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Inside Texas Football
What will be Texas football’s calling card this fall? | NITE LIVE
00:38:07
Let’s talk about Texas football and their identity headed into the 2026 season.
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Host (Inside Texas)
welcome to our Thursday night live here on Inside Texas with my guy, Nash and Evan. We're here to talk a little bit about Texas identity. What will be their calling card? Will they have one and what exactly that looks like for Texas on the football field. Nash, Evan, my friends, I hope you're well. And for you guys, don't forget to take advantage of that $1 inside Texas flash sale you new subs you $1. That's all it takes to become a part of the Inside Texas and on three community. And then you get half off of a yearly subscription after that. Fellas, what's going on? Let's get to it. Let's have some fun. We doing okay?
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Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
Doing well, Doing good.
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Host (Inside Texas)
Double sir, double duty oven. My man's putting work on an early morning.
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Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
BK had me slaving away.
- [03:58]
Host (Inside Texas)
There you go, man. And Chris, appreciate you being here and always showing love, my man. Y' all throw a like on the video. But yeah, guys, let's get to it. We're gonna sit here and talk about a Texas team who last year offensively, man, I didn't necessarily run the ball super well. Couldn't really. There was no identity. We didn't know exactly if sexist was ever going to find anything really that they could, you know, call their calling card or really, you know, kind of have a blueprint. Just didn't have it, man. Sorry. Yeah, what was. Yeah, we'll get that one fixed. Appreciate it, Justin. That's what you're here for. Editor and editor. Justin the editor. That's what we'll call you from now on. So, yeah, I guess we'll see. We'll find out. This is not a look to the future. It is a look to the future type of show. Now look to the past. So, Nash, we're start with you, man. When you think about this Texas team, what needs to be their calling card. We couldn't run the football last year, couldn't protect the quarterback at times, started protecting the quarterback a little bit better, and naturally the offense started to flow into shape. You ran the ball a little bit better in a couple games, but for you, man, like, what does Texas need to be able to do? What do they have to be able to do this year? 2026.
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Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
Yeah, I mean, I don't, I don't think it's any secret when you look at the overhaul they did, the running back position, Trey Wiser had the portal, and then you see them bring in relief Brown. And then also after we get really brown, like, getting really brown was probably already an upgrade. And then after that you go and see, oh, well, we went and dropped a big bag to basically steal Hollywood smothers from Alabama. I think that right there tells you right now, like Steve Circuit and this has been the thing with Steve Sarcasian. Everybody's, you know, talked about it a million times, be the horse dead. His offense just gets opened up to a whole nother level when you get, when you start running football effectively and you've seen how he likes to end games. If he has a lead, he's not going to be the guy that's going out there and, you know, trying to put up points and trying to, you know, win games by blowing teams out. He's. He just wants to, you know, suffocate you to death with the run game. So I, I think it's really. There's no, there's no real secret here. When you're looking at that, like the, the running back position overhaul and then also the offensive line additions that we got, I think that they clearly say, hey, Steve Sarkeesian still is going to try and, you know, make the run game his identity.
- [06:13]
Host (Inside Texas)
You have to, right? I mean, Sark loves to have it. We talk about, you know, how many 1k rushers and more he's had, you know, throughout his time and play caller, head coach, whether it be in college, whether it be NFL, he knows you got to run the football. Evan, what are your thoughts, man? I mean, like, is this. It seems to be like, that's where the focus is. Make sure that you can run the football. Make sure you have some explosiveness coming out of that backfield. What are your takes on where Stark's trying to head with this offense?
