← See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
NIL vs. NFL: Is the League in Trouble? | David Pollack's SEC DUDES to Watch in 2026
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- [00:01]
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David Pollack
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Wes Blankenship
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David Pollack
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David Pollack
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David Pollack
what up, dudes? Welcome. I'm in Caball. Get ball. I'm your host like always, David Pilot. Wes will be joining me here soon. I'm wearing the shirt, the North Oconee football shirt because we started spring practice today. So high school football starting spring practice. A lot of colleges absolutely winding them down, getting closer and closer. The draft is over. We're going to talk about Kiffin's portal take, which is very different than a lot of other people. Lane Kiffin has a take that I think is very interesting. It's worth talking about for sure. Some SEC dudes, like dudes that you're not talking about right now, but we promise you will be talking about before the season's over and then podium kings and coach swings. So we'll address that at the end. But the first one is nil. It's the impact on the NFL draft and Wes Blankenship obviously joined and always, always produce and always on the keys. But Wes, what were you thinking about with this? When you see people talking about development and NFL and how it affects.
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Wes Blankenship
Yeah, I mean I'd seen over the weekend as part of the draft reaction, some draft scouts, some NFL experts commenting on how the later rounds, you know, after one through three, they don't have as many of those developmental guys, maybe some of the backups, some of the depth projects pieces that they normally have. And I don't know that you're seeing the results or seeing the impact of that right away. But I just imagine in a few years and we got this 5 for 5 conversation happening as well with eligibility.
- [02:36]
David Pollack
Thank God.
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Wes Blankenship
Don't you think the decision makers in the NFL are going to start rattling some cages if they don't have that depth? Because that's their business too. And it's, it's not really college football's problem to worry about. But the NFL is the most profitable sports league in America.
- [02:57]
David Pollack
Oh yeah, they've got it figured out. And I think when you're watching college football, it's kind of you're getting more and more to that model, right? Like, think about college football. GMs are so prevalent all over the place now. That never used to be the case. Scouting departments is basically what they are now for the transfer portals. Like you have scouts who are talent evaluators and you've grabbed so many guys. There's so many guys that I've met at all these different campuses, man. Like I wanted to work in the NFL, I wanted to be a scout. And I'm here now because it's the same job. So, you know, that's, that's, everything's trickling towards that when it comes to college football. The five for five will be huge if we can get some impact of that, man. And then, and then we get obviously less, less blur, less gray when it comes to eligibility, which, which would be awesome because when we're starting to do all this, okay, I'm appealing. Okay, why are you appealing? Okay, here's the deal. Five for five, you got five years of eligibility, man. That's it. So when you graduate, bam. Or when you graduate or after you turn 19, the clock starts. You got five years. So we won't have 36 year old college players anymore. Right? Like you're not going to have guys that are in their upper 20s, you know, making play and leaving. A guy like Chris Winky, if you're a little bit older and you remember him who went and played baseball. No, no, no. That clock's going to turn. You graduate high school, the clock's ticking. So you're not going to be able to come back from another sport either. So the five for five is good. But when you're talking about development and you're talking about the NFL, there's so many guys that the NFL usually took because guys were come out and ready to get money. They were, they were ready to get paid. Well, now these guys that are good football players are staying in school because they're going to get more money in college than they're going to get in the NFL. So of course why would you leave? That doesn't make any sense. I'm going to stay another year. So the draft is not what it was as far as a depth standpoint. And that will continue because these guys are getting paid. Why would I leave? Now listen, the Quinn errors of the world, which is strange, like that's, that's an anomaly. Why would I even do that if I'm Quinn ears, I go be a 6 round pick. Didn't make a lot of sense. Now Ty Simpson bet on himself. That worked out okay. I mean he just made, he made millions of dollars betting on himself. But you've seen a lot of these guys that choose to leave and they go take a pay cut. But a lot more are staying because they know they're going to get Soursby source. We knew he was going to get $6 million.
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Wes Blankenship
Some names that come to mind right away. Carson Beck and Arch Manning.
- [05:31]
David Pollack
Yeah, huge.
- [05:32]
Wes Blankenship
I mean big decisions.
- [05:34]
David Pollack
Carson Carson Beck made a great decision. He made a phenomenal decision. So it's a good job by him staying and maximizing and that's, I think that's one of the cool things about Nil Wes. How many guys have we had come out like Colt McCoy like you knew was going to be, he was probably not going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. He had size limitations. Dude could spin it and dude won a lot of football games. So he can maximize his opportunities while he's there. Kellen Moore at Boise State was one of those guys like all those smaller guys, man. Dude, if you're great, yeah head coaches, you're right. If you, if you're a great college player now you can stay instead of going being a backup instead of trying your luck. You're just, you're going to continue to make money which is, which is a good thing. So I'm for it. But the NFL obviously is losing some of their talent. That would have always come out. And so guys are talking about their grades on guys that they're taking in the fourth round. It used to be a sixth round grade and that's just kind of the way it's going now.
