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The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
Building the Beast: Did they stay or did they go now?
01:03:28
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- [00:01]
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- [01:49]
Dave Hellman
Welcome to another episode of Building the Beast. I am your host Dave Hellman. Really great episode today between myself and Dane Brugler taking a look at the ever changing landscape of the NFL draft class. The underclassman deadline is approaching. We talked about some big name prospects with some big decisions still yet to make, most notably Dante Moore. As a programming note, it is Tuesday. As I'm saying this, it's the day before the underclassman deadline. We did not know Dante Moore's NFL decision as of recording, but talked through all of the options, all of the angles with that. So when he does ultimately decide whether or not he's part of this draft class we will and we have that covered for you. Talked about some other guys that entered the 2026 NFL Draft class, as well as a few surprising names, some high profile guys, some very talented players that decided to return to college football for the 2026 season. In addition, obviously Miami playing Indiana in the national championship game. Took a look at that matchup, those players and what to expect. Really great episode with myself and Dan Brugler. Let's do it. Well Dane, call it a quirk of the schedule, but here in mid January, building at the Beast finds itself smack dab in the middle of no man's land. We've still got, we're recording this on Tuesday, January 13th. We still have six days until Indiana plays Miami in the national championship game. And if that wasn't enough, we are also recording this roughly 24 hours before the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft. So we're so close to having a pretty complete picture of this 2026 NFL Draft class, but not close enough. We're, we're stuck right here. So if you're listening to this later, we're going to get into some news that could potentially become obsolete, particularly as it depain pertains to guys declaring for the NFL draft. But we're going to do our best to fight through it any way.
- [03:57]
Dane Brugler
And it's so I have a mock draft coming out this week and that's always.
- [04:02]
Dave Hellman
How's that going for you?
- [04:03]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, I mean it's mock drafts are annoying regardless, but it's without knowing for sure who's going to be actually in this class and not like I think, you know, like the Miami guys, Indiana guys. I think we've know we have a good idea of who's going to declare. But some of these Oregon players, you know, they're able to keep a few and we're still uncertain about a few. So it's, we're, we're kind of waiting on that. But yeah, look for the mock draft on Thursday and for now we'll kind of dance around the uncertainness of some of these guys.
- [04:37]
Dave Hellman
So let's address that elephant in the room and we'll talk, we'll talk about Miami, Indiana before we're done with the show. We all very impressive performances from those two teams and I cannot wait for that national championship game. But, but let's talk about the elephant in the room, particularly as it pertains to the handful of very high profile guys that either have or haven't made decisions over the last week. Or so. And even though we don't know the answer as we're recording this, I don't think you can start this conversation without Dante Moore. Oregon, it goes sideways from the very first snap for them in that Peach bowl against Indiana. A, another forgettable big game for Dan Lanning's Ducks on that stage. And here we are five days later waiting on Dante Moore to decide what he's going to do. And I think you, you mentioned it very well right there. Oregon. If there's a program that could keep a guy that has big time NFL prospects, it's probably the Ducks. They've already done it a couple of times with some members of that roster. And I just, I cannot wait to see what Dante Moore decides because even with that performance, I still got to imagine he is a high, high 20, 26 pick. But I don't know man, that Nike money could have you rethinking some things.
- [06:00]
Dane Brugler
I mean, this really just comes down to a short term decision versus a long term decision. You know, we saw in that game against Indiana just a lot of the youth of Dante Moore showed whether it's holding the ball too long, some of the mistakes. It just, he's a very young player and that's, that's okay for a 20 year old quarterback, but it does with the way that this, the timeline has worked out. He has to make a decision right here and now about are you ready to go be an NFL player and everything that comes with that or are you okay going back to school and getting more development? So the nil factor of all this changes. The math guys are more willing and accepting of going back to school because they know, I mean, how much is, would Nike pay Dante more to go back to school? I mean it's, we're talking probably what, $5 million. So, you know, a good chunk of change. And we also should mention Dylan Raiola, the former Nebraska quarterback announced that he is committing to Oregon. He's coming off a bad injury. This could be a red shirt situation. This could be, hey, I just need to go to a spot where I feel like I'm going to be developed and he's not necessarily going where he's absolutely going to start right away next year. So. But I still have a hard time believing Raiola commits to Oregon without at least knowing or having a good feel for what Moore is going to do. So yeah, that's an interesting dynamic with that, but with, with when it, as it pertains to Dante Moore, I think that it really comes down to short term versus Long term, short term is, hey, you're going to be a top three pick. Yeah. The Indiana game did not go well, and I think there's a, you know, it was a good night to stay off social media. If you're Dante Moore, you're still going to be a top three pick in this draft. Whether that's the jets at two or a team trading up to two, the Cardinals at three, you're still going very, very high. But does he feel ready for that next jump? Is that something where, yeah, hey, I could go and be a top three pick or I could get another full year under my belt and become a better quarterback, and maybe that second contract's going to look a lot better and I'll still be the eighth pick next year, whatever it may be, you know, So I think there's a lot of different scenarios to work through here, but it's. It is an interesting decision that I think is a little more complicated than what we've seen in the past because of NIL and because of this quarterback class specifically.
- [08:31]
Dave Hellman
You think it's a slam dunk that Dante Moore is that high of a draft pick? If he comes out and I'm not. I don't say that to shit talk the guy. I just know how this process goes, and it's a long way till April. People will find a way to pick apart any guy that's in the spotlight that way, particularly a quarterback. And typically, even, you know, somebody that I respect very much like you, those of us on the outside can still be a step or two behind NFL front offices and how they feel about these guys once they get everybody involved in the process. I guess my counter to my own argument would be the guy's 20 years old and this. If this is what he's shown you in his. Not his first full season as a starter, but a full season as a starter at a. At a program where everything's working right for him. If this is what he shows in year one, maybe that's a high enough floor that you do feel comfortable with it, but I guess, like, is. Is top five assured, is top ten assured if he's part of this draft class, do you feel pretty confident about that?
