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Marcus Myers
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Blake Monroe
Welcome to Coffee and Football presented by John Donovan and Longhorn Wealth Management Group. I'm your host, Blake Monroe, where I'm joined each and every day by Bobby Burton and Jerry Hamilton. Tell us where you're checking in from this morning, what you're drinking, and of course, get those questions in as always. And we are now 40 days away from kickoff, so tell us who your favorite number 40 is. We'll circle back to that here in a little bit as well. It's Monday, which means Marcus Myers will be joining us. But first, guys, I thought we could talk about some updated SEC odds because Texas no longer the favorite to win the conference. Just barely though. These are the latest Vegas odds. They have Georgia at +275. They are now the favorite, followed by Texas. So they have flip flopped. And then you got Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, all pretty much 800, 900 somewhere right around there. And then it really drops off when we get into a lower tier. But Yalls thoughts on Georgia, especially coming off of SEC media days last week?
Bobby Burton
Yeah, to your point, Blake. It comes on the heels of SEC media days where these two teams also finished onew in the rankings and somewhat similarly ranked, but Georgia was the clear choice by SEC riders. These first two are kind of sticking out like a store thumb, which is a good thing. I will say this for our friend Rusty Manziel, who said that when he landed in Tampa and he, he covers Georgia, by the way. When he landed in Tampa, he thought it was landing at Texas media days. Yeah, and I think that he was on a mission from Kirby Smart to try to make Georgia the underdog. And guess what, Rusty, it just doesn't work when you've won as many Games as often as Georgia and Kirby Smart have Georgia the favorite to win the conference, Texas second. This group of, this next group of five are very interesting to me. Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and OU.
Jerry Hamilton
What I was going to say, they're specifically saying seven teams are competing for playoffs. That's what they're saying for playoff spots with this, right Bobby?
Bobby Burton
Yeah, I think, I think that's part of it. I, I still believe strongly in Florida's ability to, to, to get in there if they can catch fire if Buster Faulkner's offense gets going. But yeah, that, that is the, they're saying these guys are kind of head and shoulders right now leading into the season, but we never know where it's going to end up. But Longhorns and Bulldogs kind of as expected in Vegas right now. The favorites.
Jerry Hamilton
What to, to, to your point and to Rusty's point. At SEC media days there was more talk about the players at Texas than other teams. Like if you're just talking, there was more Arch Manning top. There's more Cam Coleman transferring the Texas talk. Colin Simmons. Right. Texas has those marquee names and I do think there was more talk about Texas, Texas and Texas players. Then when it came to voting, people went with the, to be the man, you got to beat the man. And I also think schedule factored into that as well in talking to some people. But Georgia should be the favorite until they're not, in my opinion. I, I, and I, I think Alabama is more of a schedule thing than they're actually a third best team thing on this. But that's the way I look, I look at this. Okay. Right now the betting odds are saying there's seven teams that they think have a legitimate chance to make the playoff from the sec. Now Ole Miss came out of, from a lower pack, second tier pack last year obviously, but I think that's, they're telling us they think there's seven teams right now fighting for three or four spots.
Bobby Burton
And I, I again, if I were to say any team or two teams have the opportunity to move into that group, I think Florida is one of them and my second one would be South Carolina. And that's simply because their quarterback could go hero mode a little bit this season. They've got a quarterback that if he's on fire could be that. But that's, you know, I don't think that we necessarily learned anything different than we knew going into the SEC media days as it relates to those teams. Jerry, did you, as we talked to those folks and listened to the coaches and the players. Was there a team you came out of there thinking, hey, this team has more chance than maybe I gave it credit for going into it.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah, this well, I mean we'll see on that. I think their offensive line is going to have to be proven out. When you talk to people that cover Florida. I did a couple of shows with people that cover Florida. I I think there's an offensive line question mark with them. I think the team that it's not even popular here. But you asked the question, Bobby. It's Oklahoma. I thought Brent Venables just sounded like a more confident coach than we've heard him in the past. Whether he's just comfortable in his skin now as a head coach. His first head coaching job was a historical program and there's pressure that comes with that. When your 1st year sub 5i he sounded very confident in his coaching staff and his team. What does that mean? We'll see. He's got a hell of a schedule the first four games. I mean at Michigan and at Georgia. Better not lose to Michigan, I'll say that because they won't make the playoffs if they do, in my opinion. But he sounded more confident. There was some news that came out of it though from an injury standpoint. Georgia lost a running back, one of their three running backs for the season due to an off field obviously injury wreck on a Polaris in the days leading up to SEC media days. Then I thought it was interesting that Eli Drinkwitz because Ahmad Hardy just got released, really start working out fully. I think he'd been doing some light jogging but really fully worked but he didn't really. He wasn't comfortable enough in knowing having a time frame for when Ahmaud Hardy would get back and when he would get back to being close to the player he was or the player he was. So there was a little injury news that came out of that. I said last night with Rod and we'll talk to Marcus about this a little bit. Bobby, the one quote that slipped by everybody, I think because Georgia and Texas and Lane Kiffin and Old Miss and they. They all get the majority attention as they should. Did anybody catch what Jeff who Jeff Lebby compared Camaro Taylor to RG3. RG3. That's a pretty slothy comparison that that means he's going to win the Heisman. But you talked about Lenora Sellers. South Carolina is not on Texas schedule. But if Camaro Taylor ends up being close to that level player, that means if he gets caught, gets hot, he might knock somebody off or get him right there into the fourth quarter on a road game. So Kamar, that was one of the more interesting quotes that I don't think got much run because of all the other teams and players in the conference and how many good quarterbacks there are. But I kind of raised an eyebrow on that one. I was like, that's a lofty comparison.
Bobby Burton
Talented dude. He's gotta have the people around him. He does have fluff Bothwell back, the running back. That's really, really talented too. So it could be a tough, tough offense. Kelly Lewis on defense is a safety. That's a first team all, all conference type guy in my opinion. But Jerry, to my point with you, and you mentioned Oklahoma came out of there feeling more confident. They're. They're still one of those top seven teams that we discuss.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
So I'm talking about guys coming from behind the pack. You mentioned Mississippi State maybe, I guess I think it's Florida and I, I think it's South Carolina that have the, the capacity to move really into that. Let's talk about the, let's talk about making the playoffs because don't Forget South Carolina 2 years ago did almost make the playoffs and it was behind Lenora Sellers. And I, I just think to myself, like, why would I go right now, just looking at it, why would you pick A M over South Carolina?
Jerry Hamilton
Oh, I just think they're much more talented football team. Like not, not even close.
Marcus Myers
Okay.
Bobby Burton
I, I don't know that.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
I'm just gonna say I, I personally don't, don't necessarily agree with that. Not one deep for sure.
Jerry Hamilton
Money. It's not even close in NFL draft picks. I mean that those two rosters aren't going to be close. If you look at NFL draft, the question is the South Carolina star power, is it enough? But they couldn't put enough around Sellers last year. So how Kendall Briles is gonna have to mask their offensive. They had the worst offensive line.
Bobby Burton
Jerry, you can say all of that. I'm picking South Carolina over A and M this year. So there you go.
Jerry Hamilton
There you go.
Bobby Burton
We're gonna agree to disagree. Yeah, they should have beat him last year. They beat him like a drum the year before. Sellers is a better quarterback in my opinion than Marcel Reed. Most important position in the. On the football field.
Jerry Hamilton
South Carolina has. Their schedule's pretty interesting. They're at Alabama, at Florida, at Oklahoma, at Clemson. Before you get to the home games, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas A and M and Mississippi. I mean they got a hell of a schedule. If they. If they run off a 9 and 3 type record, they've had a hell of a year. They've had a hell of a year. That schedule is not forgiving for them.
Bobby Burton
Well, I think. I think there's two p. There's two teams in that group. Florida, South Carolina, everybody else. I just don't see Tennessee. I don't see Missouri, even with a mart Hardy. We can talk more about that when we get joined by Marcus Myers. But first I need to say thank you to our sponsor for every Monday morning's coffee and football. That is John Donovan, President, Longhorn Wealth Management Group. John's a proud Texas ex's life member and his wife and six siblings are all UT grads as well. John's passion for UT led him to brand his firm Longhorn Wealth Management Management Group. They're dedicated to designing wealth creation and management strategy as well as risk mitigation and management strategies for UT alums, UT employees and fans all across the country. For more than 30 years, John has helped his clients effectively create and manage their wealth, but just as importantly, protect their wealth from risk, including investment, insurance and estate planning. That can help. That could really devastate you guys. Even the most significant accumulated fortunes. John was pleased to see 11 UT football players receive pro preseason all SEC team recognition at the SEC media days last week and especially pumped to have five first team members to celebrate this exciting recognition and expectation of what the upcoming season holds. John's offering every OTF fan a free private financial consultation via Zoom Phone or in person to allow John to show you how working with a certified financial planner can help you maximize your wealth, minimize your taxes and ensure your legacy and reduce or eliminate the risk to both your current and future financial success along the way. To schedule your own free private financial consultation, just call The Longhorn Wealth Team 972-7074 900 or schedule online www.longhornwealth.net John and the rest of the Long team send you all a huge Longhorn 100 winner. Hook them. Thanks, John.
