Mami's Mario Cristobal Joins, Is Alabama a Quarterback Factory, and Shedeur Sanders Returns

Summary

The Triple Option – Episode Summary

Date: May 13, 2026
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Guest: Mario Cristobal (Head Coach, University of Miami)

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the rapidly shifting landscape of college football: the implications of modern recruiting and NIL, quarterback “factories” like Alabama, Miami’s resurgence under Mario Cristobal, and the cultural changes impacting player decisions. The hosts are joined by Miami’s Mario Cristobal to explore the Hurricanes’ identity, building programs from the trenches, recruiting strategy, and dealing with portal chaos. The episode wraps with a tribute to Shedeur Sanders for returning to Boulder to earn his degree.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Alabama’s Quarterback Room: Deep Dive

[00:35–11:05]

• Rob Stone highlights Alabama’s unprecedented quarterback stockpile, headlined by top recruits Elijah Haven (2027) and Keelan Russell (2025).
  • Quote: “That is a surplus of talent hanging out in Alabama right now.” – Rob Stone [03:15]
• Urban Meyer explains the logistical reality: only one QB can play, and most talented players eventually transfer.
  • Quote: “There’s only one quarterback job. Recruiting, man.” – Urban Meyer [03:51]
  • Past examples: At Florida, stacked depth led Cam Newton and Denard Robinson to transfer out.
• Mark Ingram II emphasizes competition as key to development:
  • Quote: “Being running and being afraid to compete should not be an issue.” – Mark Ingram II [06:09]
  • Shares personal story: chose Alabama over easier depth charts because his father said to go compete (story from [06:39]).
• Hosts debate whether it’s better to sit and wait or seek instant playtime via transfer; consensus trends toward the normalization of waiting and developing.
• Meyer notes the “Pete Carroll model”—recruiting players to play immediately—and admits coaches do care about recruiting “stars.”
  • Quote: “It cracks me up when coaches say, ‘Oh, we don’t count the stars.’ Or I’m thinking, yeah, you do. We all do.” – Urban Meyer [08:08]

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2. Changing Nature of College Football Careers

[09:48–11:28]

• Rob Stone: More top QBs seem willing to wait than in past years (examples: Dante Moore, Dylan Raiola).
• Urban Meyer: “Now you’re seeing players…get paid. Don’t rush this thing. And when it’s ready, you’re ready.” [10:54]
• Mark Ingram II: “Go to a good program that can get you to the next level.” [11:06]
• Hosts argue the NIL era has slowed the rush to get to the NFL, creating space for longer player development.

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3. Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes

[14:25–35:23]

a. Rebranding the U & Program Culture

• Cristobal distances the current program from the “U is back” narrative, stressing hard work and internal focus.
  • Quote: “The men and women at the U are at work is what we are…we avoid all that other stuff like the plague.” [14:55]
• Returns to Miami to restore “brotherhood” and championship standards:
  • “Addicted to that brotherhood…let’s get back and do things the way they’re supposed to be done…shut up and work.” [16:04]

b. Building from the Trenches

• Ingram: Notes Miami’s transformation and identity begins on the lines.
• Cristobal: Having coached at Alabama and Oregon, always saw the biggest difference was upfront. Miami was “narrow and not real powerful at the line of scrimmage” before he arrived.
  • “It's still tackle football. It's not seven on seven, right? Sure as hell ain’t freeze tag. So we believe in the bigs.” [17:24]
• Losing NFL talent but excited about new blood, crediting departing stars for their “infectious” work ethic.

c. Malachi Tony – 'Baby Jesus' and Miami's New Star

• Ingram and Meyer praise WR Malachi Tony’s work ethic, blocking, and versatility.
• Cristobal: Tony is different: humble, driven, puts in work with O-line coaches, “an autocorrect guy” who never makes the same mistake twice; “relentlessly” works on his craft.
  • Quote: “He always seeks out the best DB…always seeks out contact in the run game. He doesn’t allow himself to be taken out or pampered or catered to.” [22:19]
  • Never calls him “Baby Jesus.”

d. Reflecting on Last Season’s Title Run & Culture of Accountability

• Meyer asks about last season’s loss in the title game.
• Cristobal: Coaches must show “nothing but gratitude and support,” but personally, losses linger, especially at one’s alma mater.
  • “The one team that could beat us is us…Always gut wrench, you know, especially at alma mater.” [24:11]

e. Portal and High School Recruiting Philosophy

• Cristobal: The transfer portal is a tool if there’s a hole to fill but not a formulaic answer. Still prioritizes high school recruiting; signed 30+ last year, will bring in mid-20s this year.
  • “It’s the backbone of your program…making sure we build this thing at the grassroots level.” [26:32]
• On NIL and contracts: acknowledges the structureless, wild-west nature, perplexed by speculation about $40 million rosters.
  • “We’re as far away from structure as you could possibly be as it relates to that.” [27:04]
• Urban Meyer discusses regulatory chaos: 37 states, different statutes; NCAA “toothless.”

f. Gambling and Program Integrity

• Reaction to Texas Tech QB gambling scandal.
• Cristobal: Background checks, value in adapting—“Adapt or die.” More noise than solutions in college football administration.
  • “Those that have been stubborn about it are getting their butts kicked.” [29:07]

g. Scheduling Philosophy and Looking Ahead

• Cristobal would love Miami to play Florida every year—calls their absence “criminal.” For now, focused on ACC opener at Stanford.
  • “We’re a very ‘where our feet are’ organization.” [30:53]

h. Rising Stars and Keeping Hype in Check

• Ingram asks about promising players like JB Mallory.
• Cristobal: Too much hype triggers collectives and agents; prefers to keep emerging talent low-key to avoid NIL drama.