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Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
It feels like he likes to run early and late. If it's his ideal offense where your first scripted scheme and the first two drives, you're coming out there, you prefer to be able to establish that run well and of course that opens up the pass game. But really what Nash was referring to is like the most important part is can they get up and then win the game by just ground and pound at the end of it and making sure that, you know, you're just grinding out first downs where you're controlling the clock. And that's where, you know, people who don't watch a lot of football, they go, why, why are you running up the middle? Why is the best offensive coordinator in college football running it up the middle? It's because that's a control game. So I do think that's what they're looking for. If there's maybe one thing that's the, the biggest difference and the biggest, at least hope for this Texas team is that they want to while you're running the ball at the start, in the end, they really need to establish explosives in the middle of the game. And I specifically like, you know, I don't love the term middle eight. You know, the last four of the first, the first half, first four, the second half. But I mean, I think that's kind of the spot where you're going to look for Steve Sarkeesian to target. Like that's where we're going for kill shots, really. Because as someone's pointing out in the chat, like, I'm, I'm not sold on Texas as a red zone team right now. Like, that's something that they're really gonna have to kind of sell me on because they don't have the power running back on the roster. They don't have the power O line on the roster as much. They're built to pass the ball and they're built to run the ball out in space. So they need to find ways to score from past the five yard line and in. And that usually means like that, that sweet spot where you get around the 50s, the 40s area where if you get like second and two, can Texas really win games by throwing the ball over top of the defense or finding crossing routes in the middle and letting guys get a lot of yak yardage, that's where the biggest difference has to come. Defenses didn't need to be held honest last year. Like Ryan Wingo was not beating teams over the top the way you'd want him to. Park Livingston would definitely. But when the running game didn't force you to put a safety down low, it just didn't matter as much. They didn't have to do so Much respecting of what you can do on one side versus what you want to do on the explosive side of things. So that's got to be what Texas does. Like they have to find those kill shots. Can they be plus 14 in some games in like a 6 minute span where they get the ball, score, get a three and out or something like that and then have another explosive shot. That's where Texas can kill and that's where they can just end games right there. And then of course, getting back to what Nash says, like running the ball later in the game to assure your victory. But they have to be able to get those middle of the game explosive shots. And that's why you pay Cam Coleman. That's why you get two running backs that can go hit home runs.
- [08:56]
Host (Inside Texas)
That's also about both of you guys. I mean, you talk about some of Stark's teams and we've all, we've all seen it, we've all talked about it. Texas has had issues holding on to, you know, halftime leads at times or at least letting teams, you know, somewhat creep back into games. And you can pick out any game from 20, 21 all the way in through last season and you're going to find spots. I literally just sat here and watched the Kentucky game earlier today and was like, wow, we played awful. Still had Kentucky kind of by the throat. Let him get back in that game. Running the football late like Nash and Evan just said, that takes care of so much of that. Think about the Alabama teams and how they would kind of hit you with an early, early flurry of points and then they would just lean on you with really, really big linemen, really, really big backs. And Sark was more than content to just sit there and pound the, pound the rock, you know, take care of the lead, take care of the football. I'd love for that to be our identity. I'd like, I'd like for Texas to just be efficient, man, move the chains on third downs, be like you just said, score, you know, convert your opportunities. Once you get inside the red zone, Evan, you know, you're at the piece of on Emmett Mosley today. And anyone who missed out on that, you know, go check it out. It's a really good piece of Evan over on insidetexas.com and that's where I think Mosley's really going to fit into this offense. We talked about just ability to ex for one. You got to worry about so many other bodies out there between Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo, release Brown, Hollywood Smothers, there's so many people on this Texas offense that can hurt you. And so it feels kind of like Emmett's going to be like forgotten about at times. He's going to probably have really favorable matchups. And I think because of that, you know, we talked a little bit. I think he'll be great on third downs. Really help Texas as a, as a chain mover for this group. And so that's what I'd like to see. Just an offense disabled to, hey, we can pick up, you know, the third and shorts, we're, we're good on first and second downs. We don't really beat ourselves with penalties. We protect the football. But man, let me tell you man, just lining up and running the ball. Is there anything that feels better in sports and like watching your team just line it up and say, hey, like you know it's coming but what are you going to do about it?
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Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
Well, and I will say one extra thing on the Mosley idea that I was kind of trying to materialize in the article. I didn't fully get to this point of it, but you know, I think there's about four different things when you look at this Texas offense at a very baseline that go, we got to account for that, which is Arch Manning as the quarterback, the running backs and their explosiveness and two really big time wide receivers. Wingo kind of doing that horizontal, Coleman vertical. What's really going to annoy teams and these are the real backbreakers late in the games, especially close games, but the ones where Texas has a lead and they need to secure that lead is, you know, you get Texas to a third, Nate. And how are you feeling when Archmanning's legs are the one that gets that first downer or it is Mosley or it's Townsend. We counted for everything. We covered Coleman over top of the safety. We kept Wingo in check and played him all man coverage. We got pressure on the quarterback, but still there's this other layer. There's more guys on the field that are giving you more value on Texas. Like that's where the depth of this team comes in. And I pointed it out, like Mosley being a wide receiver three in the SEC is crazy. I mean he's probably the best wide receiver three in the nation. The only other team where I think it's an argument is Oregon because they have four guys who are really good and just kind of pick who the third one third best one is. But having that guy is just your, I want to have an efficient possession catch guy. It's so Important that he's the least of the wide receiver, concerns the team and. And he's going to get some catches where he is covered, but he's just a physical guy and can catch through contact. So I'm really looking forward to how late in games when. When they're up and we're talking about games. LSU up by 7. How can Mosley make an impact? How can the tight ends make an impact? How can Archer's legs make an impact past those big explosives and those big names that we know on this offense?