Blake Monroe
All right, guys. Well, it is Monday, which means it's time to bring in Marcus Myers. Good morning, Marcus.
Marcus Myers
Morning, fellas. How's everybody doing today?
Bobby Burton
Good. I'm. I'm chippy this morning. Marcus, what about you?
Marcus Myers
Me too. A little bit. And. And before I get rolling on the football end of things, I know we always do birthday shout outs. Today is my mother's birthday, so want to Wish A happy 21st to my mom. She's finally legal and hopefully she'll get to enjoy her a nice beverage today, but happy birthday to you, mama.
Bobby Burton
Love it. Love it.
Jerry Hamilton
All right, it's about to get chippier in here because there's some anonymous coaches that commented on Arch Manning.
Marcus Myers
Okay.
Jerry Hamilton
Coming out of SEC media days and Blake made a graphic on this. It's interesting to say the least. Blake, it is indeed.
Blake Monroe
And we're going to start. So I did the good and the bad and we're going to start with the good. We're going to build him up a little bit here. So this is from anonymous coachers and staffers all on Arch Manning from many different conferences. A group of six GM said he's big, he's fast, he's the whole package as a player. I just don't know how you go wrong with a guy like that. An SEC Geo pretty much echoing the same thing. He has all the tools. When you watch him in warm ups, he's so good. It was so fun to watch him throw. I was just staring. For me, there's no question about his own or his talent. A Big 12 OC offensive coordinator said, you got to tip your cap to the kid because after the start of last year, to be able to rebound the way that he did and play as good as he did down the stretch, it's really impressive and it's something that not very many people would be able to do. Another SEC GM said he got better throughout the year, saw leadership, saw tenacity. He would be in the top tier in the country. And then the final one from a different Big 12 offensive coordinator, he's probably going to have a really good season and he's got unbelievable weapons around him this year, too. So I'll be surprised if Texas is not really good on offense. I think we can all agree with that.
Bobby Burton
No, not everybody. Because you got to read the other side of that equation now, Blake.
Blake Monroe
Yeah, so the bad is. Is where it gets a little ugly. So one Power 4 head coach says he's just okay. He's a bit overhyped. Another power forehead coach, I'm not a huge Arch fan. I think he's just a good player. I don't know. There's something about guys who win. In high school, he didn't win championships. College, it's only been one year, but he still hasn't. He doesn't win. And then finally another power four staffer says, everything about what we're doing is exactly what we did last year. It's the same picture. What has he gotten better at? His head and his base are all over the place when he goes to throw.
Marcus Myers
He.
Blake Monroe
And that's why he misses the intermediate stuff. My issue with him is he didn't fix that. And if he doesn't fix that, he's not gonna be good.
Bobby Burton
Yeah, he doesn't win. Just wins 10 games, finished 13th in the 13th or 14th in the country in the regular season, then top 10 at the end of it. Yeah, but he's not any good.
Jerry Hamilton
I think. Look, I think there's some truth in some things being said, but that was the one I was going to take issue with because. And I don't know who the head coach is obviously, but he hasn't done his homework.
Bobby Burton
Yeah, you think?
Jerry Hamilton
I mean, Peyton and Eli went to the same high school and they didn't win championship.
Bobby Burton
There's just something about guys that win, you know.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah, they didn't win championships in college, but then they did in the NFL, obviously. So he, that, that was, that was the one I was going to take issue with because I'm like, if Peyton and Eli had won state championships, it is an Or Newman, then you might have an argument. But the reality is none of them did. So your argument is I didn't win in high school. Okay, well, neither two Gold Jacket players from the same high school playing the same position. So, I mean, like, I don't know, he didn't do his homework on that one. That's where I have an issue. That's what I have an issue with. Marcus, what you got?
Marcus Myers
Yeah, I mean, you know, we've talked a lot about this and I think, Jerry, you've kind of compared it to Tiger woods in the sense of, you know, being built up and broken down. And I mean, we're still in talking season, we're getting towards the end of it, but, you know, we're, we're still there. And so the comments honestly don't shock me. I agree on the, you know, whole, like, he doesn't win thing. I mean, I could probably rat. We could do a whole show rattling off, you know, high school guys that win championships and go on to do nothing.
Jerry Hamilton
Reggie McMillan won a high school state championship and Vince Young didn't. And A and M. Right. Reggie was going to be the better quarterback.
Marcus Myers
Exactly, exactly. I mean, there's, there's a laundry list of, you know, it going that way and then the other direction. Right. Like guys that didn't win much in high school because of just where they happened to go to school and then went on to be all time greats, you know. So, I mean, last I checked I don't think Mahomes won much, you know, at White House, and I think he ended up being an okay, you know, college and NFL quarterback. So, you know, I think there is some truth to, you know, just a portion about, you know, him needing to clean up some of the mechanics. But again, that, that tends to be the case for most guys. So, you know, I think it kind of goes back to some of the comments that you heard, you know, Sark make at SEC media days in the sense that any number of young men that, you know, had to face the spotlight that he did and none of his own doing, right, just because of his last name likely wouldn't have bounced back the way that he did. And so I agree with, you know, one of the good comments over there in terms of, you know, how he was able to rebound and finish out the year. And you know, luckily for us, what, we're 40 days away now, so we don't, we don't have too much longer before we get to see, you know, the 2026 version of Arch Manning take the field and then that'll be what matters most.
Bobby Burton
I just want to say this, the, the one that I think gets it the most out of all these guys that, that we're looking at, their comments, etc, it's from the Big 12 offensive coordinator in the middle of the left hand side of this, this screen, or at least as I, I look at it on the left hand side. Rebounding the way he did and play as good as he did down the stretch is really impressive, something that not very many people would be able to do. You get knocked down in this game, Marcus. It is a game of will, a game of physicality, a game that taxes you mentally. And if you get caught up in it, you can, your. Your ship can get lost at sea. There were times last year when Arch Manning looked lost at sea. Correct?
Jerry Hamilton
You tough?
Marcus Myers
Absolutely. Yeah. And that's fair.
Bobby Burton
What did he do? He got the ship to harbor. He brought it in and we can talk about his platform is this, is that his ability to run the positives and negatives. The thing the young man has is, are intangibles. And if you didn't see that, you didn't watch Texas football last year, in my opinion. I mean, he did not turn the football over. Nowhere. Nobody even mentions that in anywhere. Any part of this, any part that he, he just didn't turn the football over compared to him. And, and he always gets compared to Marcel Reed. Compared to Marcel Reed, archbanning was downright stingy.
Blake Monroe
With the football.
Bobby Burton
Okay. Compared to John Matier. I mean, Matier gave it the other team a lot, including in the playoffs. I, I, I think that the thing that if you're not talking about what he did between his ears in the fight, he showed in the rebound. I think you miss the biggest storyline of last season for Arch Manning. Oh, he throws the deep. Well, yeah, he does. But the thing that separates him is he got knocked down and got back up. He got knocked down in the second round. He got, he got knocked down in the third round. You know, he got down a couple of times. Hell, he got knocked down in the 10th round at Georgia.
Jerry Hamilton
Right.