- [09:40]
Dane Brugler
I do. I mean, just based off of what I've heard from scouts, you know, like, this is. And I'm taking my evaluation out of this, like, what I think of the quarterback, what I think of the player, based off of how NFL scouts talk about him, they still think he's going top three. And I don't like I think you're right. Like, it's easy for guys to get chewed up into the, you know, the, the wood chipper that is the NFL draft process. But it also works the other way where teams, especially quarterback desperate teams, talk themselves into these guys, um, you know, even they might have some concerns, which is fair. All these guys have, have their warts. But you talk yourself into it because of X, Y and Z. And with Dante Moore, yeah, I mean, like he's only £200 and things, the way that things ended his, some of his reactions to pressure and, you know, there are definitely things that you can ding him on that he needs to get better, but some of the natural accuracy, just the poise that he plays with, I mean, that's. That Texas Tech game. I mean that, that, that wasn't perfect for him by any means, but that's a really good defense and he played well enough for that. For Oregon to win, it just, I mean, Indiana, I mean, we have to remember too, Indiana, the Oregon defense couldn't stop Indiana at all. So that game was out of hand quickly. Not all Those turnovers were 100% on more as well in that game. So as much as it snowballed and looked, especially the box score looked terrible, I don't think it was as much of a disaster just for the quarterback specifically. So, yeah, I mean, if he, if more comes out, I'd be very surprised if he's not a top three pick. You know, similar. And I think it'd be similar to when we saw Bryce Young and C.J. stroud go 1, 2 that year. I mean, we were talking about, up until the draft, we were talking about CJ Stroud and Bryce Young and you know, could they last the four? Could they be there? Like, we weren't saying. Absolutely. They're going one and two, no doubt about it. But I think this year could be similar. Where we talk about them, you know, Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, as, you know, maybe they're not perfect prospects. You know, we talk about and focus on where they need to get better and, you know, where there is reason to have doubt. But at the end of the day, they have enough. Where teams are going to feel comfortable rolling the dice and say, let's, you know, let's see if you could be the guy moving forward.
- [11:54]
Dave Hellman
If that's the case and Dante Moore's floor is top five, top 10. Like, like if it's really a really good shot that he's a top three pick, then I don't know why you wouldn't just do it. And we've talked about it on the show before. NIL changes things. Oregon has a lot of money available to them. Obviously it's, it's not really about the money for me. It's about the opportunity that you have to be part of this quarterback class instead of the next one. And I get it. I was the one saying we want to learn lessons and we can't just assume the 20 draft class is going to be 2024. That's not my point, but I do think is a logical guess that there will be a lot of competition for the top of that draft class with Arch Manning deciding to go back to school, Lenora Sellers deciding to go back to school, Julian say and will be a draft eligible prospect next year. Brendan Sorsby who we've talked a lot about is now going to Texas Tech and we'll have a chance to improve his resume at a, at a playoff cont. Type of program. Another guy I wanted to mention who's going back to school, Jaden Mayava at usc. I'm not saying that they're all going to, to be big time quarterback prospects cause that's not typically the way this works. But go now and be QB2 behind Fernando Mendoza or go back to school and be in a very, potentially very crowded quarterback class. It just kind of feels like a no brainer to me. If, if you feel rock solid about your evaluations, I don't know why you wouldn't just jump.
- [13:31]
Dane Brugler
I mean, I think it just comes down to, you know, what, what's your priority? You know, like if you're, if your priority is to maximize every cent possible, then by all means go, go now. But if you feel like you could become a better quarterback with more development as opposed to say, you know, no offense to the jets, but going to New York and all of a sudden all this pressure is on you to be the guy. And meanwhile you still feel like you need to get better in certain areas that. Are the jets really equipped to help you get better in those areas? You know, whether it be coaching or you know. So like a lot of the. I think there's a lot of things that go into this. It's not as simple as okay, I'll be the second overall pick this year or the, maybe the sixth overall pick next year. Like, I don't think it's as simple as that. It's, it's either way there's risk involved. But let's be honest, if he goes back to school, he's going back to a really Good situation with, you know, Oregon. They just reload every year. We know that. And all of his receivers coming back, the running backs are coming back maybe, except for Noah Winnington. Yeah, he'll lose Sadiq, but do you see Jamari Johnson, the tight end against Indiana? Like he's legit. So, I mean, there's no reason why we to think that, you know, Dante Moore won't be at the top of next year's quarterback rankings. Whether that's, say, Arch Manning one and more two, certainly possible. So, yeah, I think it really comes down to his priorities and what he wants. You know, when he came out of high school, his priority was, I want to play right away and I want to get paid. And that's why I went to ucla. He got on the field right away and he got paid handsomely. This, now that he has three years under his belt since high school, the priorities might shift a little bit and say, hey, I, I need to get better as a quarterback and I need to do this and this. So. And I'm not saying that's what he should do or shouldn't do. It's just I. Talking to so many players over the years, there's so many different priorities and what they look for. And so I am honestly will not be shocked either way what more decides to do.
- [15:33]
Dave Hellman
I guess it's a good point and I guess I should take my own advice because everything I said makes sense and like, if you feel good about your draft evaluations, it could be a crowded year next year. But if you're, if you don't have that fear of losing money by going back to school, which is not what it used to be. Right. Like, he will be handsomely compensated no matter what he decides to do, then there's not as much urgency. And if you're 20 years old and the college experience is awesome and you got a high degree of confidence that you're going to win 10 plus games next year. Yeah, it's less scary to roll the dice, I guess, and I think it's a lazy joke to poke fun at the New York jets. But at the same time, that is a, that is a volatile team. And if, if you don't particularly love the idea of winding up there, maybe you roll the dice and see what the top of the draft order looks like next year. I mean, it's, it's more defensible than it used to be. That's definitely fair.
- [16:34]
Dane Brugler
Well, we have to Remember he has 20 starts to his name and again, we've, we've talked about this throughout the year. The. The list of quarterbacks with under 25 career starts, it's. It's not pretty. I mean, we're talking about, you know, of every quarterback the last decade plus who had under 25 starts, the only one that's really worked out has been Sam Darnold, and he's on his, what, 15? I mean, it. It just. It took a. A winding road for Sam Darnold to get to this place, and so there's just no substitute for experience. And that is definitely something that should factor in as. As Dante Moore makes this decision.
- [17:13]
Dave Hellman
It really is his fifth team. Like, I knew Darnold went to the Panthers and is it.
- [17:17]
Dane Brugler
I was kind of.
- [17:18]
Dave Hellman
No, he had a. He had to stop it. He had to stop at San Francisco.
- [17:21]
Dane Brugler
Yeah. Crazy.
- [17:23]
Dave Hellman
That's. It is crazy. And he's like 28 years old, so, yeah, a lot of. A lot of time for Dante Moore. There's another guy also who, as of right now, has made the opposite decision. But this, again, we're in no man's land. This is the fun part about the modern landscape. Ty Simpson declared for the draft last week, and as of right now, that stands. But there's an awful lot of chatter about college football programs trying to lure him back into the college ranks and get him to pull his name out of the draft, which I, I completely understand. If, if you're a team like Miami and Carson Beck is about to be done with his college career, if you could lure Ty Simpson back to school, I. It's at least worth trying. But as of right now, he is expected to be part of this draft class.
