← Zone 1150 - TexAgs Live
Zone 1150 - TexAgs Live
TexAgs Live - Jason Howell + Ricky Seals-Jones : 07.15.26
00:43:59
Recruiting Country with Jason Howell, taking a look at the most recent Aggie Football commits + Former Texas A&M wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones explains why he is a believer in Mike Elko!
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- [00:00]
A
Welcome back into Tech SAGS Live. We are presented by David Gardner Jewelers, Rollo Insurance. Studio time for recruiting country brought to you by American Momentum bank, the only privately owned bank headquartered in Ry Collar Station. They're committed to helping our community prosper by offering you a wide array of both personal and business banking solutions specifically designed to help build financial success with confidence and momentum on your side. All right, we go to the. And bartending hotline. My headphone keeps coming out for some reason. We talked to Jason Howell. What's up, man?
- [00:32]
B
Oh, same old stuff, man. Same old stuff. Getting ready. Tomorrow I get to go to New York City, see my stepdaughter up there, and so going to be in town through Sunday, so I'm pretty excited. Get to soak in a little of that World cup finals atmosphere, so.
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A
So you go to New York once or twice a year. I feel like. I feel like you've mentioned that before.
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B
Yeah, we try. We try and get up there a few times and, you know, hang out and love the city and, you know, it's. It's a good time.
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A
What are the Howells do when they go to New York?
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B
Well, we typically go to a Broadway show. We. We do a lot of eating and drinking around the city. Got to. Got to have the local cuisine or whatever, and we don't really have, like, a restaurant that we have to go to. It's more. We're. We're just. I think this time we're going to do a dumpling crawl in Chinatown.
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A
That sounds fun.
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B
Yeah. So, yeah, we're. We just kind of try not to plan it too much and stay in the city and just stay out all day, you know? You know, just kind of moving and shaking, if you will.
- [01:52]
A
All right, let's. Let's get to recruiting. We got some business. Excuse me? Business to get to. Makai Allen, the most recent commit. Let's start off with that story. Don Bosco Prep, another Jersey kid.
- [02:03]
B
Yeah. And Coach Cebella was talking about how, you know, they don't really have a lot of guys that start as freshmen on varsity, and him and Chase are. Are two that definitely have. And, you know, Makai's story is one, a really unique one on the football field. He. He jumped right in as a freshman where he played safety, and he was. He's one of their better kickoff returners. And one of the. One of the big highlights on his freshman tape is him taking a kickoff return, like, you know, 100 yards to the house. So he's a uniquely gifted athlete. He's Played every single level of the defense. He' when, when I talked to Coach Sabella about his, you know, like Chase was known for his weight room mentality. He, I think he lifted, you know, every single weight that they have at Don Bosco and set every single record that they have out there as far as explosion and, and pure, pure power. And he said, you know, Makai is one of those, he's a locker room guy. He's one of those guys that the team rallies around and he's, you know, he's magnet for other, you know, other teammates and really, you know, when you compare that with what he brings physically and mentally and just his attitude, you got to love what you're getting in, in a linebacker. I think he, he checked in, we've been listening at 220. I think he checked in last at right around £230. And you, you see him, he's built like a block and, and he, he brings a versatility to the position where you're not going to have to sub him out. He's got that athleticism where he can, you can do so many different things and you know, an offense isn't going to necessarily know what's coming when, when you got a Makai Allen on the field, especially when you pair him with, with the guys that, that they also have in this class.
- [04:22]
A
Jason, let's, let's talk about what they've done at linebacker not just this year, although, you know, obviously there's still some time to go but what they've been able to secure so far this year and you could look at what they've done the last couple years.
