TexAgs Live - OB + Armani Watts : 08.10.26

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: TexAgs Live – Extended Go Hour + Armani Watts Interview

Zone 1150 – TexAgs Live, August 10, 2026
Hosts: David Nuño, Olin Buchanan (OB), with guest Armani Watts
Main Theme:
A deep-dive on Texas A&M football’s 2026 outlook, breaking down position groups through the lens of “doubts vs unknowns,” fan expectations for the coming season, and a reflective, lively interview with A&M great and Super Bowl champion Armani Watts.

---

1. Extended “Go Hour”: Doubts vs. Unknowns Across the Aggie Roster

[00:18–22:20]

Overarching Theme

• The hosts dissect every position group on the roster, evaluating not only where they lack confidence (“doubts”) but, more importantly, where uncertainty (“unknowns”) exists due to inexperience, changing personnel, or raised expectations.
• Tone: Analytical, optimistic, and often humorous, with a fan-driven edge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Offensive Line

• Biggest “Unknown” not a Doubt:
  • OB: “Having seen [Coach Adam Cushing] take guys that weren’t performing as well and, in one year, add one piece and they’re really good. Why would I doubt that he couldn’t do it again?” ([01:36])
  • Discussion of year-on-year transformation under Cushing and Elko from a “suspect” OL in 2023 to “pretty darn good” in 2024 and “excellent” in 2025.
• Depth and talent influx: New faces, including “five-star guys” and experienced SEC starters, provide hope even with turnover.
• Key Insight: The OL’s collective performance is likely the single greatest factor in determining A&M’s ceiling for 2026.

Running Backs

• Confidence in the room’s talent, especially in Reuben Owens’ growth:
  • “I like that from a guy that I’ve already seen he can produce. And he’s saying, ‘Look, I’m acknowledging where I could have been better and trying to make it better.’” ([06:09])
• Backfield versatility and upside lauded, especially as young complements emerge.

Receivers

• “Known strength,” even after losing Casey Concepcion.
• Depth by committee: “You replace the production of KC with multiple guys,” with names like Bussey, Horton, Bethel-Roman expected to increase their roles ([07:42]).

Quarterback

• Not an unknown: high optimism for Marcel Reed’s leadership and production.

Tight Ends

• Noted for impending production boost, but questions on just how involved they’ll be due to distribution of targets.

Defensive Line

• Interior DL almost not “unknown”—youth has flashed, needs to become consistent:
  • “Guys like Landon Rink have got to show me that he can do it all the time.... Now you’re not just in the rotation, you’re expected to play a lot.” ([08:16])
• Edge/pass rush is an “unknown”—will someone become a true difference-maker or will it continue to be a group effort? Elko’s scheme seen as a safety net.

Linebackers

• Sanford’s return shifts group from “doubt” to “unknown”—collective ceiling and replacing NFL-bound players is a challenge.
• Key position battle: Can Ray Koni fill the football IQ and play diagnostic role of Torian York?
• “If I can get that guy that just knows how to play linebacker… then you’ve already at least are as good as you were last year.” ([12:22])

Secondary

• Room is “significantly deeper” than 2025, but the unknown is turnover generation.
• “The biggest question to me is how good? ... I don’t have doubts or unknown, the secondary is good. But… are they going to force more turnovers, get more interceptions?” ([12:33])
• Depth highlighted (Byard, Ratcliffe, Dalton Brooks), and a more competitive nickel spot.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• OB (On Elko’s staff):
  “Why would I just say no, they can’t. This is going to be a problem. That’s why I say I don’t have a doubt. I have an unknown because I’ve seen Elko bring in talent before and Cushing develop it.” ([04:56])
• “I feel really good about… the interior line. I feel good even about the pass rush because Elko’s gonna come up with things.” ([17:02])

Segment Timestamps:

• Offensive Line: [00:59–06:56]
• Running Backs: [05:16–06:28]
• Wide Receivers/Quarterbacks: [06:28–08:12]
• Defensive Line/LB/Secondary: [08:12–15:13]
• Expectations if every group meets projections: [15:04–18:00]

---

2. Aggie Season Outcomes: Expectations Tied to Offensive Line

[15:04–18:54]

• OB asserts A&M “is going to be about as good as its offensive line.”
• Clear lines drawn:
  • Middle-tier OL = 8–4/9–3 range
  • Top 3 OL in SEC = “ten win team...maybe eleven or twelve and zero.” ([18:05])
• Reflects on last year’s performance, expecting law of averages boosts in turnover margin.
• On QB Marcel Reed: “If they have a top three offensive line, [Reed is] a top three quarterback in the SEC.”

Notable Quote:

• “If I have an offensive line that's going to protect Marcel, that's going to be able to run the football...then you talk 10 and 2 as a floor.” ([18:54])

---

3. National Perception and “Heisman Ifs”: Marcel Reed’s Narrative

[19:00–26:31]

Fan & Media Narratives

• Discussion about Reed's Heisman candidacy, especially if A&M had won the SEC Championship.
  • Notable Listener Comment: “People forget that Marcel probably would’ve won the Heisman if we had won the SEC championship, which everyone thought we were going to win.” ([23:15])
• OB responds with skepticism—reminds fans how postseason performance overwhelmingly shapes a player’s legacy.
• Analysis of “what-if” moments, South Carolina comeback, and the weight of postseason performance.