- [06:33]
Wes Blankenship
Where do you think Arch would have gone? This.
- [06:39]
David Pollack
I don't think people would like to hear this, but I think Arch would have been above Ty Simpson.
- [06:45]
Wes Blankenship
That's crazy. Like I, I'm not saying you're wrong, but that's crazy.
- [06:49]
David Pollack
Listen, Archman, I understand the Arch man in debate. Well everybody, we had him up on a pedestal, right. And naturally what happens is we knock him down. That's how it works. He didn't play great, but his offensive line didn't help him. But Arch Manning makes at least two or three plays every single game where he steps up in the pocket, shrug someone off, throw the ball down the field. Like he makes some of these crazy, crazy plays that make you shake your head. The athleticism, the arm, you know, he keeps his feet ready, which I really, really like. I wonder why he's so far along when it comes to that. But you're talking about him. Ty Simpson, you would have only had a season. Ty Simpson did this. Towards the end of the season. Arch Manning did this. So it kind of would have been like, pick your poison. But now when you've got Arch Manning coming back, you've got guys coming in at wide receiver to fortify that and make it stronger. Wingo will be your number two. Now Cam Coleman obviously is a freak show. Who's going to be. He's mocked in the top 10, top 15 with drafts. So Archman is going to have more protection, more run game, better weapons. He's going to go like this. Ladies and gentlemen, I would be shocked if Arch Manning isn't the number one pick next year. And that's probably, I don't know if everybody thinks that or not. I think everybody thinks. And I also think Jeremy Smith is,
- [08:06]
Wes Blankenship
is really the favorite, right?
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David Pollack
Like Jeremiah Smith's not gonna be the number one pick. Like, there's, there's no shot for Jeremiah Smith to be the number one pick.
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Wes Blankenship
Jeremiah Smith, the moment thing. And everyone knows he's a freak, but that's doesn't mean he's number one overall pick.
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David Pollack
He's a wide receiver. Like, there's going to be at least three or four quarterbacks in this draft that are, that are going to be top 10 this year. And here's the thing, here's what's really cool about this. When you start to think about quarterbacks, man. Wes. Who was talking about Fernando Mendoza this time last year?
- [08:37]
Wes Blankenship
Who was talking about one? There's only one show I listened to, but it was this one.
- [08:42]
David Pollack
I mean, we, I'm just saying. Who was talking about Fernando Mendoza being the number one overall pick? Nobody. He came out of nowhere. Who was talking about Ty Simpson being the number a first round draft pick? Like, everybody knew he was really, really good. I'm just saying there's going to be guys that come out of nowhere next year that are going to have great seasons. Josh Hoover is a candidate. Mester maker is still going to Be my guy. Like he's my guy next year. Fermando Mendoza was last year. This mester maker is my guy next year. Just because of the talent, what he can do. I think he goes and does it at the next level. He's flying up draft boards. But that's, you know, that's the, that's the fun thing about the draft, man. Guys come out of nowhere. But I'm just saying Jeremiah Smith. Yes. Generational talent. Jeremiah Smith is not a quarterback. So it doesn't matter. Like, I know he's really, really good. He's a freak show and he's going to be great for somebody. But you want the one position. Everybody wants that quarterback spot. And there's going to be at least three guys next year that'll be in the top 10. And it'll be interesting with Sourcebee too. And what happens with him.
- [09:39]
Wes Blankenship
Yeah. Yep. One more quick thing on nil before we move on to the portal King Lane Kiffin Kirby Smart told the AJC this week. I think when you see sports getting cut like Arkansas tennis, a lot of college athletic directors are facing do I pay player X or do I kill this sport that's provided?
- [10:04]
David Pollack
Yeah. So I think it's, I think it's interesting. The hard part, man, is. And yeah, I see in the chat if Julian Saying performs well as in big games. Absolutely. He could be Jack. He could be the top pick. So he's another guy that's in there a hundred percent. I think it's interesting when you talk about this because this is the realistic part of it is the other sports. I remember shooters a couple of weeks ago when they put, if you look at the, the Penn State athletic department and they put out the numbers. Somebody put out the numbers and the football team made 72 million and every other team combined pulled them down to basically where they barely made $250,000 total men's basket only other squad that was in the green. And why do I say that? Why does that matter? Because. Because Kirby's right. He's talking about other sports that are going to suffer. Well, now you're at. You're because of the budget and because of what we've done. And now we're making teams spend X amount of money. Well, they're spending so much moneys on their roster. How much are they going to be able to facilitate the other programs that everybody's trying to keep alive, like men's tennis, it's gone.
