Coffee & Football: Latest Texas Longhorns News & Notes!

Summary

On Texas Football: “Coffee & Football: Latest Texas Longhorns News & Notes!”

Host: Bobby Burton
Co-Hosts: Blake Monroe, Jerry Hamilton, Marcus Myers
Date: July 27, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of “Coffee & Football” delivers the latest buzz around Texas Longhorns football as the season approaches—training camp position battles, updated SEC odds, injury news, Arch Manning discourse, and recruiting updates. The show blends insider perspectives, spirited debates on player development, and real-time fan engagement with a heavy focus on the expectations around Texas in 2026’s high-stakes SEC landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SEC Championship Odds, Contenders, & Takeaways from Media Days

(00:23–12:30)

• Vegas Odds:
  • Georgia leapfrogs Texas as the favorite: Georgia +275, Texas slightly behind, then Alabama, LSU, A&M, Ole Miss, Oklahoma.
  • The consensus is seven legitimate playoff challengers in the SEC this year.
• Media Days Aftermath:
  • Georgia and Texas generate the most conversation and media attention.
  • "There was more talk about the players at Texas than other teams...more Arch Manning talk...Texas has those marquee names." – Jerry Hamilton (03:07)
  • Alabama is higher in odds due to schedule, not necessarily team quality.
• Sleepers & Schedule Impact:
  • Florida and South Carolina named as potential “tiers risers.”
  • South Carolina’s tough schedule noted: at Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Clemson, with home games vs Tennessee, Georgia, A&M, Ole Miss (10:01).
• Injury & Camp Updates:
  • Georgia loses a top RB for the season in an off-field incident.
  • Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy is officially back to full workouts, but timetable for return to form is uncertain.
  • Jeff Lebby, Mississippi State coach, compared Kamario Taylor to RG3—“That’s a lofty comparison" – Jerry Hamilton (07:17).

2. Arch Manning: Media Chatter, Critical Analysis & Improvement Areas

(13:42–33:41)

• Anonymous Coaches on Arch:
  • Praise:
    • "He’s big, he’s fast, he’s the whole package...” – Anonymous Group of Six GM (14:02)
    • "He got better throughout the year, saw leadership, saw tenacity.” – SEC GM (14:42)
    • “He rebounded and played as good as he did down the stretch...really impressive.” – Big 12 OC (15:06)
  • Criticism:
    • “He’s just okay. He’s a bit overhyped.” – Power 4 Head Coach (15:16)
    • "He doesn't win. In high school, he didn't win championships..." – Power 4 Head Coach (15:29)
    • “His head and base are all over the place when he goes to throw, and that’s why he misses the intermediate stuff…if he doesn’t fix that, he’s not gonna be good.” – Power 4 Staffer (15:52)
  • Panel Response:
    • “If Peyton and Eli had won state championships at Newman, maybe you have a point. But neither did. So your argument is...not sound.” – Jerry Hamilton (16:35)
    • “There were times last year when Arch Manning looked lost at sea...What did he do? He got the ship to harbor.” – Bobby Burton (19:04)
  • On Improvement—Completion %, Accuracy:
    • "I think we need to see that completion percentage at 65% this year, 61.4 last year...If he's at 65.5%-66%, Texas will be in the playoff.” – Jerry Hamilton (23:33)
    • “He had one of the highest % rates of uncatchable passes of starting quarterbacks last year.” – Jerry Hamilton (25:39)
    • Panel agrees improvement must come both from Manning and his supporting cast (receivers, OL).
  • Resilience & Mental Grit:
    • “He got knocked down... 2nd round, 3rd round, even the 10th round at Georgia...and still came back.” – Bobby Burton (20:05)
    • “He had the resilience to continue to bounce back. And when you have that kind of toughness and your teammates see that, that matters.” – Marcus Myers (22:07)
  • Evaluating 2026 Progress:
    • “The microscope will be on ‘where did you improve’...if those drop rates go down and layups are hit, Texas will be very good on offense.” – Jerry Hamilton (23:33)

3. Roster Battles & Position Previews

(39:41–47:04; 75:50–78:55)

• No. 40 Legacy Discussion:

  • Corey Redding and Casey Hampton’s back-to-back dominance set the tone for Mack Brown’s defense.
  • Lance Jackson (current #40) compared to Baron Sorrell; may be used more as an interior pass rusher; questions about translating physical tools into box score production.