Bobby Burton
And still come back. Came back and won. And now did he win the fight in the 15th round? And, you know, I don't know. But Texas won 10 games. So for a college coach to say he doesn't win, that college coach didn't watch Texas football last year because I
Marcus Myers
think too that offense. Yeah, to your point on getting knocked down too, Bobby, I mean, it was both literally and figuratively, right? Like, you know, he, he, he got, he got banged around a little bit last year because of, you know, some of that offensive line and some things that we've talked about before. And he, he had the resilience to continue to bounce back. And when you have that kind of toughness and your teammates see that, that matters. You know, shout out to Michelle in the chat as well, because she brings up how a lot of people probably underrated his foot injury as well. And from all accounts, Sark said he didn't miss any practice and, you know, he was able to get that cleaned up in the off season. So, you know, you're, you're probably looking at a healthier version of him than you've had in the last, you know, 10 months or so. So I think those types of things matter. And it's going to be important, you know, for him to have that in his mental Rolodex of, you know, what he is able to go through. You know, it's one of those deals that I tell my nieces sometimes, like, you can do hard things, right? Like, it just, it takes a little bit of practice and running up against something and then finding a way to bust through. And I think he's, you know, been able to show not only himself but his teammates that, and really that's what's most important. And those are, you know, the type of things that you have to have so that, you know, you trust the guy that you're in the foxhole with. You know when your back is up against the wall and he's gone through some of that now and you know, has the ability to come out the other side of it and kind of continue to write his story.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah I and and to add the final piece to that great discussion. I agree with all you guys. I think the one thing because people will be looking, okay, where is Arch better this year than he was second half of last year? I think we need to see that completion percentage at 65 this year. 614 last year, little low. And now some of that was what that last P4 staffer reference some inconsistencies there, some layups that were missed then some too high of a drop rate. If you get those, both of those ascending this year and we look at Arch and said he completed 655 this year with the talent around them, Texas will be in the playoff. But if you're sitting at 6162 again, we'll see if that's a difference. So people are going to be looking, he's going to be under the microscope of where did you improve? I think people, the majority of people know he showed the toughness and the grit and everything last year. In a way real bounce back from a very adverse situation. UTEP was very adverse for a quarterback and he bounced back from that. So now people are going to be saying all right, well where's the guy better this year? That's the next thing they're going to be looking at. Okay, well has how much has Arch improved? For me it's this simple thing. The 30,000 foot view thing is if he's at 65 and a half, 66 in that range completion percentage, Texas is going to be really good because that means the drop rates is bet is lower. That means he's going to be hitting more of the layups and if you combine those two things guys, Texas will be really, really good on offense because he's going to have more, he's going to have more help around them.
Bobby Burton
I his percentage completion percentage goes up if pass protection goes up if some guys don't drop balls this year.
Jerry Hamilton
But he's got to do his part too, Bobby. And he missed wide open guys now.
Bobby Burton
Yeah, of course.
Jerry Hamilton
But yeah, it wasn't you can't blame that on the offensive line.
Bobby Burton
How many, how many drop passes did we we count last year?
Jerry Hamilton
Well, he had, he had one of the highest percentage rates of uncatchable passes of starting quarterbacks last year. So he's gotta, that is, I mean look, we're being fair he has. He has to improve, too. You can't put that all on the guys around it. So I, I think those. The cross.
Bobby Burton
Jerry. I'm not putting it all on the guys around him. I'm not. You don't. I'm not trying to put it all on the guys around him. I'm trying to put some of it on the guys around him. And I do think that they deserve some of that. The offensive line in the first six games last year was bananas bad. They just were. They. They made it through. They made it through Oklahoma. Beyond that, they were not good. They got better as the year got. Got going. And surprisingly, guess who also got better as the year got going. Arch Manning. I think there's a symbiotic relationship there. So to your point, yes, he can help himself by hitting, you know, the easier throws more routinely, but the people around him can help by catching the ball more frequently, especially catchable passes. He had three consecutive passes against Georgia go off a receiver's hands.
Jerry Hamilton
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Bobby Burton
So at a time when they were trying to get back in the game, too. So I, I feel like. I feel like there's. There's a little give and take there, and I, I think that we can go overboard with missing the easy receivers and not. I mean, he. Was he under more duress last year than Marcel Reed, in your opinion? Because I think he was. Was he under more duress than Ty Simpson? Because I think he was. He was. I mean, just go down the list of guys that had better numbers than him, and he was under more duress than all of them. So I, I think that there's a symbiotic relationship there.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah. Like I said, I think the drop rate needs to be better. But I mean, look, if we're going to talk about a guy elevating Texas and being a true number one pick in the draft, that accuracy matters.
Bobby Burton
It does.
Jerry Hamilton
Look at, look at Mendoza. How accurate of a quarterback was he under duress in pressure situations?
Bobby Burton
That.
Jerry Hamilton
And that's just a natural progression. That is definitely where Arch can, because people are going to be looking. Okay, where are you better from last year to this year? I think that's the one area people are going to look at with him because he's proven everything else. Now, are you going to become that accurate guy that takes that next step in from an accuracy standpoint? And if you are, you may be the number one pick in the draft.
Bobby Burton
Marcus, you've got to set. You've got it. You've got to decide that me and me and Jerry seem to be coming from two different sides of the aisle. You know, what are your thoughts on this little argument, quasi argument that Jerry and I are having?
Marcus Myers
I think I'm probably closer to the middle. Right. Like, I think, I think there's, I think, I think there's, there's, you know, some legitimacy to both of your arguments. Right. I, I think early in the season, Arch will tell you himself like he was in his head. He wasn't, you know, playing as confidently. He wasn't having fun. And, you know, in parallel with that, the rest of the team wasn't, you know, doing a ton to help him on that side of the ball either. And then on the flip side of things, as the season progressed, you know, they, they found, you know, offensive line unit that was a bit more consistent than what they had going earlier in the year. He was much more confident. You know, to your point, Bobby, he protected the ball well, and we saw, you know, just how he performed down the stretch against anybody not named Georgia. So I think when you, you know, you take where he finished the season off, and then you look what they went out and did in the off season, I mean, they pretty much universally improved it, almost every spot that, you know, they, they could have from an offensive weapon standpoint. And I would even venture to say, you know, even along the offensive line, I'm of the opinion that they will be better this year. And so, you know, I think when you add all that together, it, you know, kind of points to a better version of Arch. But yeah, I mean, there's, there's accurate accuracy issues he had early on, and, you know, so you get into, is it chicken or the egg? You know, is it, is it solely, you know, him and his performance? Is it, you know, you, you throw, you know, some really good strikes to some guys that end up dropping the ball. So then what does that do for your confidence? So it, it kind of goes both ways. So I, I, I see legitimacy to, to both of the arguments. And, you know, my perspective is that it's, it's kind of like the rising tide lifts all boats. And I think a lot has been put around him to give him a bit more confidence. He sounds like he's more confident. I suspect over time, the conversation that, you know, he and Sark and the rest of the offensive staff have had will get him into more of the looks and the, in the, the plays that he's more comfortable with. And from that, I, I fully expect us to see our best version or the best version of Arch. Manning this season. So, yeah, I guess down the middle. Yeah, there you go.
Jerry Hamilton
By the way, you know who would put me over the top if he was on this show? Arch Manning? He would say, I've got to improve there.
Bobby Burton
Hey, put that, put that graphic back up, if you don't mind. This is what I was getting at. Jerry and Marcus, look at the bottom right stat. 17 dropped passes in the second half of the season alone. Those final 18 games, our final eight games, he would have had a 75% completion percentage. That. That's not 65 or 66 that you were calling for, Jerry. Yeah, that's 75. I mean, so I'm, I'm, I'm in that category. I'm just gonna put it that way. I think he's that good and I think he's. I think he's ready. But, you know, he's gonna, he's not gonna be perfect either. Guys, I'm not sitting here saying Arch Manning is never gonna throw an interception, never throw an incomplete pass. I just think he's ready.
Marcus Myers
Only other thing I would add to this is you don't see on this graphic anything about penalties or the running game and those impact what a quarterback is able to do or not as well. So maybe I'm starting to lean a little more towards, towards Bobby's end. But I, I do think that there's a lot of leg to what Jerry is. Jerry is talking about as well.
Bobby Burton
Marcus came to the light.
Marcus Myers
I said a little bit. I'm still.
Jerry Hamilton
Arch would agree with me. Bobby didn't listen to arch@SEC media days. Obviously Arch himself said he's got to improve.
Bobby Burton
He does. I agree.
Marcus Myers
No, he does. Yeah. I don't think there's any argument there. Yeah, that's.
Jerry Hamilton
My whole thing is my goal is 65 and a half, 66 the season. If he does that, I think Texas will be in the playoff because that means they've caught more balls. And he's probably made that minor adjustments in off season work. I dis. I disagree with that P4 staffer. I mean that P4 Stafford say he didn't fix it. There hadn't been a game played.
Marcus Myers
Right.
Jerry Hamilton
See, I think he walks. He may. Now, he probably saw three or four clips at Manning Academy and one of
Marcus Myers
them went viral, which means he didn't see the other hundred. Yeah. So how do you make the, you know. Right. Right assessment. Yeah.
Blake Monroe
Well, Marcus, thank you so much as always for joining us. Appreciate you joining us each and every Monday right here on Coffee and Football. Hope you have A great day, man.
Marcus Myers
Appreciate it. Hook them. Happy birthday, mama.
Bobby Burton
Happy birthday to mama. Love.