- [11:20]
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- [11:42]
David Pollack
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- [11:49]
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- [12:19]
David Pollack
It's gone in Arkansas. Like there is no program anymore. So whether we like it or not, it's part of it. You don't like that part of it. And it is players that would have been in, you know, would have been in college would have been getting a chance to do something really, really awesome and really, really cool. And they don't get to do that. They don't get to play, they don't get the free education, they don't get to play the sport that they love. And that's not what we want. So it's the business of college athletics. It's the way it works, but it's going to cut other opportunities. And I see in the chat, yes, CJ Carr, absolutely could be another guy that we're talking about. A lot of quarterbacks, a lot of quarterbacks that are in there. All right, next, Lane Kiffin again, here's the thing about all of this portal stuff. We went to one portal. Thank you, Jesus. Like, everybody's excited about that because remember this time last year, coaches were recruiting their rosters like they finished spring ball, got their depth chart and then they were like, please don't leave, please don't leave. Guys walking in after spring games and negotiating be like and holding teams hostage like, listen, I'm your first D tackle. You're going to pay me like I want X or else they're going to leave. Well, Lane Kiffin, he said, I've been very open. Here's his comment. I'm going to read his quote. I've been very open about it. I want. He basically, he's saying, I want first year coaches. They should have a second spring portal window. He said, I've been very open about It. I wish there was another one. I've talked to coaches about that and coaches have been somewhere who have been there somewhere for two to three years, they feel. Feel differently. Right? Because you've had. You've stacked classes from high school, you've stacked classes from recruiting. So obviously they would disagree. But he's saying a first year coach, I think they would all, if they were being honest, would say that they would want another portal window. Here's the thing, man. I get it. And Lane's the portal king regardless. And his budget was unlimited this year. So God bless America and he. And God bless lsu. But no, nobody wants this. Lane does. And maybe some coaches do. But again, do we want this madness? How does that work? They can go pillage other rosters and nobody else can replenish their rosters. That, that doesn't make sense to me. I don't want any part of that. I love that we limited it to one. Now listen, you could talk me into doing a different window. It doesn't have to be. I would move the. I would move the transfer portal window back. Like I would finish the playoffs, I would finish high school recruiting and then I would move the transfer portal back maybe before spring ball. Like May. May would be good to me. Like now everything kind of slows down. You don't have the pillaging of rosters. Everybody needs to finish the season on their squad. Last year, Oregon's down like two or three running backs in the season. That makes no sense to me. Like, we can't do that. I can't stand that. Nobody wants that. No. Nobody in the country can be talked into that. Thinking it's a good idea. But if I'm laying kiffin. Yeah, of course. If I'm a new coach, I want some of that stuff. If coaches leave, remember, that opens it up. You know, like coaches that, that take. Take jobs, obviously those guys can mass exodus and leave. Like you saw with Nick Saban when he decided to. To go away. But Lane. Love you, bud, but I'm not on board with that. I want one transfer portal window. I could be talked into May, but I don't want this. Because the moment we open this box, the moment we get more and more confusing, more and more stuff, like you could get lawsuits. More, more just more things that can go haywire and then we want less haywire. We want more consistency. We want more guys staying in the same spot. And I think you'll get that obviously less mayhem if you did. Unless. Because if you want to open that thing up, Wes, it'd be. It'd be nightmare. It'd be a nightmare.
- [16:02]
Wes Blankenship
I wonder how that coach's text thread that he's on with, everybody's looking right now because they finally got somewhere. They finally got, like, okay, like, I don't think Brent Key's on this text thread, but Brent Key was on the record saying, hey, I'm just relieved spring is over and I don't have to worry about paying anybody to stay.
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David Pollack
Kick feet up, man, I'm good to go. My depth chart. My depth chart's sealed. Like, my depth chart's great. Like, how awesome is that? Instead of going, oh, I lost 2D tackles today, I felt really good about D tackle. Now I feel horrible about D tackle, and my whole season's up in the air unless I go now. And what does that create, Wes? It creates now a market where I have to go overpay and more craziness. Right? Because sometimes the need outweighs the player. That's every sport, right? Like, if I have a big need, you might be worth a lot more to me because I have to fill that spot. But it's after spring ball like before, like. No, that's why I think, though, like,
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Wes Blankenship
I guess there's no surprises with Lane Kiffin, but you're at freaking LSU now, man.
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David Pollack
Yeah.
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Wes Blankenship
You know, you. You got. You're at the top of the heap, right?
- [17:10]
David Pollack
You're doing pretty good.
- [17:11]
Wes Blankenship
Some smaller D2 coach or some, you know, not a Group of Four Power Four conference. I would get it, but that's just Lane being lane. All right. Staying in the SEC thing for the next couple weeks or we're ramping up to talking season. Right. So let's start talking. Who are some SEC dudes? Polyps dudes. And I'm looking at qualifiers here for these players, and I think you got one from each school that we're going to go through over the next couple weeks.
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David Pollack
Yeah.