- [12:24]
Host (Inside Texas)
Yeah, that's real said, man. Again, because it's going to be a team effort. You know what I mean? Like, you have all these options, you have all these weapons. You're going to have times where teams are trying to take away maybe Cam Coleman. You're going to have times where teams are maybe trying to take away Ryan Wingo. But all of a sudden, man, it's like you imagine a third and eighth situation where you have to deal with, you know, maybe an intermediate route or some, you know, a sticks chain, something on the chains from him and Mosley. You have Cam Coleman, who's obviously going to draw some attention, obviously Ryan Wingo. Now, all of a sudden, you've paired, you know, those receivers with guys can come out of the backfield and catch the ball as well. You know, Hollywood can do it, really can do it. You know, I think Derek Cooper's hands are fine. You know, if he gets a chance to show those off early in the season, I'd love it. But by default, man, you know, I mean, with all the improvements, offensive line should be better again. We'll see. We'll believe it when we see it. Should be better, though. Running backs, better. Wide receiver as a whole, as a. Is a unit that's going to be a better group, probably going to be a healthier group than they were as they started the season last year. Obviously took Mosley a lot of time to come back into the fold, and I thought he looked really good when he did finally come back into the fold in Gainesville. He kind of looks like one of the only couple of bright spots on that Texas offense that day. You know, as we. As bad as we felt, we left, you know, left the swamp thinking like, okay, well, we've got another dude. And Arch, you know, I mean, if he can give him time, Arch is going to be able to hit. It doesn't look like he runs hard, man. It's just. He's so smooth. It just. He really, really has a good understanding of the route tree, when to put pressure, when to really make a hard cut, when to kind of not. Maybe not. Not explode out of a break quite as hard. I've been really impressed with him, this game. And so it's another thing, I think, you know, where times are, like, maybe it's getting a little bit overlooked, but it's kind of hard not to when you have all this talent and you have Cam Coleman and all these guys who can do these things around him. But any concerns that Texas maybe doesn't have a, you know, a true power back, or do we think that Hollywood can put potentially fill that role? And then are we hoping that Derek Cooper, at some point in the season kind of finds. Finds a footing in that potential role?
- [14:14]
Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
I was gonna let Nash take that. Yeah, you put your thoughts in first, Nash.
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Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
Yeah. I mean, I. I think that you kind of said it right there. I think that. I think at this point, you just kind of hope that some others can, you know, fill that role. And then if not the secondary, hope is that, you know, you can, you know, allowed Derek Cooper to get some of those touches.
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Host (Inside Texas)
That.
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Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
That's a good way for him to get some experience early on because he obviously has that body size for it. But, I mean, I just. I don't. I think if you're. This is. This has got to be the year where it's like, hey, man, if we're running power, like, offensive line, y' all got it. Y' all just have to set the line. Y' all have to move. You'll have to move that line. And I think that's something that we haven't seen this year, Sarkeesian, so far with the offensive line. So that's one area that, I mean, it's just going to be that looming question mark into, like, until we see. Really. Because I'm not even going to trust it versus Texas State, but until we see it lined up versus Ohio State. Hey, we're going in short yardage here. We're rushing. I mean, like, that. That's going to be a real tense moment for, I think, a lot of the fans, because you just. It's going to be one of those things that, I mean, as much as Michelle's got me, you know, feeling confident in the Texas offensive line this year, I. I still. I mean, I got to see it before I believe it again.
- [15:41]
Host (Inside Texas)
I mean, that's fair. You know what. And it's not that, you know, it's not that, you know, not being hard on Kyle Flood. It's just like, I feel like it's maybe not as confident. Evan, you know, I didn't get to talk too much last summer coming into the season, but be curious to know where your mindset was on this offensive line coming in. I mean, dude, it just, it feels like, yeah, clearly. So a couple of different, you know, a couple of stayovers from the last year. But you, you improve talent wise. You go get guys that, hey, you know, you go look at Melvin Siani, they just had, I can't remember who wrote the article or who posted the clips of Melvin. And just talking about the numbers, when they ran Wake Forest, ran behind him and then when they ran away from him, like Texas did their due diligence, they added guys that can help. I'm just hoping that, you know, it definitely means that to improve play doesn't mean for sure it should. And then you add the combination of these improved backs who are going to be able to break off longer runs, more explosive runs. You actually have a guy maybe who can go up and win a 50, 50 ball downfield. It's going to help in the red zone naturally to add a Cam Coleman. It's going to help naturally in the red zone to add these backs. And so naturally that helps the O line. Right? Helps to play color, helps the offensive line. That's a really good point. Talking about Kwon Lacey, Michelle, I want to touch on that in just a second, guys. But first we're going to hear from our first sponsor tonight. We're here from Lux Kitchen and Bath and we'll be right back. Okay, now we're going to hear from Luxe Kitchen Bath.