- [04:35]
B
Yeah, well this, this group, you really have to love it. Kaden Henderson is a little bit different. Maybe you give the edge to him as, as far as may more dynamic but very similar in that they, he can play anywhere you want at linebacker. You can bring him off the edge, you can blitz him, you know, right up the gut. You can drop him into coverage. He can, he can stick with anybody. Him and Makai are definitely like that. Aston is a high upside athlete with you know, NFL pedigree and a high end athleticism. And yeah, he's, he's, he's got that, a little smaller than, than those other guys, but he's got the frame to build on and, and be that, that guy that can be kind of a safety, weak side linebacker combination kind of guy. And then yeah, when you compare it with what they've done the last couple years, I mean from Noah McHale and to, to Guys, you know, like, like you had last year, you had a four man group that again, just a really solid group of guys, bunch of four star guys and you've got a very well rounded room. I know Makai Allen talked about how much he loved the, the room that coach Travis Williams works with and just the, the blend of, of talent there. And yeah, when you've got leaders like Damen Sanford and, and the like out there doing some heavy lifting, setting that tone, yeah, you've got, you've got to like what you're getting now. I, I want to say Kaden and Maai, they're at, you know, cadence that five star linebacker A and M's really been looking for for a long time. And Makai is right there in that Noah McHale range as a top 150, 200 guy that is, you know, just a national recruit that a lot of people wanted. And, and yeah, it's that linebacker room. People are going to stop asking does he play linebacker now around the message board because A M is building something pretty special there and I think you have to give credit to, to Coach Elko and the staff for really prioritizing it and then developing. I mean, I mean Damien is a key right there. I mean he wasn't the guy that, he was a high upside guy. He was a lot like Aston Whiteside and you know, when he signed and to see his development and growth into what he, what happened last year and you know, the leader he's become on the team and, and I think that's an attractive thing for, for a lot of recruits out there. What Torian York did and his development as is also, you know, coming in and being a stud player, I think that's helped A and M elevate their, their linebacker recruiting.
- [08:07]
A
Jason, I talked a little bit about this with Billy but you know, Jersey's been a good place or just. Yeah, the Tri State area has been good for A and M. And it's not just that area. Obviously they've done great in the state of Florida. They've done really well even in California. They've become a global recruiting machine now through two coaches. But just talk about their ability to go into the Upper Northeast and still continue to get quality, quality players.
- [08:34]
B
Yeah. And, and I want to say before Jimbo Fisher arrived in 2018, I, I don't think, I don't remember A and M really being much of a factor for New Jersey specifically. I, I remember that when he arrived they were in on a tight end, Matt Alamo. And at the end of that 2018 cycle where they were just, they were really churning and burning and bringing guys in. He ended up going somewhere else. But that's the first one I really remember them getting after. I know Elijah Robinson, he's played a huge, huge role in elevating the presence there in New Jersey, Philly, New York City area. And yeah, he, you saw them really break through in a 2020 class with Fidel Diggs and Isaiah Rakes and of course chase in 23. And since, you know, every, it's like every other year you're, you're seeing them get a guy. They're actively involved in, in several recruitments. I know in the 28 class, receiver Maai Parker is a guy to put on your list. He visited in, in the summertime and, and really was blown away by what he saw. But one of the top receivers in, in the Northeast out there at Glassboro. But you've seen them go in Miles o', Neill, Jermaine Kinsler, last class and, and of course now you got Makai out there and, and they're going into big programs. Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco, those, those areas that are rich with talent and year in, year out, they're producing elite prospects. Not only that go to A and M, but go to other SEC programs, Big 10 schools, you know, top 10 programs across the country. And you know, they, they, they tend to have those, those guys from programs like Don Bosco or a Bergen Catholic that, they tend to be those culture guys as well, like that. Those guys are going to put their head down, go to work. They're used to winning. They're used to grinding. They're used to it not being. And they, they love it. You know, they, they love going to work. They, they love to. That blue collar mentality, that hard hat mentality. And, and you see it, A and M has done a lot of great work in, in those trenches and, and in those blue collar positions like linebacker. So I think it's uh, it's definitely something that's elevated since I'd say 2018 was when you first really started. It's yeah, Elijah Robinson and the crew. Mike Elko obviously has some big time connections up there in the Northeast and yeah, that's been very, it's been key. And I think that that culture, you know, that they bring down helps establish a strong culture at A and M.
- [11:49]
A
Jason, this class has come together so fast and I'm sure there are reasons maybe just in the state of college athletics right now. Why do you think this A and M class has come together so quickly.