- [18:10]
Dane Brugler
Sure sounds like that's where he's leaning. And as the quarterback musical chairs kind of play itself out. You know, LSU got their guy. Looks like Oregon has, you know, their plan B ready to go. It just as. As this all kind of pans out, it looks more and more like Ty Simpson will stay in the draft. And, you know, that's. It's what he wants to do. And so by all means, if you feel like you're ready for it, go. Go attack it and see what happens. It'll be interesting. Just with this year's first round and where he lands, I mean, I can tell you right now we're going to. A lot of mock drafts are going to have him at, what, 21 to the Steelers? Like, that's going to be a very popular mock pairing with Aaron every year.
- [18:54]
Dave Hellman
Every year there is a name that just gets tied to a team throughout the draft process. And it certainly feels like it's destined to be Ty Simpson and the Steelers right now.
- [19:04]
Dane Brugler
Part of it feels like it's Kenny Pickett all over again, really. I mean, but. And I don't want to just kind of write it off as that. It's just not going to work out. But, you know, if you're the Steelers, you're in the spot where what is your best avenue to a quarterback? You know, it's kind of this, you know, a guy that's not maybe wasn't good enough to go top 10, top 15, but still good enough to go first round and, you know, is that their best option to address the position that has been really plaguing this team since, since Roethlisberger? And is Simpson the right guy to do that? That that'll be the big question mark, or does a team in the top 15 fall in love with Simpson and say, you know what? Let's. I, I think he's worth taking this chance. I'd be surprised. I mean, right now, you know, if, like you say the over, under is 20, I'm probably taking the over. But that's, you know, that's what we're.
- [19:59]
Dave Hellman
Not over as in like being picked higher than that.
- [20:02]
Dane Brugler
Right, like, no, sorry. Picking like 21, 22, 23, like behind that.
- [20:07]
Dave Hellman
Sorry, that's. Yes, that's what I meant.
- [20:09]
Dane Brugler
Right, right.
- [20:09]
Dave Hellman
Confusing. Lower. So after pick 20 is where you would bet he would go?
- [20:14]
Dane Brugler
Yes, that, that, I mean, right now that would be my guess based off of just talking to scouts. I mean, that's, but as we know, once, once he sits down with coaches, that could absolutely change. You know, GMs, some of them are feel pressured to, you know, go make a move and, you know, we'll, we'll, we'll see how this process plays out for Ty Simpson. But I, I, I do think that there's a lot to like about him. Obviously, the first two months of the season, the way that went, he wasn't, you know, completely fully at fault the way things ended in November and the way things ended against Indiana in the, in the playoff game. But yeah, this is, Ty Simpson's gonna have, I think, a wide range of could go, maybe he sneaks in the top 20, maybe goes 21 of the Steelers. Could the Rams, with their second first round pick, whether, you know, wherever that ends up being, 32, you know, whatever it is, could that be a landing spot for him? Does he fall more in the Tyler Schuck range where he's in the 33 to 40 early second round will Levis range. So I think there's a, definitely a wide range of where he could end up going at least at this point as we just kind of get into this process and coaches get to know him and you know, we, we go through it. So it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
- [21:32]
Dave Hellman
Maybe Ty is really the guy where what I said about Dante Moore applies where scarcity could be his best. Even if somebody is offering him a ton of money to go back to college. It's like I'm already 23 years old. I've been in school this whole time. And if I go pro this year, especially if Dante Moore goes back to school, then there's one quarterback in front of me. And even if you're not in love with Ty Simpson as a prospect, this could be a year where his value gets inflated by the fact that there's just not a ton of quarterbacks hitting the draft this year. At least not ones that you would want to draft in the top 40.
- [22:11]
Dane Brugler
I mean, yeah, there's, there's something to be said about striking while the iron's hot. And we talked about that a little bit last week with Trinidad Chambliss and his decision, which we still don't have a final answer about.
- [22:23]
Dave Hellman
We're flying blind here, Dan. We don't know anything right now.
- [22:26]
Dane Brugler
It's, teams are watching these decisions closely. I mean it's constantly checking in on. Okay, Chambliss was denied his waiver for a six year but the lawyers are getting involved now. But this has to, the wheels have to move quickly because if he wants to be part of this pre draft process, that's, that's coming down the pike and with, you know, now with Ty Simpson and you know, his decision and what he's going to be doing. We mentioned it with Dante Moore only having, I think he's at 20 starts. That, that's, that's. He had five at UCLA. Fifteen this year. Right. I believe it is this year for Oregon. So what will Ty Simpson with only 13 start or 14 starts to his name or. No, I guess he had 15, two for the SEC championship game. So. But still it's, it's a low number of starts for him. One year as a starter. The track record of guys with 15 starts, we're talking. That's the Mitchell Trubisky range. You know, that's the guys that just. There's a very low, I mean we're talking the few that have worked out Cam Newton, you know, I mean, I don't Even know if you count that because he was a starter at juco. But, you know, it's a very short list of quarterbacks who had one year of college starting experience at the FBS level and went on to have NFL success. Mark Sanchez, one of the few. So there are things working against him, but this. Talking to scouts, it sounds like this is something that Ty is really coming into the year. He wanted to do it, and it sounds like this is. He's pretty confident about making that jump.
- [24:00]
Dave Hellman
It's tough because I wouldn't be mad to see him land back in school and get 12 to 15 more starts and just double the size of that resume, give us some clearer scouting report, maybe improve your prospects. But like I said, I mean, yeah, the. The iron might be as hot as it's going to get, and we don't know for sure how good next year's quarterbacks are going to be, but it's got a really good chance to be a lot more crowded than it is right now. That's. That's fair, right? I can say that without being too hyperbolic.
- [24:32]
Dane Brugler
I mean, it's just tough because we thought that last year, you know, like, NFL teams thought this last year, and I've said it before, but it's not just the media or, you know, that's hyping up next year's class. Like NFL teams thought for sure this draft class was going to be a much better quarterback class than last year. That's what NFL teams thought. And now they're thinking the same thing about next year, and it should be, but there's no guarantee of that, you know, and we'll see how things play out. You know, I think Arch is going to go into next year as a clear favorite to be that number one overall pick. But then there. There's definitely some question marks. I mean, Lenora Sellers, who knows, he might take a step back. You know, there's just no guarantees, especially at that position. And as much as that should maybe factor in somewhat, I just. It's. It's a hard thing to predict.
- [25:22]
Dave Hellman
Thank you for keeping me honest, because that's the number one lesson I want to take away from 2025 is like, stop. Stop telling me about future draft classes. Let's just play some football and see what happens.
- [25:34]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, especially a quarterback, because that's. We know that's something that can fluctuate pretty. I mean, Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Aller, like, that's. It's lesser. So with the Jeremiah Smiths of the world and like, you know. But the quarterbacks. Yeah, that can fluctuate pretty significantly.