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Wes Blankenship
Guys that are either newcomers that people don't really know who they are yet, or guys that maybe people already do know who they are, but you think they will definitely be household names by the end of the 2026 season.
- [18:01]
David Pollack
Household names. Guys that every time somebody plays them that week, it'll be the focal point. And I'll start with Alabama. We're going to get. We're going to get half the SEC teams just randomized. There's absolutely no rhyme or reason with me. I'm add as it gets. So we'll do it like this. The Alabama was 125th in the nation in rushing That's a problem. There's a reason that they went out and got a five star running back. There's not a lot of five star running backs anymore. But there's a reason they got E.J. crowell and this dude. The run game needs some punch. Last year obviously being so bad, he, he's a guy that steps in. Can he make some guys miss? Can he make some, can he create some big plays? Can they have some balance? Man, is it needed? And the offensive line deserv deserves a lot of the blame. You know, Jam Miller can't take all of it, but a guy that can make people miss consistently, can see it, can cut, can go get it when there's only five there, go get it when there's one there, get three. And you know, he, he is a guy that's highly recruited, highly thought of. Looks good right there in that crimson, doesn't he? I mean, looks really, really solid. Could be a guy now that, you know, Bama fans could get jacked up about Kentucky. First you got your guy Will Stein, which is huge because now I have a guy that I know can design offense at an elite level, like top five play caller in all of college football. So now I go and who do I get? I get Kenny Minchi and go to the portal to get him. But here's the thing, not a lot of snaps, not a ton of experience. You know what though? I'll lean on that other guy. Their offensive line, they came in with a lot a big portal hole. A bunch of guys up front that are going to protect them, they're. They'll create some balance. But I think Minchi coming in, he, he hasn't played a ton of snaps. But the thing you see is you see athletic ability which will be used, you see processing and you see accuracy. Not a big sample size. But I'll take Will Stein, I'll take him and his ability to develop. And I think Kentucky's offense will be so much better than it's been. It's ridiculous. Like, go ahead and move them, you know, double up the charts, whatever they've been offensively the last couple years because it's been really, really a struggle for them. Right? Next one, not cheating, but kind of cheating. Dallas Wilson, we saw it in a one game spurt. I think it was Texas when he went absolutely bananas. The foot injury bothered him. But there's just too much to like about this dude. You're talking about six, three, you're talking about 215. I told you a couple weeks ago, you Know, he's kind of rehabbing on the side and he's got full pads on and he's hitting 21 miles an hour on the GPS. Yeah, he's got some freakiness to him. He's got some strength to him. The names that come up are not normal humans. They're, they're freakazoids like Julio Jones. You know, just big, strong physical guys, you know, just not built like everyone else. Dang sure. Not built like other freshmen, you know last year when you saw them. A guy that's going to be, you know, you talk about him, Philo and Faulkner, that, that's, that's a problem. And I think Florida's receiving core will be a problem for a lot of people this year regardless. So Dallas Wilson is going to be an absolute freak show. I don't know if people know this or not, but Kelly Johnson from Mississippi State, this dude is a stork, like super long, six foot four. He's thin but man, he can move. He can cover every game you watched. Like he did his job and, and the game plan was very simple and coaches were like yeah, yeah, where's Johnson? Okay, we're going to stay away from him. Like he was, he was that good. He gave up, I think 11 completions last year forced, you know, a bunch of incomplete get forced 11 I think was all over the field. He's a guy that not only will he impact Mississippi State, who they are, what they are, he's a guy that will be one of the first cornerbacks name called next outside of Leonard Moore, it will not be, it will not be anybody. It will not be anybody besides Leonard Moore. But it's Kelly Jones by the way. I screwed that up. I think, I think I said Johnson. I apologize. There is another Kelly Johnson, but that's not him. So Kelly Jones, big time will be really, really good. When you watch Mississippi State and you watch their defense, he'll be the focal point. He'll be the guy playing an island. All right, next, this guy. If you do not know this guy's name, let me tell you something. Every time you watch Arkansas play, if you didn't last year, you should have seen him. Quincy Rhodes Jr. Full grown man. G A M grown ace man like that dude, he's number 97. 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- [23:06]
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- [23:36]
David Pollack