i. Coaching Perspective: From O-Line to Team CEO

• Meyer reminisces about balancing hands-on O-line work with head coaching all 11 positions.
• Cristobal: Stays closest to the line, trusts his staff, “That’s where I can help the team the best…that's where I live.” [35:23]

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4. Cheers of the Week: Shedeur Sanders Returns and Graduates

[36:31–39:27]

• Rob Stone celebrates Shedeur Sanders for returning to the University of Colorado to graduate despite NFL success.
  • “Talk about, like, completing the college process. Cheers to you, Shedeur Sanders.” [37:36]
• Ingram and Meyer add praise for Deion Sanders’ parenting and leadership.
  • Meyer: “Your kids are a product of their parents...Dion takes a lot of heat, man. And we all love Dion.” [37:57]
• Jokes about Mark Ingram finishing his own degree.
• Light-hearted banter on future parental bragging rights.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Urban Meyer [03:51]: “There’s only one quarterback job. Recruiting, man.”
• Mark Ingram II [06:09]: “Being running and being afraid to compete should not be an issue.”
• Mario Cristobal [17:24]: “It's still tackle football. It's not seven on seven, right?...We believe in the bigs.”
• Mario Cristobal [22:19]: “[Malachi Tony]...always seeks out the best DB… always seeks out contact in the run game.”
• Mario Cristobal [27:04]: “We are, we're about as far away from structure as you could possibly be as it relates to [NIL and contracts].”
• Mario Cristobal [29:07]: “Adapt or die…and those that have been stubborn about it are getting their butts kicked.”
• Urban Meyer [37:57]: “Your kids are a product of their parents…Dion takes a lot of heat, man…we all love Dion.”

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Major Timestamps & Segments

• 00:35–11:05: Alabama’s QB room, recruiting realities, player competition
• 14:25–35:23: Mario Cristobal deep-dive: Miami’s culture, recruiting, building in the trenches, future outlook
• 36:31–39:27: Cheers of the week – Shedeur Sanders, graduation and legacy

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Episode Takeaways

• Modern College Football: Deep, talented position rooms are a double-edged sword—great for competition but inevitably lead to transfers. The landscape has shifted to value patient development over “instant stardom,” aided by NIL money and new transfer rules.
• Miami’s Resurgence: Cristobal’s Miami is defined by its commitment to toughness, humility, and building from the trenches—a return to its roots but with a modern approach to recruiting, NIL, and adaptability.
• Cultural Shifts: The hosts and guest admire players who wait, work, and finish their degrees; NIL and the portal are tools for those who adapt, not scapegoats for those who don’t.
• Uncertainty & Change: The game is evolving with little federal or NCAA control—coaches and programs must “adapt or die.”

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For fans of recruiting drama, coaching wisdom, and big-picture college football discussion, this episode delivers an engaging and candid look at the state of the game—with plenty of insight and laughs.

Transcript

[Mario Cristobal]

And you're right up the road, man. You should come on down, spend some time over here.

[Mark Ingram II]

I will come down now. I'll come down for sure.

[Mario Cristobal]

You're another guy. I offered it to another guy. Came here the other day. I could have you a fake ID and a new just. You could be a freshman transfer that came in from God knows where two years behind this offensive line. Come on, man.

[Mark Ingram II]

I got you, coach. You talking something now. And I got my son too. So I'll give you a head start on a 2035 recruit. You know what I mean? You'll have a dynasty by then. But I got one for you.

[Urban Meyer]

Like it?

[Rob Stone]

The triple option is presented by Wendy's. Wendy's invented the spicy chicken sandwich and now we're reinventing it, making it crispier than ever before. Wendy's Spicy Chicken. We're so back. Welcome to another edition of the triple option. Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram ii, Rob Stone here with you. We go down to South Beach. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal will join the show shortly. We're going to discuss Alabama's latest pickup. Oh, Mark, that QB room is full. Full of talent and cheers to the Big Ten on a historic payday. Again, we love it when you can rate subscribe also please send us those questions. And we are at social media at 3x option show. You can find us everywhere. New episodes coming your way on YouTube and wherever else you find your podcast. 107 days until kickoff for the 2026 college football season. Which means it's not now time for muscle memory. Click it. Don't risk it. Paid for by NHTSA Recruiting. As we know, well underway for the 27 class and beyond, the number one QB of the 27 class has committed

[Mark Ingram II]

to roll damn Tide. And I don't give a piss about nothing but the tide.

[Rob Stone]

Elijah Haven, 65215 from Baton Rouge chose the Crimson Tide over Georgia and apparently over ell you, if you're from Baton Rouge and you're the number one qb, how do you let him get out of town?

[Mark Ingram II]

Come to town?

[Urban Meyer]

Let me just tell you something that back in the day of Florida, we just quit recruiting Louisiana.

[Rob Stone]

You just gave up.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah.

[Rob Stone]

You just had back.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. Done. Dun. Done.

[Mark Ingram II]

We got. We always got some of the best players out of Louisiana. Landon Collins, Eddie Lacy. You know this new quarterback, 65 out of Baton Rouge. You can't quit, coach. You can't quit. You gotta be persistent, dog.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah. We did okay, Mark. We did okay. But we just.

[Rob Stone]

Let's give Caitlin Debore some love here. At least in the quarterback room. All right, number two overall, Keelan Russell, the 25 class. Number four overall jet. Is it Tamala Thamala of the 26 class. You got another three star in there in Kawa from 26 class. Now the number one overall QB of 27 class, Elijah Haven, also marked the number 14 overall QB, Trent Seaborn from that 27 class. That is a surplus of talent hanging out in Alabama right now.