Jerry Hamilton
It's obviously in a Marriott. By the way, anybody stayed in the Marriott knows those little stick thingies on the wall. Seen them a million times.
Blake Monroe
Well, speaking of Arch Manning, we need to do a couple of ad reads and one of those being Warby Parker.
Bobby Burton
Yes, Arch Manning has partnered with Warby Parker as you all know and they've also partnered with on Texas football. Arch has worn glasses since he was a kid and has actually been wearing Warby Parker frames for years. So it's one of those partnerships that is authentic to here us here at on Texas football you can actually get progressive lenses like I have. I've been wearing Warby Parkers now for more than a year. Got them online, delivered to my door immediately. It was a terrific service. Was able to order online, had my prescription already ready for them. Everything was outstanding. They've added discrete performance upgrades in the last year. Now no slip nose pad to help keep the frame from slipping down. Wraparound design for the the performance sunglasses. Flexible lightweight nylon for sunglasses as well. All day comfort that actually holds up when you're moving. They also have contrast enhancing lenses that blocks 100 of UVA and UVB rays. Scratch resistant advanced polarization. So whether you're a quarterback like Arch Manning or just someone trying to play a round of golf without constantly adjusting your sunglasses, having eyewear that stays put and performs actually matters. I love my glasses overall from Warby Parker. Really can't say enough good things about them. I've been wearing them now like I said, for more than a year. Eyewear that's made to move with you right now. Buy one pair of glasses at Warby Parker and and get 20 off any additional pairs at warbyparker.com forward/ontexas. That's 20 off any additional pairs when you purchase one pair at W A R B Y parker.com on Texas. They have over 300 retail stores across the U. S. If you don't want to do it online, it's nice knowing you have that in person option if you ever want it.
Blake Monroe
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Jerry Hamilton
Hey Blake, I want to follow up on one thing in that conversation because I, I want to, I'm going to say something I want to predict. If Arch begins game one this season like he finished last game last season, we should be fine. You know what I'm predicting or I want to see first play against Ohio State on offense, the same damn play they ran the first play at Columbus. Because that is a route that Arch has always been most comfortable with. That play call I if I'm sark, I'm saying architecture running the same damn thing. And you know what? You're going to complete the ball and we're going to get a big gain and we're going to move the chains. I would call the same play first play from scrimmage. You know what? I guarantee you this. He's not going to throw it in the dirt and miss it by 10 yards. He that was a very, that was a highly pressurized situation. I would run the same play and say guys, we're going to go execute that play. We didn't execute against Ohio State up there. We're about to execute our first offensive snap in Austin and we're going to go score a touchdown. That's what I'm doing. If I'm sorry.
Bobby Burton
Not Matt. Not bad, Jerry. I don't disagree with that. Start the year off right.
Blake Monroe
Yep.
Bobby Burton
Say it's going to be a different year.
Jerry Hamilton
It's going to be a different year. Art, you're going to complete this ball. If you don't, it got tipped. But we know you're going to make an accurate throw.
Bobby Burton
Hey, we're going to continue this conversation in a minute. I want to say something that is a little difficult to say. A friend of ours, Doug Rice, at the Dallas Texas Exes, passed on that one of our. One of the Dallas Texas Exes board members, Charles Baldwin. Charles Lee Baldwin Jr. Was tragically shot in Dallas back on July 2 and has passed away. Uh, he is a long term, lifelong Longhorn. Was on the Dallas board helps. He was the chair of the Texas OU Bash, the Weekend Bash. One year. Tough saying this. His funeral is this coming week and he's asked everybody to wear. They've asked everybody to wear orange and white. Burn orange and white for his funeral. I just want to put a note out there to his family and to all of those in Dallas attending and his friends. You know, some of some people do things that aren't on the football field. They do it behind the scenes to support the Longhorns. Charles Baldwin, one of those guys up at the Dallas Texas Exes, just want to pass that on.
Blake Monroe
Okay, let's see here. We're gonna get to some of y' all super chats in just a moment. We got a lot more to talk about as well. But at the beginning of the show, I said we are 40 days away from kickoff, so I thought we could take a look. That's the number 40, along with the current one, who of course is Edge, Lance Jackson. That's a good one to get started on. But going back a little bit, guys, Corey Redding, Robert Killerbrew, Nishan Hughes, obviously reading going to be the headliner in that group, but pretty solid group overall.
Bobby Burton
I, Corey Redding. And to have, I will say this, the thing about Corey Redding that I'll always remember, Jerry, is he came right on top of Casey Hampton.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
And you had two enforcers on defense back to back. I think that helped Matt Brown set the tone on defense early in his career as much as anything.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
Because Casey Hampton, Rod Rod Babers talks about all the time was taking no guff from anybody and telling folks how it's going to be etc. Corey Reading much the same way and I think to have them back to back like they did was tremendous.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
So I think that's a big something that doesn't go mentioned often enough to start Mack Brown's tenure.
Jerry Hamilton
Two things with reading for me. I went to watch Cedric Cormier at North Shore and Joe Walker and I was like, who's the six four, 230 pound middle linebacker?
Bobby Burton
The young kid.
Jerry Hamilton
He's interesting. And that was the first time I'd seen Corey Redding. So I was like, wow, he's interesting. And he actually made a play against Chip Ambries that I was like, wow, that guy's very athletic because Chip Ambries is kind of freaky at quarterback on the football field. And then the other thing I'll always remember, Bobby, about reading 100 agree with what you said was how big of a commitment that actually was at the time. It was such a big commitment. Alfio VC Skip. Skip school at Yates to be there. Remember that Bobby? Yeah, we were there and I was, I looked over there, I said Alfio's here. That was a big recruitment, a huge recruitment. Not big, that was huge because it was kind of Houston. It was Dallas when Sark came in.
Blake Monroe
Bobby.
Jerry Hamilton
But it was Houston back in that time and Chris Redding. Otis was already at Arizona so a lot of people thought well, they did the family thing. Cory will end up going to Arizona. But that was the USA Today offensive and defensive players of the year and that number one class and Corey Redding. That was a message sent by Matt Brown in the Houston area with Corey Redding before the tj, Ford and Vince came to Texas. Those were the meaning of that. Corey Redding was a big deal when he committed to Texas at that time. That was a really big deal.
Bobby Burton
Lance Jackson's bigger than Corey Redding.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
At least right now he is. He is at the same age, much bigger than Corey Ring taller for sure. Jerry Is he as disruptive of a player though that I like? I, I'm still waiting and I think this is the question. I think Lance Jackson's a strong side end.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
That doesn't necessarily rush the passer.
Blake Monroe
Great.
Bobby Burton
What, how would you compare him? Is, is Lance Jackson a souped up Baron Sorrell? Is that.
Jerry Hamilton
That's actually really, I mean that's a good, that's a good comparison. I, I think Lance has that type of motor and plays that hard. Baron Sorrell did. I, I think I was going to Actually ask the chat. We see 15 tackles in two sacks. If I said 35 tackles, five and a half sacks right now, would you take it for Lance Jackson in year two? 35, five and a half year two, would you take it? I think there's a couple interesting things with that with him. Bobby and I agree. Brandon Tucker, the D line trainer of a number of NFL guys and Colin Simmons for years. He lives in the south in the South Dallas area. I think they train a bunch of kids up at the start Frisco these days. But remember when we interviewed him on a video when they did a workout out of Westlake? It was C.J. and Hank and he was like Lance Jackson, if He got the £300 and was an interior player would be a monster. I, I kind of was like that was an interesting take by a guy that trains a bunch of NFL guys. But to your point. Yeah, I think he's a, I think he is very similar to Baron Sorrell with more athletic upside and more frame upside obviously. But I'm going to be interested to see how must she deploys him this year. I think he's going to deploy him on the interior as a pass rusher disruptor more than we're probably thinking at times.
Bobby Burton
I hope so. I hope there are teams are in a bunch of third and longs. Yeah, I'll put it that my point with, with him is. And this was actually a knock on him in high school too, Jerry. He wasn't as productive in the stat sheet as his athletic ability and size would lead you to believe. Yeah, that was a knock on Lance Jackson if, if he had a knock. I mean we'll see if that's changed and if that changes as he gets older and plays plays more defense against higher level competition. Right. Be interesting.
Jerry Hamilton
Hey, by the way, Matt's more salty than anybody this morning.
Bobby Burton
Is Matt in the chat going nuts?
Blake Monroe
A little bit.
Jerry Hamilton
You know. Yeah, he's still, he's, he's still mad about LeBron going to the 76ers.
Bobby Burton
Matt mad art producer is a big Philadelphia fan. Eagles, Sixers. Hell, he probably likes the Flyers. I don't know the hockey and stuff. The, the thought process here they're debating right now. Wawa is better than Bucky's. He's never been to all because Matt's never been to West Texas or New Mexico.
