Outta Pocket with RG3 — Marcel Reed: Why He’s the Best QB in College Football
Podcast: Outta Pocket with RG3
Host: Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Guest: Marcel Reed (Texas A&M Quarterback, 2025 Heisman Trophy Candidate)
Date: December 8, 2025
Overview
In this engaging, rapid-fire episode of "Outta Pocket," RG3 dives deep with Texas A&M’s star quarterback Marcel Reed, exploring his journey from a coach's kid in Tennessee to national prominence as a multi-sport athlete and top Heisman contender. Reed candidly discusses leadership, multi-sport training, viral moments in college football, Heisman favorites, and life off the field—with a generous serving of humor and real talk about the highs and lows of being in the spotlight.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Growing Up a Coach’s Kid
[01:50–03:41]
- Background: Marcel’s father coached at Tennessee State. From a young age, Marcel traveled with his dad and immersed himself in the football environment.
- Pressure & Perspective: “I really didn't have too much pressure. It was kind of fun… I felt like I've been there before, so it wasn't hard.” — Marcel Reed [02:05]
- On being judged differently: “Nobody ever looked at me differently… I was the same kid I am right now.” [03:09]
2. Multi-Sport Athlete Advantage
[05:06–09:32]
- Reed credits playing baseball, basketball, and football for shaping him as a versatile competitor and leader.
- “Let [kids] play every sport they want to play.” [05:06] – On why parents shouldn’t force sport specialization.
- His favorite basketball player growing up: “Russell Westbrook. I was a huge OKC fan…” [05:48]
- He claims he could’ve made the NBA: “Oh, yeah. My coaches in the meeting room… always laugh at me when I say I would have been in the NBA.” [07:20]
- On athleticism: “Football players can probably do a lot of things. I don't know.” [06:58]
3. Heisman Trophy Conversation
[09:40–12:46]
- Top Four Heisman Finalists, per Reed:
- Himself
- Diego Pavia (“He's got that swag about him, too.” [10:09])
- Fernando Mendoza (“I train with him in the summer… He has dry humor. Like Michael Scott from The Office.” [10:20])
- Jeremiah Love or Julian Saying
- Why he deserves the Heisman: “I think just based off of… what I've done in big games. I mean, I think I'm one of the best players in the country.” [11:44]
- On winning 11 straight games: “It's hard to win games in the SEC. It's hard to win 11 straight. Like, a lot of people don't do that.” [12:10]
4. “Heisman Moment” – South Carolina Game
[12:54–14:09]
- Describes his defining moment: “It was me and God at that point… We just focused on one play at a time… almost 300 [yards] in the second half. I mean, I've never done that in my life.” [13:19]
- RG3 celebrates the comeback as a true Heisman moment: “I thought you did an amazing job coming back in the second half, and it really showed the true character of who you were.” [15:14]
5. Viral Spiral Segment: Trending Topics in College Football
Lane Kiffin Leaves Ole Miss for LSU
[15:47–17:44]
- Marcel’s reaction: “I felt like it was gonna happen… You can't talk about it that long and it not happen.” [16:00]
- On former commitment to Ole Miss and family ties bringing him to Texas A&M: “My dad's side of the family is from Texas… I felt comfortable being in Texas. It's essentially like Tennessee in a way.” [16:59]
Epidemic of Players Spitting
[20:04–22:17]
- Marcel: “I've never been spit on… It depends on how chippy the game is… If they get it on my lip, I might crash.” [20:43]
- RG3: “It’s like the ultimate disrespect.” [21:23]
Managing Receivers’ Emotions
[22:18–24:12]
- On teammates angry about not getting the ball: “If you're open, I'm gonna throw you the ball. If you're not, probably not gonna throw you the ball… Can't let your emotions get to you.” [23:18]
Transfer Portal & NIL Influence
[25:08–27:07]
- On hypothetical $4M offer: “I have to talk with my parents.” [25:27]
- On loyalty to A&M: “I don't think there's any reason I need to leave Texas A&M. I have the job, and it's mine to lose, and I don't think I will.” [26:42]
- Announces return for next season: “I'm coming back. I'll be back.” [27:11]
6. Hot Seat Segment: Rapid Fire and Fun
Deleting a Fanbase
[27:18–27:46]
- Marcel: “Texas… I don’t like Texas.” [27:41]
Most Out-of-Pocket DM
[28:02–28:54]
- Shares a DM involving racist slurs: “I got the word that you ain't supposed to get as an African American man… in all caps. With the er.” [28:27]
Worst Mascot, Rivalries, and Fanbases
[29:55–31:15]
- Calls out Cal Bear: “That bear just look weird.” [29:57]
- Confusion on the meaning of “Boomer Sooner.”