- [17:00]
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- [17:55]
Host (Inside Texas)
Alrighty, guys, welcome back. Michelle. I'm gonna throw that comment up there, but yeah, talking about Paul and Homer and that, that's one thing that I've kind of talked about that maybe Kyle Flood and our offensive lines are really, really fortunate to have a Bajan Robinson, to have a Roshan Johnson also to play in the Big 12 at that time. Because I think that, that that's what we had. I mean, you had a guy like Bijan getting met on the line of scrimmage or maybe even a couple of yards of depth in the backfield and just always finding a way to pick up. You know, maybe it's just get back to the line of scrimmage, but there's a big difference in second and 12 and second and nine. Huge difference between second and nine and second and five. And that's like go back to the TCU game. I think it was 20, 21, Bijan up in Fort Worth, like just dragging guys. Like it's so easy as a play caller to turn around and be like, here you go Ricky, go run for 10 yards of carry. But you know, you're taking nine yards after contact on everybody. That makes things a little bit easier. So I'm not expecting, not saying SARS is going to turn around and feed guys, but man, all the personnel sure seems to make it a little easier to see Texas having a high upside on this offense. But I mean, if you had to pick one thing at the end of the day like that people are going to talk about this Texas offense. For now we know Manning, the Manning name of quarterback. You know, you kind of exclude that factor, like what's, when it comes to the play on the field and what they do well or maybe what they do bad. What's it going to be this year?
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Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
I do think it's probably going to be the way they can use the outside part of the field, like in the run game. The way they can run to the outside and the running back cuts back. Like that's, that's the way that you're going to see the run game and on the offense. It's how they're, how are they going to use Coleman going downfield and how are they going to use Ryan Wingo taking those screens again? I mean, Wingo screen game is just, it's, it was untouchable at times last year and it's in a bad year that that really stood out to me is like that that was kind of all they had going for them at certain Spots that you're in that middle ground. And then once that Mississippi State game hit, they finally really turned the corner and were able to use that with other, other parts of the offense. But like how many, how many successful plays do they have outside of that early on in the year? So I think it's me Wingo still doing that. He'll find ways to, to get more involved. He's got to be a little bit better in the kind of contested catch in contact, in a tight pocket kind of plays. But it's also going to be like, hey, when we think about the scouting report of this team and how national people are going to view it, they're going to look at Cam Coleman running downfield and catching a ball that's perfectly placed in the basket one on one from Arch Manning. You're going to think about these speedy guys going on the very outside or Jermaine Bishop just running past people. And I think the foot speed on this team is just at a different level than it has been the last two years with Texas. And since Xavier Worthy was on the team, I think this is clearly the fastest group of skill position players and even like Nick Townsend is probably the fastest tight end since J.T. sanders was running around. So that speed on the outside is just really going to take over some games.
- [20:42]
Host (Inside Texas)
They're going to be really, really fast. Man, speed kills. I mean it's a game about playing in space and when you have a lot of speed, it just, it get so much harder to defend that. That, that was the thing last year, you know what I mean? We had Ryan Wingo on the screen game, but take the screen game out, it was like Texas really didn't like have a knack for hitting big plays outside of that. The Orion Wingo on a run, their first play from scrimmages didn't really rattle off a lot of big runs unless it was A and M or Oklahoma one. Weren't really great attacking downfield. We got a little bit better throughout, you know, the end of the season a little bit. I just want efficiency, man. I just want to be able to go out. And whether it. Texas attacks short, you know, we're clean, we're making catches, we're able to execute the short, the quick game. Whether Texas is attacking deep where, you know, we're making the right reads, we're not throwing into. I just, just be efficient, man. Move the football, don't make it. Look, there's times Texas has made offensive football look really, really hard in the last couple of years between Quinn Yours and Arch Manning and then. And then the teams around them. I just want efficiency, man. Just don't beat yourself. Be good on third downs. You don't commit a lot of penalties and you're good on third downs. Naturally, you can go score some points and then you tie in the fact that Texas has a lot of talent. Ash, what are your thoughts? What's. What's the number one thing people say about this Texas offense come seasons in
- [21:56]
Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