Jerry Hamilton
Probably Wawa is better than Bucky's.
Bobby Burton
Wawa's pretty good now.
Jerry Hamilton
No, it is, it is, but it's,
Bobby Burton
it's, it's smaller than Buck. I mean Bucky's is just this ginormous thing. Matt also hates Heb. This is correct. He's like a pub. There's this chain in the Southeast called Publix that Matt's all about. Oh, yeah, I can't dump on Publix. It's good.
Blake Monroe
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
Trying to think what's the one rumza or something like that in the Midwest.
Blake Monroe
Oh, yeah, yeah. Rumsa.
Jerry Hamilton
Hey, by the way. Oh, Robert, Killer Brew just got a late hit flag, but we'll take it because he won a national championship. That guy was built to play for the Miami Hurricanes. That team was so good it didn't matter. What do you have like six post play flags that year? Didn't really matter. Maybe seven.
Blake Monroe
Oh, man. Hey, before we get to some super chats, I want to read a couple of comments. In the chat, Kirk Barnett, my son gets issued his pads tomorrow. And then there was this one from Damon Roberts. Hey, guys. My son and his attached. See the teammates just finished up their summer workouts. I thought they were getting in until I heard or getting it until I heard. Austin Westlake just finished up also with 49 40s and a 100.
Marcus Myers
Wow.
Jerry Hamilton
I think Jackson Cook posted that.
Blake Monroe
Wow. Yeah.
Bobby Burton
That is crazy. Well, good luck to everybody whose kids are out getting ready to get pads on and get going for this season. Texas, as I posted this morning on. On Texas football, as part of my lead, Texas had has 10 Longhorns are 10 days away from getting on the grass right now. Coaches, players, etc, and Jerry and. And Blake. I. I go back and one of the questions I wanted to pose to y' all, and we've talked about it some, but haven't really gone in depth. Is this the most anticipated season since when?
Jerry Hamilton
Oh, it's 05.05. Oh, yeah.
Bobby Burton
Even more than 09.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah. Because the talent level on the team, the Portal gives it. I think the portal also gives it seasons. So much more juice. There's so much more turnover. It feels. I just think there's so many new toys on these teams every year. And I think with Texas, because it. Look people have been looking at the mock drafts, right? You're like, okay, Texas may have four first rounders. They may have 13, 14, 15 guys drafted. I mean, just there's so much buildup and there's star power on this team. I mean Arch and Arch and Colin Simmons are star powers around college football. Should there be? I'm not saying that, but I think. I think they're. This one's the most anticipated since 05 for me. I think because I think people feel like it's national championship or bust scenario which is, you know, y' all know how I feel about that. That's not where I come out. I just want to get in the playoffs and see what happens.
Bobby Burton
Isn't it more 09? And I'll say that because they finished 08 and they lost one game, beat Ohio State in the Fiesta. Coming into the new year, you've got Qu or you've got, you've got Colt coming back with Jordan Shipley all time leading receiver. You've got that defense with Mus champ. I, I, I think it's, I think it's 09 because frankly we were all talking about national championship in 09 and because Texas was that kind of team. 2024 coming off the semifinal appearance was pretty darn good.
Jerry Hamilton
That one is underrated in my mind for sure. Invaded it was.
Bobby Burton
But I, I think you have to go back to not 05 but 09 because I, it was, I don't, I wouldn't say it was national championship or bust in 09, but I, I vividly recall this team has a chance and with Colt coming back, I mean there's no chance. I mean you knew Colt McCoy was going to be very, very good period. And he start and then in the middle of that season he just, he was so good. He did not have the receivers though overall that he had in 08. That, that, that really hurt the 09 team.
Jerry Hamilton
I think ultimately, by the way, I'm gonna take it a step further for the chat. Most anticipated UT athletics year since when? I mean, look, all three your major sports are going to be ranked inside the top 10 to start the season. When's the last time that happened at Texas? We'll see all three. Somebody will know.
Blake Monroe
A poll in the chat I asked, is this the most anticipated season since the 05 season? We've had a ton of votes and 84 says yes, this is the most anticipated season since 05.
Jerry Hamilton
What about athletics as a whole?
Bobby Burton
I, I think it is, I think it is the most anticipated season from whenever. I mean you can debate whether it's 05,09. Whatever you want to think is fine. The, the bigger piece for me is now what they do with it and you know, we're on hold for that unfortunately. But I was talking to, I was texting with Hank south this morning, our managing editor on Texas Football.com and one of the things that, that I mentioned is, you know, when you go out to practice this first week, next week, we're going to go out to practice, Jerry, I think and you're seeing guys. There's a bunch of different things we're looking for. How do the, the returning starters look? Does everybody look healthy? I'm going to be interested in like how's Derrick Williams running? Is he running better again? Because I think he could be a piece at safety. But take those guys away. Then you're looking at how the freshmen come back that you saw in the spring. So what does Richard Wesley look like? What does Jamarian Carlton look like? Like, what about Jermaine Bishop, Derek Cooper?
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
And then now with John Meredith and these other guys that they got late in the portal. Can any of them help you? You're going to be seeing those guys for the first time as well. So I just, I'm, I'm excited about this season and excited to be able to watch and see what happens with the various positions and the various levels of players that we get a chance to see. The first timers, the young bucks and then the, the upperclassmen also be intrigued by Xavier Filsamy. He's one of those guys that I think could be a linchpin in this secondary. Jerry, you reported he's going to get some work at nickel.
Jerry Hamilton
Been working more there than safety.
Bobby Burton
Yeah. And what does that mean for Grayson Littleton? Is that that you know. Let's talk about that for a minute if you don't mind that Xavier fils me move to. To nickel? Is that and I wrote about it this morning at on Texas football. Do you think that's a just trying to get him in a better position to be that that's where he should should thrive at more is closer to the line of scrimmage maybe and in man coverage? Or do you think it's to provide real competition to Grayson Littleton to push Grayson Littleton a little bit more because maybe Wardell Mack is not doing it. Or do you think it's a possibility that he wins that job and then pushes Grayson Littleton out the corner to compete with Cade Phillips could be a little bit of all of that. Right.
Jerry Hamilton
That last part I have no idea about. I, I think the move of Kobe Black to safety and I've been told he's the best man guy in safety and that makes sense. He was playing corner. He was a starting corner coming out of the spring. So that allows that move for. It feels to me to get more work at nickel. And I think what's interesting about that move, I think Grayson Littleton's easily your starter at Nickel but what happens if you play a team? There's a physical run team because bus champs all. He's played a bigger nickel in the run force many times over his career. Is there. Is there a scenario where. To your point Filson be against a certain opponent, may get more snaps if he plays the run better. He is a much bigger guy, obviously much not going to say more physical player. That may not be fair to a guy who's just a slider, a builder, but he definitely packs more punch with that frame. And he. I. I was told he's as twitchy as any DB they have, but I. So I think you take something off his plate and put him at one position where he has a chance to help you. Especially with that move of Kobe Black to safety. Because I think he's the best man. Kevin, for safety, from what I hear, which. That's the way it should be. He was playing corner. So Bobby, could it be that, you know, look, all these guys don't play every snap. So it could be, hey, we're hunting for. We need to have a nickel that's really good in coverage.
Bobby Burton
And you know what?
Jerry Hamilton
When. When that time comes, we need to have a nickel that's a bigger guy that can help play the run when you get into that game in that scenario. So I. I think it's. And I think there's some openness to all of this, by the way, but that is two moves now that are noted. Kobe Black, the safety and then. And he's doing well. And then Phil's gonna be getting much more run at that backup nickel or competing at the nickel spot. Yeah.
Bobby Burton
I read your article and I immediately said this just smells of Will Muschamp trying to find the best five. And he's gonna tinker and tinker, and about two to three weeks before camp ends, he's gonna lock it in and. And coach those guys up as much as he knows how. Yeah, that. That's what it. That's what it felt like to me. I'm just gonna put that out there.
Jerry Hamilton
Yep.
Bobby Burton
Yep.
Jerry Hamilton
Oh, do I. Blake, do you have that clip of Meredith moving in? That's on his Instagram story.
Blake Monroe
I do. Hang on one second.