Six six, two hundred and almost eighty pounds. He broke out last year. He's been a developmental guy, played on special teams. But like he started 11 games last year. He had 15 and a half tackles for a loss. He had eight sacks. Big, strong, quick, like the body is nice. 97 is all over the field. He's a freak a league and they move him inside a lot and they bring pressure and it's one on one with a guard and he wins a ton with that first step quickness. 97 Quincy Rhodes Jr. For Arkansas is one of the best in the country, period. And they got him to stay and hear a lot of good things about his leadership. But that dude, man, he's an absolute baller freak show. You watch him move, he doesn't move like a guy that's 280 pounds. All right, next, when you watch South Carolina play a year ago, it was like I thought Lenora Sellers was supposed to be really, really good and you didn't see it. And you didn't see the run game, you didn't see the balance. You didn't see the throw game. You saw. You had a lot of like inconsistencies and not a lot to really look at honestly and say that was great. And now you go get Jakari's peak from NC State. He's played right tackle, he's played left tackle over 32 starts. Big, strong physical body. If I'm paying attention, South Carolina fans, I know he got hurt, missed the spring. He's probably going to be hurt for a little while longer, but thank goodness I don't think it's for the season. And they got to have this guy. His versatility, his ability to protect in the passing game. Like you need this. This was, this was one of your big investments this offseason. You got Dylan Stewart who can wreck games on the other side. Now you got Peak to come in and solidify the offensive line. Big old man, Big old man from NC State. Played some football, played some football at a really, really high level. He'll be a dude this year, especially when he gets back healthy. Tennessee, Xavier, Gillum. All right, now, if you don't know this name, you will, too. Big boy now. Not. I love it. Because defensive tackles, when they're not like huge, six, seven guys. Six, two underneath pads, 300 pounds. First step, absolute quickness coming from Penn State with Jim Knowles, familiarity with the system. What did Penn State always have? Man, these defensive that are quick, that are hyperactive, that penetrate, that make plays. He's absolutely that guy. Chaz Coleman will be on the outside when that gets figured out. I'm not really sure what the heck's been going on with him, but big Gillum in the inside will be an absolute problem for people. He's a guy that you'll consistently call his name. He'll be making plays. And Tennessee's defense, if they can get back to two years ago when that D line was dirty and they were rotating, making plays, making stops. The offense did their thing and they were really hard to contain. Got to the College Football Playoff. All right, last one. Isaiah Horton. Alabama fans are like, yeah, I know. Because he was really, really good. Came from Alabama. You lost Casey Concepcion. You need a number one boundary wide receiver. Bam. Enter Isaiah Horton. He wasn't the number one option. He wasn't the number two option. He wasn't the number three. He was. He was the number three option for Alabama and he had the second most touchdown catches in the sec. He was the guy that in the red zone with the big 6 foot 4 frame, make contested catches, has the speed to run by people. Why is that? Big Craver's the fast guy. Concepcion obviously was the fast guy. I think it's nice to have the guy where it's the jump ball. It's to throw it up. Like, I don't have to be perfect. Just throw it up to me. I'll go make a play. I think that'll make Marcel Reed's job easier. It doesn't have to be as difficult, doesn't have to be as hard, and he ain't got to be perfect. You know, when you're throwing to littler guys, obviously you got to have a little bit more perfection to your game and put it right on the money. So those are some SEC dudes from your schools that you'll Watch. And even if you watch against, you know, other teams, when you're playing against them, those guys will be making plays. They'll be calling their names all over the place. All right, Wesley. Podium kings. Get me to some podium kings.
- [27:36]
Wes Blankenship
All right, so we didn't get to Auburn in your list. I know we'll get to them eventually. We'll keep this rolling and we'll, you know, hit all the conferences because there's a lot of guys to break down. And I know we're both excited to start actually talking about this season.
- [27:51]
David Pollack
Yeah, baby.
- [27:52]
Wes Blankenship
Alex Gillesch is going all in on the Iron Bowl. What do you think about this? Not just for new coaches, but coaches who already start emphasizing the rivalry year round. Have you seen in your experience that that matters, that it works, that it hurts the team?
- [28:15]
David Pollack
What.
- [28:16]
Wes Blankenship
What do you think that does?
- [28:18]
David Pollack
I think you've seen it work, and you've seen it not work. You've seen people not call them by their name. But there's plenty of facilities that you go in the facility and you watch and you see a countdown timer for one school, like, literally for one school. So it happens everywhere. It's how you emphasize it. I think we'd be stupid not to sit here and act like that doesn't matter. Like, that game matters. The Iron bowl matters every single year to Auburn fans. And so you got to be good in that game. Now, I will say this, man. Like, it's obviously not. I think Auburn fans right now will be like, can you just get me to a bowl? Like, can we. Can we go bowling? Because we've been really ungood. Really ungood. So to get better, to improve, Auburn fans are probably more excited about improving. But, Wes, to answer your question, I've seen it work, and I've seen it not work, but either way, you got to get. You got to get the one game mindset. But you can emphasize one game all year long and you can tell them like, this one matters. This one matters, and develop that and cultivate. You need to cultivate that hate. Like, they got to understand that game matters and it means more. I'm good with that, but obviously not losing sight. There's a. There's a. There's a way to act. You know, there's a way to. To carry those two together that I think you have to know as a coach.
- [29:35]
Wes Blankenship
So here's. Here's Galash talking about it this past week.