[Mark Ingram II]

We love it.

[Urban Meyer]

Well, let me tell you something about that surplus.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, here comes the reality.

[Urban Meyer]

I love Coach Theore, but here's reality is we had at Ohio, at Florida, we had Tim Tebow, Chris Leak, Tim Tebow. Then we got.

[Rob Stone]

That's just two. That's just two, coach.

[Mark Ingram II]

Right.

[Urban Meyer]

Then we got Cam Newton and then we had Denard Robinson locked up and, you know, Cam left and then Denard. You know, it's just reality is when it's actually time to go sign the paperwork and go, you better see who's there. So I, I hope, because I, I really like the coach and respect Alabama, but reality. Mark, how many of those cats are going to make it on campus?

[Mark Ingram II]

That many?

[Urban Meyer]

There's only one quarterback job. Recruiting, man.

[Mark Ingram II]

There's only one. There's only one quarterback that could play. Only one person plays the quarterback position. So.

[Urban Meyer]

And then, and then Ohio state, you had J.T. barrett and Cardell Jones, Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow. Hey, and Joe went to lsu.

[Rob Stone]

And how do you manage a room when it's that full of talent and that full of guys who are, you know, QB1 capable?

[Urban Meyer]

Well, the one thing to do is try not to name a starter too soon to let the guys keep battling until they can't go. The good thing is the transfer portal is only once a year now. Back when it was twice a year, guys are leaving all the time.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, right after, right after spring practice, coaches would not announce a starting player because kids would leave. But that's different now. So I. And I think you got to be real with the player. Like we were Joe Burrow, at some point, let that kid compete his ass off. He doesn't make it, then allow him to do what he's gotta do.

[Mark Ingram II]

Man, this just tells us, man, that Alabama's still prominent and dominant. You know what I mean? We still got the playmakers. We just gotta go ahead and make it happen, man. So shout out to Coach DeBoer on the recruiting trail. Bama still is the destination. So don't hate the player, hate the game. That's all we gon say, is it,

[Rob Stone]

is it too many studs in one room or can you coach and Mark never have enough talent?

[Mark Ingram II]

Listen, they're making the commitments knowing. You think Elijah, I mean, a lot

[Rob Stone]

of those guys have to know they're not going to be in touchdown.

[Mark Ingram II]

You think Elijah Hayter made his commitment not knowing that Keelan Russell, that Keelan Russell's there, going to be there for two more years, that jet, the mall is there, that Tayden Kawa's there, You think he made his commitment not knowing? No. I appreciate it. Because you drop your nuts, you say, I'm not afraid to compete. I'm not afraid to go in here and learn and compete and fight for a spot. Everyone wants something that's given to them. Like, no, no matter where you go, no matter what school you go to, there's going to be quarterbacks in that room that could play. There's going to be running backs in that room that could play. There's going to be receivers, corners, safeties in that room that can play. And unless you have the world thought to grind, put the work in, learn your responsibilities and play at a high level and compete, you're never going to make it anyway. So, you know, you got to do what's best for you at the end of the day. But being running and being afraid to compete should not be an issue.

[Rob Stone]

How about this, Mark? If you're a parent and your kid's a five star, one of the top quarterbacks or top running backs out there and he's going to go to a place where, you know, he's in a four, five man competition, are you okay with that? And I know it depends on the coach and the situation and whatnot. Or would you rather say, hey, let's go get some real lifetime, real experience, real playing time at maybe a quote unquote lesser program and then play it out the next year or the two years after that, I think it's all

[Mark Ingram II]

relative and what's best for your child. You know, if Elijah haven't seen 27, so by the time Keelan Russell is a junior, he'll be a freshman or, you know what I mean? So it's like one year, get acclimated, then have the opportunity to go in as a starter as a sophomore, I think that's a good transition. I think that's healthy. You know what I mean? Now just being able to jump the gun and go start as a true freshman. If you have all the support system, if you have the coach and if you think he's mentally Physically, emotionally prepared to handle that, then that's something you choose as well. I don't know what I would do right now because my son's only 8 years old, he's the second grade. But at the end of the day, I'm always doing what's best for my son. My father sent me to Alabama. My father sent me. We chose to go to Alabama where there was a freshman All American returning, Terry Grant. Glenn Coffey was the starter. Roy Upchurch was an upperclassman. There was three other running backs that were committed in that class. And my dad was like, you need to go down there and compete. Like I'm like. And I did. I was at the bottom of the depth chart day one. Stone bottom, bottom.

[Rob Stone]

Way to grind your way back up. But, but coach, when you're bringing in these five star studs, back in the

[Mark Ingram II]

day, at least I wasn't 5 stars either though, so.

[Rob Stone]

I know, but were you saying to yourself, hey, I gotta give this kid a year or two and then he's my guy? Cause there's just not that patience level anymore. Although I do feel like that pendulum is starting to swing back a little bit.

