Outta Pocket with RG3

Episode: The Red Raiders Who WON’T Be Denied
Date: November 3, 2025
Host: Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Guests: Baron Morton (Texas Tech QB), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech LB/former QB)
Co-Host/Interviewer: (Name not provided; referred to as "Co-host")

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the remarkable ascendance of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football program, featuring candid interviews with quarterback Baron Morton and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. RG3 and his co-host also discuss major topics in college football, including the scrutiny facing Deion Sanders, the never-ending coaching carousel, Heisman frontrunners, and the Dodgers’ thrilling World Series win. The show closes with rapid-fire personal questions to reveal the personalities and motivations of the Texas Tech stars.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The "Microwave Success" Fallacy in College Football

Timestamps: 01:31–04:39

• Arch Manning's Progress:
  RG3 highlights Arch Manning's standout performance and the unrealistic expectations placed on young quarterbacks for immediate greatness. “People think you put him in the microwave and boom, he's gonna be great just like his uncles.” — RG3 [01:48]
• Examples of Gradual Growth:
  RG3 compares Arch's journey to past QBs like Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, and himself, emphasizing development over time. “Stop thinking about young quarterbacks as if you can just put them in a microwave and it becomes greatness.” — RG3 [04:08]

2. Deion Sanders and Colorado: Beyond the Scoreboard

Timestamps: 04:39–10:37

• Challenges Beyond Football:
  RG3 and co-host address Deion Sanders’ health struggles (cancer, amputations, surgery), the emotional burden of being a dad, and unfair media scrutiny. “He’s doing it because he cares...because he told their parents straight to the face, I'm going to make your son a better man, a better player.” — RG3 [09:46]
• Deion’s Motivational Response:
  Deion’s unwavering self-belief and challenge to recruits: “If you're a dog, you want to come here and right the wrong. If you're a cat, you look at the scoreboard and you run. Which one are you, a dog or cat?” — Deion Sanders [09:04]
• Support for Deion:
  The hosts urge fans and the university to stand by Sanders during adversity, positioning this as a defining test of “Prime Time.” “Now is the time for Colorado to stand tall with Deion Sanders.” — RG3 [09:43]

3. The College Football Coaching Carousel Madness

Timestamps: 10:40–15:29

• Schools in Turmoil:
  Rapid-fire rundown of major programs (LSU, Penn State, Florida, Oklahoma State, etc.) changing coaches.
• Impatience and Lack of Strategy:
  RG3 questions hasty firings and the obsession with “big names.” Lauds coaches like James Franklin and Lane Kiffin but notes the pool of replacements is thin. “The grass is greener where you water it.” — Co-host [11:35]
• Outside-the-Box Hiring:
  Discusses ideas like hiring Tim Tebow at Florida for his leadership and recruiting skills, and fitting coaches to program culture. “All these teams need to hire the guy that fits their attitude of their program. That's what was wrong with LSU.” — RG3 [14:04]

4. Heisman Frontrunners

Timestamps: 15:29–17:59

• RG3’s Top Seven:
  • Julian Sayin (Alabama QB)
  • Ty Simpson
  • Fernando Mendoza (Indiana QB)
  • Bear Bachmeier (BYU, Freshman)
  • Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech LB; leads in forced fumbles, former QB)
  • Haynes King
  • David Bailey (DE; leads in sacks)
• Defensive Players’ Struggles for Recognition:
  “It's really tough to get a defensive end to win the Heisman, but I think [David Bailey] could do it.” — RG3 [16:44]

5. Dodgers Win the World Series: Memorable Moments

Timestamps: 18:10–20:58

• Key Highlights:
  • Kershaw retires a 3x champion.
  • Miguel Rojas’ clutch HR in Game 7.
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominates as World Series MVP.
  • Historic role of Japanese players (Yamamoto, Ohtani, Sasaki) in the title.
• Personal Pride & MLB Diversity:
  “They're making history for all the Blackanese and Japanese people out there. If y'all didn't know, I was born in Japan. So it's my Japanese Blackanese brothers and I appreciate them for putting on for the country.” — RG3 [19:48]

6. The Texas Tech Red Raiders: Culture, Faith, and Hunger

Timestamps: 20:58–40:39

Inside the Program

• Transfer Culture Done Right:
  “The guys we brought in are genuine...they're going to be Red Raiders for rest of their lives.” — Baron Morton [21:38]
• Coach McGuire’s Unique Strength:
  “He's the same guy every single day. High energy, loves connecting with people.” — Jacob Rodriguez [22:41]
• Rapid Rise to Contenders:
  • Coach told players to believe: “Year four” is the year.
  • Players feel expectations have steadily risen as results followed.