- [29:46]
David Pollack
Coach, you haven't had a lot of success against Bama. I think it's six in a row now. You Came in. I think you're playing some music now, whether it's Dixie Landelight or whatever it is. Why is it so important for you to kind of make Bama in the forefront in your campaign? Yeah, I, I don't know. The statement you said I haven't had a lot of success against Bama or you're saying Auburn program gotcha. Yeah. I don't like super care about what the success has been or hasn't been. To be totally honest with you. This team hasn't played Bama and we'll be prepared to go. Yeah, well, he played Bama a couple years ago, two years ago, maybe the last couple years when he was at South Florida. Actually west competed at a higher level than Auburn did against them at times.
- [30:34]
Wes Blankenship
So that's south for Bama. Fans don't really, they don't care for South Florida too much.
- [30:39]
David Pollack
No.
- [30:40]
Wes Blankenship
Done a good job cultivating the hate though. I think that's important in this era when you got guys going in and out that revolving door, give them something to care about that still feels like college football.
- [30:55]
David Pollack
Something to embrace, you know, something, something to get excited about. Like something that, because here's the, here's the, here's the thing with those games too. At the end of the year, a lot of times, like we've seen it, even with Michigan, right. But the end of the season, my season might not be where I want it to be, but what can I do? I can screw up your season, right? Like if I bring it, I can still mess up your season. And I think that's a big part of rivalries. Love those end of the year rivalries when there's nothing to lose, man. And it's just push the chips in the middle. I can fake punts like I'm out of this. I'm just trying to screw you up. That's it, man. I just want to mess your season up, which is this. I'm always here. I always say it. I'm always here for the petty. I'm always here for the hate. I love that kind of back and forth. I love when coaches embrace it. I love when players embrace it because there's way too much lovey dovey. Everybody gets a trophy nowadays.
- [31:46]
Wes Blankenship
All right, just going to get right into this one. There's not really much of a setup. Nebraska's athletic director talking about urinals in their stadium renovation process. And I, I, I want to get your take on, on, on this method of a urinal. Here we go.
- [32:14]
David Pollack
Those of you who, who will laugh Those who know what I'm talking about now, but I consider myself to be team trough. However, as you put a stadium up to code, troughs are not up to code. We will modernize every restroom on the east, west and south, and troughs will not be a part of that. Oh, man, the troughs. The troughs going bye bye. Huh? Was this going to be a topic? Like, were. That was people. Were people worried about that? People were asking about the. The trough and what you're going to do? Like, I mean, I guess it's not up to code anymore. I do remember the trough style. Like, that was a part of going to the restroom. But why are we. Why are we discussing this when it comes to stadium renovations?
- [33:00]
Wes Blankenship
I don't even think anyone asked him about it. I think that was just unprompted. We're not bringing the troughs back. I wonder if they're the troughs with the ice in them. I don't know why that was a thing either. It's kind of. It was kind of like, seems like a wild west saloon. Like a really old school way to go.
- [33:22]
David Pollack
But yeah, I mean, the troughs, if every man's being honest, the troughs can be awkward, right? They can be awkward, right? Like you're just kind of pulling up and everybody's in the same pot. Like, I, I get it. I mean, it can be a little bit different, but if you've been in the locker room, you're kind of used to it. So I, I bet there's some people that will appreciate that.
- [33:41]
Wes Blankenship
I just want to know. I don't. I don't know if I do want to know, actually. But what makes them not be up to code? I. I don't know. Last one draft, draft week was great. Love. The stories that we hear out of that Jeremiah loves dad. Jason actually misquoted by Brett Bielema. We're big supporters of Brett Bielem on the show. We love everything he brings to the table. But he kind of called out Georgia when he saw an ex post implying that Jeremiah Love's dad also called out Georgia for tampering. Long story short, that didn't happen. But I just thought his perspective on Jeremiah Love's journey to the NFL draft was pretty dang cool. So, Jason speaking to the media, you don't hear the dads often. Did your dad ever do media?
- [34:30]
David Pollack
Oh, my gosh.
- [34:31]
Wes Blankenship
Did Norm ever. Norm ever talk?
- [34:33]
David Pollack
Norm would be the worst in front of the media. My kids laugh at Norm all the time, but I'm not sure. Sure Norm all he would do is show him memes the whole time, because that's what he does. He backs us all in a corner and just shows us means and gifts, like, ad nauseam.
- [34:46]
Wes Blankenship
Yeah. Great storyteller. But here's Jason Love
- [34:51]
David Pollack
in. In hindsight now, I can see. I see all the benchmarks that led us to this place, to this position. So it was never. Unless we go into the NFL. You know, when he chose to go to know the name, he turned down. He turned out a lot of money. We turned down some seven figures, bro. And. And he. He was like, hey, I'm gonna get that. I'm gonna earn it anyway. So. I like that. I like that perspective. You always. First thing, I always wonder, was Nil legal? Then? That's the first thing I. I always think about, because obviously, to me, I told you, Nil stands for now. It's legal. It's been going on for a long time. But I. I think this is why you're comfortable if you're Arizona taking him at three. He's just different, man. His personality is different. He's got. He's got something about him. And you could tell he was raised right. And you've seen the piece on him. I think if you haven't seen the piece on Jeremiah Love by Jen Latta, it's really, really good. And it just talked about his background and lack of communication skills, and he was a quiet kid, and they thought maybe something was wrong with him socially. And he just. You know, he ended up learning how to fuel his passion and. And how to learn how to compete and play football, and his dad was a huge part of that. And when you listen to him talk, I'm not surprised.