[Urban Meyer]

Well, we kind of followed the Pete Carroll model. He was the apex recruiting when I first was coming up the ranks. And his motto was, we're recruiting you to come play and start right now. So we changed, we followed USC's pattern and that was that we're going to go recruit you to start right now. Because we got on such a role at Florida and Alabama, at Florida and Ohio State that three years they're gone. And so we were, we were rolling through players pretty quickly. So it was. And let me say this about the five star and it cracks me up when coaches say, oh, we don't count the stars. Or I'm thinking, yeah, you do. We all do. You all compete and pay attention and for the most part mark the right. You know those. Especially nowadays with all the technology that's out there and all the recruiting services, usually a five star is a hell of a player. So they do compete with that. And when I would, when I would recruit a player of that caliber. And this is where the assistant coach mark. And you can speak to that because I think Signetti recruited you. I knew if I had enough confidence in my ability to close, if that assistant coach set the table and I knew what was important if I'm recruiting an Ingram, and I know his father played in the NFL, I know he loved to compete, he wasn't worried about. And I knew academics were important, etc. I would close that player if I had a position coach. It really was not doing his job. And for example, I'm sitting there hammering academics and deep down this kid could give a shit about academics. All he wants goes to league, you know, that was the ones that we would lose. So coach the Bull right now must have a hell of a staff set the table for him because they're recruiting really hard.

[Mark Ingram II]

They are.

[Rob Stone]

The QB situation across college football is really interesting. And I think, I do feel like maybe they're starting to go back a little old school where some of these quarterbacks are saying, I'm okay to sit for a little bit. You know, I understand Julian saying, went to Alabama, then he goes to Ohio State. Now he's the starter, now he's a Heisman contender. But look at what's happened at Oregon the last couple years. Right. Dante Moore.

[Urban Meyer]

I think you're right.

[Rob Stone]

Right. Dante Moore comes from UCLA to Oregon and he knows he's sitting for a year. He knows that. And then who's coming in after Dante Moore? Who's going to be the starter this year? Dylan Raiola from Nebraska. Going to Euge.

[Mark Ingram II]

Still there.

[Rob Stone]

Dylan R. Still there. And Dylan knows he's going to sit.

[Urban Meyer]

Here's why they're getting paid. Why I think, I think there you go. I think they're smart. But then also the reality is it was a sprint mark back in the day to get the NFL. Yep.

[Mark Ingram II]

3.

[Urban Meyer]

Because players weren't treated very good. I mean back we didn't have great training table at Florida. So you're getting these players and the whole idea when you came to Florida, go win your championship and get to the NFL as fast as you can.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

Now you're seeing players. Which I think it's good for, actually. I know it is. It's good for the game developers. Get paid. Don't rush this thing. And when it's ready, you're ready. Yep.

[Mark Ingram II]

A hundred percent.

[Rob Stone]

And go to a good program that can get you to the next level, sir. Right. And that's what. That's what Oregon is. Oregon is a next level school for sure. And they are going to be a legit national title contender this year. A legit national contender contender last season and again this year. The U. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal choice.

[Mark Ingram II]

That's not the right you, bro.

[Rob Stone]

That's not the right you.

[Mark Ingram II]

I think that's Utah.

[Urban Meyer]

That's. That's Utah.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah.

[Mark Ingram II]

You did Utah.

[Rob Stone]

What did I do? Oh, this one. I'm sorry.

[Urban Meyer]

These are the Storms. Those are the hurricanes.

[Rob Stone]

There's storms.

[Mark Ingram II]

You're doing a W, coach.

[Urban Meyer]

Seriously, That's.

[Rob Stone]

Well, that's Utah.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah, that's Utah.

[Rob Stone]

This is the, uh. You.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yes.

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah, we really got storms going on

[Rob Stone]

out here on the left and the right. My. My fingers are storms. All right. The storm that is the U. Miami. And their head coach, Mario Cristball, joins the. The triple option next. Back in 1995, Wendy's invented the iconic spicy chicken sandwich. Built it from scratch. They perfected the balance of heat and flavor in every bite. So, yeah, Wendy set the standard, but standards don't stand still.

[Urban Meyer]

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[Mark Ingram II]

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[Rob Stone]

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[Mark Ingram II]

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[Urban Meyer]

Whether you're cutting back, staying sharp, or just don't feel like drinking but still want the experience, this is definitely something worth checking out. Go to rk0proof.com and see what they've got. I'm US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

[Mario Cristobal]

We all seem to be in a

[Urban Meyer]

rush these days, from work to driving our kids around.

[Mario Cristobal]

But when you're behind the wheel, please do not speed. A few minutes saved by going faster

[Mark Ingram II]

is never worth the risk.

[Urban Meyer]

So follow the speed limit, enjoy the drive, maybe bring some snacks for the kids.

[Mario Cristobal]

And know that along the way, you're

[Urban Meyer]

getting quality time with your family, paid for by nhtsa.

[Rob Stone]

Welcome back to the triple option presented by Wendy's Rob Stone, Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram ii. Deuce. Deuce. Let's head to south beach, guys. We bring in the head coach at the U, the University of Miami, former hurricane Mario Cristobal. Coach. Great to see you. Yeah. So Mark's already flashing the U. People love to say the U is back. You guys have already done. No, no, no, no, no. But you've already, you've done the rebrand, right? I love the rebrand. The U is here. Why that decision to alter the wording?

[Mario Cristobal]

Well, I would say first that I'm, I'm an old school Miami hurricane. So I'm used to saying, um, like the U is kind of very new for me. And I'd say the, the, the men and women at the U are at work is what we are. And certainly looking a lot of enthusiasm and energy and momentum, but we're working, man. We, we avoid all that other stuff like the plague.

[Urban Meyer]

It's so great to have you coach. And we've been friends a while and you left a great job. You went 10, three at Oregon and kind of raised some eyes, brows when he left a great job to go to, to go home to a program that's been up and down for a couple decades now. And then you go, you go five and seven and then last year in year four, you play for it all. Is this what you envisioned when you said, I'm going to go home and take, take over at the University of Miami?