- [25:49]
Dave Hellman
Quarterbacks get the top billing. But I did want to talk to you about a few other notable names who declared for the NFL this past week, as well as some names that maybe we didn't expect to stay in school. We'll talk about those guys on the other side of the break. People keep asking me about my 2026 resolutions. Sure, I've got the usual goals. My reading list is a mile long. I've got to get in shape for a wedding. Maybe I'll finally learn that second language. But this year there's a new one at the top of my list. Get Comfy. That's where Bombas comes in. They're bringing serious comfort to all my everyday go tos. They've got me covered on the gym front. The all new Bombas sport socks are engineered with sport specific comfort for running, golf, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and all sport. This year I'm planning to be at the gym on the regular and these socks are perfect for for it. They're cushioned where I need it most, sweat wicking and loaded with other tech features to keep me comfy and locked in. And for those everyday around the house resolutions, Bombas also has you covered with the comfiest footwear imaginable. Their new squishy Saturday suede slip on shoe looks perfect for comfort on the go. Maybe I can wear them to check out that new bookstore in my neighborhood I've been meaning to visit. And underneath it all, Bombas has the softest base layers that'll have you rethinking your whole world trope. Bomba's underwear and T shirts are flexible, breathable and buttery smooth premium everyday go to's that I won't leave the house without. And for every item you purchase, an essential clothing item is donated to someone facing housing insecurity. One purchased one donated with over 150 million donations and counting. Head over to bombas.com athletic and use code athletic to get 20 off your first purchase. That's B O M B A s Code Athletic at checkout.
- [27:42]
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- [29:27]
Dave Hellman
All right, Dane, Just a A handful of names of guys who have underclassmen who have declared for the 2026 draft class that I wanted to talk about with you. Just not scientific by any means. Just some names that caught my eye. And personally, for me, the number one guy on my list would be Auburn center Connor Lou, who came into the season highly rated. He was number 21 in your preseason top 50, thought by many people to be the top center in this draft class. Torres ACL in October. Just one of the many tragedies that befell Auburn football in 2025. But he's going pro anyway and with an October ACL tear. I'm not a doctor, all injuries are different, but that gives you a shot to at least contribute in your rookie year. I would say so. Not not shocking to hear that he would go out. But it's always interesting when a highly regarded prospect who's battling through injury decides to enter the draft.
- [30:30]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, and it's especially a guy that was a he's a three year player. He's still very young. He'll be one of the youngest players in this draft. I was a little underwhelmed with what he did put on tape this year. You know, he's a really good athlete and you know, like I like his, his tempo on combos and pulls and you know, he can slow down rushers and pass pro team captain. Like, there's a lot to like about him, but he can also be overwhelmed by point of attack power. There's just not a ton of voltage in his hands. But, you know, that's the other thing that does worry with, worry me with him is I'm not sure he has position flex either. Like, he's, he was pretty much a center only at Auburn and that's kind of what he was in high school. He played a little bit of left tackle early, but he was really a center. And so coming off the acl might be a center only. That's something that is going to hurt. And this is not a great center class. There are some good players, but I don't think that he's a lock for the top or the first two days. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if he fell to, you know, the early day three because of some of those factors. But for the right team looking for a good athlete at that position, I think that, yeah, he'll, he'll be someone that they consider pretty strongly, you know.
- [31:47]
Dave Hellman
Who does have some position flex. Who is officially part of this draft class. My guy, Chase Bizontes out of Texas A and M, who you were. You talked about position flex. He's played tackle. He's played, he's played tackle in, in college. And I know that doesn't mean that he can do it at the NFL level, but a flexible player during the course of his, of his college career, at least I'll say this.
- [32:14]
Dane Brugler
I think that one of the concerns that I've heard from scouts is he might be a, you know, like a left guard only, you know, like there were, there were concerns about, you know.
- [32:25]
Dave Hellman
So the opposite, the opposite of position flex is what you're telling me that.
- [32:29]
Dane Brugler
That was something that came up. You know, whether or not that's, you know, he, he could certainly overcome that. But I know like that was one of the arguments for him going back to school because he did. Yeah, you're right. He did play right tackle some as a freshman. He did played some right guard, but the last two years it's pretty much been exclusively left guard. And that was something that came up. Talking to scouts was like, you know, the coaches aren't convinced that he can fill in at right guard, you know, and so I think that's, it's more of an unproven maybe than, you know, he definitely can play three spots or whatever on the across the offensive line. But I mean the tape says day two with with besantes. I mean I think that's something that it wasn't a huge surprise to see him. I know the coaches made a strong push to keep him around but the tape says he's going to be a day two pick and I think start pretty early in his NFL career.
- [33:19]
Dave Hellman
I was going to say even if he's not flexible at the NFL level, two almost 2000 snaps at A&M. 30 plus starts I believe and was just a Mauler. I've talked before about how much I like the left side of that A and M offensive line. Trey Zun as well. I was, I was excited to see his, you know, to see him throw his hat in the ring. I would be excited to have him on my football team.
- [33:45]
Dane Brugler
I thought he was going to declare. And then the Miami the playoff game happened which is probably his worst game of the season and wasn't sure if that how much that one game, you know, that bad taste in his mouth. What might, might impact what his decision was. But yeah, not surprised. He's, he's coming out. He'll be one of the, you know, top three guards drafted.
- [34:06]
Dave Hellman
Probably a guy you really like. Also declaring, that's Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling. I believe that, that that happened relatively recently. Right. But he is declaring or expected to declare.
- [34:19]
Dane Brugler
Yep, yep, he's in this draft which you know, I think he'll be a top 50 player. Just the athletic upside is there. He got better and better as the year went on this season. So you know, he does have some, some reps at right tackle, but he was mostly a left tackle for Georgia. I know that they were really hoping to keep him around because this leaves a hole for them at left tackle. You know, they obviously have talent that they'll be able to put in there. But the way Freeling got better this year and really developed and progressed as a player, they were excited what he might look like next year. So yeah, he's going to be in that top 50 mix as a guy that's going to start games in the NFL. You know, maybe not right away but at some point, probably during his rookie year. And then someone that you think can be a long term starter.
- [35:02]
Dave Hellman
You mentioned Kenyon Siddiq while we were talking about Dante Moore and again as of right now, we don't know what his NFL decision would be. I would imagine he's a top 20 pick but again Oregon could absolutely make him well compensated if they want to. I mean if you want to try to get the band back together and run it back for a shot at an Addie. Keeping Dante Moore and Kenyan Sadiq would go a long way.