- [12:01]
B
Well, and it's quicker than any. I said it in my three things on Friday. This is the quickest we've seen a recruiting class come together for Texas A and M. You really, you're watching Landon Williams callous out there, running back, but other than that, you may have some guys that they're watching to see how they develop, but yeah, they're. They're pretty much done. And you, you know, you may see some guys when the coaching carousel kicks up towards the end of. Of the fall where, where A and M gets back in on or, you know, some of those continued conversations start to pay off. But, but for the most part, it's, it's done and I think a lot of it has to do. Like you said, you've. You've had the rules change where you have spring and summer official visits and the transfer portal. And I think that, that those two things really combine to, to speed up the process, specifically the spring and summer official visits. It's just so much easier for these guys to come in and visit during the spring when they're not trying to play games. And, and they. There's value to those. I think the coaches love having those guys in when, when they're not trying to plan and, and have a big recruiting weekend the same time they're having a big, you know, important game that they, you know, must win. And yeah, it's. I think, I think that all comes together to, to help that, you know, make. Make guys feel more comfortable making that decision. And of course, transfer portal and Nil, I think all goes a long way and we've seen it the last few 20, 26 cycle came together really quick as well. I think by the end of July you pretty much had your class and you know, even going back to the 24 class where it was a transfer, it was a transition class with Elko and, and all that, but I mean, you had a large number of guys committed by September. You were, you were, you know, you had Terry Bus who committed at the end of September. That was a big target, you know, once the season started and you had, you had some other guys out there, but for the most part, you had a, you know, most of your class ready to go. And we've seen it starting to speed up every, every year. But yeah, this is. I think next year, this 28 class, it. Once you get, once you get those guys committed and, you know, kind of locked in, it does allow you to spend more time on the next class. So in this case, the 28 so the more time you're spending there, you're developing those relationships. Those guys are coming in in the fall. Those guys are going to be, you know, have taken multiple visits by the time spring rolls around next year. And I got a feeling that cycle is just going to continue to speed up a little bit each and every year.
- [15:15]
A
Jason, as I'm talking to you, I'm over here wondering how many states are represented in this class? Because we, we talked about Jersey, I brought up some other states. But like, if you were to like, you know, they do for election coverage, they have all the states that are going red or blue. Like, how many states are going maroon?
- [15:33]
B
Well, I, I have 10 by my count. You've got, of course, taxes. You got Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey up there in the Northeast, California and Nevada over on the west. And then you got Michigan, Ohio and Indiana all there in the Midwest. So you've attacked just about every region in the country. Maybe, maybe go up to Oregon or Washington, hit the, hit the Pacific Northwest or something. But shoot, you even got Australia in the fold over there. So you've, you've gone international. You've, you've hit all over the country, all over the map, and, and you still have the, the biggest portion of your class coming from the state of Texas.
- [16:25]
A
All right, we'll hit a break here. We'll come back. More with Jason Howell on Recruiting country, brought to you by American Momentum Bank. Shout out to our good friends at Bubba's 33, man, all they do is like great events for others. They do it. You can join them. It started yesterday, but today as well. 11 1pm and 6 to 8pm for their tip, a veteran event. So volunteers from the Earl Graham American Legion Post 159 will be visiting with guests and sharing how together they are raising funds for Home for Our Troops, a national nonprofit that builds and donates specifically adapted homes for severely injured post 911 veterans. Stop by for a great meal, meet with their local veterans and help support an incredible cause. Every donation makes a difference. We hope to see you there. And remember, the food at Bubba's is fantastic. Burgers great. The wings great. The people great. Go say hi to the whole crew there. I'm getting in trouble for missing people, but Maddox is definitely there. He used to work on Texas. Say hi to Maddox, Shelby, Jessica, you name it, it's Bubba's 33.
- [17:21]
C
The Houston Astros. The Houston Astros play on the zone, thanks to Kelly burdozer here on TexAct Live.
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A
We're presented by David Gardner of Silver's Rallo Insurance Studio Recruiting country, brought to you by American Momentum Bank. We've got Jason Howell here. So, Jason, we've been going back and forth on what the year or the commitment class has been looking like for the ag. So when you guys start updating your rankings, what's going into where we are right now with a lack of how much of it is what they did last season and how much of it is projection,
- [17:56]
B
you definitely have to put a lot of projection into it, but really what you're going on is what you've gathered in the camp season, seeing these guys move around. And, and by camp season, I'm talking. I think our last update was right before spring practice for a lot of these guys. So a lot of, A lot of that 27, 28 class we got to see in the spring. We got to, you know, see a lot of those underclassmen, especially in that camp season there in June. And so, you know, watching them compete and go against, like, competition and things like, and, and of course, you see new guys and, you know, if you haven't really studied that player, you go back and you watch the tape and see what they did. And if there's not a lot there, you, you ask why wasn't that. Was he buried behind? Somebody else is transitioning to a new position or, you know, sometimes it's just somebody you didn't know about that's new to your radar, who had a big season last year and has shown it and deserves that bump. And so I think that's that some of the things. But everything, especially if it's a, if it's a new guy that we're learning about, it all goes back to, okay, let's see what they did on tape last year. And then bringing it forward with, you know, what we, what we saw at camp and how that ends up projecting to the college and beyond.
- [19:32]
A
Jason, you guys are also expanding your list on the 28th?