[Mario Cristobal]

Yeah, I mean, I, you know, I spent. Actually, I got to point this out. If I was the old line coach for my man 22 over here, he would have had 2,000 yards back at Alabama. But anyways, I had to get that in there. Sorry.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah, yeah. Let it know, let it be known, Coach.

[Mario Cristobal]

But you know what? All those years and I used to speak with Coach Saban a bunch about it was, you know, a lot of us, like alumni, were very frustrated with what Miami had been wallowing in for a couple of decades, man. You know, I like, I was a nobody here as a player. I was an average player on some unbelievable teams. But brother, that, that level of brotherhood, that level and that caliber of player and team, that was historic. And you know, you're addicted to that, to that brotherhood. And then being away for all those years and watching from afar and Miami getting its, you know, getting beat around a little bit and not super dipping, but just being kind of in the middle, it just, you know, pissed us off, pissed me off to the point where, yeah, let's, let's get back and let's do things the way they're supposed to be done and just, let's just shut up and work and get it to the level it's supposed to be at. So it has been. We're still not all the way there, but we've been taking massive steps every year, particularly in the trenches, and we're looking forward to taking another step this year.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah, Coach, you, you mentioned the trenches, and that's one thing that I know that you, that's in your DNA. That's what you're all about. And that's something that I truly believe in, is having a tough, physical offensive line that could run the football, protect the quarterback, and a defensive line who is relentless. And that's exactly what your team was made up of last year. Is that what you envisioned when you first came to Miami was to build this team from the inside out so you could be dominant in the trenches?

[Mario Cristobal]

I mean, all day, I mean, I, I felt that we had good ones here. When I was a player, I felt going to Alabama, you know, monsters up front, I mean, great creatures, that buzzsaw out there. And now those playoffs against Coach Meyer's team, they had monsters up front, too. And then they got us, they got us pretty good. And then going out to Oregon felt like, man, if you, if you look at the pack 12 at the time, no one was committed to the trenches. And a Panay Sewell and a couple others just changed that. And looking at Miami, Miami was very, was very narrow and not real powerful at the line of scrimmage and felt that 1,000%, man, that's always, it's always going to give you the best chance. It's still tackle football. It's not seven on seven, right? Sure as hell ain't freeze tag. So we believe in the bigs.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yes, sir.

[Urban Meyer]

Let's, let's stay there for a minute. You lost two first rounders on the defensive ends and then a first rounder offensive tackle. I remember, Mario, when I, when I first got exposed, the SEC and tried to block those defensive ends, I made a rule that I would call a defensive end every night in recruiting. Every night on the way home, my recruiting guy said, you give me the top defensive ends. I mean, that's, I'm not, I'm not letting the D line coach recruit those guys. I am. How do you replace those two cats? And I was on the field with you guys in that championship game. And you look, we'll talk about the game, you know, but you looked like up front, like our old Florida. I mean, you look like a championship level, but you lost. You lost some of those guys. You feel good about what's coming back.

[Mario Cristobal]

We feel great about them. You know, we. Like you mentioned, for those big guys up front, I mean, you call them. You train your firstborn if you had to, right? I mean, you want to have the best of the best up front just because they change everything. They can make 10 wrongs, right? You know, as long as they win. So. And they also. They change. They change the locker room, right? They're the ones that lead everything. Like, their voice brings out much more juice. Their. Their work ethic, their demeanor just commands that much more of the room and a presence that just changes things. So, yeah, we. We really feel good about what we've been training and developing, not not only behind these guys, but with them. Because here's a problem with those two guys, Bane and Mezador, is they're awesome. But they have one tragic flaw, is that whenever Jason Taylor tries to pull them out of a game, they just wave him off, say, I ain't coming. And so they coming out, man. They. That's what they are. And. But you know what? That mentality has really permeated that room and the locker room. So has Francis Mayano and Markel Bell and those guys. So we feel that spring was. You know, we were. We went at it every day, every opportunity. We took advantage of everyone and went full pads and went live, and. And we felt like we got ourselves in a. A really good place going into the fall. We have to have a great summer and a great fall camp, but we feel like we're going to be in a good spot.

[Mark Ingram II]

Coach, I. I want to talk to you about, you know, I'm. I'm. I'm living in South Florida, man. I'm up in Delray, Boca area. And I want to talk to you about your superstar man, Baby Jesus. Malachi. Tony, he's a beast. Electric playmaker. My son loves him. Who 8 years old. You know, we ride up the street if you want to get a little recruiting, you know what I mean? You to head start on him.

[Urban Meyer]

But Mark, great blocker. I watched his ass. I mean, that kid is a tough ass to insert.

[Mark Ingram II]

Insert on the linebacker. Safety, blocking, receiving. We know what he does with the ball in his hands. What do you see that he needs to grow from this season?

[Mario Cristobal]

Well, the best part about him, that guy is like, so internally driven, so motivated, like the. The consummate team player. I've never seen a wide receiver come. I mean, I've seen wide receivers do, you know, early and late stuff, but this guy gets here early and he pops in and sits down with the offensive line coach, blocking, you know, and technique and hand placement. And then he really is. He really is out on the jugs at 5:30, like, just relentlessly, every angle, every position. Like that guy is any text as me again, 5:30, you know, 10:30. Gabos, you know, gaming based on sympathy. And he just had a camp. I mean, you should say it looked like the movie Braveheart. The amount of human beings that were just rushing him. Yep, piece of him. And he is more humble, more hungry, more driven than ever before. And you're right up the road, man. You should come on down, spend some time over here, talk.

[Mark Ingram II]

I will come down now.