Quotes:

• “You were remembered for what you did in the postseason. In college football, now that there really is a more defined postseason, you’re remembered for what you do late. So he has to be better late.” ([25:24] – David)

---

4. Interview: Armani Watts Reflects on Aggie Life & Football

[28:21–39:10]

Life After Football

• Watts is “side questing”—taking up photography, getting into pilates, marathon running, and reading (“Atomic Habits” by James Clear).
• Enjoying fatherhood: “It’s a blessing to just be with the family. Not everybody gets that chance.” ([29:39])

A&M Reflections

• On initially committing to A&M:
  • “It wasn’t a lot of talk about what they gonna do… They were just straight to business.” ([32:10])
• Impact of experience:
  • “I was more relaxed the older I got… the more plays I made as got older, and the more confidence I got, then the team shows confidence in you.” ([33:08])
• “My key plays” – recalls Arkansas and Tennessee turnovers, channeling inspiration from Tyrann Mathieu and Ed Reed.
• Most Talented Played With: “M.G.—Myles Garrett. Freak of nature.” ([35:41])
• Favorite NFL matchup: “Tyreek [Hill]—special athlete.”
• Winning the Super Bowl: “Means everything… It was surreal. Relationships built and teammates that will always be brothers for life.” ([36:39])

Thoughts on the 2026 Aggies

• Praises current culture under Elko:
  • “He’s made a huge impact already. Just the culture-wise… It’s college football, but it’s a little professional over there and I like how it looks… He’s trying to go out there and win right now.” ([38:39])
• Looking forward to seeing more “aggressive” defense in 2026; excited to return for more games.

Notable Quotes:

• “[Elko] doesn’t really care about the spotlight and all that. He trying to win football games, so that’s somebody I can get behind.” ([39:10])

---

5. Around TexAgs and SEC: Closing Thoughts & Content Preview

[40:33–45:18]

• Brief critique of Bud Elliott’s SEC QB rankings for omitting Marcel Reed from the top 8: “Marcel Reed is nowhere in his top eight… Alabama quarterback [is] tbd. We don’t know crap about an injured quarterback or a quarterback that hasn’t been named yet.” ([41:50], [43:13])
• Content plug: Site articles, position breakdowns, pressers, and more coming up on TexAgs.
• Lighthearted banter about running, Star Wars, and Marvel with Armani Watts.

---

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Go Hour Position Breakdown: [00:18–15:13]
• If Each Group Meets Expectations: [15:04–18:54]
• Marcel Reed/Heisman/National Perception: [19:00–26:31]
• Armani Watts Interview: [28:21–39:10]
• SEC Rankings & TexAgs Content: [40:33–45:18]

---

Memorable Quotes:

• OB (on expectations):
  “I feel pretty good to great about every place, and the offensive line—that’s my biggest thing.” ([17:50])
• Armani Watts (on Elko):
  “He doesn’t really care about the spotlight… he’s trying to win football games, so that’s somebody I can get behind.” ([39:10])
• David (about legacies):
  “You leave people with is what they take away… afterwards, with some time, I think you have a little distance, you can kind of look back at the entire body of work. But at least in the initial aftermath, that's what we think about.” ([26:31])

---

Summary Takeaway:
This extended Go Hour episode offers a robust, granular look at the Aggies’ strengths and lingering uncertainties ahead of the 2026 season. There’s optimism that Mike Elko and staff can develop a reloaded roster into a contender—if the offensive line delivers. The conversation with Armani Watts grounds the football talk in experience, culture, and personal growth, spotlighting both the challenges and joys of life on and off the field at Texas A&M.

---

Transcript

[A]

And we're back. It is Tech Sacks Live. We are presented by David Gardner Jewellers. We are in the Rollo Insurance studio, and we're going to do an extended go hour for a segment here as we get closer. And it's broken. Whatever just fell.

[B]

Here's my phone.

[A]

Oh, it's done. It's not. It's got a reason. It's got a good case. It's got a quality case.

[B]

Yeah. Where were we?

[A]

Go hour extended.

[B]

Go hour extended.

[A]

Yeah. So anyway, as we get closer to football season, we will obviously be having more of a set schedule, but ob I wanted to get into the topic we kind of touched on. Hinted it was a little teased. Right. So doubts versus unknowns and like, how. And with that goes, I think the other topic is where you meet expectations or you exceed expectations. So we can kind of take these in layers. So when we go through A and M's roster.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I think we can go through different position groups and different parts of the A and M football game plan and say, all right, these are doubts, these are unknowns.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But you said earlier you don't really have doubts. Yeah, it's not that.

[B]

That I go in saying, okay, Elko and his staff just can't make this happen for. And I go back to, like two years ago, Adam Cushing. Okay, we got this new offensive line coach. Let's see what happens here. They weren't very good in the offensive line. Basically has the same guys, basically added armage. Armage or however you say. People, like, make fun of me for saying it wrong. Anyway. And they were good.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You added one guy with a. With a new offensive line coach and basically the rest of basics. And they were good.

[A]

They were good.

[B]

So having seen that, him taking, you know, guys that weren't performing as well and in one year had one piece and they're really good. Why would I doubt that he couldn't do it again, you know, yeah, they got more new guys, but we always just assumed the four guys who were starters in the SEC at times coming to Ann are going to be starters here. But there are some younger guys that they brought in. Five star guys, four star guys that may be ready to play. Why would I doubt that? Adam Cushing doesn't that. First of all, Mike Ilko hasn't brought in talented offensive linemen, and then Adam Cushing can't bring them together.

[A]

I think that's an interesting point because I'm looking back at 23, 24. Okay.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So the first year of the Elko era, The offensive line looked different. I mean, Bryce Foster wasn't around anymore. He had already left for Kansas by the time they started in 24.

[B]

Was it in the boot.

[A]

But he got hurt, remember? And then it was. Coley came in and did it. But you look at that offensive line, which became what we saw for the next couple of years, obviously. But you go from Trey Zoon to Chase Vasantis to Mark Naboo Tormage to Demetrius, it looked different than the 23 offensive line, and they were able to be pretty darn good.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, it was a new coaching staff.

[B]

It was a. It was a. It went from a suspect offensive line in 23 to being a good offensive line in 24 to being an excellent offensive line in 25. So now. So again, here's your 23 start.