• Surprise Two-Deep/Starter Predictions:

  • On offense, left guard is truly up for grabs (Lawrence Seymour, Jaden Chapman, Jordan Coleman, Cole Hudson).
  • On defense, the secondary and D-line are being heavily tinkered with by Muschamp; Kobe Black move to safety resonates; possible rapid rise of Jonah Williams or Justice Terry for the two-deep.

4. Camp Position Shifts & Defensive Secondary

(54:15–58:23)

• Will Muschamp’s Approach:
  • “This just smells of Will Muschamp trying to find the best five. He’s going to tinker and about two to three weeks before camp ends, he’ll lock it in.” – Bobby Burton (57:55)
• Kobe Black’s move to safety and Xavier Filsaime working at nickel: Looks to fortify man coverage skills and add run support option for physical SEC games.

5. Running Back Depth Chart & Mentality

(62:16–67:23; 74:45–75:22)

• Michael Terry:
  • Needs a physical, punishing running style to differentiate himself; compared to Eddie George in size, but must develop a “super-duper physical mindset” to climb the depth chart (63:39).
  • “He’s a victim of outsized expectations... some people rated him a five star. Sometimes the cake takes longer to bake.” – Bobby Burton (64:37)
• Rivalry “Killer” Role:
  • Open for competition with Trey Wisner gone; Cam Coleman, Arch Manning, Nick Townsend highlighted as possible candidates.

6. Recruiting & Roster Management Updates

(84:36–87:00)

• John Meredith’s Reclassification:
  • Moves from 2027 to 2026 class, which adjusts immediate roster math, but doesn't critically shift needs for 2027.
• Recruiting Priorities:
  • Texas will continue to evaluate for an additional tackle and may add another safety to the 2027 class. Watch for Landon Williams’ commitment August 1.

7. Fan Q&As and Notable Quotes

On Penalties and Coaching Philosophy:

• “[Sark] didn’t just eschew it...He was saying in the context of things that actually line up with winning and losing, penalties aren’t typically one of those with high correlation. At the same time, he wants to improve them.” – Bobby Burton (81:10)
• “The only team outside the top 40 in penalties per game to win a national title: Georgia, they were 39th/35th.” – Jerry Hamilton (82:52)

Anticipation Level for 2026:

• “Is this the most anticipated season since ‘05?” 84% of poll respondents say yes.
  • Jerry: “Because of the portal, star power, and playoff expectations, absolutely. National championship or bust for some.” (50:41)
  • Bobby: “It’s like ‘09 in terms of expectations and returning talent.”

SEC Playoff Teams’ Finances:

• Reports of two SEC playoff teams needing loans to cover expenses—Ole Miss, Bama, Oklahoma floated as likely candidates.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Georgia should be the favorite until they’re not, in my opinion.” – Jerry Hamilton (03:16)
• “Did anybody catch what Jeff Lebby compared Kamario Taylor to RG3? That’s a lofty comparison.” – Jerry Hamilton (07:17)
• “You can do hard things. It just takes a little practice and running up against something, bust through, and I think Arch has shown that.” – Marcus Myers (22:07)
• “If he's at 65 or 66%, Texas is going to be really good because that means the drop rate is lower... he's hitting more layups, and Texas will be really, really good on offense.” – Jerry Hamilton (23:33)
• “Sometimes the cake takes longer to bake. That’s Michael Terry’s journey.” – Bobby Burton (64:37)
• “Who’s your go-to guy, who’s going to deliver in big games at RB? That was Trey Wisner’s best trait; that needs to be discovered now.” – Jerry Hamilton (67:57)
• “This is the most anticipated year for Texas athletics since 2003–all three major sports in the preseason Top 10.” – Panel referencing Carl Padilla’s stat (71:48)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:23 — SEC odds and media days fallout.
• 13:07 — Introduction of Marcus Myers, deep dive into Arch Manning comments.
• 39:41 — No. 40 legacy talk (Corey Redding, Lance Jackson).
• 54:15 — Defensive secondary shifts; Muschamp’s tinkering.
• 62:16 — Michael Terry at RB and mental shift needed.
• 75:50 — Predicted surprise two-deep/starter for game one.
• 81:07 — Sark’s philosophy on penalties and its statistical context.
• 84:36 — Recruiting impacts of Meredith’s reclassification.
• 87:15 — SEC playoff teams’ financial situations and NIL observations.
• 89:31 — Update on Senate bill and Stanford unionization efforts.