Jerry Hamilton
That. That's also. I'd reported that this week and that today is first day of football activities for John Meredith. Now, they will be limited because when a new athlete enrolls or moves to the University of Texas, they have to go through medical testing to be cleared. It's normally he's got his game set up, that's for sure. It's about a 48 hour process. So Marcus Spears went through that. Any of the new guys go through that? So he can begin some activities today, but not team activities until you cleared like. So. Marcus Spears worked out by himself in the gym his first couple of days. Then he was medically cleared and moved into team workout. So it'll be the same thing with Meredith, but he moved down to Austin. Moved in yesterday. One thing I noticed. Bobby boy, Nil's good, man. You can put your jersey and frames on the wall. In the old days, you just took a push pin and shoved that crap in the wall, dude.
Bobby Burton
Nil. Idiot. I mean, I. There were two people in a room that size and there weren't no bed covers like that. I mean, I, I gotta be honest.
Marcus Myers
We.
Bobby Burton
You know, there were always two people in the room I was living in. That's. That's changing times. Changing times.
Jerry Hamilton
He'll be, he'll be in that dorm a year somewhere.
Bobby Burton
Yeah.
Blake Monroe
All right, Jerry, I need you to tell us about one of our sponsors today. That being Shields.
Jerry Hamilton
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Bobby Burton
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Jerry Hamilton
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Bobby Burton
for limited time at participating restaurants.
Jerry Hamilton
Tacked on, included.
Bobby Burton
Not valid for use within a combo or a combination with any other offer.
Marcus Myers
Discount.
Blake Monroe
Thank you, Jerry. Now let's get to some super chats this morning. And Juan Garza, we'll start with you. Thank you, Juan. Was Jean Chisk ever a candidate for the head coaching job at Texas between Mac and Charlie?
Jerry Hamilton
No, not with the black trench coat on. Recruiting, he was not.
Bobby Burton
Not even. Not even a thought.
Blake Monroe
And then Our next one this morning from bald father Bets. Thank you for your super chat, Jerry on Michael Terry and physicality in the backfield. If he has it, could we get something like a Kyle J Trey, Millard Flowers, etc.
Jerry Hamilton
But look, I, I want him to play one position all year and see what he can do. I was kind of, that's where I was when he came in to Texas from Alamo Heights is he had played everywhere, never really concentrated on the position. I wanted to see him concentrate on one position for a year and let him develop. That obviously made it a bit of the time but then moved to running back. I think that's Bobby More Nick Townsend and Nick Townsend I think is going to be an established player player there at that spot. So I'm not sure I see that with Mike with Michael Terry. My goal for Michael Terry is his first carry. You feel like he was the most physical player on the field or he had that mindset. That's my whole thing with him. It playing running back is I, I, I just want, I want to see him because it's a big change that he goes through. We talked about this last night with Rod. We talked about this on the show. When you leave high school and you want to play wide receiver, no offense to wide receivers but that's not the most physical mindset on the football field and then you move to running back, that's a mentality change as a football player. That doesn't mean a wide receiver. Jordan Winnington is not physical and doesn't block hard. That's totally different than taking a hand handoff in the SEC and you got Raylan Wilson stepping up and he's about to strike you your butt like you have to be if you're 63, 230, you have to bring your hat and be physical. Blake, did Jaluk not talk about this at thc SCA a bunch for Michael Terry to break through at the running back position. He's not going to do it as a space player. He's 6'3,230 rel Brown's there. He's not going to do it as an outside zone guy. Hollywood Smothers is there. Derek Cooper is there. How can he be a factor on this team? Well, if you're 63230 for me you bring the hammer every time you get a handoff. That, that's, that I think is the key for Michael Terry. But that's a big mindset change from somebody who wanted to play wide receiver to moving to running back in major college. Football. I hope he gets to stick a year and see where it goes for him. But he's got to have patience.
Bobby Burton
I, I think that it's his first year playing running back full time and I think that he had. He's a victim of outsized expectations early in his career because some people rated him a five star. In retrospect, is he a five star? Not out of high school, no. Now, he may end up being a five star somewhere at running back, wide receiver, you know, whatever, but he wasn't as ready to go as some other five stars like Colin Simmons. Right. And so I think that he is a victim of his own expectations and those, those that have put around him. So look, Arch Manning didn't do anything his first two years at Texas.
Jerry Hamilton
Really.
Bobby Burton
Yet this is Michael Terry's only his second year at Texas. And, and people are expecting. Well, when this is, it's his time. Sometimes it takes longer to bake, man. Sometimes the cake takes longer to bake. And I think that's Michael Terry because he just trying to figure out what his position is.
Jerry Hamilton
I totally agree. And so Greg Powell asked, can he be quick enough to hit the crease on the goal? And that's the other thing. Like, is he going to be quicker than Derek Cooper? Probably not, but can he? That's why I think hit for him. I think he's got to be the most. He's got to bring serious physicality. He has got to be a winner physically because I think a lot, when he moved the running back, a lot of people said Eddie George. Well, Eddie George was the most physical player on a football field until his body couldn't do it anymore. Like 6, 3, 2, 3. I think people just started throwing him at players that were previous. Running backs are really good. They're 6, 3, 2, 30. Those guys have been running backs their whole life. And Eddie George was super duper physical mindset. I think Michael Terry's got to be a super duper physical mindset guy to break through with the talent or have a lot of patience like Ryan Niblett did. Have patience and find a role. But he can catch the ball. Can you use him that way, Bobby? Can you use them that way? But as a runner, look, he's probably starting August practice. Is the number five runner, if we're counting who's taking handoffs. So that's a big, that's a big hill to climb. You gotta, you gotta have patience.
Blake Monroe
And speaking of running backs, Dre from Virginia, thank you for your super chat with Trey Wise. They're gone will take the role of rival killer.
Jerry Hamilton
That's a great team. That's a great. That's a great question.
Bobby Burton
Cam Coleman, Arch Manning. Those are the two for me. Maybe Nick Townsen. I know that sounds like an odd pick, but he's kind of got that killer mentality in my opinion. Yeah.
Jerry Hamilton
And that's one of the TBDs. I mean like when you have look as Religion Brown and Smothers more talented than Weisner. Yes. They'll put up better numbers at combine. They'll all beat the combine together. Yes. Have they had more production than Wisner in for last year? Yes, obviously. But Wiser did deliver in some big moments for Texas. So that still has. That's when you when we talk about teams and talent on teams, how these teams come together and gel and find their roles. That. That is one thing we talked about briefly at some point in the summer this offseason. Oh, thank goodness it's almost over. But there is that question that has to be answered. There's still questions that have to be answered. Who is your go to guy who's going to deliver in those big games for you at that running back position? It's more than talent. That was grit, that was toughness. That was walk to from Trey Wiser. That which probably is his best trait.
Bobby Burton
I want to say this. When I mentioned Arch Manning and I thought he played really well against ou, did he not? Yeah, especially second half, controlled the game, moved the ball. I thought he played really well against Arkansas. Another rivalry game, not as big as OU or A M. Had a really poor first half against A M and came back with a really strong second half. Was he helped by the run game in both A at A M and OU with Trey Wisner? Absolutely. But I thought he played well in. In rivalry games in general. Two and a half or out of out of three full games. I thought he had a winning performance in two and a half of those three games. You know, the first half against A and M was. Was difficult to watch the second half against A and M. But he's really, really good. I mean still the throw to Jack Injuries is one of the best. Not the one that set up the touchdown by the way, where Injuries was wide open over the middle. But the one where he had to quick reset his feet and then just lofted it over injury shoulder and got a big first down for Texas to keep the drive alive. Coming right after A M had scored, by the way, it put Texas back in scoring. I. I think that, I think that he. He played well in two and a half of three rivalry games really well.
Jerry Hamilton
And by the way, a couple things that's something OU has to solve this year against Texas because Colin Simmons was really good. Arch played well, Trey Wisner played well. They had some guy they had guys step up in that game. That's what Oklahoma like we we talk about Oklahoma and Texas and Brent Venables and he impressed me. He's very confident with his team. That's clear. Anybody followed him since he's been at ou. But who are their guys on that team that are going to step up? It's got to be more than Matier. Who's who are they going to have to give him a running game? Who's going to step up and be was Arch, Colin and Wiser, raw, big hell, Ryan Niblet, big return. Who's going to be their guys in that rivalry game this year? By the way, our friend, good friend Carl Padilla said 2003 was the last time AP top 10 poll football, basketball and baseball ranked in the top 10 the start of the year. Oh three
Blake Monroe
interesting.
Jerry Hamilton
And that that basketball team went to the Final Four. Obviously we can that baseball is really, really good. Football is a couple of years away, but finished top 10 I believe.
Blake Monroe
All right, we're gonna get some more super chats in just a moment. But first, Bobby, I need you to tell everyone about Longhorn Wealth Management Group one more time.