Faith and Team Chemistry

• Identity Beyond Football:
  “Your identity is not in the game....all I try to do on the football field is play as hard as I can to glorify Him.” — Jacob Rodriguez [29:09] “At the end of the day, you know, your identity is not in football. It is going to end for everybody.” — Baron Morton [29:57]
• Faith’s Role on the Team:
  • Open locker room discussions across beliefs.
  • Team prayer led by Coach McGuire at every practice.
  • “Everyone knows...at the end of the day, it’s going to end. And I really do feel like people aren’t putting their identity in football and they're putting their identity in Christ.” — Baron Morton [30:49]

NIL—Blessing and Complexity

• Would They Stay Without NIL?
  Both would: “Definitely still be here.” [32:40]
  • NIL removes financial anxiety but makes “walk-on” stories less common.
• NIL Numbers and Motivation:
  “Some guys...are getting Rolls Royce deals, but they got Honda Civic numbers.” — RG3 [33:55]
  • Players use NIL stats as “chip-on-the-shoulder” motivation.

Home Field and Tradition

• Lubbock’s Unique Energy:
  Fans camp out days ahead, tortillas fly, atmosphere is wild.

Personality and Rapid-Fire Q&A

• Hardest Hits (Given/Taken):
  Baron: “My first start at Oklahoma State...I learned real quick.” [27:26]
  Jacob: “I caught [a receiver] and flipped him over on his head…slamming somebody into the ground is pretty fun.” [28:00]
• Playing with a Chip:
  Baron’s from a tiny Texas town, wants to prove he belongs. Jacob: “Why not?...my faith gives me a higher purpose.” [28:37]
• Pregame Hype Song:
  Baron: Country (George Strait, Riley Green, Parker McCollum). Jacob: “Whole warm-up, I’m listening to worship music...then something 50 [Cent].” [37:04]
• Favorite Player Growing Up:
  Both idolized RG3. Baron even pulled his baby tooth after RG3’s Heisman win. “If RG3 wins this Heisman, I’m gonna pull my tooth. And so RG3 won the Heisman. I pulled my first tooth.” — Baron Morton [37:36]
• Dream NIL Deal:
  Baron: Chick-fil-A; Jacob: Culver’s.
• Dream NFL Team:
  Baron: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (family history); Jacob: Minnesota Vikings (born there).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Deion Sanders’ Character:
  “Now is the time for Colorado to stand tall with Deion Sanders. Not to stand over him.” — RG3 [09:43]

• Baron Morton on proving his worth:
  “No, every Saturday I'm going out to prove to myself that, you know, I'm here for a reason.” — Baron Morton [28:37]

• Jacob Rodriguez on faith and football:
  “My identity is not in the game...all I try to do is play my heart out to glorify Him.” [29:09]

• Baron on faith as a stabilizer:
  “Your identity is not in football. It is going to end for everybody in the world.” [29:57]

• On NIL skepticism:
  “There’s some guys...getting Rolls Royce deals, but they got Honda Civic numbers.” — RG3 [33:55]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |----------------------------------------|---------------| | Microwave QB expectations | 01:31–04:39 | | Deion Sanders & Colorado’s struggle | 04:39–10:37 | | Coaching carousel chaos | 10:40–15:29 | | Heisman frontrunners discussion | 15:29–17:59 | | Dodgers' World Series win | 18:10–20:58 | | Texas Tech interview intro | 20:58–21:28 | | Program culture & McGuire's impact | 21:28–23:06 | | Faith, team dynamics, NIL | 29:09–34:42 | | Rapid fire & personal questions | 35:20–39:01 | | Closing reflections | 39:58–40:39 |

Conclusion

This episode of Outta Pocket with RG3 paints a vivid picture of the Texas Tech football program’s ascent, powered by authentic team culture and strong leadership. Listeners are offered a rare glimpse into the roles of faith, resilience, and motivation in college athletics—along with topical analysis of major figures and issues shaping the wider college football landscape. The candid personalities and stories from Baron Morton and Jacob Rodriguez underscore why the Red Raiders “won’t be denied,” both on and off the field.