[Mario Cristobal]

You're another guy. I offered it to another guy. Came here the other day. I could have you a fake ID and a new. Just. You could be a freshman transfer that came in from God knows where two years behind this offensive line. Come on, man.

[Mark Ingram II]

I got you, coach. You talking something now. And I got my son, too. So I'll give you a head start on a 2035 recruit. You know what I mean? You'll have a dynasty by then, but I got one for you.

[Mario Cristobal]

That'd be great.

[Rob Stone]

Yes, sir, Coach. What was your first takeaway when you heard the nickname Baby Jesus?

[Mario Cristobal]

Yeah, I'm like, who the heck is this guy? Like, I don't hear this, you know, this bull, you know, and then, you know, we watch them play, like, oh, their quarterback got hurt in high school down the stretch, so they put him in at quarterback. He propels him into the playoffs. They win the state title. I think they took him out during the state title game because he was 15 of 15 for like 250 yards and four touchdowns. Said, all right, that's. That's enough. And. And then he reclassified. He came in a year early, and the rest is. But you could tell in spring, man, just. Just different. I mean, what he does, what he does on a daily. And then on the field, he's a. He's an autocorrect guy. Like, before, he. He's never made the same mistake twice, you know, and so. But driven to be better, he allows himself to be pushed and challenged, and he always seeks out the best db. He always seeks out contact in the run game. He doesn't allow himself to be taken out or pampered or catered to, and that has had a tremendous impact in our locker.

[Mark Ingram II]

Amazing.

[Rob Stone]

So do you call him Baby Jesus?

[Mario Cristobal]

No, absolutely not. Good.

[Urban Meyer]

But praise the Lord for baby Jesus.

[Mario Cristobal]

Yeah.

[Urban Meyer]

Hey, coach, let's run back last year real quick. So you, you lose a couple games, you have some turnover issues, and then you, you know, I kind of know you and know what you believe. And finally, it's almost like you said, screw this. We're just going to. We're going to beat people at the line of scrimmage, which is. That's the Mario crystal ball team. And you do. You go on a great run through the playoffs, and then you're in the championship game and you have a chance. It's right there. It's right there. It's right there. Are you the kind of coach that can kind of, you know, walk in that locker room and move on to the next, you know, or are you the kind of guys that just beat you up forever? You know, you moved on. Do you move on quickly or are you one that. That it aches for a while? I think I know the answer.

[Rob Stone]

Yeah, I think you hit a spot.

[Mario Cristobal]

But, but for the players and for the staff, it is my, as you know, coach, my responsibility to show nothing but gratitude and support and, you know, let them end reality. Nothing, no bs, Just be genuine about where it's at, why, and at the same time, you know, proud of that team for what they accomplished and what they didn't acknowledge. You know what, it's, it's always going to be us. It's the one team that could beat us is us. And, but with the staff and everybody else pushing to move on and then really study, I deeper know, where are the misses, where are the margins that we could have go in our favor? Where are the margins in the games that we won that we can improve upon? So always grinding at it. Always gut wrench, you know, especially at alma mater, man, everyone means that much more, and any loss hurts that much more.

[Mark Ingram II]

Coach, man, you. We talked, we talked about your, your team, your makeup, but you have your third transfer quarterback in the last three years. Obviously, Ken Ward went number one, Beck just went number three. Is the portal where contender schools need to visit more often to compete for a national title? Like if they have holes at the quarterback position or wherever they at, you think the portal is the answer?

[Mario Cristobal]

If there's a hole, it's an answer for. It's a potential answer. I don't think there's like a staple. Hey, every year you take this position in the Portal. I think if you feel you're not ready to contend for a, you know, for a title at the conference level first, and of course, at the national level, I think you have. You'd be crazy not to access what you have access to. I just. And it's just worked out that way for us the last three years, you know, in certain positions, like at tackle, have not to touch it, you know, right. At safety, we did. Now we feel great about where we're at from a high school standpoint. So I think every year is different. But you're always like, coach knows you're projecting two and three years out. And then you're also now projecting contracts two and three years out.

[Mark Ingram II]

Right.

[Mario Cristobal]

Make sure you're locked in where you want to be locked in so you could have a better plan going into postseason.

[Mark Ingram II]

How do you, how do you approach high school recruiting? You know, a lot of schools are getting. Are recruiting less high schoolers, you know, because you can go to the portal. How do you personally look at, know, recruiting high school athletes?

[Mario Cristobal]

Oh, no, we signed 30, 31 last year. We'll sign 25. We'll find this year a smaller class because we're younger.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah.

[Mario Cristobal]

But also it'll be in the, the, the low to mid 20s as well. And it's still the foundation.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yes.

[Mario Cristobal]

Really? Yeah, it's. It's the backbone of your program. And I think now that you can work some things, contractually, you could, you could have players committed to you for more than one year at a time if you do things a certain way. So, yeah, that's always going to be the belief system for us is making sure we build this thing, you know, at the, at the grassroots level.

[Mark Ingram II]

Let's go.

[Mario Cristobal]

I love it.

[Rob Stone]

You mentioned contracts, though. There's. There's reports out there that rosters are hitting like, the 40 million number. Where, where do you see this number kind of finally leveling off, if at all? Coach?

[Mario Cristobal]

I. I don't know. I. I don't know what the numbers are. I don't know what's real. I don't know what's fake. I mean, there's so many. There's so many reports. There's social media, there's 14, 780, like shows and podcasts and whatnot. So the amount of information, it's like information overflow, and you just don't know what trailer, what's not. You know, that there's. The market is set by whatever the market thinks it's supposed to be at. And that's, that's what drives up, that's what drives prices up or down. So again, there's a lot of uncertainty. There's a lot of learning and figuring out to do. But we are, we're about as far away from structure as you could possibly be as it relates to that, in my opinion.