[A]

So from 23 to 24, DeSantis Layton, Robinson, Bryce Foster, Cam Dewberry. Slash. Mark Naboo, Trey Zun. That looked completely different, basically, than 24 and 24. They were good. And then 25, they were basically a repeat of 24.

[B]

We had Zoom. Zontas was playing a different position, right tackle. You know, I would feel really good about, like, the guards they have compared to the. They had a maje. Right?

[A]

Yep. But in 24, they did okay.

[B]

Well, who were their guards in 23?

[A]

2023. Layden Robinson.

[B]

Okay, good.

[A]

Cam Dewberry.

[B]

Robinson probably not going to be as good there. Doesn't mean he's not good. I mean, he's in the NFL.

[A]

Yep. And he was a senior at that time.

[B]

Yeah. Dewberry probably going to be as good or better.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What you need is play well together.

[B]

But then. Right.

[A]

And that's where I think Adam Cushing comes in. Like, can you play well together?

[B]

Remember, there were injuries in 24, I want to say, and the kid's not. I think he's at Penn State now from Westlake. T.J. shanahan. Yeah. Got thrust in and, you know, he had injuries and things like that. Zoom playing hurt, all these things, and still put together a good offensive line.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So why would I doubt? I'm not saying. Look, I'm not going to. I got to see it. But why would I just say no, they can't. This is a. This is going to be a problem. That's why I say I don't have a doubt. I have an unknown because I've seen Elko bring in talent before and Cushing develop it.

[A]

Now, what about running game?

[B]

Well, it goes right to me. I've seen.

[A]

But do you. Okay, the Talent in that room.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I've seen Reuben owens rush for 600 yards even though. Plus 600 plus yards even though most of the year he was a backup.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

I've seen him break off long runs. I've seen him catch the ball out of the backfield. You know, I've seen in a small sample size that demar and Morrow can be explosive. I've seen it in a small sample size, so why would I question it if they're getting adequate blocking? And you know what I'm really. What I really like about Reuben, even though I was gone, I was trying to keep on vacation. I was trying to keep up and Reuben stepping up and owning some things. Look, I've got a, you know, I could have been better. I got to get to where I don't stumble.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

You know, and so I like that from. And I know he's. He's added a little bit of muscle. So I like that from a guy that I've already seen he can produce. And he's saying, look, I'm acknowledging where I could have been better and trying to make it better. So I feel good about the running back position.

[A]

What are some other areas that would fall in the unknown versus doubt? Because the wide receivers known we're good. I don't have questions about the wide receivers. The only question would be how do they overcome not having Casey Concepcion to that elite level? I think they overcome it by a collection of guys, I should say, that can all maybe match that. You have more, I think a more seasoned abr, a more seasoned Terry Bussey, the addition of Isaiah, call her Isaiah Horton. Right.

[B]

Like, I don't think you can be better and maybe not as good without a Casey Concepcion. I mean, let's not be that guy. Those guys that say, oh yeah, this guy left. I remember back in my previous job, Sam Bradford just won the Heisman Trophies leaving Oklahoma and there was some jack wagons up there. Oh, they're going to be just as good. This next guy, the guy with the mustache, Landry Jones.

[A]

Landry Jones.

[B]

And he was good, but he wasn't as good as Sam Bradford.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Right. So. But. But you can still be at an elite level because you, you replace the production of, of. Of KC with, with multiple guys.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You know, maybe Terry Bussey catches four 30 to 40 passes instead of 15, 20.

[D]

Right.

[B]

And maybe Isaiah Horton comes out and catches 50 and then Astral Beth, Ashton, Bethel Roman, who came on the second half, goes from catching like 30 to catching 50 to 60. And all of a sudden you have the same amount of production or better.

[A]

Right. So. Okay, so we feel good there. Quarterback, not an unknown.

[B]

Tight end. Quarterback's not an unknown. I feel really good about Quarterback.

[A]

Defensive line doubt versus unknown.

[B]

Yeah, it's unknown. I feel really. I feel so good about the interior defensive line. I almost want to say I don't have any. It's not even an unknown. But no, T. Guys like Landon Rink has got to show me that he can do it all the time. When he came in last year, like, and I like this kid. He's got something. Okay, well, you're DJ Hicks when he's in, man, I thought he gave you the best pass rush from a interior guy. Yeah, but okay, now you're not just in the. Coming in the rotation, you're expected to play a lot.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Okay. Are you finding. I think he's going to have that breakout year which. Wish you would have already had, but, you know, I mean, you were good there. So. I mean, when he went. When Albert or Tyler on them, when they went out and DJ came in, you didn't miss them.

[A]

Yeah, you didn't miss.

[B]

So. But. But now be that dominant guy.

[A]

But the pass rush. Doubt versus unknown.

[B]

Unknown. I mean, first of all, Elko. Well, if you can't get there with one guy, Elko is going to come up. We've seen this.

[A]

He'll come up with.

[B]

He's going to get. But are you going to have a dominant pass rusher? My answer to that is, if you took Cassius Howe and Marco Jones and put their sack total together last year, it's probably about 15, 15 or 16. Well, could you get 16 sacks from Marco Jones and Tosaka combined? To me, that doesn't seem like unreasonable. Maybe it is, but that would be seven or eight sacks each. That doesn't seem to me like. But we got to see it from both of them. We know the athletic ability is there.

[A]

As for linebacker, had we not known that Damian Sanford was going to be good to go at some point early in the season, I would say I would have my doubts. But he's going to play now that he's playing. So now it's an unknown what the collection will be. And by the way, just because I have doubts does not mean those doubts can't be overcome. Right, Right. Like, I'm just saying, like you, it's like Casey, you can't lose the best player in a position and expect to be as good. Right. And Damian Sanford. Oh, and by the way, the guys you sent to the NFL. Right. You can't expect to be as good in a position that I think could have been better last year to be, to be honest.