- [35:28]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, no doubt. I know he's been dealing with some personal stuff too. I think his, his grandmother, I believe, was put in hospice with cancer and like that. And this is all that was happening this week. And so he's dealing with a lot right now. But it's, and it's, it's funny as I'm going through this mock draft and going through every single team about what they could do, what they might do, what their track record is of drafting certain positions and just looking at contracts, things like that. Like, Sadiq's a tough one to place because I think, like the Chiefs, that's been a pretty popular one at pick nine, I think they're at right now. You know, obviously with our hall of Fame tight end movement, possibly Travis Kelsey. Thank you. That is something that, you know, I won't rule that out. It's certainly on the table, I would think, for them to make that move. But if that doesn't happen, there's not a lot of like, obvious, you know, landing spots for Sadiq. Like, could Miami do it at 11? Sure. Is that, you know, is the. Is the new gm, is that really going to be his first move as. As a GM of in the NFL, is to take a tight end and the top 15 picks? I, you know, I'd be pretty surprised, but it's still on the table. You know, what is ha. What happens with TJ Hawkinson in Minnesota? Is that a possibility for them there? I wouldn't be surprised if we've seen the last of Dallas Gardner in a Philadelphia Eagles uniform. So that's a possibility for the Eagles, you know, picking in the early 20s. So there's, there's not a lot of like, obvious, like he's not getting past this spot. Like, I wouldn't, I wouldn't say that about Sadiq because tight ends in the first round are always a little tricky. But yeah, he's. He, he's got the stuff that you want in a first round tight end.
- [37:13]
Dave Hellman
I hear you, man. And we can have a whole conversation about positional value and whether you should.
- [37:20]
Dane Brugler
Right.
- [37:20]
Dave Hellman
But, but NFL GMs love to draft them a tight if they think he's like, up to that caliber, you know, I mean, I don't want to, I don't want to compare Sadiq to guys that have come before him. But I mean, look, look through the first round all, all through the last five, six years. Like if, if either if you've got like the high end athleticism to be a mismatch in the passing game or if you're well rounded enough where a team thinks you can get on the field quickly, they'll draft you high and they'll probably, they'll probably their fan base off in the process because people have it in their. That is not a, you know, it's not a position where you can expect early dividends. Although maybe, maybe we should be changing our opinion about that with what we've seen over the last few years.
- [38:06]
Dane Brugler
I mean just. Yeah, Colson Loveland and Tyler Warren, the way they played as Both being top 15 picks. Yeah, sure. I mean, I mean I know he.
- [38:13]
Dave Hellman
Wasn'T a, I know he wasn't a top 15 pick but the guy that I always think about is Sam laporta. Like to be able to do that immediately as a second round pick still blows my mind. And so I don't know if the right guy thinks you've got the right stuff, they will draft you high and high enough, like I said, to make people raise their eyebrows a little bit.
- [38:35]
Dane Brugler
I mean I think he goes somewhere in the top 25. I just don't think it's a lock. He'll go top 15. Brock Bowers went 13 or wherever it was and I know that was a much stronger draft, especially with quarterbacks. But Sadiq, he could, yeah, definitely. He could sneak in that top 10. Wouldn't be shocked at all. You could absolutely make the argument he is a, in terms of impact players in this draft, he's one of the top 10 guys. Totally get that. But I also wouldn't be surprised if he did fall at a 18 or 22 or you know, somewhere around there with just depending on who's doing the picking and everything like that.
- [39:10]
Dave Hellman
Speaking of which, I believe his primary competitor to be tight end one would be Max Claire, who it sounds like he has made his decision, his NFL decision which I don't get the impression Max Claire would be drafted as highly as Kenyan Sadiq. But if Sadiq goes back to school, that's, that's probably where the list starts, right?
- [39:32]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, probably. And I don't, I don't know if it's public yet, but Max Claire is going to declare so he'll be part of this class and barring a last second change of heart on his, on his part. But yeah, I don't know that. Like it's hard to watch his film and say oh yeah, first round pick, no doubt about it. But he's a really good athlete. He's got yak ability. The games where Ohio State was without CARNELL Tate, without J.J. smith, that's where they really look to him to fill that void. And he did a nice job. He had at over 100 yards. And he is a, he is a good player. And so top 50, I think that's definitely a reasonable range for where he's going to land now. You know, does he go, is he the second tight end drafted, you know, or does one of these other guys, whether it's an Eli Stowers or Justin Jolie, one of the seniors, they get in front of them. Yeah, I think it'll look different on draft board to draft board, but he's definitely in that mix. To be the second tight end drafted and somewhere in the top 50.
- [40:41]
Dave Hellman
That's all I've got for guys that have declared over the last week or guys that were waiting on. But I did, I wanted to spend some time and I know these guys are officially not our problem until next year, but I just wanted to spend some time on some guys who I thought were going to be part of this draft class and now are officially not. And that gives us something to look forward to for 2027, but could also change the complexion of, of what happens in the early going of this draft. And it's been a theme for the show. But let's just start with Oregon. Even knowing what the Ducks have available to them from a compensation perspective, I was pretty surprised to hear that defensive tackle Amari Washington and defensive end Mateo Uyungale were going back to school just because particularly Washington, with the way that his star kind of rose over the course of the year. And it sounded pretty likely that you're talking about a top 50, top 40 pick. I was, I was surprised to hear that. And again, it's, it's just my, my ongoing acclimation to the current landscape of college football that, that Oregon was able to hang on to these guys.
- [41:55]
Dane Brugler
Washington going back is surprising. I think he was. He would have been a top 25.
- [42:00]
Dave Hellman
Pick if he came out and top 25. Yeah. So even more impressive.
- [42:04]
Dane Brugler
Yeah. So now he'll have a chance to go back and show that, hey, I should be a top 10 pick because he's a really good run defender right now. The pass rush was a little lacking and so that's what I'll be looking for next year is just how. What's the ceiling with him as a pass rusher? How much better can he get. But guys that are 330 pounds that move like he does, those guys just usually don't fall out of the top 25 picks. But this is another example of, you know, I don't again, we think about these juniors and, hey, let's maximize every cent we can get. I just think a lot of people value maybe some, you know, experience. And I guarantee you Washington's getting paid over a million dollars. And so now he's kind of got the best of both worlds. He can go back, be a college kid, be developed, be a better player while still being a millionaire. You know, I'm never gonna kill these kids for decisions they make because every. It's so personal and everyone has different priorities. But, you know, I think it was, it's fair to say that it was.
- [43:03]
Dave Hellman
A little surprising being a millionaire and taking like a couple online courses and just getting to play football with the boys at Austin every Saturday.
- [43:16]
Dane Brugler
Not a bad way to live.
- [43:17]
Dave Hellman
It does sound pretty sweet, I gotta say. UI Angele, I, you know, he was a, he was a faller on your updated top 50. Not that he, not that he had a bad season, but maybe didn't live up to the preseason expectation. Is that potentially why you would go back to school here?