[Urban Meyer]

You know, that opened the door here. So I'm on with Coach Saban and Mac Brown on that president's commission. And I learned a lot and I learned that there's no rules. And there's a reason no rules is because it's 36 or 37 states have different statutes regarding, you know, you get a friendly judge and you got a kid getting the sixth or seventh year. You know, it's, it's. The NCAA is toothless, not because of them, because there's no. Unless you get antitrust exemption. So there are two questions I have. Coach number one, there's no rule. My understanding. And I get coaches all the time call me and bitching to me about this and that, this and that. And then the second part is, well, first of all, without antitrust, it is what it is. You know, you're not supposed to have a collective. You're not supposed to have. But you do. You do. But there's something that came up. The quarterback of Texas Tech with this gambling issue that kept me awake at night just because I was horrified about what that would do to your team. And this is before it's legal, now it's legal. This kid's, I mean, this kid, I think he's in. I don't, I don't want to dig deep. So I don't know exactly what happened, but if what I read is true, Texas Tech just lost a $5 million or whatever they paid him quarterback. Does that. Is gambling on the forefront after this or has it always been?

[Mario Cristobal]

Who knows? I mean, who really, really knows? And what is actually exposed and, and what is it? You know what I mean? I just, I like to, I like to think that everyone. So, I mean, I know we do. I'm sure most people do. You're really thorough in your background checks and everything that goes with it. I just, I, I know this. Adapt or die. That's what I do, right? You adapt or you die. And I think everybody's trying to figure it out. I think everybody wants to figure it out. I feel, you know, I feel like there's more people making noise as opposed to creating solutions is what I feel. Yeah, I, I come from a very humble background too. Hard ass working Cuban parents. Man, all we did was Work and shut up, you know what I mean? And do right by people. So I like to see solutions and people working towards them instead of chattering complaints out there. I'm sure you get it all the time, people complaining. It's like, man, let's, let's find a way to make it work because it's not going away and adapt or die. And those that have been stubborn about it are getting their butts kicked and you know, so. And there's no perfect way to it. So I have absolutely zero value in this conversation. No solutions. I really don't have any idea where it's going. It's just like you're just dodging. It's like dodgeball, man. You know, Next one comes.

[Rob Stone]

Coach, let's talk about your schedule real quick before we wrap things up. You're out of conference schedule, FAMU, Central Michigan and then that big one November 7th at Notre Dame. How do you and your program try to set your out of conference schedule and what is it you are hoping to achieve with those games?

[Mario Cristobal]

I mean, we always try to, you know, play the best player, the best teams that we possibly can. You know, I like, I believe Miami and Florida should play every year. The fact that that's not on there every year is criminal. I think it's the fact that we get to Notre Dame, Miami get to play each other. I think is, is awesome. It's always been such a historic game. But for us at this point in time, there's, there's one game on the schedule and that's Camp 2026 and then Stanford. We are, we have to travel across the country. We're beginning with ACC play for the first time and I don't know, maybe in forever for Miami and against a team that's got some really good players and some NFL. It's an NFL laden staff and I played out there before and it's, it's tremendous challenge for us. That's so that's our only focus, man. We, we're very where our feet are. A type of an organization. So all the other stuff, and I know this doesn't answer your question, but I'll focus on one and oh, they had a time, brother.

[Rob Stone]

I'll get it.

[Mark Ingram II]

Coach, man, I know you guys had your spring game a couple weeks ago. Darian Mensah had, you know, a big game. But I'm a big fan of JB and Mallory. I've been training with that kid since he was in 10th grade. Is that right?

[Urban Meyer]

Yeah.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yep, yep. We trained at XP right here in Fort Lauderdale together since he was, like, in 10th grade. So I've been following him. Is there any up and coming rising stars that we should be on the lookout for, like Malachi, Tony that we might not know about, that we need to be showing some love to prior to the season?

[Mario Cristobal]

You just mentioned one of them. He's a stud, man. Yeah, that dude is that. He runs hard, tremendous contact balance. He's tough, he's smart. Like, he's like, getting into nutrition. He attacks the weight room like a complete animal, you know? But I think there's a lot. There's a lot of freshmen. But Mark, here's the problem. The moment I mention about a freshman doing great, then Our collective gets 18 calls from agents saying, hey, I heard my guy's doing great. Maybe there's a race and I gotta tell them all to kiss my ass.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah, we go. We gonna lay low on it, then coach, I'll hate you on the back end.

[Mario Cristobal]

Let's let these guys go out there and prove it. And I'd be more than happy to compensate them, but as of right now, man, we're running around out there, right? And workout gear and doing what we need to prepare for a very rigorous. We got to have a very challenging, both physically and mentally off season. We got to have, you know, the kind of off season that really galvanizes us because of the work invested and time invested in each other. And. And we got to get really good at playing with our pads down, our feet in the ground, bending at the knees and getting our hands inside.

[Mark Ingram II]

Sounds like O line.

[Urban Meyer]

My last. My last question. I'm gonna get your ass fired up here. So. So Adagio, Steve Adagio is the best line coach I had. He. He's kind of from your. Your world, you become head coach. And I had Adagio. His world was from tackle to tackle. He liked to go Inside drill for 2 hours and 20 minutes. And I'd say, steve, stop that. We gotta. There's other stuff going on. How were you able? I'm trying to visualize Mario Crystal ball at routes on air and one on one. How did you change that mentality that coach all 11, not just you.