[B]

Yeah, I liked, for instance, I liked Scooby and he made big play. He made good plays for him. That said, they got better at linebacker. I thought when Damien came in and I didn't, didn't anticipate that. So the question is, especially if he's right, I expect him to be even better in his second year as full time. Sorry. If he's right, the biggest question I have is will Ray Cony be able to adequately replace Torian York? I suspect Ray Koni is better athletically, but what Torrey New York did so well was diagnose plays because he was

[A]

so smart of it.

[B]

Is he going to give you that, hey, you know what? If I find a linebacker that can just consistently fill the right hole to, to, to prevent these long runs from consistently. They're going to happen sometimes somebody's going to get a 30 yard run against A and M. Somebody's going to get, you know, it happens. It's going to happen. But do you, does it have to be one of those things where you just expect it and where every running play you're kind of holding your breath? Maybe not. And that's not just onlinebackers, but linebackers a big part of that. So if I can get that guy that just knows how to play linebacker, I'm not saying that other guys didn't, but just knows how to play and you can solve that problem, then you've already, you've already at least are as good as you were last year.

[A]

And then secondary, my unknown how good they're going to be. But I have no doubts that the unknown really is are they going to force more turnovers, are going to get more interceptions?

[B]

I think the biggest question about the secondary and I don't, I don't have doubts or unknown, the secondary is good. But the biggest question to me is how good? Because yes, they were third in the SEC in pass defense last year. Even the Texas game, Texas didn't throw on them. They got, they had one busted coverage and Arch found the guy wide open. Right. Other than that, they really didn't have a lot of passing success. That said, they had a good pass rush and the best thing, like a great running game, you need an offensive line. Well, you give me a good pass rush, that's going to help your past defense. Of course, everybody knows that. So. And it may not be as good. Are they going to be as good without a cash as how being a threat, they still may be better, I don't know. But I mean, Des Ricks, at least theoretically, is not going to be playing football with a torn lantern. Yeah, that should make him better right there. Is Ricky Gibson going to be everything that we've heard?

[A]

I think he will be, but it's an unknown because we haven't seen it. But I mean, I do think that room is significantly deeper than they were last year.

[B]

No doubt it's deeper, you know, because you see a guy like Byard that came in and what I remember from the spring game was just coming in making tackles right away.

[A]

He was a downhill player.

[B]

Is he going, you know, is he even going to be able to start? Probably not, because you got Ratcliffe and you got Dalton Brooks.

[A]

But he's going to play, though.

[B]

And I'm going to tell you this, too. I don't. Gosh, I hate the despairs guys, especially when they're no longer here. Right. I thought that when Brian Shaw meant to play nickel

[A]

might have been better

[B]

last year when Shaw came in. Might have been. At least it's good. I didn't, I didn't miss Tariq Chappelle

[A]

yet. Tyreek Chappelle is one of those guys that he had his moments. I was like, man, he's really good. But it just didn't happen as often as I expected.

[B]

So I'm just saying that you didn't. When he left, I think two years ago, when he got hurt or whenever it was when he got hurt, you saw. You saw a problem after that? Yeah, I didn't see a problem. So I think you're at least as good at the nickel spot. And that is even if, if Shaw keeps that position because there's more competition,

[A]

Obi, then how good is A and M if they just meet our preseason expectations at each position group? If offensive line meets what your expectations are today, if running backs meet what your expectations are today. Marcel Reed, if each position group meets expectations, not saying exceed, because there are going to be people who exceed.

[B]

What's your expectation for the offensive line

[A]

to be between eight and six out of the 16 teams in the SEC?

[B]

Okay, because I believe six and eight, this is going to oversimplifying. I believe that the A and M this year is going to be about as good as its offensive line.

[A]

So if they are between 6, 7 and 8, like, and I'm saying ranking, not that rankings matter, but if A and M has above middle tier of the SEC offensive line, what does that mean for their season?

[B]

Above, above middle Tier?

[A]

Yes. Above eight. Somewhere above eight. Not top two, three. I'm saying between that six, seven and eight range, you're probably eight and four

[B]

to nine and three. Seven, five to nine and three. You're in it. If you're just middle tier, O line, you're probably there. If you're good. If you're good, you start talking 9 and 3, 10 and 2.

[A]

So you're saying for them to be a 9 and 3, 10 and 2 team, they need to be at least.

[B]

Yeah, probably. Maybe. You said maybe six. If everything else is so good around them, if Marcel. I hear they're going to be moving the pocket more, which I think is great. I don't know why they didn't do that last year, but. Yeah, but I'll say that about just about any team. If you don't have a really good offensive line, I mean, this is. I say this as much as I say. Is your name Oland? Yes. Do you need to have a good offensive line? Yes.

[A]

Yeah. So, okay.

[B]

I'm feeling really good about. About A M. Like I said, I don't have doubts. I have some unknowns, but I feel good about the secondary. I feel good about the interior line. I feel good even about the pass rush because Elko's going to come up with things. I love the athleticism that's trying to replace Cassius Howe and Marco Jones and Anto Saka. Right. I feel really good about that. I have no doubt about the receivers. I have no doubt I got a good quarterback. I feel. I really don't have any doubts about my running backs. I think tight end is actually going to be. I don't know how many passes they're going to get because there's only so many passes to be thrown. But I think you got tight ends that can do as much and maybe even more. And to me, it all comes back to the offensive. If the offensive line is good, I feel. I feel pretty good about every place.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Pretty good to great about every place in the offensive line. That's my biggest.

[A]

All right, so this. This could turn you on. What if I tell you they're going to be at least a top five three offensive line turned on.

[B]

Oh, my goodness.

[A]

Wearing jeans.

[B]

All right, so top three offense, sec. Then what?

[A]

What does that mean, win total? Are we talking about a ten win team?