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Conclusion

This episode offers an energetic preview for one of Texas’s most highly anticipated football seasons in recent memory: breaking down conference expectations, poking at preseason narratives, parsing the real trajectory for Arch Manning, and highlighting pressing camp questions. The hosts’ candid, debate-infused approach makes for a must-listen primer heading into Longhorns camp, blending old-school tradition with cutting-edge roster strategy and modern NIL realities.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

Good morning, everyone. 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 Meyers 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?

[C]

Yeah, to your point, Blake, it comes on the heels of SEC media days where these two teams also finished 12 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 sore 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, 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.

[A]

What I was gonna say, they're specifically saying seven teams are competing for playoffs. That's what they're saying for playoff spots with this, right, Bobby?

[C]

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

[A]

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 was 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 in 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. Being there today.

[C]

I, 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.

[A]

Yeah, 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 Ole Miss and they, they all get the majority attention as they should. Did anybody catch what Jeff who Jeff Leby compared Kamario Taylor to RG3. RG3. That's a pretty slothy comparison that that he's going to win the Heisman. But you talked about Lenora Sellers. South Carolina is not on Texas schedule. But if Camario 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.

[C]

Talented dude. He's gotta have the people around him. He does have flop 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 the 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 still one of those Top seven teams that we discuss.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

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?

[A]

Oh, I just think they're much more talented football team. Like not, not even close.

[C]

Okay. I, I don't know that.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I'm just gonna say I, I personally don't. Don't necessarily agree with that. Not one deep for sure.

[A]

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, Jerry,

[C]

you can say all of that. I'm picking South Carolina over A and M this year. So there you go.

[A]

There you go.

[C]

We're gonna agree to disagree.

[A]

Yeah, they should have beat him last year.

[C]

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.

[A]

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 M and Mississippi. I mean, they got a hell of a schedule if they, if they run off a nine and three 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.

[C]

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 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 972-707-4900 or schedule online www.longhornwealth.net John and the rest of the Longhorn Wealth Team send you all a huge Longhorn 100 winner. Hook them than. Egg my future fund po.

[B]

All right, guys. Well, it is Monday, which means it's time to bring in Marcus Myers. Good morning, Marcus.

[D]

Morning, fellas. How's everybody doing today?

[C]

Good. I'm. I'm chippy this morning. Marcus, what about you?

[D]

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, Mom.

[C]

Love it. Love it.

[A]

All right, it's about to get chippier in here because there's some anonymous coaches that commented on Arch Manning, okay. Coming out of SEC media days. And Blake made a graphic on this. It's interesting to say the least. Blake, it is indeed.

[B]

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 coaches 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 gm, 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 arm 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.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Not everybody, because you got to read the other side of that equation now, Blake.

[B]

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 4 staffer says, Everything about what we're doing is exactly what we did last year. It's the same. Same picture. What has he gotten better at? His head and his base are all over the place when he goes to throw, 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.

[C]

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.

[A]

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.

[C]

Yeah, you think?

[A]

I mean, Peyton and Eli went to the same high school and they didn't win championship.

[C]

There's just something about guys that win, you know.

[A]

Yeah, they didn't win championships in college, but did. 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?