Bobby Burton
I can do it. Thanks to our sponsor, John Donovan Longhorn wealth Management Group John's proud Texas Ex's life member who served on the Dallas board for 15 years and has now spent the last four helping lead the support and growth of the Collin County, Texas Exodus Chapter. John also consistently serves as fellow Longhorns as a Certified Financial Planner and the founder of Longhorn Wealth Management Group, the firm he created and dedicated to serving UT alums, employees and fans across the country. John's proud that Longhorn Wealth Management Group has been honored by the X's as a member of the 2026 Longhorn 100. The exclusive award is presented to the 100 fastest growing companies in America from 23 to 252025 that were either founded by, owned or led by UT alums. This was John's first year to apply for the award and he's excited that Longhorn wealth came in at number 32 on the list. To celebrate the accomplishment, John wants to offer all OTF family a free private consultation via Zoom Phone or in person to allow John to show you how working with a certified Financial planner can help you maximize your wealth, minimize your taxes and ensure your legacy, or to reduce and eliminate the risk your current and future financial success may be undertaking. Please take time now to schedule your own free private consultation with John by either calling the Longhorn wealth team at 972-707-4900 or scheduling online www.longhorn wealth.net John and the Longhorn wealth team send a huge Longhorn 100 winner. Hook them to all the OTF family. Thanks again to John and the team at Longhorn Wealth Management Group.
Blake Monroe
All right, some more super chats this morning. We'll stay on the running backs for a moment because John here, he says, will James Simon be in the conversation for running back soon?
Bobby Burton
Know, I don't know. I mean, it feels like he got passed by Derek Cooper in the spring. I'm not saying, I mean, we don't
Jerry Hamilton
have that official, but Cooper was in before Simon or Terry. That's the reality of it.
Bobby Burton
So will he be in the conversation? I mean, I think the coaches would say yes, but the expectations that fans or media may have may be different.
Jerry Hamilton
And I, by the way, I'm on record, I think James Simon's a really good runner, really good running back. There's just real competition.
Bobby Burton
By the way. Prof. That's Professor Butler when you bring up that name. Blake, that's a UT professor. Worked with the football team for a long time.
Jerry Hamilton
That's tough.
Blake Monroe
All right, a little bit more on the, well, running back tip, maybe Rocky p.5 Mondays away from game week, do you have a prediction on who will be a surprise starter or two deep player game? One, he says he's going with Cooper being running back.
Jerry Hamilton
Two, that would be huge. That would be that. Now that would be a, that's a quite the prediction. I'll give you credit on that. Rocky Poor, if that happens, it's going to be somebody on defense. Give me somebody on defense.
Bobby Burton
I agree with Jerry and I don't know who it is. I mean, I think, I think the only spot that I think is really up for grabs on offense. Like truly, I don't know who's going to start is left guard.
Jerry Hamilton
Okay.
Bobby Burton
So we consider and say Lawrence Seymour, Jaden Chapman, even Jordan Coleman, maybe Cole Hudson.
Blake Monroe
That's.
Bobby Burton
That's the. On defense with what Muschamp is doing with moving around people in the secondary. I don't know where it's going to land and I think Jerry, I don't know that Muschamp knows where it's going to land. Or Blake Gideon or Mark Orfe. Yeah. And that's part of what they want, correct?
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah,
Bobby Burton
I think it's really hard. There's something I would say about moving Kobe Black to safety that resonates with me though.
Jerry Hamilton
Same.
Bobby Burton
But that is that a surprise now
Jerry Hamilton
man coverage from that position.
Bobby Burton
Is it a surprise though? It's not really a surprise anymore.
Jerry Hamilton
No. So okay, here's your guy. Here's your guy. It would be Jonah Williams if he just comes out of nowhere because look Texas is super happy to have him back. He is cleared for for August camp. Here's what Jonah's still battling. As great athlete as he is, he hasn't been in true football activities in a while. So that would be a kind of come out of nowhere. But we know you're really talented. You know what you walk out and you're maybe start the season as the number two and end up playing as many snaps as the one. Maybe Jonah Williams is your guy that you would bet on on defense that that would be to come out of nowhere that we're not expecting because right now we expect Kobe Black and Derrick Williams at that spot.
Bobby Burton
We we have very little expectations of Jonah Williams to be clear.
Jerry Hamilton
That's right. Maybe Justice Terry's another one and who Justice Terry Planet Fitness maybe he is such he's a 290 plus. He's really talented. He showed flashes last year. He still wasn't even healthy showing those flashes. If he's healthy for the first time since his junior year in high school, what does he look like at 290 pounds in Will Muschamp scheme? Maybe one of those two guys because I do think there's a spot on the D line for disruptor Richie Wesley.
Bobby Burton
Yeah, I would bet heavy on him long term.
Jerry Hamilton
I think he's going to be a two deep guy game on.
Blake Monroe
Our next one. Here comes from naming Roberts. Thank you naming. Hey guys, Texas and OU seriously need to change their final three game schedule. All the other SEC teams have a cupcake before they play their rival. They get serious rest.
Bobby Burton
Well I mean Texas Nou both have off weeks before. Yeah they play one another. Maybe you're talking about the final game of the season but I don't know how OU finishes the year. Texas finishes with Arkansas and A M. I guess those are two rivals and lsu.
Jerry Hamilton
So Oklahoma. Oklahoma's finish is. I mean it's. Everybody has it to a certain extent but it's Ole Miss A M at home and at Missouri they're at Florida the week before that. I mean but I think every when you look at all These. We're kind of like every, I mean, we just talked about South Carolina. South Carolina sounded brutal to me. But yeah, I mean, look, I think, I think the toughest two game finish in the league is A M because they're. Their final two is. They're at Oklahoma, short week at home for Texas. Those are their A M's last two games.
Bobby Burton
If John Matier is still healthy at that point, I agree. Yeah. Hey, Jerry. Somebody asked if, if Justice Terry's nickname is Planet Fitness. That is Jerry's nickname for, for justice shot that down.
Jerry Hamilton
They have another one in the locker room for him. I like Planet fitness because the 8th grade picture of Justice Terry, he looks
Bobby Burton
like he was born in Planet Fitness. Basically.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah. He, he looks like the ad for Planet Fitness.
Blake Monroe
All right, Jay Lee here with Super. Do you all buy Stark's answer about penalties? He said on the list of things that impact wins and losses, penalties is actually towards the bottom.
Bobby Burton
We were both in the room when he said it. Jerry, I buy it. I mean, because he, he then went on a three minute exclamation of it. He didn't just, how do I put this? He didn't just E it and sweep it under the rug and say it doesn't matter. He was saying in the context of things that actually line up with winning and losing. Penalties aren't typically one of those things that have high correlation at the same time. Then he went on a three minute spiel of why he wants to improve penalties in 2020. I mean, correct. I mean, yeah, so he did. He. Jay Lee. Jay, I want to make sure you understand he did not try to sweep it under the rug. If, if you were just looking for a sound bite, it sounds like he did. So I understand the, the consternation there. But he literally went on three minute. Hey, we were 130. Nobody wants to be 130. You know, we, we understand that, you know, we need to be higher, we need to be better. This is the plan in place to actually make us better in that regard. I separate penalties. How he categorizes penalties into two boxes. He separates them into first pre snap penalties and post snap penalties. That's one box. And then live ball penalties. He doesn't mind the live ball penalties because, you know, happens basically he said during football games, excuse the French there. But on the pre and post snap, he said, that's where we got it. We've got to get better. He's done some things to change that up. So I, I know that people would see that. I knew people would see that quote and immediately say, oh he doesn't. That's not, that was not my takeaway
Jerry Hamilton
because the stats say otherwise. That that's the real, the reality is I somebody had the stat at SEC media days. It may have been C.J. i don't have in front of me, but I think the, the only, the last team outside top 20 in penalties per game to win a national championship was Georgia and they were like 39 and 35. So nobody's really won a title that was outside of the top 40 in penalties per game in college Title, yes.
Bobby Burton
But wins and losses, no.
Jerry Hamilton
Right. Yeah.
Bobby Burton
Miami Indiana was the best in the country last year.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So Miami last year was in the 90s range in penalties and played for a title. Right. They had a lot of post snap penalties on that team, by the way. They had a lot of post snap penalties. I'm not sure it was actually in game in play penalties as much with them. And then I've said before I want to see the Texas make the Ole Miss jump. There was two teams in the SEC that made a huge jump. Alabama made the biggest jump from 117 to 17, 117 and 24 to 17 and 25. I'm not expecting that the Ole Miss numbers would be a sweet spot, I think with the towel on this Texas team because it's all when the penalties occur too. I mean down in distance is huge. But ole miss was 120ish in penalties in 24 and moved up inside the top 65 range in 25. If Texas does that, they're going to be a really tough out with the towel on their team.