number one thing outside of Archmania? I, I hate to, like, you know, piggyback off what Evan said, but it's just, I think that when you're looking at the screen game, this, at least this is what it should be. I think the screen game is going to really open up the offense for the rest of the. For the rest of the offense. And not even just looking at the Ryan wino conversation, because Ryan Wingo, that was just like, like Evan said. I mean, you had two. Two screen passes versus Mississippi State. You had a screen pass versus Vanderbilt, screen passwords to Georgia. Like, there was like three games where it was just, hey, we're going to. Y' all know it's coming. Stop it. And they couldn't. So there's that. I. I just think that when you're looking at these two running backs that we added, Smothers and Brown, these are elite guys getting, like, not just getting to the outside, but, you know, catching balls on the flat. I think that, you know, their presence is really going to screw up some things. And honestly, this is. This is a good spot for Jermaine Bishop to maybe get a little bit of a run because you don't have to try. Like, there's, it's. Honestly, probably as far as positioning goes, right there is the timing aspect, but Shark likes to, you know, he wants, he wants you to know. To know that you're going to be exactly where you're supposed to be for you to get on the field and to run routes. And I think that, like, if there's one thing screen, you just. You get to that area that's set up for the entire play and let your athleticism do the work. I think that's one area that Jermaine Bishop can get on the field early on and show, you know, show stuff. I just, I, I do think that, like this. And then you've also seen it with Steve Sarkeesian. He had the slip screen, you know, that he did that one that he did with Jonathan Brooks where he just ran that over and over and over and over again, and teams just couldn't stop it. They know it's coming. They know exactly what's happening, but they just couldn't do it. He likes to get creative with the. With tight end screens. I think that's one area that you can really take advantage of, the athleticism that you have from a Townsend. So I just, I think the screen game is really what's going to open up. Efficiently.
- [24:12]
Host (Inside Texas)
Yeah. And imagine what it's like if they are able to run the ball. You know what I mean? Like, you didn't have the guys last year that could really. I mean, like, again, if a play was blocked for five yards, Texas got five yards. You know, that's just kind of how it was. Play was blocked for two yards. Texas was probably going to get two yards. And again, that's not to. That's not to knock Trey or said Seti Baxter or any of those guys. I mean, it's just. It's just what it was really. Brown broke 68 tackles alone last year or shed 60. I don't think Texas had that many missed tackles against us as a team. I don't think we forced that many missed tackles. So, like, they went out and they found guys that, yeah, like, hey, maybe the offensive line isn't a top 15 or top 20 run blocking unit in the country. But hey, just in case we got a guy now who is capable of, you know, maybe. Maybe he picks up just two yards on a play that was meant for nothing or meant to go for a negative play. Texas needed that man. So again, I hope you all right. I would, I'd love to see Texas, you know, a combination of explosive, efficient that, you know, just protects the football. But has Sark announced will be at SEC media days? Yes. Evan and I haven't. Evan and I are gonna. We're gonna be. We're gonna be on the pod. No, it's podium. Yeah, There you go. I'd love to see Evan up there. That's why I got the haircut. But now you'll have Arch, you'll have Colin Simmons, and you'll have Goose. Be correct. That's our three. Yeah, there you go. Definitely. You know, three big time names, obviously, and we'll see. Is there anything, you know, Evan, I saw you, you know, you talked with BK a little bit. You know, is there anything that, like that you can hear at SEC media days, Evan, that you're going to be like, just like in a Eureka moment, you're gonna be like, either, hey, this team has. They've got it figured out. They're turning in the right direction or is there something you could hear that like oh, nope, didn't need to hear that.
- [25:48]
Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
I mean I talked about today like I do want to hear how the offensive line is like what, what these guards are like what, what's different with Baker and Seymour? What does Seymour exist for real? But BK did make the good point. Like if you hear something about the O line, are you really going to trust it until you see it on the field? And I mean that's a good point. Like what, what could, what could Trevor Goosby say to change fans opinions on the.
- [26:08]
Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
Oh, and is he going to go out there and say yeah, our offensive line sucks? No, no he's not.
- [26:12]
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Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
I mean and it's a great point.
- [26:13]
Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
But.
- [26:14]
Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
But it is. You know, he's got another new guard pairing and a new guy next to him and spent a lot of last year having a revolving door of the players who were playing left guard for him. So it is just interesting to hear what he has to say about Seymour in particular. But you know, I think it's a lot of they're sending their three most, you know, notable guys, but it's also three guys who are pretty, especially these days, pretty well media trained. Maybe not a year ago, Colin Simmons. But a lot of players are just going to kind of keep it, keep it tucked in, make sure everything gets out the right way and let's get to football because I think they're just kind of ready to, ready to go play. I mean they've got of all teams like they've got to be the one that's really missing football the most because they had a disappointing end of the year was 9 and 3 and they had to watch for two months as real football was being played and all they got to really do is play the Cheez It Bowl. So yeah, I mean I don't think, I don't think there's gonna be a whole lot but I also don't think, you know, I don't think as Josh is putting it, that me hearing Seymour or Baker are doing well. They're gonna be Joe More award finalists. I can't buy that right now.