[D]

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 rap. We could do a whole show rattling off, you know, high school guys that win championships and go on to do nothing.

[A]

Reggie McField won a high school state championship and Vince Young didn't and Reggie was going to be the better quarterback.

[D]

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 it 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, and then that'll be what matters most.

[C]

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?

[A]

You touched.

[D]

Absolutely, yeah. And that's fair.

[C]

What did he do? He got the ship to harbor. He brought it in and we can talk about his platform, his, this is that his ability to run the positives and negatives, the thing the young man has 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, Arch meaning was downright stingy with the football. 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 the third round. You know, he got knocked down a couple of times. Hell, he got knocked down in the 10th round at Georgia, right. And still come back. Came back and won. And now did he win the fight in the 15th round? 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, I think too that offense.

[D]

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 probably looking at a healthier version of him than you've had in the last 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 been able to show not only himself but his teammates that. And really that's what's most important. And those are the type of things that you have to have so that you trust the guy that you're in the foxhole with when your back is up against the wall. And he's gone through some of that now and has the ability to come out the other side of it and kind of continue to write his story.

[A]

Yeah, I. 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, 61,4 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 65. 5 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 mo 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.

[C]

I his percentage completion percentage goes up if pass protection goes up if some guys don't drop balls this year.

[A]

But he's got to do his part too, Bobby. And he missed wide open guys now.

[C]

Yeah, of course.

[A]

But yeah, it wasn't, you can't blame that on the offensive line.

[C]

How many, how many drop passes did we we count last year?

[A]

Well, he had, he had one of the highest percentage rates of uncatchable passes of starting quarterbacks last year. So he's got a, 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 think those the cross Jerry.

[C]

I'm not putting it all on the guys around him. I'm not, 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. Yeah, 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. We had three consecutive passes against Georgia go off a receiver's hands.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[C]

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.

[A]

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.

[C]

It does.

[A]

Look at. Look at Mendoza. How accurate of a quarterback was he under duress in pressure situations?

[C]

That.

[A]

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.

[C]

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?

[D]

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 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. 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, the best version of Arch Manning this season. So. All right, down the middle. Yeah, there you go.

[A]

Moderate on this, 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.

[C]

Hey, put that, put that graphic back up, if you don't mind. This is what I was getting at.

[A]

Jerry and Marcus.

[C]

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.

[D]

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 legitimacy to what Jerry is, Jerry is talking about as well.

[C]

Marcus came to the light.

[D]

I said a little bit. I'm still.

[A]

Arch would agree with me. Bobby didn't listen to Arch in SEC media days. Obviously Arch, Arch himself said he's got to improve.

[C]

He does. I agree.

[D]

No, he does. Yeah. I don't think there's any argument there.

[A]

Yeah, that's my whole thing is my goal is 65 and a half, 66 for 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 just, I disagree with that P4 staffer. I mean that P4 Stafford say he didn't fix it. They hadn't been a game played.

[D]

Right.

[A]

See, I think he walks. He may now. He probably saw three or four clips at Manning Academy and one of them

[D]

went viral, which means he didn't see the other hundred. Yeah. So how do you make the, you know. Right. Right assessment.

[B]

Yeah. 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.

[D]

Appreciate it. Hook them. Happy birthday, mama.

[C]

Happy birthday to mama.

[A]

Love. It is obviously in a Marriott. By the way, anybody stayed in the Marriott knows those little stick thingies on the wall. Seen him a million times.

[B]

Well, speaking of Arch Manning, we need to do a couple of ad reads and one of those being Warby Parker.

[C]

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. Wrap around 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 around a 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@warby parker.com on Texas. 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 US. If you don't want to do it online, it's nice knowing you have that in person option if you ever want it.