- [43:35]
Dane Brugler
Yeah. I mean, try to get better. Yeah. I think that's another one where Oregon made him an offer he couldn't refuse. And that's good on Oregon for doing it, but it really, keeping that entire defensive line intact was big. That's. That's something that I know was one of the main priorities for the Ducks and they were able to make it happen. So that's. In this world of nil. I was, you know, good for, for that coaching staff and that fan base that they were able to do it.
- [44:03]
Dave Hellman
One name that did not surprise me, but I think is worth mentioning. Ever since his brother committed to play basketball for Texas, it felt fairly likely that Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby might go back to school. And that's exactly what happened. And this just feels like a case where, again, so his brother commits to the UT basketball program, so they get a year to hang out on campus. And again, what a dream to go to school with your brother for a year while you're getting well compensated to do it. But I'm going to call my shot and say if this guy isn't the preseason favorite to be OT1 next year, he's going to be on a very short list. He just has all the hallmarks of first real year as a starter at UT 13 of his 15 starts happened this season. Good year, but maybe not a great year, especially with this, you know, the Texas offensive line being what it was. And so yeah, this, this clearly feels like a situation where it's like, okay, you, you could be very likely a day to pick if you come out this year, but spend a season playing and, and hanging out with your bro and then when you go Pro in 2027, feels like a guy who's got a shot to be top 15 pick if everything goes right next season.
- [45:25]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, no, I agree. I mean, aside from Arch, Goosby was priority number one for, for Sark and Texas this year or to retain for next year. And you watch that offensive line for the Longhorns this year, it was, it was a mess for a good chunk of the year. But Goosby, the way he played at left tackle, getting better and better and better. He looked like a first round pick at the end of the year. So getting him back, that's, that's huge. I think you're, you're, you're right about. As we look forward towards next year, going to 2027 draft, he will be, if not at the very top right there, two or three. But Texas as a whole, they've been killing it in the portal. Cam Coleman at receiver, he's got special talent. And you know, next season Ohio State, they go to Austin. So if you want a receiver, check out that game because you're going to have Jeremiah Smith. Cam Coleman almost certainly will be the first two receivers drafted, both in the top five top seven picks. They'll be on the same field together, which will be a lot of fun to watch. And then they also Texas, they stole Hollywood Smothers from Alabama, which he had transferred from NC State to Tuscaloosa. He was there for about five minutes and he flipped to Texas. And you know, we know how that running game, how much of a train wreck it was for Texas this year and how much that just put everything off schedule for that offense they went in. They get Relique Brown from Arizona State, then they go and bring in Hollywood Smothers. That that offense is going to be a lot of fun to watch next year.
- [46:54]
Dave Hellman
Thank you for reminding me that Relique Brown landed at Texas. One of my sneaky favorite players from this season. I was, I was pretty excited about that. And this is, this is not my opinion because I pay attention, but I just know already the average college football fan in July of next year is going to be so annoyed at the Texas hype, but I think it's going to be pretty justified based on who's coming back and what they've done.
- [47:22]
Dane Brugler
Just yeah, replacing some of the, or getting better on some of the other places on the offensive line and a few holes they need to fix on defense. But yeah, there's, there's no reason why Texas should not be, you know, ranked in the top, top five and a team we're talking about as a national title contender. And that, that, that is definitely coming. And people say, oh, we did this last year and but this year I think it's a little more warranted based off of the moves that Texas has made here in the last few weeks.
- [47:54]
Dave Hellman
Yeah, if, if, if this year was early, then the, the 2026 hype feels like it's going to be pretty justified. Two edge rushers I wanted to mention your guy Quincy Rhodes, who you were high on this year. One of the few bright spots for Arkansas football in 2025. He's staying in school as well as well we'll he was a Missouri edge Damon Wilson. He's currently in the transfer portal. I did a double take. LSU hosted him last week and I was like Damon Wilson's going to stay in school. He was top 20 in sacks across all of FBS. I would have guessed he would take a shot but. But it sounds like he's going to again be another guy that tries to improve his draft stock next year.
- [48:39]
Dane Brugler
Yeah. And I mean we saw when you know Zion Young and Damon Wilson like that's, that's as good of a one two punch at edge rusher that you know, I think we've, we saw this year in the sec. Wilson definitely had some love in the league because he's got juice off the edge and I a little surprised that that he's going back to school and not testing the NFL waters. I mean I think he would have been a pretty solid day to pick. But yeah, I'm very interested to see where he lands because he's one of the better portal guys still available out there.
- [49:15]
Dave Hellman
Two more names that I wanted to touch on briefly. Justice Haynes, the Michigan running back. Again, I believe he's in the transfer portal right now. We'll see where he lands but he is staying in school and a guy. Again, I remember talking to you about this. There were a ton of really good football players on Auburn heading into the season. Obviously did not go the way they envisioned. And Eric Singleton not going to the draft but he transferred to Florida so he will have a chance to be part of John Summerall's first team there at uf.
- [49:51]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, as far as I know, Haynes is still in the portal. I know how LSU was talked about, maybe A and M. I just a couple of teams that could have a need at running back and Haynes, if he's healthy, he's a good player. Not a first round player, but just a really solid running back. And so hopefully no matter where he goes, he can just stay healthy for one more year before he makes that jump to the NFL. And then yeah, Eric Singleton, he accepted a Senior bowl invite. It looked like he was going to the pros and it was a little surprising because it was just such a down year for him. But he's a 4:3 athlete and we know those guys. Guys can go pretty early. I still think he probably would have gone on day two with that type of speed. The quarterback situation is really what held him back this year at Auburn. So he's going to Florida, which kind of has a quarterback question right now. So I'm just hoping that it's not going to be a similar situation for him where it's he's going to be held back by the lack of a passing game. But we won't really know about that until next year gets going.
- [50:55]
Dave Hellman
I'm going to need a PowerPoint presentation to just get myself up to speed on all of this. But from here on out we we can worry about all of that in 2026 and just focus on these guys that are going to be part of the draft class. That'll be pretty much finalized by the next time we record. So we will we'll dive into all that when we get the opportunity. After we take this break, we are going to talk some Miami, Indiana.
- [51:26]
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- [53:47]
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Dave Hellman
Can I make my sight firmer? Can we sleep cooler?
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- [54:22]
Dave Hellman
All right, Dane, at long last we have reached the end of this college football season Monday night. It feels like a lifetime from now where we're recording this, but Indiana, Miami, I think we've, we've laid out but.
- [54:37]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, just like, just like we anticipated, right?
- [54:40]
Dave Hellman
I don't, I don't say this, I'm not talking smack because I would have, I would have never and I and like who could have possibly been expected to predict this? But like, go look at the preseason expectations verse what we've got in this game right now, it's been, it's been a very fun season. I'll say this for the College Football Playoff, like, I didn't, I didn't think 12 teams was necessary, but it does, it does introduce a level of uncertainty that, that's been refreshing, I would say, compared to watching the same three to five programs switch off every, every other year.