- [27:10]
Host (Inside Texas)
Things are going to go really well for Texas if that does turn out to be the case. Joshi. Let's talk about Jermaine Bishop for a second. Will Jermaine be Sox personal secret weapon? Does Bryant certainly likes him.
- [27:22]
Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
That's.
- [27:22]
Host (Inside Texas)
I'm curious man, because again for me like I'm, I'm trading niblets touches for Germains early in the year and Again, I'm not picking on Ryan. Let's focus on special teams and, and the punt return game, kick return game. I'd like to see Bishop get run there, too, but with the schedule being as difficult it is. Guys, Evan Nash, like, how do y' all think that? Because he's an electric talent, you know, and again, he's spending a lot of time on the defensive side of the ball right now. But, like, do we see it early in the year? Do we, do y' all personally think, like, oh, there's a package of plays that Sark might try to run out and have Jermaine Bishop in the fold, whether it be as, as a decoy or as a playmaker. How do y' all think Sark handles it with Jermaine?
- [28:03]
Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
I, I've been talking about this a little bit. I, I do think there's a, there's a week two Ohio State where you kind of just have to put the best players on the field, the most trusted guys on the field for pretty much the entire game. Like, keep the big, big three receivers out there and if not, then probably McCutcheon, maybe give Bishop one or two design touches or plays in your arsenal, but nothing too crazy with him. But as the year goes on, like, I mean, I think Niblett can be a third down back early, but the longer the year goes, the more I do want to see Bishop and, and, and Cooper getting touches there at wide receiver and running back. But like, early on, I don't know if I want them having big time moments where there might just be a mistake that comes up or a misrun route when the margins are so thin against Ohio State. But I can definitely, like, if by Tennessee, if they're, you know, showed out in the other two out of conference games and they're playing well in practice, like 100 empty the clip. It let Jermaine Bishop play a lot of football, but I don't know about early, like early early against Ohio State.
- [28:59]
Host (Inside Texas)
That's the thing is you can probably beat Ohio State without having to do that and you can integrate, integrate him a little bit more slowly. And obviously you're saving, you know, things that you might have, you know, in, in the package for him. I think tackle play will be better, Joshiman says in 24 overall, Baker better than Junior. You know what, I'm not going to disagree with you, man. Like, I, I definitely like this to potentially be the best O line that Sark has had at Texas. I just, again, man, there's so much talent there'. Minutes. You Got enough guys returning from last year? I do. Again, early returns, pretty positive on Baker over on the guard side. But real quick, guys, we're going to go back and hear from Dave McClellan and we'll come back and do another five, 10 minutes here on Inside Texas. Thanks for watching, guys.
- [29:42]
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- [30:44]
Host (Inside Texas)
Alright guys, keeping it going here on Inside Texas. Answering your question artistically, incredible. Do we feel like it's now or never for Michael Terry and Jonah Williams? Any thoughts there guys?
- [30:56]
Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
I mean, as far as now or never, I don't really think that, I think that you're going to see a lot more Jonah Williams this year. I think that was kind of also the point of getting him out of baseball to get that shoulder surgery done is to get him 100 ready for football season. So he comes into camp, you know, tip top shape. But last year, I mean he's really started to, you know, get involved late in the season and when he was on the field, it's, it's one of those things, it's like a defensive back, right? You never want to hear your name called unless you're, unless you're having interception. The less, the less your name is in the spotlight, probably the better you're playing teams they didn't like throwing the football towards him. So I think that you're going to see a lot more John Williams this year and Michael Terry, I don't know, it's just, it's one of these things that like, I think next year probably would be the now or never year for him. But he's, he's definitely a dynamic guy, but I just, it's interesting to see. I think if he comes into the fall this year, that's because there's been some injuries.
