent years has had a lot of success. Hell, Colt McCoy, one of the best players in Texas history was it three The Longhorn fans. they don't really need this exercise, but I'm glad you brought up some of those guys who probably aren't getting talked about enough because I do think there's a chance all three of them have important roles. mayaybe not from day one, but at some point Brian in their Texas career Absolutely. When we come back, I want to talk a little Arch Manning, a little Manning Academy and What might be The most difficult schedule in college football this year resesiding in Austin, Texas, That is next right here this process So you know that uneasy, anxious feeling you get when you think about dealing with your insurance company Well, there's actually a term for that. It's called inssureanoia And if that sounds like something you're way too familiar with, you should really think about getting NJM insurance They go to great lengths to do what's best for their policyholders by providing dedicated reps whose priority is you. And that means you'll find more peace of mind with them Relieve your insuranooyia with NjM insurance by visiting njM. com for a quote today MeTV is America's number one classic TV entertainment network, airing over sixty of the greatest TV series every week. Now, MTV presents The Golden Girls of Summer, showcasing the best of the Golden Girls. Watch Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia, Weeknights on Me TV at ten PM nine central. Log on to meTV dot com now to find out where to watch MTV free over the air and on cable, satellite and select streaming services. MeTV is memorable entertainment television All right, Brad. The Manning Academy just ended. Arch was there, obviously being a manning. He participated All signs are that he did well that he had a good time and he's warning, he's getting better What is the local scuttle butt around Austin Everybody has high expectations because he's a man. there's no way to put it on a level playing field because of the name. But what are the real like the people you trust As he made I'm not worried about physically because he was blessed better than any of the uncles, honestly. Yeah But what about above the shoreers? Like Is he going make the reads and do all that stuff? ' He didn't look like he was ready when he played Ohio State last year, Im being kind Yeah at the w of the year Big difference. That's it. I mean you hit the nail in the head, Brian. like peopleople are very confident and optimistic because of the way Arch man Arch Manning ended the twenty twenty five season. easy for me to say. I mean in the last five games, you could argue Arch was maybe the best quarterback in the country outside of Fernando Mendoza Now, look didn't play in any playoff games, bowl game against Michigan. People say these games don't matter anymore if they're not in the CFP, But what he did with his arm, what he did with his legs. He showed the total arsenal of weaponry that he has. and I mean, you're right, There's no way to sugarcoat it. He was not ready. too much high, too much expectation, too much pressure. He wasn't ready for the big moment to open up the twenty twenty five season in his defense. it wasn't all his fault. The Texas offensive line was a train wreck for the first two months of the season. Texas had its worst running gamame since World War two last year or inconsistencies in the receiving game as well. I think Sark did a great job making life easy on Arch mananning. So look, I'm not absolving Archs from all the issues clearly had his struggles early on in the season, But the way he ended the year in conjunction with what Texas did this off season, Brian, bringing in one of the top portal classes in the country and a bunch of talented freshmen in the class in twenty twenty six Yeah it's I know people get excited in the offseason every year, but there's a lot of confidence that okay, this time around, Arx Manning will be able to live up to the lofty preseason goals and expectations that the college football world has for I hope that he has a great year because what I'm about to unleash here is something many Texas fans have seen. but I want to remind them I'm just gonna to list off eight games that the horns have in their dates Outside of like no offense to Texas state UTSA, Arkansas. or Mississippi State. Those are the four games that they don't win those. Brad, you and I have to have a different conversation in front guys. Yep. That's a whole not like if that happens, there there are concerns about people losing jobs. Bye The other eight games are as follow in order They got the buckkeyes, as we all know on seeppttember twelfth Two weeks later they go to Rocky Top to play Tennessee. Then they have the Red River rivalry on october tenth in Dallas The seventeenth that' got the gators And then they got old ms Th thenen they have to go to Mizoo, kind of a weird outut of the way game in November It could be really cold. I'm kind of curious how that game will be up there. in Colomb. thenen they have to turn around and go to LSU And then they finish with A and M, like on their own Like what do you What do you make of the schedule other than to say like ten and two to me is Borderline first seed stuff, but's that's not how the committee works. , they would probably not get above like the fifth seat even with that knowing they like Not a big playoff committee fan, by the way. Oh nobody in Austin is either, Brian. I could tell you that because you said it. I mean, the committee has shown that they don't really care about your strength of schedule. They just care about what your record is. You know, we did see Vandy last year at ten and two in the SEC get left out of the CFP with the Lghorn schedule You can make a case that they should get in at nine and three, but if they get to double digit wins, I don't think there's any debate that they'll be in the field of twelve I'm going to go ahead and say it, borrowing something really being off and it's possible With this schedule at nine and three as long as they don't get beat thirty eight to seven by LSU or something They should probably be in like the nine seat at nine and three Not even like the last one or two spots because You win nine in this? That means you're beating like an LSU or an andM or high state. You're beating somebody on that that's a Marquee game and just to survive the week in week out battle is going to be very, very hard Is there any game on the slate that you're concerned about besides like A and Ms obvious? Ohio State's Ovice Is there anybody else in that one That's good and you're like, you know what I'm a little worried about either the timing or the matchup In college, it's hard to get kids up every week And I've got eight games here that are technically in my opinion Texas will be favored inite almost all of them, but they could lose any of those too Anybody you're real concerned about there? Well, first of all, I'd like to put you on the playoff committee, Brian, if I could nominate your name to be a carar f. to ensure Yeah, to ensure that common sense prevails because it feels like it hasn't there the last couple of years. And I know it sounds like sour grapes, Texas fan, but there's going to be an SECT more two that gets left out this year That's making the same argument that Texas made last year about. Yeah, strength, the schedule isn't valued. But yeah, I mean, you could you can make a case for a lot of games obviously at LSU in November You would think Lane Kiffin has things figured out pretty much by then. I mean, look LSU' maybe the most polarizing team in college football this year and fascinated to see what they do. But any game you're playing at Tiger Stadium is not easy. And I assume that'll be a night game with those two programs going together all through in at Tennessee I'll throw in at tennis You know, it's It's a similar spot Brian to where the Florida game was last year. SEC opener on the road against a team you're better than that. Now I don't think Tennessee's going four and eight this year the way Florida did last year but hostile environment. You haven't played there in a long time. Um, you know, it's it's the start of SEC play and you've got a buy week right after that So that's one that again, there's so many games that you could focus on, but maybe one that not enough people are talking about that could cause some problems for Texas early in the year is that game at Neilland. It's an eleven AM kick, which you I know some people some Texas fans prefer that. You don't have to play under the lights there. I don't think it's going to matter all that much. That crowd's going to be absolutely insane I feel like Tennessee fans hate everyone, but the UT UT thing really bothers them way more than it should. But that's one again, a little bit more off the beaten path. I don't think it's a game that you mentioned Brian that definitely has my attention in that final Saturday. of September Well, the way I look at it, It was like this. if out of the burst Let's say we go to the O Miss game, which is october twenty fourth If they could get to the twenty fourth and play that game and come out of that stretch with one loss somehow I think that would be a win Final three ist importantant at le Mizoo LSU A and M. Go three o there is going to be rough 'use that's another I mean it's the end the slate. Man, that's a long stretch. you're playing game week after week But if they can do that, they got a chance even at eleven and one if like I think Miami or nototre Damess got the inside track to them one see because their schedules are lighter. at eleven or one, they can at least.