[B]

No, with ten. Or there may be eleven. One, maybe twelve and zero. If they're a top three offensive line in the sec. In the sec. You know, to me, what's the most amazing thing is A And M was 11:1 last year with, with three interceptions. I mean, they were not high and turnover ratio and all that.

[A]

So if you.

[B]

I expect them to be better at that just because the law of averages, if nothing else, is going to make you better at that. So if I have an offensive line that's going to predict Marcel, it's going to be able to run the football, then if it's a. It's a top three offensive line, then you talk 10 and two as a floor.

[A]

Okay, so if they're top three offensive line, where does Marcel rank then as a quarterback in the sec? Top three.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, why do we. I know you don't forget. This wasn't coming from just Texas. This was coming from Josh Pate and other national Rogers, everybody there. He's a. Now he's a Heisman candidate before the Texas game. Yeah, he's one of the top two or three Heisman candidates. Yes, yes. Fernando Mendoza was the leading candidate, but Marcel before the Texas game is like right behind him. So why wouldn't I say.

[A]

And by the way, he didn't play well in the Texas game. So it's almost impossible to say what I'm about to say. But if, if he plays well in the Texas game, how much on repeat on Sports center and. Well, people don't watch Sports center and all over the place is the South Carolina game. Then the South Carolina game then becomes a bigger point in history. Just like the Nate Bork of your touchdown pass becomes a bigger point in history because of what he did late in the season.

[B]

Right. I'm going to reference a high school game because we all saw it. The John Tyler from 1994.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

When. When they blew the like 23 point lead with two minutes to go and then won it on a kickoff return. Everybody remembers it. You know, you guys know I'm going to throw up, right? I was talking, I knew the coach of the John Tyler team. He said, we never win the state championship. If that had happened, we would have. Even if we had had won the game, without all that drama, we probably would have lost later, he said. So I think what we're looking back at, if Marcel played well and they beat Texas, probably would have. A lot of things might have been even different. You know, who knows? But sometimes you look back at a. What I'm trying to say is you look back at a seminal moment that maybe not changed everything, but launched everything. The launching point, had they been able to go further than he was. Yeah. Remember, it was the second half against it's kind of like, I thought it doesn't work out. No, I thought, like, I'm talking about basketball. When, when, when A and M that year came from behind against Northern Iowa, down 12 or 13 with 30 seconds to go on one. I thought maybe they were a team of destiny. Whether destiny was to get crushed by, oh, you. A week later. Right. So it doesn't always work out that way. But had A and M gone on a long run through the playoffs. Yes. We would have always been looking back at that and you would have been talking about how great Marcel was. Look, that just solidified his greatness. That's one. Because he had a bad first half, but he came back and he let him, you know, and it was spectacular and let him back. And that's the Marcel Reed everybody's raising up. Say, look, that's the guy who, look how great this guy can be in 2026. Right. But instead, he didn't play well against Texas. So. Yeah, well, you know, and they didn't play. Remember that South Carolina game, that first half? He. I think what I'm trying to say is now he gets judged by the first half of South Carolina and, and Texas and Miami instead of being judged by the second half of South South Carolina and everything that happened before that.

[A]

Thank you, obi.

[B]

Appreciate it.

[A]

When it comes to your money, your peace of mind, it starts with the right team. That right team should be and is Paragon Financial Advisors. They're an independent fiduciary firm serving clients all across Texas. No commissions, no sales pitches, just trusted advice tailored to you. They have a team of 18 professionals, including over nine CFPs, a CFA and a CPA. And their expertise runs deep at Paragon. Credentials matter and so does your Future. They visit paragon-adv.com or give them a call. 979-693-3907 to schedule your free consultation. Today, it is Paragon Financial Advisors. Integrity, Expertise and Trust. Paragon Financial Advisors, the Houston Astros.

[B]

The Houston Astros play on the zone. Thanks to Kelly Bird Dozer.

[A]

And we are back. It is Texx Live. We're presented by David Gardner's Jewelers. We are in the Rollo Insurance Studio. Let's go to the Angry Elephant News and Social Center. Kayla Gaither is there. Kayla, what do you got?

[C]

So we got a comment earlier in the show when OB was talking about Marcel as a Heisman contender last year. So I'm going to read this comment and get your reaction. So gamingbud8946 commented. People forget that Marcel probably would have won the Heisman if we had won the SEC championship, which everyone thought we were going to win. Going into the Texas game, I don't think anybody thought he was the best player in college football, but if we had won those games, then he probably would have won the award. Did anybody think Mendoza was the best player in college football, but he won because Indiana won those games? So what are your thoughts? I don't.

[A]

I don't know. I still think it. Mendoza would have. I mean, these are so hypothetical.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

If Marcel has an amazing Texas game, throws for 400 or three touchdowns, are we looking at him? Completely.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Of course, that didn't happen. And Mendoza, in the games that mattered, played like a freaking boss. Right. So that being said, I don't care about awards. I care about winning football games. I do care about awards in this thing. I want our players to get recognized for great seasons. But at the end of the day, we saw some flaws in everybody's game because I think that's what we do as fans and analysts. We see the flaws more than others, and then we also defend those flaws afterwards because we saw the entire body of work. Right. Nobody watched more intently than an A and M fan. That's why, like, when I talk about South Carolina or Texas or lsu, I watched enough to have an opinion. Right. Like, I saw three, four or five Texas. No, I didn't watch three or four Texas games. Three or four, five LSU games. I probably watched several South Carolina games. I watched a couple Texas games. I have my opinions. Yeah, but, like, when we're talking about rewinding a play and watching it over and understanding where a guy is good and bad. Marcel was having a fantastic season, but to be great. I used to talk about this in the NBA. You were remembered for what you did in the postseason. In college football, now that there really is a more of a defined postseason, you're remembered for what you do late. Right. So he has to be better late.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

But late only matters if you're great before.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because if you're. If you're finished the season, great. But you were bad the first half. Okay, cool. Thank you. I'm glad you finished, but, like, it's going to be an entire body of work. Doesn't mean you have to be perfect for the entire body of work. But it's what you leave. The impression you leave people with will always give you more talking points for the off season.