- [32:03]
Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
Well, it's also unfortunate, Nash, because like this would have felt like a crazy thing to ask even just like two years ago, but absolutely the way it is right now, like a red shirt freshman, the clock is ticking. If it's not happening in year two, then like you're looking at the guys around you. Derek Cooper is gonna be starting at running back next year. There's a chance at Landon Williams callous and Noah Roberts are already on campus as well. Like if they, they win both those keep. Get both those players win the recruitment on land and Williams callous. So then you're looking as a guy like Terry whose role is a little hard to, harder to imagine just because he's not a natural running back. It's like, yeah, well if he, if he doesn't solidify some kind of role for himself as like the third down guy or even just add a few snaps here and there in the year, it's harder to project what he can be on the team long term. And I think Texas would love if, you know, he started kind of a year behind because he came in as an athlete and that as true to the word as the word athlete could be. I mean he was, he did not have a position truly in high school, so you know, he's already starting a year behind. You'd hope that there'd be some patience from both sides of like, okay, we started you at wide receiver, moved in mid season last year to running back. Now we're gonna give you another year after that just to see what you can be. But you know, I don't think that he's going to play early on and it's, it's hard for me to see him overtaking any of the top two running backs. And I think Cooper's better and I know Niblet's not the most popular guy in the chat what you're seeing, but if Nible it's a better run blocker and he's already more, you know, he's been around cultural more. He's probably a bit better there. Excuse me. Pass blocker. He's better at pass blocking on third down. He's more likely to get those snaps. So I agree that I think Jonah, like not early in the year, it's going to take him a while. But like by mid season I think Jonah Williams is going to play some legit snaps in these like, you know, Those big dime packages that Texas can play, him playing the very center of the field is going to look really good for them. And then it's, it's a little bit of a thinner depth chart at safety. Like he, he might just could, could end up being the number three safety by the time the year ends and, and battling for some snaps over Williams or McDonald's. So I like what Jonah can be this year for the football team again.
- [33:54]
Host (Inside Texas)
I mean I think it's, it's good to have him. Obviously having his surgery before baseball season wrapped up expectation was like, I think it'll be a big year for Jonah as far as growth. I don't know what to expect early on. One, how much run he gets to exactly what it looks like because again, the margin is just so slim throughout the entire schedule, man. I mean it's not like you have, you have two or three week breaks off at any point. You know, you go to Nayland, you have Oklahoma, you got Florida coming to town, you got Ole Miss coming to town, you go to Mizzou, go to lsu, A M, etc, it's going to be tough. So that's why for guys like Michael Terry, for Jonah Williams will be out there more than Michael Terry. But like for guys like Michael Terry, for guys like Jermaine Bishop, definitely not, never for Jermaine Bishop, but for like Michael Terry, like, you know, it's, it's time we got start figuring out a position. You know, there's such a thing as return on investment in the nil era. You want to make sure that these guys that you're spending on, you know, are contributing and helping you out on the football field or will be doing so, you know, in a very short amount of time. And that's not me writing off Michael. I was, I think, hey, you know, it's tough for him to get in. Luckily for him, I do think he has physical traits that can help this particular running back room in 2026. But yeah, man, I'm still a young guy and curious to see how it all works out. There's a lot of guys ahead of him that are pretty well built to help out this offense as well. Raptor ceiling is so much lower than Jonas.
- [35:13]
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Now.
- [35:14]
Host (Inside Texas)
Would you have said that pre injury? I probably would have still had to. Derek was a freak pre injury, man. That's the thing, man. You have like the, you know, the IQ of Derrick Williams. You have the experience of Derrick Williams and then you have the freak athleticism. Just a sheer raw ability of Jonah Williams. You know, how Does Sark and how does you know Will most champ and the rest of this defensive staff, you know, how do they. They manage that position group that, that position, that particular position battle evidence.
- [35:42]
Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
Well, I, I don't think you care all that much about ceiling at the safety position this year, if I'm gonna be honest, especially at the second safety spot. Like how many ceiling guys are on this defense?
- [35:52]
Talkspace Testimonial Speaker
Right.
- [35:52]
Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
Like, Colin Simmons is probably gonna be the best edge rusher in the nation. Sheen Biles is probably going to be an all American linebacker. Look at the corners. You've got Jelani McDonald's, your other safety. The, the best teams and the best defenses have the veteran safeties who aren't the flashiest, but they're just in the right spots. They know when to track back. They know how to come up and make a tackle. If Derrick Williams isn't quite the athlete Jonah Williams is, but is actually more. Simon Sound knows where he needs to be on the football field, isn't missing tackles. You know, I could care less if Jonah makes the more explosive play. One out of every 50 plays.
- [36:21]
Host (Inside Texas)
Yep. I mean, look at my guy. That was responsible, accountable. You knew where he was going to be. You know what I mean? Sorry, Nash, go ahead.