- [19:37]
B
Yes, we went ahead and, and bumped our list from 25 to, to 50 this year. This time around, again, you know, we, we put together the watch list, right? And then when it comes to putting them in order, it's kind of hard. So we, we pare it down to, to those guys we feel super comfortable with. And those are guys that we've seen, we've, you know, seen multiple times and evaluated in person, uh, to a large degree. And that list, that list of names has grown. We got to, like I said, we got to see a lot of guys in, in the spring and in summer. So we just feel a little bit more comfortable. You see things kind of solidify with some of those top guests. And yeah, so we, we bumped, we went from 15 four stars to 20 and yeah, I feel really good about this this 28 group. There's, there's some really intriguing talents in there. Armani Edwards and J. Knight Storm at offensive tackle or a couple to really keep an eye on there as far as kind of the top upper echelon guys. And at offensive tackle you've had got the Taylor twins from Keller Central who just completely took over the state 707 tournament and, and claim that championship for a Keller Central program that's, that's had some talent over the years but typically, you know, doesn't. Hasn't had a winning tradition. And so they, they went out there, they played both sides of the ball and they've had a big off season on the track as well. So we try and take those kind of numbers into account as we, we do our evaluations as well. So they've really emerged as more defensive prospects. But Isaiah plays quarterback, Jeremiah is a, is a receiver. And then they both are outstanding in the secondary where they can both play anywhere from, you know, any position back there, safety, corner, nickel, whatever you need. Those guys, those are, those are a couple high risers. Ian Thomas, you may, you may remember his father, A M Laura Rodney. There he he is, he's one of the top running backs. He, he makes his debut in the, the 28 top 21 of the top running backs in, in the country out of Tomball, Texas. And yeah, we, there's the offensive line group, a lot of depth. There's some really intriguing linebackers out there and A and M is very involved already. I think there's over 30 offers out there in the class in that top, top 50. So A and M is already getting after a lot of those guys and yeah, a lot to watch out there, Jason.
- [22:49]
A
Just one of some things to watch out for, you know, maybe in the next couple weeks, maybe in the next month, maybe in the next, you know, by the end of summer. What is something you think we need to have our attention on?
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B
Yeah, I mean like, like we mentioned, keep an eye on that 28 class quarterback. Dominoes are already following. Donald Tabron has talked about making a summertime decision and he's, he's definitely a guy who, who I keep on, on the radar. A and M's very well situated there with, you know, tons of competition. Usc, Ohio State, you know, one of the top quarterbacks in, in the country from Detroit, Michigan. So but you've got a lot of, a lot of guys. You know, the, the dominoes start to fall. I think last year we saw Jace Johnson and, and Demarian Johnson both commit in August and you've already got a big time edge rusher committed and that 28 class and chance Archangel. So yeah, definitely keep an eye on that 28 class as the momentum starts to build there. And yeah, it's almost football season so we're going to be previewing some high school games before we know it too.
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A
Yeah. When is, when's the first week of high school football? It's usually what, the first week of the high school season or calendar, I should say.
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B
Yeah, it's usually toward the end of August.
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A
Yeah.
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B
And some states it gets started a little sooner. Georgia, I think right around mid, mid August you'll, you'll start to see those games being played that really mean something. And yeah, it, it gets rolling in a hurry and you know, we'll be out, you know, covering all that stuff as the games get played.
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A
Jason, fantastic work as always, man. I appreciate your time.
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B
Anytime. Thank you.
- [24:53]
A
Thank you. That's Jason Howell there on the Bupes catering and bartending hotline. We're gonna hit a break. We'll talk to Ricky Seals Jones on the other side. The. I got, you know, I usually give Dave and Edmund a hard time. I always give him a hard time. He actually had a funny today. He wants to know my movie take or my reading reenactment, if you will, of A Few Good Men. I'm not going to do that one. I think the title alone would make it awkward. So we're just going to let that one just go and. But you know that one. I do. I just watched A Few Good Men the other day, so we can. Have you ever seen it? Okay. No. You're out. You're out. When we come back, RSJ here on Tech SAGS live on the Bucky's catering and bartending hotline.
- [25:33]
C
Visit the pond center at zone1150.com and find every hour of every day of your favorite shows. Download or subscribe.
- [25:43]
D
All right, we're back.
- [25:45]
A
Tech SAGS live presented by David Gardner's Jewelers Rollo Insurance Studio. Our next guest was one of the most dynamic athletes we've seen here at Texas A&M. Five star recruit out of Sealy, Ricky Seals Jones joining the program. It was about a year ago. He came to the studio and hung out with us. What's up, Ricky?