Clearing Up Rumors: Dating Sunisa Lee?
[31:23–31:43]
- Marcel: “No… I mean, mutually… I can't. I don't.” [31:39]
- Co-host: “That's… it's not a no, guys.” [31:42]
Dream Girl
[31:55–32:25]
- “Not really my type, but she’s really pretty: Kehlani. I like her music, too.” [32:19]
Pre-game Superstition
[32:48–34:34]
- Wears the same Bob Ross underwear (“No mistakes, just happy accidents.”) since high school—even washing them in a hotel sink and drying by ironing: “That's dedication to the bit. Not superstitious. But just a little stitious.” [34:28]
Wide Receiver Who Wouldn’t Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
[34:52–35:19]
- “Jonah Wilson. He too loud… He'd be scared.” [35:04]
Top 5 QBs in the NFL (Right Now)
[35:23–36:18]
- Drake Maye
- Joe Burrow
- Jordan Love
- Patrick Mahomes
- Lamar Jackson
Top 5 QBs in College Football
[36:24–37:07]
- Fernando Mendoza
- Julian Sayin
- Marcel Reed (himself)
- Diego Pavia
- Trinidad Chambers
NIL Changing Life
[37:12–38:47]
- “Well, I don't live in a dorm… It is four bedrooms, three and a half bathroom. It's pretty nice.” [37:12]
- No friends lost—except for a teammate still wanting a ride on his NIL-funded private jet.
Dream NFL Team
[38:48–39:44]
- “Pretty cool to play for the Titans… I like Green Bay… Play for the Redskins. My grandfather played for the Redskins.” [38:55–39:24]
Silly Hypotheticals
[40:07–41:03]
- Prefers fighting a hundred duck-sized horses over one horse-sized duck: “I think I could take… I can't take a duck the size of a horse.” [40:37]
Legacy & Biopic
[42:00–43:44]
- What will people say in ten years? “He’s a really nice guy. Because I’m a really nice guy.” [42:09]
- Who would play him? “Michael B. Jordan's probably playing me.” [43:37]
Pregame Playlist
[43:59–44:27]
- Shuffle includes Drake, Taylor Swift, Luke Combs, Chris Brown. “16 minutes before kickoff I play ‘Tried Our Best’ by Drake and then ‘Demon Mode’ by Nardo Wick.” [44:16]
Crossover Sport Challenges
[44:41–46:29]
- On guarding Caitlin Clark: “I'm not gonna say I would lock her up, but she's not scoring all those points on me.” [44:55]
- Would lose to Serena Williams in tennis and can’t do a backflip on a beam like Simone Biles.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On His Heisman Worthiness:
“I think I'm one of the best players in the country… the record shows it. It's hard to win games in the SEC. It's hard to win 11 straight. Like, a lot of people don't do that.”
— Marcel Reed [11:44] -
Defining Leadership in Crisis:
“It was me and God at that point… all we've done is shoot ourself in the foot, and we don't have another foot to shoot.”
— Marcel Reed on his South Carolina comeback [13:19] -
On Modern College Football Business:
“It's a business. And you're in the business of being in the best place for you.”
— RG3 [26:12] -
Dealing with the Dark Side of Fame:
“I got the word that you ain't supposed to get as an African American man… in all caps. With the er.”
— Marcel Reed [28:27] -
Classic Sports Debate:
“I can't take a duck the size of a horse. I can do 100 duck size horses.”
— Marcel Reed [40:40] -
On His Legacy:
“He’s a really nice guy? Because I’m a really nice guy. I think so.”
— Marcel Reed [42:09]
Timestamps for Key Topics
- Coach’s Kid & Leadership: [01:50–03:41]
- Multi-Sport Mentality: [05:06–09:32]
- Heisman Trophy Talk: [09:40–12:46]
- Defining Heisman Moment: [12:54–14:09]
- Lane Kiffin & Coaching Drama: [15:47–17:44]
- Spitting Incidents: [20:04–22:17]
- Managing Hotheaded Receivers: [22:18–24:12]
- NIL & Transfer Portal Realities / Loyalty to A&M: [25:08–27:11]
- Hot Seat: Fanbases, DMs, Girlfriend Rumors: [27:18–32:25]
- Superstitions & Funny Confessions: [32:48–34:34]
- Sports & Pop Culture Hot Takes: [34:52–46:29]
Final Thoughts
With humor, candor, and grounded self-awareness, Marcel Reed delivers a rare look behind the curtain of college football stardom. Balancing serious topics with viral fun, this episode is a must-listen for fans seeking the personality beyond the helmet, and a snapshot into the motivations and mindset that make a true leader—on the field and off.
Will we be seeing Marcel Reed in New York for the Heisman? As he says:
“Yes, you will.” [46:58]