- [36:28]
Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
I was just gonna, you know, kind of piggyback off that. There's, there is that whole thing of just sometimes because you can react quicker and you're more athletic and you're more explosive in your, your physical movements,
- [36:44]
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knowing
- [36:44]
Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
where you're going to be, that can end up playing faster on the field, you can end up looking a lot faster of an athlete. And it's just. That's one of those things that I think it's. It goes to a completely different conversation if you're like, okay, well, Jonah, Jonah Williams has a really, he's really, you know, football savvy, IQ guy with that athleticism. Okay, now we're entering a different level of conversation with John Williams. Yep. But I think that's what he's really gonna have to prove is his football iq, because I mean, athleticism is. There's no question about that. The Dude's a legit 6 foot 4. There's no bluffing on that. He is an extremely fast athlete. Watching him run first hand in person, it's like that dude can move quick. Right. So if you're, if you're a quarterback and wide receiver, you could think that like, if Jonah Williams is playing, you know, smart football, you can think that you're safe throwing it to a certain spot. And that ball could easily get picked off by a guy like John Williams. But he's gonna have to prove the football IQ aspect.
- [37:46]
Host (Inside Texas)
Yeah, man. I mean, you got to be dependable. You got to make sure that, you know, being back into the defense, that, you know, you're, you're spot on in your responsibilities and that you are, you know, you are playing that back half. It's a lot of, it's just. There's a lot of pressure back there, man, because again, you're gonna have the last line of defenses. Yeah. You're gonna have Ohio State and who's going to have a very talented personnel group on that offensive side to attack. You're gonna have a fun offense in Tennessee here in a couple of weeks. And so do you want to, you know, a young, inexperienced safety out there in Nylon Stadium? You know, I think we'll definitely see Jonah and again, excited to see, you know, how quickly that light does come on for, man, because all the natural ability, it's there. Like there is no doubt at some point that that light fully comes on for the young guy. But again, just stay healthy, man. That's, that's a big bugaboo for Jonah so far. Just, just staying healthy, guys.
- [38:32]
Nash (Inside Texas Analyst)
Another aspect too is the whole green dot stuff. I know we're probably, I imagine Biles is going to be the one running the green dot, but really the, the safety position is pretty much the quarterback position of the, of the defense. It's the same reason though, why, it's why the catcher is the quarterback position. In baseball, you're the only position that has every single thing in front of you when you're, when you're out there. So if you see guys out of that, that's, that's another area where Jonah just doesn't need to be football sound in his own play. He needs to know exactly where other guys are going to be. That's one of the things that made Joto Bear so, so lethal when he was safety before he made the transition cornerback, because we had the ability. And like, that's, that was one area that Michael T. Was so great at is they know where everybody's supposed to be. And if, if one guy's slightly out of alignment, they can make the communication, hey, let's get this, get this fixed on the fly. But it just that the, the football, the safety position that requires a really high level of football IQ back there.
- [39:38]
Host (Inside Texas)
It does, man. Luckily we've got the defensive staff. I mean, Will Muschamp is, is incredible with safety is like Gideon being back in the fold. I Think helps a lot as well there. I'm excited about the safety room, man. I will say that it's my number one concern for this entire football team is that second safety position. Just making sure that, you know, either Derek is moving at the speed like Nash said, he might have been healthy, healthier than some of us give him credit for last year. But when your mind is not, you know, when you're, you're stopping and thinking about your, what you're doing, you're not playing free like, and I've said all of a sudden, you know, you're moving a little bit slower no matter how good of an athlete you are. You know what I mean? Like there's such a thing as, you know, playing fast just because you're comfortable where you're at, you're comfortable in the scheme, you're comfortable in your role with the defense or offense or whatever it is. But guys, always fun, man. Get on here with you too. Chop it up. Any final tight thoughts or takes opinions on Texas and kind of their identity or who might help out with that identity in 2026.
- [40:31]
Evan (Inside Texas Analyst)
No matters. Think that the, the transfers that they added are. We're so clearly on both sides of the ball. You know, Biles is the explosive defensive player in Masco is your man coverage for a new must champ system. And on offense you overhaul your O line completely. I mean, two new players, three new positions total. Cam Coleman, these running backs, I mean it's all in an effort to be able to play with explosiveness that they haven't had the last year or two.
- [40:54]
Host (Inside Texas)
Yep, yep. And well said there. You got to have the explosiveness. I mean that's kind of what you think about when you think about Sarkeesian offenses, big plays, creativity. Hey, run on the dang football, man. That's what we need to see out of Texas and Sark in 2026. Nash, Evan, thank you guys for doing this. You guys at Wash Foods throw a like on the video if you haven't done so yet. But we appreciate all the comments and you spending your time with us here on Inside Texas. Go have a good rest of your Thursday evening. We'll see everybody this weekend. Hoka Moors.
- [41:24]
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