[Mario Cristobal]

My corner route coach. I got a wicked corner route, man, you know?

[Urban Meyer]

No, you don't.

[Mario Cristobal]

I mean, I coach tight ends for a while, and then.

[Urban Meyer]

Then I taught him how to block, babe.

[Mario Cristobal]

But, but. But here's the thing is, as an offensive line coach, in a positive way, I was tortured by coach Saban for four years knowing that every time we. We put together, whether it Be duo duo would have like a cross safety blitz. Right. A A or cross mic will free safety a day if we put in Charlie and cla protection. Mark remember that, right?

[Mark Ingram II]

Yes.

[Mario Cristobal]

Seven man protection. Well all of a sudden we get Sam strong safety from the boundary.

[Mark Ingram II]

Right.

[Mario Cristobal]

So he had the pencil laugh.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah, he, he, he'll try to pencil whip you. You know what I mean? That's why you can't give him the script.

[Mario Cristobal]

I quickly because, you know, he always just told me how we're just focused on duck walking in the corner of the field and being on the boards. How we had to expand our minds. So coach Meyer, to your question. Yes, we over time. Yes. I have found myself, you know migrating a little bit of time over there to the skill guys and one on one but quickly back to the bigs and making sure our line of scrimmage and I got. We have awesome coaches. Jason Taylor, Alex Mirabal, Damian Lewis. We got some absolute monsters. But that's where I can help the team the best and in special team. So that's where I live, man.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yes, sir.

[Rob Stone]

All right, coach, go have another cafe sito before you do your next whatever it's going to be doing. Mario Cristobal, thanks so much for joining us. That was never cutting corners. Presented by Wendy's. Wendy's new spicy chicken sandwich is crispier, crunchier and more flavor packed than any ever. Wendy's. We are so back. You might think the worst part about not wearing your seat belt is getting a ticket. The fine, the inconvenience, maybe even the embarrassment of being pulled over. But the truth is, that ticket isn't the real problem. The real cost comes in a crash.

[Urban Meyer]

Without your seat belt, you're far more likely to be badly hurt or worse. That could mean serious injuries, long hospital stays, months of recovery, and missing out on the moments that matter the most. Compared to that, a ticket is nothing.

[Mark Ingram II]

That's why law enforcement is paying attention. If they see you driving or riding without your seat belt, you can expect to be pulled over. And you can expect a ticket because that ticket is meant to remind you to buckle up before it's too late. Seat belts save lives.

[Rob Stone]

So take that extra second to buckle in. Click it, don't risk it. Paid for by nhtsa. Welcome back to the triple option. Time now for cheers of the week presented by RK0PROOF. RK0PROOF delivers the taste, aroma and even the burn of real spirits without alcohol, sugar or carbs. So this week we are raising a glass to one of our favorites, Shedor Sanders. This Is great. Had his number retired at Colorado, remember? Started for the Cleveland Browns and was able to get through just a lot of nonsense in Cleveland about his draft. Played well, whatnot. And then when he got on the field, played really well headed into his second year in Cleveland. But he went back to Boulder, not just because they were retiring his number, which it should be, but to walk the stage and get his degree in sociology. And props to Shador, right? Continue to take online classes during his NFL season. Talk about, like, completing the college process. Cheers to you, Shador Sanders.

[Mark Ingram II]

Cheers to Shador Sanders. Way to hold it down, brother. Way to keep going. Way to be great. Way to keep elevating, my man. Quit. Don't. Don't pay attention to the haters and the naysayers. You got a lot of love around you, bro. You keep going. We proud of you. Degree. NFL balling. Shot calling. Shador Sanders, man. We love you, boy.

[Urban Meyer]

Perfect time I want to take a shot at. To congratulate Dion, too. You know, I think, you know, we're all. Your kids are a product of their parents, and. And Dion takes a lot of heat, man. And. And we all, like. We all love Dion, and. And you can tell just the way he talks to his kids, his teams, that kind of. He knows that in the real world, you better stay on your game, because that game could be taken away from you fast. So that's really cool news right there to hear that.

[Rob Stone]

That degree.

[Urban Meyer]

Good for him. Don't forget Dion. Yeah, I hear him talk to his player. I went to his meetings, and he's up. He's on him now, Mark, just like he's on his kids. And, you know, his kids are. You know, they're out there a little bit, but they're also real respectful dudes whenever they talk. It's kind of neat to see that.

[Rob Stone]

Nice to have those online classes. It's made it so much easier and attainable for. For athletes or just students in general, to be able to finish those last classes or semesters or whatever without having to fly all the way back to

[Mark Ingram II]

wherever I need to finish my joint, man.

[Rob Stone]

I know. We'll get on you. We'll get. We'll get an online class sponsor for you.

[Urban Meyer]

I'm gonna call your mom and dad after we're done here. Make sure you get that done.

[Mark Ingram II]

I know. Mama straight, though. You feel? Mama straight, though.

[Rob Stone]

Hey, when those kids in the Ingram household start getting a little bit older, they're gonna ask it, where's your college degree?

[Mark Ingram II]

They're gonna be like, do you see where you live in.

[Rob Stone]

Dad's doing just fine. Yeah.

[Mark Ingram II]

Yeah.

[Rob Stone]

Oh, man.

[Mario Cristobal]

That doesn't get it.

[Mark Ingram II]

I'm gonna get it done. I'm getting it done.

[Rob Stone]

That does it for the triple option. Follow subscribe rate us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts, as well as across social media at 3x option show. Thanks as always to our great sponsors. Wendy's, RK0 Proof and NHTSA will see you next time on the triple option.