[B]

And I'm going to tell everyone this morning about our friends over at Prize Picks, because we're always looking for ways to make watching games a little more fun. And that's exactly why we love Prize Picks. It's America's number one sports pick app and honestly, it's about as simple as it gets for Player Picks. All you do is choose more or less on a few player stats and then you lock in your lineup. That's it. And if you're someone who likes picking teams instead of individual players, well, Prize Picks has you covered there too. You can now pick the winner, the spread, or the total on games and even fights. Now Prize Picks is available in most states in California, Florida, and right here in the great state of Texas. So chances are you can jump in today. And one of my favorite features is that you can follow users on the app. If you like the picks they're making, you can tell them with one click. And then of course you can follow your friends picks as well. Now here's the best part. If you've never tried Prize Picks before, if you play your first $5 lineup and you win, you'll get $150 in bonus lineups. Just make sure you use code HMA when you sign up. And they actually just updated this offer so there's never been a better time to get started. And if you want with what I have today want to go with what I have today, I got Kumar Rocker to go under 16 and a half. Pitching outs got less there. And then George Kirby, the Mariners pitcher, I have him with more than three and a half strikeout. So I'm all in on that Texas Rangers game today. So download the Prize Picks app Today, use code HMA, play that first $5 lineup and if you win, you'll get $150 in bonus lineups that prize picks code HMA. Good luck to you and as always, play smart, play responsibly, Play Prize Picks.

[C]

Egg my future fund punk I e.

[A]

Hey Blake, I want to follow up on one thing in that conversation because 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, Arch, we're 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.

[C]

He.

[A]

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, not Matt.

[C]

Not bad, Jerry. I I don't disagree with that. Start the year off right.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Say it's going to be a different year.

[A]

It's gonna 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.

[C]

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. 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 in 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.

[B]

Okay guys, let's see here. We're going to 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 at some 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 Killebrew, Nishan Hughes, obviously reading going to be the headliner in that group but pretty solid group overall.

[C]

I Corey Redding. And to have I will say this, the thing about Corey writing that I'll always remember Jerry is he came right on top of Casey Hampton.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And you had two enforcers on defense back to to back. I think that helped Matt Brown set the tone on defense early in his career as much as anything.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

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.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So I think that's a big something that doesn't go mentioned often enough. To start Mack Brown's tenure, two things

[A]

with Redding 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?

[C]

The young kid.

[A]

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. Then 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 Vesey, 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, Bobby. 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 and Corio ended up going to Arizona. But that was the USA Today offensive and defensive players of the year in 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 what 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.

[C]

Lance Jackson's bigger than Corey Reading.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

At least right now he is. He is at the same age, much bigger than Corey Reading. Taller for sure. Jerry. Is he as disruptive of a player though? But I like I, I'm still waiting and I think this is the question. I think Lance Jackson's a strong side end.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

That doesn't necessarily rush the passer.

[B]

Great.

[C]

What, how would you compare him? Is, is Lance Jackson a souped up Baron Sorrell? Is that.

[A]

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 Mustant 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.

[C]

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.

[A]

Hey, by the way, Matt's more salty than anybody this morning.

[C]

Is Matt in the chat going nuts?

[B]

A little bit.

[C]

I. I keep, you know.

[A]

Yeah, he's still, he's. He's still mad about LeBron going to the 76ers.

[C]

Say 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 probably.

[A]

Wawa is better than Bucky's.

[C]

Pretty good now.

[A]

No, it is, it is, but it's, it's.

[C]

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.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Trying to think what's the one Rumza or something like that in the Midwest?

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Runs.

[A]

Hey, by the way. Oh, Robert, Killer Brew just got a late hit flag. But we'll take it because he won the national championship. That guy was built to play for the Miami Hurricanes. That team was so good it didn't matter. What did he have like six post play flags that year? Didn't really matter. Maybe seven.

[B]

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 seat of teammates just finished up their summer workouts. I thought they were getting in until I heard or getting it until I heard. Austin Wesley just finished up also with 49 40s and a 100.

[D]

Wow.

[A]

I think Jackson Cook posted that.

[B]

Wow. Yeah.

[C]

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 in 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?

[A]

Oh, it's 05.05. Oh, yeah.

[C]

Even more than 09.

[A]

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 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, 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.