- [26:01]
D
What up? What up? Thank y' all for having me. Appreciate it.
- [26:04]
A
Thank you, man. So catch us up. I know that you. You're always moving and shaking. You're like, are you doing real estate now? Is that what I saw?
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D
I am. I am. I'm doing real estate out in the Houston area. I work for Renee Charola Properties. I'm out in 16 San Felipe, so I'm doing a galleria, you know, River Oaks area. I'm loving it, man.
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A
You got the clientele, River Oaks.
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D
You know what? Getting all the Aggies. I'm taking over, man. I'm trying to get all the Aggies that's in Houston. So you know how that goes.
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A
That's fantastic. Yeah. So first off, it's funny you say that, because I always tell people, when you were in college, do you remember that shirt? How you can tell an Aggie, you know, five years out of college, he's the boss. Like, that's. So basically, if you're running a company and you're living in River Oaks, you're probably an Aggie, right?
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D
Yeah, that's true.
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A
Hey, so catch me up on life. What's up with the fam? What's up with everything?
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D
Everything's good. You know, kids are good. Kids are growing sons in football. My girls are, you know, they're ripping and running, giving me gray hairs early. And then, you know, it's life. I'm ready for football season.
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A
Heck, yeah, man. So let's. Let's look at this year's team, and then maybe we'll look back a little bit at your career based on what you saw from last year. All right, what coach Echo was able to establish in year two, in the 11 and two season, 11 and one regular season. Where are your expectations for this year considering 10 guys went to the draft? So this is going to be kind of a new roster.
- [27:31]
D
I have faith. You know, I think what he showed last year is that he can come in and recruit and get guys out of the portal and kind of just do his thing. So I'm excited. I have my faith in him. I know that he has a plan, and I think the guys that are coming in, if you just abide by it, it'll work out. Like, look at how, you know, wanted to leave, ended up saying, and went first round. So, you know, it's one of those things where if you just come in and do what you need to do and kind of ride the wave and just, you know, adapt to what he's. What. What he wants to do, it's going to work out.
- [28:10]
A
Nate Borkucher was a guy that came to A and M last year as kind of known as a blocker. This dude went in the second round of the draft, had one of the biggest catches in Aggie football history. What would you like to see from this? Just a new group of tight ends this year. What would you like to see from this group of tight ends in 2026?
- [28:28]
D
Oh, that's a good one. Honestly, just smash mouth. I like the physicality of our tight ends, just them being, being a great team, great team leaders, honestly, getting guys up, making them go, making the offense go, picking each other up. You know, obviously being a tight end, you're going to be. You're like the second hand of a quarterback. You know, you have to know the run, run game, pass game. So you have to be a leader out there. You have to sometimes motivate the offensive line, motivate the receivers if they drop a pass, you know, even motivate the running back. So, you know, that's what I'm looking at. I'm looking at if the tight end is going to be, you know, that second, that second guy to the quarterback of motivating the team to get them going.
- [29:19]
A
And what about Marcel specifically? What did you think of his 2025 season? What would you like to see from him in 26?
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D
I think he had a great year. I would love to see, you know, more down. I would love to see him stay in the pocket and, and kind of deliver those medium, medium to medium passes. You know, I think if he does that, I think we can go a long ways because he has the legs. We all know he can run, he can scramble, he can get out the pocket and do his thing. But you know, sometimes, you know, just him sitting in the pocket and letting his receivers and tight end do their thing or you know, dumb it down to the back. That might be, you know, I think that's his next, you know, hump. Getting over that hump.
- [29:59]
A
When you look at the rest of the sec, is there a team that scares you or is there a team that's maybe a little overrated? Or are you still kind of. With the way college sports are right now, there's such change in rosters. We won't know until we know.
- [30:12]
D
Yeah, I think we won't know till we know. And I also think we're like the dark horse. Even though we were, you know, we went to the playoffs last year, a lot of teams are sleeping on us, you know, and I think that we're one of those teams where like you said, you won't know till you know. And I think that when we come out, once we get rolling, I think we're going to be unstoppable.
- [30:32]
A
Yeah. When you think back about your time at A and M, what's maybe your best memory, your favorite moment, your best time at A and M.
- [30:42]
D
I know last time we were. Last time I was on the show, I said, run out the tunnel. I'm gonna say one of my best times was going out. Going out to South Carolina and upsetting them. Yeah, that was. That was one of my best memories. You know, that was the first time I heard they were playing that sandstorm with the white towels and, you know, going on the road and, you know, the atmosphere was crazy and going up there and upsetting them and putting on a clinic, you know, I think that was one of my biggest memories.