- [36:09]
Wes Blankenship
Turned down seven figures, and I think it worked out. Based on what? His rookie contract.
- [36:15]
David Pollack
50 plus million guaranteed.
- [36:18]
Wes Blankenship
Yeah. I put a post out during the draft right after they drafted him. I couldn't really remember an elite running back that was an Arizona Cardinal. Like, there were guys like Edger and James that were.
- [36:31]
David Pollack
Yeah.
- [36:32]
Wes Blankenship
Before they went to the Cardinals, Emma Smith got called out by some Georgia people that were offended. I didn't mention Garrison Hearst. But, like, elite in college doesn't mean you were elite as an Arizona Cardinal. And he's got a. He's got a chance to be the best one.
- [36:52]
David Pollack
Didn't Adrian Peterson go there, too?
- [36:54]
Wes Blankenship
He may have. Yeah.
- [36:55]
David Pollack
I think. I think Adrian Peterson went there, too, at the end.
- [36:58]
Wes Blankenship
Yeah. It's kind of where guys, like, washed up. I don't mean that. I don't mean that like, they were Washed up. I mean, they just washed up on the island of the franchise, and they weren't what they used to be. But I think it's. It's an interesting thing to look at, what he might be able to do for Arizona. All right, last one here. It's that time of year where we see coaches playing a lot of golf. The region's tradition. It's a pro am deal. And they put a video up of a bunch of coaches in their golf swings. And I'm just going to throw this up and I want you to. I don't know. You don't have to give me your best gym nance or anything, but let's just take a look at these swings and let me know what you think. Some of them. I don't know, man. I. I don't know how critical you want.
- [37:48]
David Pollack
Let's rate them. Let's. Let's see. Let's see. Like, let's.
- [37:51]
Wes Blankenship
Let's look at the swing a few different times.
- [37:53]
David Pollack
Okay.
- [37:54]
Wes Blankenship
All right.
- [37:55]
David Pollack
So here, Nick. Yeah. Okay. Kirby looked a little bunched up. Okay. Wow. Okay. Deboer looks solid.
- [38:02]
Wes Blankenship
I think Kalyn's was pretty pure.
- [38:05]
David Pollack
Oh, that was. That was awful. Oats was absolutely terrible.
- [38:10]
Wes Blankenship
Tommy Tuberville plays a lot of golf. Obviously.
- [38:13]
David Pollack
Nick Saban's not bad.
- [38:16]
Wes Blankenship
Yeah, but did you see where the ball went?
- [38:18]
David Pollack
I didn't see where the ball went.
- [38:19]
Wes Blankenship
I know he's good at golf, but these. Yeah, it's tough.
- [38:25]
David Pollack
You know what? These. These are football coaches. That's what those are. You could tell all of them have a little bit of a problem getting through the ball. Look at Kirby. Looks a little cramped coming down. Yeah, I'm. Dude, Deborah. Swing looks nice.
- [38:38]
Wes Blankenship
It is.
- [38:39]
David Pollack
All right.
- [38:39]
Wes Blankenship
But. But I want you to watch. I'm going to go back to coaches here. Okay. This is either. I don't know, is this like a really nice draw that he's got on this ball or. Or where is it going?
- [38:51]
David Pollack
Oh, my gosh. No, that is. That is far. That is a foul ball to far right field. That. That. That is. That is always interesting. Those. Those are fun to watch, though. Those. It's fun to watch them compete and see how. How competitive there. And then it's fun to watch the comments, too, because, you know, if you Freeze went and played golf. Oh, my gosh. Like, what, What? Like, why is he playing golf? He should be coaching 24 7. Should be in a lab. That's all he is allowed to do. He's not allowed to have hobbies and play golf. So if Your swing's too good. Fans are pissed. Fans are pissed. That's all you do. Except for Spurrier, by the way, because
- [39:28]
Wes Blankenship
Spurrier literally back a little bit.
- [39:30]
David Pollack
Spurrier was the best man. He would literally be like, hey man, even when he's at South Carolina call, you call his games. And he'd be like, yeah, when you want to do the call? I'll be on the golf course. What? Monday golf course. What about Tuesday? Golf course?
- [39:46]
Wes Blankenship
Maybe Wednesday when you can play. When you win, you can play and do whatever you want to do.