- [55:19]
Dane Brugler
Right. It felt like when we got the Rams, Bengals, super bowl, you know, like it was like, oh yeah, new logos, new uniforms, we can do this. Like, oh, okay, you know, like it doesn't have to be, you know, just the Chiefs or just, you know, whatever. You know, it's, it's easy to kind of recycle, especially in college football where there's less parity and you know, it's the Alabamas and Ohio states and LSU's and you know, it's a lot of the same, same teams. But yeah, it is refreshing to have an Indiana in a Miami. And I'm really eager just the next two, three years to see is this the new normal where, you know, you, we're gonna have the top 12 every year is going to look a little bit differently and then it's just, just get into the tournament because once you do, you have a shot and there's just a lot more talent spread out. Like Ohio State has lost like 30 guys in the portal over the last few weeks because, you know, obviously Ohio State, they recruit at a high level and when maybe you're blocked on the depth chart and you're not a guaranteed starter next year, you're going to go say, hey, I'm, I can go make, you know, half, half a million dollars going at somewhere else where I'm a different starter. So I, I think that the talent pool is more spread out to all these different programs and it's just, I, I don't know if it's good for the game, but I know it's more interesting and you know, more entertaining in terms of getting more teams involved in this. And so yeah, Indiana, Miami, in Miami and all the Fernando Mendoza ties to Miami. That's fascinating. So we'll hear about that non stop over the next, you know, week leading up into the game. And then during the game, I, Indiana is a touchdown favorite. A little more than a touchdown favorite.
- [57:04]
Dave Hellman
It's up to, it's up to eight and a half now.
- [57:06]
Dane Brugler
Okay. Yeah. The way they played against Oregon, I, you know, how do you dispute that? You know, and I, I get it. Miami's defense is a different animal, especially if they're firing an all cylinder. But I'm like, I don't think there's much that could happen in this game that's going to stop Fernando Mendoza from going number one overall. Like, and you just, you would have to be a real prisoner of the moment to all of a sudden say like, oh yeah, we're not taking them number one. But I think the thing about Mendoza and his coaches, they're so good at preparing for their opponents and then adjusting in the game and that's going to be so key in this one. That's really what killed Ohio State against Miami. I mean they, you look up at the, at the scoreboard and all of a sudden it's the fourth quarter and you're out of time, you know, making these adjustments to what they're throwing at you on defense. And you look back to, you know, against Alabama, Indiana, they, they went three and out with two sacks on that opening drive. Then they made the adjustment, scored on six of the next seven possessions. And then, you know, I think the, so if you're Miami, the key for you is just going to be can you get Indiana behind the sticks, force them in those third and longs where you can just let your pass rush do what they do. And it's not just the, the edge rushers, Mazador and Bane, it's the different simulated pressures and the blitzes and bringing Keonte Scott flying like a banshee from different angles. Can you get to third and long obvious passing downs where it's just going to put Indiana in a bind? That's what I mean, I think that's what Oregon, they couldn't do against Indiana. They, they would get Indiana in the third down situations, but it was like third and four, third and five. And Indiana converted 11 of 14 of their third down conversions. If that's seven of 14, five of 14, all of a sudden it's a very different game. And so for the Miami defense, specifically those pass rushers, can they get enough heat on the quarterback where you're going to put them behind the sticks?
- [59:14]
Dave Hellman
I'm going to say something and I need you to, I need you to listen to me because I'm not, I'm not comparing the talent level. And everybody, everybody does this every time, every time a team just starts to beat the crap out of people. The 2019 LSU comparisons are going to follow. And it happened again during, it happened again during the Indiana Oregon game. I don't want to compare the rosters. And it was a different era of college football and that's I was going to say, I used to think that we didn't need a bigger playoff because in the, in the old era where eight programs could stockpile 90% of the top tier talent, there weren't more than three or four teams capable of winning a national title. That's clearly not the case anymore. Like you said, the talent is so much more spread out. So I'm not comparing the rosters, but the way this season has gone for Indiana does remind me of 2019 LSU in the sense that they are so locked in. And if you go back and look at it, it's easy to forget this. Like LSU that year did not look like this infallible team all the way through the season. Like Texas scared the daylights out of them. They were in a dog fight with Florida late Bo Nicks. Auburn came very close to upsetting them. In Death Valley. They had a game for the ages against Alabama. And once they got past Alabama, they kind of had a lull in November after that game. But from, from late November on, the whole program just locked into an insane degree. The defense started playing at a higher level than it had all year and Burrow did what he did and they beat the shit out of everybody they played over the last month, even though it hadn't always looked that consistent at the beginning and in the middle of the year. And that's what Indiana reminds me of, where once you get past Ohio State in a very tightly contested game and you beat that team with all of that talent, it just feels like it unlocked something in them. And Mendoza's been playing his best ball. The defense has been flying around at a level that I would argue wasn't always the case, at least not week to week across the course of the season. And I don't know, they just, they have a look about them that suggests that the whole program is in lockstep and that feels, that feels like it's going to be tough for Miami to overcome.
- [61:48]
Dane Brugler
It's a fair point because, yeah, that, I mean, Ohio State was a chip shot field goal away from tying that game.
- [61:57]
Dave Hellman
That was a, that was a tightly contested game.
- [62:00]
Dane Brugler
Very, very much so. And you know, who knows if they hit that field goal, you know, Indiana might still very much win that game. But it was a tight game and up to that, I mean, up to that point, that was the best defense that Indiana had seen all season and it still might be. You know, we'll see how Miami, what kind of effort they put up in the national title game. But yeah, I mean, lsu, when they Got to the playoff that year, just steamrolled Oklahoma. And then against Clemson it wasn't as, it wasn't a blowout, but it just, I think LSU separated themselves in the second quarter and it just felt like, yeah, this one's over. So Indiana, the way they played against Alabama, the way they played against Oregon. Mendoza, his stats in those two games, he has like what, five incompletions and eight touchdowns. It's just unbelievable to see what they're doing. Can they do that against a Miami team that has been, I've been really impressed with, especially the coordinators, you know, some of the play calling and then on defense especially and then even on offense they just, they, they have a good plan ready to go and these guys are up to the challenge. At least they were against Ohio State and they were against Ole Miss. And so it's, I'm hoping for an entertaining game. And look, there's gonna be a lot of prospects in this game. You know we mentioned obviously Mendoza, we mentioned Akeem Mezador and Reuben Bain, the past rushers and then some of the guys that have, they're gonna have decisions to make after this year or after this game I should say. And like for Indiana, you know your left tackle, Carter Smith. Smith. Your receiver, Omar Cooper Jr. Elijah Surat will be, you know this is his last game. But some of the underclassmen, d' Angelo Pons from Indiana, who I expect to go, I mean he's not going to get any bigger with another year. By the way, I did get verifieds on d' Angelo Ponds so he's share.