- [31:11]
A
You know, Ricky, I'm glad you brought up South Carolina because they're a team this year that I worry about a tad bit. Not because of their record, but I worry. I worry about a couple things. The last two times A and M has gone to South Carolina, they have lost. Both times, A and M was favored. Lenore Sellers is their qb, and he's a dynamic quarterback. But that atmosphere that you talked about, like, it seems to not matter what the record is. That place gets behind their team, and if they got a chance in the fourth quarter, they're going to seize it.
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D
Yeah, they are that. Yeah, you're right. And that's. That's pretty much every SEC team. You know, it's like no matter if their team's down and out, that the atmosphere is crazy. And then if you. If you give them that short window in the fourth quarter where give. Give that stadium any. Any breathing room, any light, it's just kind of ignite them. So I think if we go, you know, I think if we take care of business like we. Like we. We should, I think we'll be all right. I think Elko is going to have those guys ready to play. And what I've learned from last year is that, you know, once we got our foot on our necks, we're not letting up. And I think this is the step we're going to take this year to where, you know, we're going to shock a lot of people.
- [32:20]
A
Yeah. You feel good about this team?
- [32:23]
D
I do. You know, I really do. Like, I feel like that year three hump, man, he had a full year to kind of bring. Really bring his guys in recruiting the Portal. I just feel like, you know, we kind of. It's a dark horse. Like we're not really getting talked about. It's real quiet. I think it's just a calm before the storm.
- [32:47]
A
Ricky, earlier you were talking about tight end being that like that extra leader, that guy who in your era was like that extra leader that like spoke up. Was it you? Was it somebody else? Who was that guy that really helped motivate beyond qb, maybe beyond the elite defensive player who would have been.
- [33:05]
D
Oh, we had a lot. I guess neither I was one of them. We had Josh Reynolds, we had Trey Carson, Treveon Williams. I mean all the receiver group, honestly, Damian Ratley, just a lot. Like for us when I was there, we. We kind of all kind of took on that role of being a leader because we had a great coach. Aaron Moorhead did a great job of telling us what it was and being. Shooting into it straight and telling us it's okay to speak up if you feel a certain type of way or if you're not understanding what we're trying to get at, speak up about it. Don't hold your breath. So we had a good relationship with our coaches to be able to, you know, talk it out. So I feel like for us, our, you know, our receiver, when we, we had that, that good communication to be able to speak up whenever we needed to.
- [34:08]
A
Who is maybe the most talented player you played with?
- [34:12]
D
Oh, I would say, I would say Kyler. Yeah, Kyler was gifted.
- [34:22]
A
Yeah.
- [34:22]
D
Besides Johnny. And Johnny. When I first got there, I, I'll tell a quick story. I got there my rookie year and we had like summer workouts and you know, the old guys came in, Mike, Johnny, Terrell, they all walked in and we're doing a seven on seven. Johnny comes in, flip flops on, takes a snap, rolls out, throws an 80 yard bomb and flip flops and walks out. And I was like looking at everybody like, yeah, like that's what he does. I was shocked, you know. So besides Johnny, I would say Kyler. Kyler was spectacular too.
- [35:03]
A
Yeah. How much did it hurt to see him go elsewhere?
- [35:07]
D
I was sick. I think we tried to do everything we could to keep him here, you know. It just didn't work out.
- [35:15]
A
Well, luckily Trevor came and he did a great job. He did, man. But it's interesting and like, can you imagine your era with all the transfer stuff that's happening now, like not having to sit out how crazy it could have been?
- [35:29]
D
Oh, man. Yeah, it would have been. It would have been very crazy. So I'm glad that I'm not in this era. It's just too much. I'm not a big fan of the nil. The. They gotta. They gotta put a lid on it. I think it's getting out of hand.
- [35:46]
A
Yeah. But if you agree with it or not, you better play the game while it's here. Right.
- [35:52]
D
You have to. You have to if. Or you're gonna get left behind.
- [35:56]
A
I don't know if you've noticed, but Clemson is getting left behind partially because they're not playing the game. I think they're playing the nil game, but they're not all in when it comes to transfer portal.
- [36:05]
D
No, you have to be all in. You. You can't. You can't be. Yeah. And dabble. Yeah. Like you said, you're getting left behind, and it shows.