[C]

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 Quan 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.

[A]

That one is Underrated in my mind for sure. Debated it was.

[C]

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.

[A]

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 of 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.

[B]

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.

[A]

What about athletics as a whole?

[C]

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? 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? Does Jamari and Carlton look like. What about Germaine Bishop, Derek Cooper?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

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.

[A]

Been working more there than safety.

[C]

Yeah. And what does that mean for Grayson Littleton is 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.

[B]

Right.

[A]

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 of builders 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 coverage 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.

[C]

And you know what?

[A]

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 will be getting much more run at that backup nickel or competing at the nickel spot. Yeah.

[C]

I read your article and I immediately said this just smells of will must champ trying to find the best five. And he's going to tinker and tinker and about two to three weeks before camp ends, he's going to lock it in and. And coach those guys up as much as he knows how.

[A]

Yeah, that.

[C]

That's what it. That's what it sounds like to me. I'm just gonna put that out there.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

Oh, do I. Blake, do you have that clip of Meredith moving in that's on his Instagram story?

[B]

I do. Hang on one second.

[A]

That. That's also. I'd reported that this week in 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 every 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 into the wall. Dude,

[C]

Nil. I mean, I. There were two people in a room that size and there weren't no bed covers like that. I. I gotta be honest.

[D]

We.

[C]

You know, there were always two people in the room I was living in. That's. That's Changing times, changing times.

[A]

He'll be, he'll be in that dorm a year somewhere.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

All right, Jerry, I need you to tell us about one of our sponsors today, that being Shields.

[A]

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[B]

Leonard

[C]

Hammerfang F egg my future fund Punkai.

[B]

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 Gene Chisik ever a candidate for the head coaching job at Texas between Mac and Charlie?

[A]

No, not with the black trench coat on. Recruiting he was not.

[C]

Not even, not even a thought.

[B]

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, et cetera.

[A]

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 a 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 there at that spot. So I'm not sure I see that with my, 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 playing running back is 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 winning 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 your butt like you have to be. If you're 63230, you have to bring your hat and be physical. Blake, did Jalook 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. 63230 really? 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, I hope he gets to stick a year and see where it goes for him, but he's got to have patience.

[C]

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 that have put around him. So look, Arch Manning didn't do anything his first two years at Texas. Really. Yet this is Michael Terry's only his second year at Texas. And, and people are explaining, 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's just trying to figure out what his position is.

[A]

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 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 632 3. I think people just started throwing him at players that were previous running backs that really good. They're 63230. 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 them that way?

[C]

Bobby?

[A]

Can you use them that way? But as a runner, look, he's probably starting August practice as 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 gota. You gotta have patience.

[B]

And speaking of running backs, Dre from Virginia, thank you for your super chat with Trey Wise. They're gone. Who do you think will take the role of rival killer?

[A]

That's a great question. Hey, that's a great. That's a great question. Cam Coleman, Arch Manning,

[C]

those are the two for me. Maybe Nick Townsend. I know that sounds like an odd pick, but he's kind of got that killer mentality in my opinion.

[A]

No, and that's one of the TBDs. I mean like when you have look as really Brown and Smothers more talented than Wiser. Yes. They'll put up better numbers at combine. They'll all be at 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.

[C]

I want to say this when I mentioned Arch Manning. 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 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 M was. Was difficult to watch the second half against A 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's 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.

[A]

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, 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's 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 mater 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 wise. They're all 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.03.

[B]

Interesting.

[A]

And that that that basketball team went to the final four. Obviously we can. Baseball is really really good. Football is a couple of years away. But finish top 10. I believe.

[B]

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.

[C]

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 EXES as a member of the 2026 Longhorn 100. The exclusive award is presented to the 100 fastest growing companies in America from 23 to 25, 2025 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. John and 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. Egg my future fund punk.

[B]

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?

[C]

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 have that official,

[A]

but was in before Simon or Terry. That's the reality of it.

[C]

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.

[A]

And 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.

[C]

By the way, profit. 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.