- [39:50]
David Pollack
Hey, the game is, the game is Thursday night, coach. So what about Wednesday golf course. All right. Thursday during the day golf course. Okay. By the way, I pulled up, I pulled up Arizona Cardinals. Great running backs. Oof. It's not good.
- [40:07]
Wes Blankenship
I'm telling you. I posted. I said, look, I'm not going to Google this. I'm going to put it out there. This is just a thought I have and if I'm wrong, you can cook me on it. And no one really had anything. They had to go back to like the, the 70s, I think.
- [40:23]
David Pollack
How about Stump Mitchell?
- [40:25]
Wes Blankenship
Yeah, Stump was a good one.
- [40:26]
David Pollack
Stump Mitchell is the second in franchise in rushing at 4,600 yards.
- [40:32]
Wes Blankenship
Yeah. No, never bring down Stump.
- [40:34]
David Pollack
David, David Johnson had a couple of really good years. Remember?
- [40:37]
Wes Blankenship
David Johnson was one that I regretted not remembering.
- [40:41]
Commercial Narrator
Wow.
- [40:41]
David Pollack
Yeah. James Connors listed as honorable mention for, for them. Like Charlie Trippy. Big name. Dude, that's Emmett Smith. Oh, man, that's a, that's a great call by us. Geez.
- [40:57]
Wes Blankenship
Is not knowing something a great call? Because that's kind of what that was.
- [41:01]
David Pollack
Yeah, but you. No, no, no, no. You knew it because you asked. But, but here's the thing. Here's a guarantee Jeremiah Love will leave the Arizona Cardinals as the all time rush leader in the history of their franchise. There you go. It led to a great declarative statement. That's how good Jeremiah Love will be. And that's how bad the Arizona Cardinals run game has been without it.
- [41:23]
Wes Blankenship
Yeah, so it's more, it's more of a, a statement on the Cardinals than it is on love. Or maybe it's a statement on both. Speaking of golf, what you got coming up on Monday is going to be special. It's always fun. Who's going to be out there, man? Who are you most excited to run into, man?
- [41:41]
David Pollack
We do it every year. It's the Pollock Family Foundation. It's for our foundation. It's our golf tournament. We do it at Georgia Club right up the road. Tons of dogs come out. Tons of ex dogs, tons of current dogs. But it's always, always fun. We got a ton of Falcons players, We got a ton of Braves players, but we do it every year. It's. It's for our foundation. It's. It's a really, really good time. The coolest thing about the Pollock family foundation golf tournament is you get something every single hole, Wes. We have. We have a vendor or someone set up on every hole that will give you drink food more than you can ever possibly imagine, by the way. You're gonna get smoothie king, and you're gonna get coffee, and you're gonna get brisket, and you're gonna get homemade chips and salsa. Like, you're gonna get the works. So if you ever look for a. A golf tournament you want to play in, you can always swing by. Jump in. Kirby comes every year. Kick it off. And coach Rick and coach Don. And one year, we had all of them. We had Kirby, coach Rick, coach Donnan, coach golf, and then Vince, and we had all of the. The last five coaches for Georgia before Vince passed. Vince was there every year. So cool. I remember Vince. Hey, Wes. One time, they wouldn't let Vince in at the gate. He was like, man, I didn't have my ID and they kept asking me for my ID and so we had to send somebody out there to get them to let Vince duly. And I'm like, listen, you're. You're fired. Like, you can't work the tournament ever again.
- [43:04]
Wes Blankenship
Like, that gets me a little. Gets me a little hot. I'm a big. You gotta let.
- [43:08]
David Pollack
You gotta let Vince. And Vince is way too nice. He's not gonna be like, you're. Yes, I'm Vince Dooley. Like, you should know who I am. It's Vince Dooley field. Like, I don't know if you know this, but, like, it's. This is. It's my field. This is kind of my backyard.
- [43:22]
Wes Blankenship
Kind of a big deal.
- [43:23]
David Pollack
Kind of a big deal. But, Wes, everybody needs to do that rate, like, subscribe thing.
- [43:27]
Wes Blankenship
Hit subscribe.
- [43:28]
David Pollack
Yep, that's right.
- [43:29]
Wes Blankenship
Leave a comment.
- [43:30]
David Pollack
Yep.
- [43:30]
Wes Blankenship
We're back on X tonight, by the way. We like a little bit of an ex hiatus, but we got some. We got some encouragement.
- [43:38]
David Pollack
We've got some good news from X. X is really good about that. Like, our girl Jamie hooks us up. She's really solid. But no, man, we'll be back next week. As we inch closer as we enter, maybe. And then, you know, I know Lane wants another portal week, but we don't we don't want another portal week. We are good. Everybody's happy. We'll handle more SEC players that'll break out. Be plenty more stuff to talk about too. We'll get the podium kings next next week like we always do. And we'll see you guys next week. Appreciate you all for supporting everything we do. Thanks. Peace.
- [44:12]
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David Pollack
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