- [36:15]
A
Yeah. All right. So do you feel like we've got everything in place for this to be a sustainable project? Texas A and M has always been. When you were here and after, like, one really good year followed by a couple of down years or lean years. Right. Do you think we're not at a point, three out of four years we're knocking on the door, or if not of the playoffs, are in the playoffs?
- [36:35]
D
I think so. I think this is a year that we kind of put it all together, four phases. Offense, defense, special teams. And, you know, I think this is a year where also where if. If one group is slacking, the other group can pick it up. I truly believe that. So, I mean, we can say that, but we have to just see. And I. I truly believe that Elko has them. Has them in the right. Right direction with the whole staff and everyone. So, yeah, I'm excited, man. I can't wait to get down there to Aggieland. I know it's gonna be. It's gonna be exciting year. We got three. Three home games to pop off the season. Like, what more can you ask for? So, yeah, I think we're gonna. I think we're shocked. A lot of people this year, Ricky.
- [37:22]
A
Where did the freaking time go, man? I met you in 2012 as a high school player, and now you're a grown man with three kids and, like, I'm almost 50. Like, what. Where did the time go?
- [37:33]
D
It goes, man. It goes quick, and you just gotta. Gotta strap on and enjoy. Enjoy the ride and. But no, it's been. It's been a phenomenal ride. I've enjoyed my college experience. The people I've met at A and M has been tremendous. And then, you know, even my life now, living out in Houston and doing the real estate. Still meeting Aggies. It's been. It's been wonderful, Ricky.
- [37:58]
A
Great catching up with you, man. Can't wait to see you again here in studio. We'll chat soon, all right.
- [38:02]
D
All right, my man. Thank y' all again. See you. Have a good one.
- [38:05]
A
You too. Ricky Seals Jones there on the Bupes catering and bartending hotline. All right, we'll hit a break, come back with in case you missed it. And apparently they got some good stuff. Well, they always have good stuff, but they got a lot. That's next on Tech Sacks Live.
- [38:15]
C
Activate Spin Jaragi Football Saturdays, starting with the game day show. To the game to the call in show, and only on the zone 11:50am and 93.7 FM.
- [38:25]
A
It's not great to eat yogurt right before you go on the air. They got all that stuff, you know, like, it's. Never mind. Sticky. Anyway, in case you missed it. What up, Sid?
- [38:35]
E
How are you?
- [38:35]
A
All right. What's up, Kaylee?
- [38:36]
F
Hello.
- [38:37]
A
We're very casual here on the show.
- [38:38]
F
Yes.
- [38:39]
A
What do you have for me this week?
- [38:41]
E
Okay, so I promise this ties into sports, but the Kentucky, Kentucky, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, he had been MIA since June 14th.
- [38:51]
A
People were speculating he wasn't with us anymore.
- [38:53]
F
Yeah.
- [38:54]
E
People thought he had died because no one had seen him or him. Yeah. So he had to release a statement and a photo of proof of life. And he said he had a fall and he released this photo.
- [39:07]
F
Yeah. So you can see in the corner.
- [39:09]
A
Is that okay?
- [39:09]
F
Yeah, that's Chris Hakopian on the Washington Post newspaper. But everyone thought that that picture was AI. They also thought that the newspaper was AI. So everyone was asking Grok. They were trying to figure out if it was or not. But this is the actual Washington Post.
- [39:25]
A
Technically, it could still be AI, but it probably is not AI.
- [39:29]
D
Right.
- [39:29]
A
Like, I think AI can still fake a real newspaper.
- [39:32]
E
Yes.
- [39:33]
A
Right. You can fake like a jersey. Like, don't we do that like, sometimes? Like, hey, this king got drafted. Boom, you're in the jersey.
- [39:38]
E
They could have taken the real newspaper and just put it on the photo.
- [39:41]
A
But I'm glad we did this one with me and not during the go hour. What else do we have?
- [39:47]
F
So another topic that we wanted to talk about.
- [39:49]
E
No, I know, I know.
- [39:50]
A
I'll do it afterwards.
- [39:53]
F
SEC Media Days, obviously, each team released their. The people they were sending yesterday. And one that we thought was interesting was Auburn is sending their kicker, Alex McPherson, and his brother Evan McPherson plays for the Bengals. Yeah, just a Little tidbit, but Alex has Crohn's disease and he had to get his entire colon removed.
- [40:12]
A
Oh, my goodness. The entire colon removed.
- [40:16]
F
So now he kicks with a bag, which is like super interesting. So I can't wait to hear him talk at media days.