[C]

Right. I think leading up to that South Carolina game, A and M had 10 wins in a row. So There had to already be, you know, a statement made by Marcel to get to that point late in the season where people watched him the most. I will say also Fernando Mendoza, that Penn State game, that's what a lot of people remember. And that was late in the season when they were also undefeated. And so it's those moments that really define for me a Heisman season where there's one specific player. There's something in a really dire moment for Marcel. I think that was the South Carolina game, pushing A and M to win in the second half of that game. But down the stretch, you're right, people only really remember Texas and Miami.

[A]

I mean, it's the last impression, right? You know, when people, you just remember that like you probably have more memories about your last year of high school than you do, I don't know, like Earl, like it. You, what you leave people with is what they take away from. And, and then afterwards, with some time, I think you have a little distance, you can kind of look back at the entire body of work. But at least in the initial aftermath, that's what we, that's what we think about. We'll hit a break, we'll come back. Armani Watts scheduled to join us here. Catch up with him, find out what he thinks about this Aggie football team and catch up with him on life. So a little heritage films. So they do several different types of documentaries. Basically they're a documentary company for normal people, right? So you're listening to the show, you're watching the show, especially if you're an Aggie, they are going to tell your family story. And we all have a family story. So if you have a family business that has a kind of a cool beginning. Every family business has a cool beginning. You've got a family ranch, like, hey, I've been going there on the weekends when I was a kid and then eventually became mine. And then I'm going to leave it to my grandkids, whatever the story may be. Let Chance and his team do these two hour documentaries. They're going to stand the test of time and, and they're going to be these awesome videos that you're going to watch with your family. It's going to feel very empowering, but it's also going to be a gift for the future parts of your family, right, your grandkids and their grandkids and afterwards, because they're going to be able to watch back and see something in a first class documentary form that these kind of things were never thought of for normal people. But Chance and his team have been doing it and they are the best when it comes to telling your family's story. Check out YourHeritageFilm.com YourHeritageFilm.com 7138-9383-4171-3893-8341. It is Heritage Films the Money Machine.

[B]

The Money Machine is open now. Let's [e-mail] or you can enter through the Zone newsletter to win $5,000.

[A]

Come on. All right, we're back here on Texas Live, presented by David Gardner's jewelers Rallo Insurance Studio. Our next guest, one of the best DBs during the Kevin Sumlin era here at Texas A and M. Let's go straight to the Buppies catering and bartending hotline. Armani Watts joining us chit chat about his life and Aggie football. Armani, what's up, man?

[D]

What's going on? What's going on? Appreciate y' all having me today.

[A]

Thank you for coming on. So catch us up. What are you doing these days?

[D]

Right now I'm really just blessed to be hanging out with the kids, getting ready for kindergarten, daughters running starts, kindergarten. But really side questing right now, trying to get good with the camera, get outside, do some photography and everything. Been a little lifetime member. So I'm getting into pilates, working out, starting trying to get into marathons possibly. So just side quests and trying to learn new skills every day. Just pick up on reading, read new books and everything. So getting ready for that school year, man, stuff getting different, getting a different routine going.

[A]

Yeah, well, I mean, you left me a lot of things to tap into, so let's kind of go through it. First off, when you've lived your whole life playing football, right, and you get a chance to, you know, take a step back and do other things, that's opening up so many doors for you. But you mentioned your daughter there. How nice has it been able to be there, present more often, say definitely

[D]

when she was born, she was around like for the first two years when I was still in the NFL. So definitely didn't spend a lot of time with her. Watching her growing up and everything was always busy with football, obviously. But when I slowed down, it's like, wow, I got to really spend time with her, hang out with her and like now with my son here too, like, we're all just always doing stuff together. So I think it's a blessing to be able to just be with the family. Not everybody, everybody gets that, that chance. So Definitely taking advantage of every moment of it. Soaking in every chance we get together because I know as soon as they get a little older, they only want to be around no more.

[A]

So Armani, help me out. So I think I see behind you C3PO. I think I see Spider Man. Who else is back there?

[D]

You see, he's got Avengers back here. You got Darth Maul, definitely. Star wars everywhere. Yoda, everybody. Empire Strikes Back, our movie collection. Got Captain America, everybody On the walls. LeBron, Katie, Steph. Just my favorite athletes, favorite movies, shows and everything. So big sci fi guy.

[A]

So I think we have a lot in common because I could talk superheroes for days, but I'm going to move on so people don't get mad at me. Pilates, how did that become a thing?

[D]

Just in the. About in the playing career. So I'm just trying to take care of my body. Don't want to just be sitting around doing nothing. So anything that can help my body stay loose and still feel like, like I'm fit. Can go out there but not really go out there. So doing Pilates, probably work out three times a week. Still picked up on running. Thought I'd never be running outside, but been picking up on running some miles. So I might join a running club here, there sometime soon or something like that to get outside. But yeah, just trying to. Health and wealth, really just trying to live a positive good life right now.

[A]

Health and wealth. I love that. Couple other ones before we get into football. Books you said you're reading. So what, what are some. What are you reading right now?

[D]

Just first book, Atomic Habits.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

James Clear.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah, so I'm trying, trying to finish that one. Just I've been told it's a great book to read. So trying that one out.

[A]

That's. That's cool. Yeah, I read that one not too long ago. Really good book. All right, so let's, let's look back at your career. You, you said you were sold earlier on this show before I think about a year ago. You said you were sold on A M initially, like right away. So what about A and M sold you right away?