[A]

Good stuff.

[B]

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.

[A]

Two, that would be huge. That'd be that. Now that would be a. That's a quite the prediction. I'll give you credit on that. Rocky Port that happens. It's gonna be somebody on defense. It's gonna be somebody on defense.

[C]

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 gonna start is left guard.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

So we consider and say Lawrence Seymour, Jaden Chapman, even Jordan Coleman, maybe Cole Hudson. That's.

[B]

That's the.

[C]

On defense with what Mus champ 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?

[A]

Yeah,

[C]

I think it's really hard. There's something I would say about moving Kobe Black to safety that resonates with me though.

[A]

Same.

[C]

But that. Is that a surprise now?

[A]

Man. Man coverage from that position.

[C]

Is it a surprise though? It's not really a surprise anymore.

[A]

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 August camp. Here's what Jonas 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.

[C]

We. We have very little expectations of Jonah Williams to be clear.

[A]

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 a disruptor.

[C]

Richie Wesley. Yeah, I would bet heavy on him long term.

[A]

I think he's going to be a two deep guy. Game on.

[B]

All right, 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.

[C]

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.

[A]

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 and M because they're out. Their, their final two is. They're at Oklahoma. Short week at home for Texas. Those are their A M's last two games.

[C]

They better if John Matier is still healthy at that point. I agree.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Hey, Jerry. Somebody asked if. If Justice Terry's nickname is Planet Fitness. That is Jerry's nickname for, for justice shot that down.

[A]

They have another one in the locker room room for him. I like Planet fitness because the 8th grade picture of Justice Terry, he looks

[C]

like he was born in Planet Fitness. Basically.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He. He looks like the ad for Planet Fitness.

[B]

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.

[C]

We were both in the room when he said it.

[A]

Jerry.

[C]

I buy it. I mean, because he, he then went on a three minute exclamation explanation of it. He didn't just. How do I put this? He didn't just eschew 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.

[A]

I mean, yeah.

[C]

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 you were just looking for a sound bite, it sounds like he did. So I understand that 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've got it. We've got to get better. He's done some things to, 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.

[A]

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.

[C]

Yes, but wins and losses. No.

[A]

Right. Yeah.

[C]

Miami, Indiana was the best in the country last year.

[A]

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, oh, I've said before, I want to see the Texas make the old 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 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 really tough out with the towel on their team.

[B]

All right, 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 rankings?

[A]

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 three after three years when you enroll early you're going to 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

[B]

yet and our final one is my computer just went nuts here if I can bring it up is from football season. Juan Garza Any recruiting updates Jerry Same

[A]

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 in 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 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 Easton Royal. His birthday is Wednesday. Happy Burley birthday to Easton Royal. I, I think the Eastern Royal is going to play out.

[B]

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?

[C]

It wasn't Texas

[A]

if it was last year then. Or it's Alabama, A M, Georgia, Ole Miss 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.

[C]

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.

[A]

So my bet on that is my bet would be Bama in Oklahoma.

[C]

I would, yeah, I would say Ole Miss in Alabama.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

If I were, if, if I were hazarding a guess and if it's even true.

[A]

Right. If it's true. A m sp. I, like Ted Apari says A m Span, Jimbo, for how many more years?

[B]

A while.

[A]

That's, I mean.

[C]

And they just renewed another head coach that has lost two in a row to longhorns.

[B]

He hasn't.

[C]

Texas.

[A]

He is the highest paid bass fisherman in history of the world.

[C]

Jimbo.

[A]

Nobody's ever been paid that much to fish.

[C]

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.

[A]

Yeah, good.

[C]

I, I, I'm on that. I feel like I'm on that. I'm ready to be paid 10 million ever.

[A]

I, I mean, Billy Napier got James Madison. Anything's possible.

[B]

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?

[C]

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 going to try to get to the floor with some final information. 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 filed to be the first union group or chapter of the College Football Players Association.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

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 for at a private school than it is at a public school in 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.

[B]

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.

[A]

Hook them Horns.