- [40:22]
A
Sorry, I just saw some breaking news that caught my attention that I want to make sure it's not fake. Somebody just posted that the Astros are trading Lance McCullers. That's real.
- [40:32]
F
They were talking about that back then.
- [40:33]
A
Oh, that's my guy. That's my buddy. You know who Lance McCullers is? No.
- [40:36]
E
Nope.
- [40:38]
A
Anyway, you were saying, Dreyer, Sorry, but
- [40:42]
E
that was kind of a sweet story that they're sending him and is like how he overcame.
- [40:47]
A
Yeah, that's a good story.
- [40:48]
E
Whatever. And then why don't you go whatever on it?
- [40:51]
A
You were going like heartfelt. And you're like, whatever, I'm out.
- [40:54]
E
Because it's time to move on now. I think it's interesting that only nine of 16 SEC teams are sending quarterbacks to media days. Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky, ole Mississippi State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and A and M all sending quarterbacks. But I think it's interesting that LSU is not sending Sam Levitt because most of the schools that aren't sending their quarterbacks, there's a QB battle going on.
- [41:19]
A
All right, so read me these teams again that are or not are Auburn,
- [41:24]
E
Georgia, Kentucky, ole Mississippi State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and A and M. Well,
- [41:31]
A
let's go through a couple of them. LSU transfer quarterback is not completely. Didn't really participate very much in spring ball because of his Liz Frank injury. I can understand why Sam Levitt's not there. Alabama, you got two guys competing for that spot. Vanderbilt. No Vanderbilt, they got a freshman Jared Vanderbilt that's expected to go.
- [41:53]
F
Same with Florida.
- [41:55]
A
Florida as well. So in this transfer portal era, it may not be that uncommon for A. But I. Yes. I mean, maybe if we have time here in the last two minutes. Can you google last year's SEC media day representatives? Because I all I heard the whole time I was there, A M didn't bring their starting quarter.
- [42:14]
E
Right.
- [42:14]
A
That was the big talking point the entire. Hey, what does that mean about A and M? Dr. That I believe in him. Is he not really the starter? Yada yada. Now the dude was just busy and they picked other people. All right, so whatever. That being said, I. I don't know. South Carolina, they got Lenore Sellers, obviously. Trying to think what other SEC teams can we throw out just to kind of.
- [42:35]
F
Tennessee is not but they're also.
- [42:37]
A
They also got a quarterback. Yeah, they got a quarterback basket.
- [42:39]
F
Georgia Tech.
- [42:41]
A
That. That's. Is Georgia on there? Yeah, they are. Okay, so I guess that that makes sense. Do you have that by any chance, Munson?
- [42:48]
E
Do you want A M or just all the teams?
- [42:51]
A
Well, no, no. Like, I know A and M didn't take the quarterback who took a quarterback who didn't last last year.
- [42:56]
F
I'm looking at the list.
- [42:57]
B
Oh, good.
- [42:58]
F
John Matier for Oklahoma qb.
- [43:00]
A
He was a transfer quarterback. They brought him, but they knew he was a guy and all. Yeah. And also his offensive coordinator came with him.
- [43:06]
F
So I think.
- [43:08]
A
Sorry, go ahead.
- [43:09]
F
I just got a message from Ali Garner in the back and she said 11 teams.
- [43:14]
A
11 teams.
- [43:15]
F
Diego Pavia is on there, too.
- [43:17]
B
Arch Manning.
- [43:21]
A
So last year 11, this year 10, next year 9. How did you know I was gonna say that?
- [43:28]
E
Okay, one more thing.
- [43:29]
A
I'm trying to take my time with you guys. All right, Go.
- [43:32]
E
There is a name renaissance underway in college football. Starting off with prayer. Young black goat.
- [43:39]
A
What?
- [43:39]
E
Arizona State, Mobility from Rice. Dude Person from Central Arkansas and King Large from smu.
- [43:51]
A
We should have led with that.
- [43:52]
F
Yes.
- [43:52]
A
Okay.
- [43:53]
F
This is like all over Twitter.
- [43:54]
E
Mobile. I like mobility.
- [43:56]
A
I want to talk about it on the rewind. Thanks, everybody. We'll see you next time.
- [43:59]
G
I started Ornod in 2013 and we make bike apparel. The best part of Shopify for me is our ability to run the business as essentially non technical people. We're able to admin everything on the back end, front end, and sell things online easily. If Shopify were a bike accessory, I think it would actually be the bicycle. It's the thing that you do the thing on. We run the business on Shopify. Start your free trial on shopify.com.