[D]

Just the easy tail of work they was putting in the off season. It wasn't a lot of talk about what they going to do, how they going to come out. They were just straight to business. And I just felt, I felt the presence last year and it's crazy how you know, go to the playoffs, it's like everything get clicking like I said, be able to make things shake. But this year going to Be a lot of. It's going to be a lot of questions from last year, A lot of missing pieces going obviously, so new, new players gelling together. So it's going to be real interesting this year to see how they, they attack it again and see how far they can take it.

[A]

You're a four year starter, right? All four years.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

So yes, sir, I want to talk about that because I think, you know, I don't know if we have that necessarily on this year's team, but you got guys that have SEC experience and I just curious you, you in particular as a freshman, your mindset as you started aging, right? Sophomore year, junior year, senior year, how much more comfortable and how much better potential you got with experience?

[D]

I say each year it's like the comfortability and just being able to be calm and just know where I needed to be, know where my assignments were and just. I say I was more relaxed the older I got. And it was like, okay, like, yeah, this is just the game, like so we definitely got veteran presence out there that I feel like is going to help a lot. They've seen a lot of football, been in some big games. So especially like me, myself, Dalton Brooks out there, veteran safety, so he should help a lot in the secondary. We got some young guys coming in that can make some good plays. But I'd say for me, as the years went on and the more plays I made as got older and more confidence I got, then the team shows confidence in you. They trust you to make certain calls and they trust you to be the leader. So that helps you along the way if you attacking the off season the right way.

[A]

Armani, is there a time in your career or maybe a moment that you look at as like, yeah, that was my moment. That was my key play that was, Was it the Tennessee play? Was it another one? Is there a moment that you kind of look back like, yeah, that's, that's my play.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

I say it kind of ties into both the Arkansas and Tennessee moment. Just it was the same year and I just like I was just seeing the ball that year and just even if it was in somebody hands, it's like I just ripped it out of Alvin Kamara hands. It was all that was just like in the, in the moment. Like I never, never done nothing like in the practice and stuff. Everything was just in the moment and just kind of who I was. I used to like I said watch Tyron Matthew, Ed Reid all the time. And that was just the kind of player I was just trying to get the ball. They can't score without the ball, so.

[A]

Well, I think it's interesting you said it just happened, right? Like, it's not that you were practicing. That is that maybe because of the comfortability that you had and also all the reps in other areas allowed you to maybe express yourself on big plays differently?

[D]

Yeah, I'd definitely say so because I feel like my freshman year, I probably would never even thought about doing any of those things. I did, like, say the end of my sophomore or junior year and just understanding certain plays and certain things, you'll see. And I think that made the game easier. Watching film, the IQ about it, the small details. I was big, something big that helped my game is small details from which foot is up, which foot is back, who's on this side, who's on that side, who's lined up where all that's important. So I think I helped my game a lot growing up.

[A]

Who's the most talented player you played with at A and M and then in the NFL? I think I might know the answer, but gotta ask, you gotta know.

[D]

M.G. miles Garrett.

[A]

Now,

[D]

we had some guys, obviously I had some speedy there. He was like super athletic. Donovan Wilson, Justin Evans, my guys in the back, we some athletic dogs back there. You know, my boy, we have some athletics. But Miles Garrett, for sure. Freaking nature.

[A]

And he still is, right? Like, he's still going.

[D]

Still going. So, yeah, shout out to Miles, man. Still holding it down for the Aggies. Going crazy. Excited to watch him this year in the NFL. I might have to go. Tyreek Hill. Yeah, Tyreek is special at, like, for his size. Jump fast, strong. Like, he gotta. He played basketball a couple times, so, yeah, he a real athlete.

[A]

What about that Super Bowl?

[D]

Just.

[A]

I mean, what. What did that mean to you?

[D]

It means everything to me. Just growing up, watching it all the time, seeing it, being a part of it was surreal. And then actually winning, it was. Was amazing. Definitely amazing. Still get goosebumps all the time thinking about it. It was definitely a great night. Really. Relationships built and teammates that will always be brothers for life. So definitely a big impact on my life. So definitely blessed to get that super bowl win. Wish we could have got another one. My guys got another one, but Tom stole my second one. That's cool, though.

[A]

Hey, Armani, let's look at this A and M football team this year. You mentioned you have some questions about it, but when you believe in a coach and a process, right? I mean, you play some really great coaches in your career, you know, does it I know it matters when you lose talent, but the development, I think that is such a huge one. And also being able to replace talent with the portal now something that wasn't possible.

[D]

There's something we're different at right now. Yeah. Mike echoes the transition from off season to the new season. I think that's something we're going to see a difference with A and M. So we're going to hear a lot of new names, new faces and everything that's going to come in and impact the game. So definitely see the. Interested to see the trenches. Trenches work for sure.

[A]

Yeah. What about the dbs? I mean you've seen some of them play for A M last year, but they brought in some new guys as well.

[D]

Yeah, definitely got some new guys in there here. A whole bunch of young talent too. So let me see how those guys work and be real. I'm ready for the defense to get a little real aggressive like they got last year. It got me excited. So I want to see the same type of intensity for sure.

[A]

Do you get to make it to games?

[D]

I will this year for sure. Routine definitely smoother. So I'll definitely be out of multiple games this year.

[A]

And have you had a chance to meet coachelko in person yet? And if not yet.

[D]

Not yet. Nope, I haven't got that chance yet, but I can't wait to.

[A]

But what do you think about the job he has done in his short time at A and M?

[D]

I think he's made a huge impact already. Just the culture wise. You can see the culture is different. It's kind of. Yeah, it's college football, but it's a little professional over there and I like. I like how it looks. So I think the culture wise he's coming and made a good impact. He's not really trying to put on the show. Not trying to. Really doesn't really care about the spotlight now. You think you tell he don't really care about the spotlight and all that. He trying to win football games so that's somebody I can get behind. He's trying to go out there and win right now.