Blake Monroe
We got a couple more super chats, both of them to do with recruiting. This first one here from Michael with John Meredith reclassifying, what does that do to our 27, 28 class class rankings?
Jerry Hamilton
I, I mean it drops it in 27, obviously moves it up in 26 though, but it drops it in 27. A lot of people said, bobby, does that give Texas more nil in 27? I, I don't kind of look at it that way because you just went over where you were in 26 where, where you thought you were going to be moving him into that class. I, I think Texas is still looking at DB in that class anyways, but maybe not at corner, maybe as a, as a second safety in that class. So I don't think anything's changed as far as needs in 27. I don't think that means Texas is necessarily going to go find Another corner in that class Meredith got just got moved up. I mean he's still going to kind of be considered a 27 guy for them because I mean look, there's no guarantee that after three years when you enroll early you're gonna be able to go pro. If you're John Merritt that that's all got to play out. But I don't think that means Texas always got it feels like they got to go get another corner in 27 necessarily. I think they need I think they're looking at one more safety potential in 27 right now but there's a lot of time left. No senior year evals have been made
Blake Monroe
yet and our final one is my computer just went nuts here if I can bring it up is from football season. Juan Guards Any recruiting updates?
Jerry Hamilton
Jerry Same on Landon Williams Callous he he announces in the afternoon of August1. I'm not sure they've set I don't think they've set a time announced the time and place. I think it's going to be mid afternoon but I don't think they've announced the place yet for that. That's what we're looking for Saturday we'll have full coverage of that. We still believe Texas in a pretty good spot. Can something change late Always. It's recruiting but this one's been consistent for a while. We'll see if it gets to the finish line that way. I posted this morning on OTF in a story that you know Texas has a really good offensive line class but they're going to keep evaluating. If there's another tackle that's committed elsewhere. They could be potentially be a six in that class. A lot of people are asking about Eastern Royal. His birthday is Wednesday. Happy burly birthday to Easton Royal. I I think the Eastern Royal is going to play out
Blake Monroe
and we got one other one here that just came in. This one from Nicholas. Thank you Nicholas. The word is that there were two prominent SEC playoff teams who had to take out loans to cover expenses. Any idea who those teams might be?
Bobby Burton
It wasn't Texas.
Jerry Hamilton
If it was last year then or Alabama A and M Georgia Ole Miss talked about last year playoff teams. Playoff teams. If they're talking about that's two of four. Who is it Ole Miss man I don't know Bama.
Bobby Burton
I tell you that's not an issue right now at Texas. That that doesn't mean that you know they're just every flush flush with cash and can do whatever but Texas has been pretty intelligent with how they're handling NIL in my opinion, as intelligent as anybody.
Jerry Hamilton
So my bet on that is, my bet would be Bama in Oklahoma.
Bobby Burton
I would, yeah, I would say Ole Miss and Alabama.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah.
Bobby Burton
If I were, if, if I were hazarding a guess and if it's even true.
Jerry Hamilton
Right. If it's true. A m sp, I, like Ted Apari says A m span, Jimbo, for how many more years?
Marcus Myers
A while.
Jerry Hamilton
That's, I mean.
Bobby Burton
And they just renewed another head coach that has lost two in a row to longhorns. He hasn't in Texas.
Jerry Hamilton
He is the highest paid bass fisherman in history of the world, Jimbo. Nobody's ever been paid that much to fish.
Bobby Burton
He's politicking for another job, by the way, right now. I don't know if you've seen that, Jerry. Jimbo's like, I'm, I'm refreshed and ready to go and ready to be paid 10 million a year again.
Jerry Hamilton
Yeah, good.
Bobby Burton
I, I, I'm on that. I feel like I'm on that. I'm ready to be paid 10 million ever.
Jerry Hamilton
I, I mean Billy Napier got James Madison. Anything's possible.
Blake Monroe
All right y', all, that's gonna do it. For this episode of Coffee and Football, presented by John Donovan and Longhorn Wealth Management Group want to thank John and his crew along with Warby, Parker, Shields and prize picks all for sponsoring today's show. Of course, thank you all for tuning in as well. Bobby, what do you have later today?
Bobby Burton
Yeah, we've got more news and notes coming out right now. There's actually some news coming out of the Senate. It looks like the Senate with Ted Cruz's bill is actually gonna try to get to the floor with some final information. It, it based on reporting from Yahoo. Sports right now, Texas, excuse me, based on reporting from Yahoo Sports, they are Talking about a 50 plus million salary cap plus a 5 million dollar women's salary cap, all in around 50 to 55 million total for college sports. They had a meeting apparently on Sunday that went overtime with league commissioners as well as Cody Campbell, the quasi league commissioner, I guess for the Big 12. Unbelievable that he's even involved. Stupid. But I digress. That's, that's going on at the same time by, by the way, I wanted to mention this. Stanford and the football players there have been filed to be the first union group or chapter of the College Football Players Association. Yeah. So they're moving towards unionization. It's been pointed out to me by someone that it's a lot easier to get that done in a, at a private school like Stanford or Northwestern's tried something like this before at a private school than it is at a public school and a right to work state, so at least somebody's starting something there. We'll see if this gets to the. This bill gets to the Senate floor or not.
Blake Monroe
All right, well, we hope you all have an amazing day today. We'll be back same time, same place tomorrow. So for Bobby Burton and Jerry Hamilton, I'm Blake Monroe, and we'll see you then.
Bobby Burton
Welcome.
Jerry Hamilton
Horns.
Podcast: On Texas Football
Host: Bobby Burton
Guests: Jerry Hamilton, Marcus Myers, Blake Monroe
Date: July 27, 2026
Episode Theme: In-depth analysis and live discussion of the latest Texas Longhorns football news, recruiting, SEC odds, roster battles, player development (with a focus on Arch Manning), and fan engagement heading into the 2026 college football season.
This episode dives deep into the current state of Texas Football as the Longhorns approach their second year in the SEC. The team examines shifting odds in the conference, the impact and evaluation of Arch Manning under center, recruiting updates, and the broader sense of unparalleled anticipation around the 2026 season. The lively conversation features well-defined opinions, debate, notable behind-the-scenes insights from SEC Media Days, and engagement with fan questions.
[01:10-12:00]
“They’re saying these guys are kind of head and shoulders right now leading into the season, but we never know where it’s going to end up.” — Bobby Burton [03:24]
“Ole Miss came out from a second-tier pack to challenge; that’s what makes the group of seven so interesting right now.” — Jerry Hamilton [03:52]
[06:01-12:00]
“I’m picking South Carolina over A&M this year. There you go.” — Bobby Burton [10:26]
[13:47–33:19]
[14:07–15:16]
[15:21–15:58]
“You get knocked down in this game… Your ship can get lost at sea. There were times last year when Arch Manning looked lost at sea. What did he do? He got the ship to harbor.” — Bobby Burton [20:10]
“Arch would agree with me: I’ve got to improve there.” — Jerry Hamilton [31:06]
[28:38–33:33]
“He protected the ball well, and we saw how he performed down the stretch… They pretty much improved at every spot they could’ve.” — Marcus Myers [28:38]
[40:15–44:02]
[53:40–58:00; 76:01–77:39]
[84:39–85:36]
[88:06–89:52]
“If Arch begins game one this season like he finished last game last season, we should be fine. I’d run the same play from the first snap.”
— Jerry Hamilton, [37:38]
“This is the most anticipated season since 2005. This feels like national championship or bust.”
— Jerry Hamilton, [49:00]
“Sometimes the cake takes longer to bake… I think that’s Michael Terry because he’s just trying to figure out what his position is.”
— Bobby Burton, [64:49]
“Arch played really well in two and a half out of three rivalry games… Second half against A&M, he was really, really good.”
— Bobby Burton, [68:15]
“He is the highest paid bass fisherman in the history of the world, Jimbo [Fisher].”
— Jerry Hamilton, [87:10]
This episode captures the hype, complexity, and anxiety surrounding Texas Football’s 2026 campaign. While Georgia may be the Vegas favorite today, the panel’s breakdown highlights Texas’s real strengths and challenges—the progress of Arch Manning, a retooled offensive line, new playmakers, and a difficult road through the SEC. There’s serious optimism but also a demand for tangible strides in quarterback accuracy, receiver help, and defensive depth.
The hosts close with breaking national news and reminders of community and tradition, keeping the discussion as lively and nuanced as ever for Longhorn fans eager for opening day.
For in-depth Texas football analysis, preseason roster moves, and the heartbeat of Longhorn nation, this is a can’t-miss episode. Hook ‘em!