- [64:02]
Dave Hellman
Them if you got them.
- [64:02]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, he's listed at 58173 and that's pretty spot on what he is. He's 5082 so five eight and a quarter. 174 pounds, 29 and five eight arm, which is not great. You know that there, there are some teams that blow 30 inch arms, they just, they won't even consider you. So. And it does bother me a little bit that Pawns, he's been almost exclusively an outside corner for them. Like doesn't have a lot of nickel snaps where he's lined up against a slot receiver. And I think that might be his best position at the next level. So it's a little more of a projection. But with all that said, Pawns is a top 10 corner in this draft. Should absolutely be a day two pick. It just he won't be for everybody because of the size. But someone's going to get a dog. I mean someone's going to get a guy that's just wired the right way. The mentality, the competitiveness, and that's something that I think will show in this game.
- [64:59]
Dave Hellman
If you're 5, 10, 5 11, I get why it makes sense to fudge the numbers a little bit. But if you're five, eight, I don't know if there's a whole lot of hiding that you're going to do for. From NFL evaluators. So I applaud him for, for being pretty straightforward. I, I'm. Hey, give me, give me the good football player. And if, if the length and height affects, you know, if, if he falls a little bit because of that, I understand it. But. Yeah, like to be completely scared off of the guy. No, thank you. I'll, I'll take him. Even if, even if it's going to be like at the back end of round three, I can live with that. Yeah.
- [65:36]
Dane Brugler
I mean, he should be a top 75 guy. And if he runs in a four threes, I don't, don't, don't let this guy get out of the, the second round. Oh, wow. Mike Tomlin just announced he's stepping down. Crazy.
- [65:50]
Dave Hellman
Ooh, I want that. We might be recording an emergency pod in a few minutes then. All right, let's. Well, I'll worry about that in a.
- [65:57]
Dane Brugler
Minute, but yeah, d' Angelo Pons is like, this is a corner class where there's, you know, like, we both really like mansour delaying, Jermond McCoy coming off the injuries. A good player. But then I think it's kind of pick your flavor, you know, what, what do you, what type of corner you like. And, you know, the, the corners that'll be drafted between 20 and 75. There's not a ton of separation between those guys and d' Angelo Pons right there in that mix.
- [66:23]
Dave Hellman
So in this game, I've got as many as seven or eight prospects that I think have a shot to go top 100. Am I. Do you think that's about right, or am I undershooting it a little bit?
- [66:35]
CarGurus Advertiser
Bit?
- [66:37]
Dane Brugler
No, I mean. Okay, let's just go through it. Indiana, Fernando Mendoza, Carter Smith, left tackle. The two receivers, Sarat and Cooper. As much as I love my, my guy, Riley Nowakowski, a tight end, he won't be a top 100 guy, but he'll be a steal on day three. So what's at that? Four guys.
- [66:59]
Dave Hellman
I included pawns in my list.
- [67:01]
Dane Brugler
Yeah, and that's probably it. I mean, Aiden Fisher, I really like a linebacker, but he's more of an early day three guy. So, yeah, so five for Indiana and then for Miami, I think both pass rushers. Keante Scott, third, Maui Noah obviously at right tackle. So that's four. So we're up to nine at this point. And then it becomes a question, okay, does Carson Beck, with how he's played, does he get into the top 100? I think it's possible. I don't think like the evaluation has changed all that much with Carson Beck. He is a backup grade spot starter upside that type of player. I don't think he's ever going to be a consistent NFL starter, at least one that you're winning with in the NFL. Now maybe he'll make me look very wrong for that, for that evaluation. But that, that's what I see with Carson Beck. But we've seen, you know, guys with backup grades or spot starter grades sneak into the top 100. So Carson Beck, you know, I wouldn't rule him out, especially if he plays well in this game as a guy that could get into that third round.
- [68:10]
Dave Hellman
Plenty of prospects to watch. I'm going to ride with Indiana. Dane, I. Miami's been proven people wrong for three weeks and I am really excited to see if this front can. Can prove everyone in the world wrong. Cause it's an eight and a half point spread in the national title game. Clearly a lot of people are on the Hoosiers.
- [68:31]
Dane Brugler
If you're.
- [68:31]
Dave Hellman
If, if there's going to be a unit that dispels that it's going to be a ferocious pass rush. Like I do think you can't discount what that could do for Miami. I'll still take the Hoosiers to win the national title. But, but I'll just, I'll keep saying what I've been saying. I think Miami will make this more of a game than, than the spread indicates. I do think at the very least this, this will be stressful in the second half for Indiana, which hasn't been the case so far in these playoffs.
- [69:01]
Dane Brugler
I mean, just as someone who likes good football, I'm kind of hoping to see a competitive game all the way to the end. Whichever way it ends up, whatever the result, hopefully it is more of a competitive game than what we got with Indiana and Oregon. But no matter what, whoever wins, there's going to be interesting storylines. You know, especially with Indiana, obviously with. I don't know if we've ever seen a turnaround like this for a program that just was a historical doormat program in terms of football and just the way it was turned around in two years, back to back playoff appearances. What Kurt Signetti has done, I mean, that's it. It'll go down as one of the craziest finishes in our lifetime. No doubt about it. So yeah, be eager to talk about it next week when we record next and kind of react to everything that happened in the game.
- [69:52]
Dave Hellman
You're crazy if you think I'm just making a pick on my own out here. Like you got to come out on this thing with me.
- [69:59]
Dane Brugler
Thought I'd slip. Slip that you did not. You're not. I'll stick with the Big Ten. I, I think they're, you know, the way Miami's been playing, if they play like they did against Ohio State, they'll definitely be in this to the end. But I just the way Indiana's coach, the way they're so buttoned up with their execution and their, their design, the way they adjust mid game I and as long as you have that quarterback, you have a shot. And so I, I will give Indiana the edge and think they come in out on top.
- [70:28]
Dave Hellman
You're so right though. It's either going to be the greatest rags to riches story in college football history or the revitalization, the return of the most exciting program in the sport.
- [70:40]
Dane Brugler
I mean you could finally say the use back. I mean you there have been a couple times where they've teased it and people have said, oh, the use back. Now not until they throw that parade is the U back and they have a chance to do that.
- [70:53]
Dave Hellman
Very exciting either way. And when it's over, we will not be in no man's land next week because not only will the deadlines have passed, but we will be recording the day after the game. So plenty to talk about next week on Building the Beast and we'll start to look forward to the All Star Games and the real beginning of the draft process. I know you're getting out on the road soon. Plenty to talk about. Stick with us. We appreciate it. We'll talk to you all next time week.
- [71:32]
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