[A]

Or Amani, I appreciate your time, man. Thank you so much. When you make it to town, let's get you in studio and I'll see you here at Caulfield this year, buddy.

[D]

Yes, sir. Appreciate you. Have a good one.

[A]

You too. Giga Armani Watts here on Texas Live. Appreciate his time. We'll hit a break. We'll come back with a final segment Here in the 9 o' clock hour before Billy joins us there for the 10 o' clock hour. Let me talk to you a little bit about Guaranty bank and Trust. They've been around for a long time, since 1913. So over a century of experience helping out Texans. And they're not at a corporate tower far away. They're right here in this community that is Guaranteed bank and Trust. A community bank in this market. And in Bryant College Station you've got Brandon Sears running the show. He's the market president. He's a proud Aggie, leads the team and he is all over the place. You'll see him at the three great locations. But what sets them apart is when you walk in, they're going to know your situation, they're going to know your name, they're going to know your story. They want to help you do it all from growing a business to maybe financial education, whatever it may be. They want to help you get your finances on track. Excuse me. And guarantee bank and Trust will treat you like a neighbor because they are a neighbor. They're here in this community. 33 great locations all across Texas. Go see Brandon and the team there at Guaranty bank and Trust. Visit the website gnty.com that is gnty.com Guaranty Bank Trust, a division of Glacier bank member FDIC equal housing lender is guaranteed bank and Trust to talk sports

[B]

but also Taylor Swift, fly fishing and Willie Nelson.

[A]

Oh, I ain't going down on Roadblock Mountain.

[B]

Don't miss powered sports talk evenings four to six here on the Zone.

[A]

As a reminder, the final segment of the program is brought to you by Double Dave's. That's at 1050, but right now call our number 12979693 1150. We're gonna hook you up with your choice of a dozen pepperoni rolls or a large one topping pizza from Double Dave's. They've been serving Aguilan since 1984 with your favorite pizza and of course those world famous pepperoni rolls, reliable in house delivery, bringing piping hot goodness straight to your door. Just click on doubledavis.com and your favorites are on their way. And as a they are closed on Mondays. Catherine, I'm going to go to you here in a second but I'm just going to make a commentary. So Bud Elliot, who I sometimes I like his work but he's been, I feel like anti sec, anti A and M recently or maybe forever, I don't know. And I'm just, I am the one who preached last week. Don't get mad at People's opinions. So I'm trying not to get mad at someone's opinion. But he ranked his SEC quarterbacks. He's got his top eight. Yeah, Arch. 1. Trinidad. 2. Sam Levitt. 3. Says Alabama quarterback. 4. Not a name. Okay. 5. Lenora Sellers. You ready for Marcel?

[B]

Ready?

[A]

Well, you're gonna have to wait. 6. Gunner.

[B]

7.

[A]

Mattier. 8. Faison, Brandon. So Marcel Reed is nowhere in his top eight. Maybe he's at nine. Felt like Trump there, but maybe he's at nine, but he's not. And I mean. Okay, let's just take this in parts real quick. Alabama quarterback at tbd. He might be really good, but to

[C]

just not even have a name at number four Matir.

[A]

What did he do better than Marcel? I'll hang up on this. They both lost their playoff games at home. One went 11 and one one didn't. Okay, so I don't know. I just. I have issues like the amount of. I don't know where he should be on the list either. Right. Personally, I think it's ridiculous not to have Trinidad Champlos number one.

[C]

I think so too. I think it's ridiculous to not have Marcel at least on the list. Not saying that he has to be number one. Not saying that he has to be top five, but not even making a top eight in the SEC after his performance last season. And we haven't even. We don't even know who the starting Alabama quarterback is going to be.

[A]

And this is what he says. These are my rankings of who I think are the best quarterbacks heading into. Not what he projects to happen heading into. Heading into. We don't know crap about an injured quarterback or a quarterback that hasn't been named yet. Yeah, like I don't know. Before I get frustrated, you want to tell me what's poppin on Texas today?

[C]

Yeah, why not? Let's, let's switch over. Let's do a little more little chill segment because there's a lot happening on Texags today and if you haven't already, it's always a great time to be a premium subscriber on tech sags because there's so much content coming out today. We have the 5 and 5 position group ranking by Billy Lucci. We also have Richard Zane's article about the secondary presented by Forever Last abr. And Julio Humphrey did a press conference over the weekend that is presented by Rebecca Creek Distillery. The preseason soccer preview about four new portal pieces is on the site. The Ruben Owens article about his strive his 1000 yard season sponsored by Double Daves later today. There's more content coming from practice snippets, gallery sights and sounds. Also the 25 and 25 that we're doing on the show today, lunch with Lucci, the women's soccer and volleyball press conference, and another women's soccer preview article. So lots happening on Texags. And yet again, never a bad time to be a Texags premium subscriber. To get all of this content and more.

[A]

I think Armani Watts and I would be great friends.

[C]

I think so, too. All of the posters and pictures on his wall, Right.

[A]

He had Star Wars Wars. I'm a Star wars nerd, too. Not as you know, that's not my go to. But I do love Star Wars. He has Star Wars. He had Marvel. He's talked. I don't do Pilates. I think he's reading James Clear Atomic habits. Like, lots of similarities. Running, like, yeah, I'm not a runner, but I do run. There's a difference. Yeah, right.

[C]

You do run.

[A]

You're not, you know, I'm not a runner. Yeah, right. Like I'm. In fact, I don't, I don't go to those meetings. I just do it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Anyway, Billy Lucci is coming up next. I believe that's coming up here on Texas Live.

[B]

Granger knows when you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to

[A]

see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24.

[C]

7 support.

[A]

Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop

[B]

by Grainger for the ones who get it done.