BONUS: Auburn football will field a much different team in 2023

It's the lockdown podcast network, your team every day. Here's a bonus episode where I joined the max round table hung out with Doug Amos and the folks up at ESPN the ticket in Montgomery. I want to start with Carnel Williams. I had an opportunity, Zach, to visit with him for 15, 20 minutes. I played about 10 of them on our TV show this morning. He was the host of the Kevin Turner golf tournament on Monday, which is where I was doing the gym five thing and the KT thing. And one of the things that he said that I believe probably is going to lend to much better news this fall for Auburn football, maybe even as much as the roster improvement. And that is the cohesiveness of a staff. He literally put a lot of emphasis on that. And I have to believe, Zach, that a lot of it was kind of in comparing the feeling in the coaches offices now compared to the feeling in the coaches offices a year ago. Yeah. I mean, it seems like it's a night and day difference, which is exciting. And I think you can kind of zero in on a few different ways that it's a night and day difference. But when Hugh Freas was putting together the staff, I mean, it kind of took them a little bit to announce these coordinators, right? And once he got the coordinators, then everything kind of fell into place after that. Of course, he started with Carnel Williams and then he ended with adding some of these position coaches. But they seem to all have a role. And it seems like your coordinators are going to be more of your scheme. They'll do some recruiting, of course, but all these position groups are dudes that are good at making their positions better. But also they just want to they want to do everything it takes to get more talented players in their rooms and on this roster moving forward. And that's what Cadillac's been able to do ever since he started his coaching career at your continuous coaching career at Auburn. I mean, that's been very, very consistent and kind of seems like over the last, you know, ever since he's been here, acquiring talent in the running back room has happened more consistently than than most other position groups throughout the roster. So it probably fits Doug more with what he wants and the way he sees the path to winning at Auburn. So it does not surprise me at all that he says that. You know, he's still like a pot piper, Zach, you know, just watching him in Pratvel, Carnell Williams, who I'm referencing here, people just absolutely gravitate to him. And it's because he's so good at visiting and even the Alabama fans that came around him, the Troy fans, he was just so embracing to everyone. I said this on the TV show this morning. I think guys like Cadillac Williams are assets to all of us, not just to Auburn. I just think he's a good person doing good things for young people. Yeah. And watch, you know, how the team responded and then how the fan base responded when Texas A&M came to join here stating, I think you mentioned that you were at that game, Doug. And it's like that game was good for college football. It was good for the SEC and obviously it was good for Auburn and the whole Auburn being Auburn, thinking of kicking that off and everybody's Auburn supporting and loving their own. But that game was good for college football and Cadillac's good for college football and Cadillac's good for, for anybody who gets the opportunity to cross paths with them. So I agree. I think that's well said, Doug. I asked this question to him and he kind of had a little mini freak out. I said, all right, Carnell, which moment was more exciting for you? Go crazy Cadillac or Texas A&M? And he said, man, I've had so many great things happen to me. He mentioned go crazy. He mentioned his NFL career. He mentioned the championships one all his career. He said, but nothing equated to that night at Jurden Hare Stadium when you had what two teams and one three or four games. And the student section was packed when he came out on the field for the first time. And it was just a championship like atmosphere. And I'll just say this. Correct me if I'm wrong, Zach. You're much closer to it than me. I think the energy has continued since that night right up to where we are today. Is that overstating? I don't think so. I mean, we saw a take a dip. Their next home game was, I guess I was West Rick and Tucky Doug, you know, and obviously didn't have the same energy as, you know, that Texas A&M game. But overall program was. Yeah, sure, sure. I mean, I think so. I think so. You know, there was a part of the fan base that was upset with the freeze higher, but man, you're not hearing anything anymore, you know, with everything that they've been able to do and what I think 18 transfers have come in. And we put up, we put up a story at Auburn daily where we were just rating the top 10 offensive players just using pro football focuses metrics that are returning this year, including guys that weren't on Auburn's roster last year. And I think seven of the top 10 highest scores on Auburn's roster on offense weren't on the roster last year. I mean, you just talk about, you know, the, the ability to acquire talent and what he's been able to do in such a short period of time has been pretty remarkable. Doug, if you don't mind, I'll go through this. Nick Marner was 10th. Of course, he was a Cincinnati last year. Demari Austin was 19. He was on the roster. Avery Jones was the ECU last year. Dylan Wade was a Tulsa, right, a Frazier, and Givaris Johnson were on this roster last year. Jair Shorter is one of the newest additions, Peyton Thorne, obviously a new quarterback was in Michigan State, got her Britain wasn't on the roster last year and then Jark was Hunter was second in the highest PFF score, Brian Batty, who was at South Florida. So I mean, it's just you look at what he's done. He's made the roster significantly better and totally flipped it in six months. And yeah, I think the energy certainly matches that. Has there been ever in the history of Auburn football, a bigger flip of a roster than we've seen this year? No, but I mean, when you could have done this until a few years ago, right? I mean, so I don't know how entirely fair that is, but man, it's, I mean, if they had the fired harsh and for whatever reason, if they just chose that the buyout, was it worth it? They wouldn't have flipped the roster, even though it certainly certainly needed it. So I mean, what he's done has been impressive. I mean, Auburn's going to be a tough team to kind of evaluating guests. You and I were on the phone earlier this morning talking about media days. And of course, that's where we'll put in, you know, each of us will have a ballot, you know, to kind of vote on where the teams will finish in the SEC West and the SEC East. And because of how much the roster is flipped, it's going to be really, really hard to project what Auburn's going to do. And I think everybody's just kind of saying seven to five because it's safe and I'll put myself in that box as well, Doug. But this, I mean, this roster, it's a different team. It's a different team than a year ago. It's a different scheme. It's different type of style of play. I mean, there's, I mean, it's just going to look totally different than what Brian Harson did a year ago. Thank goodness. Why Zach? And I'm asking you a question that really can't be answered, but I would just love to pick your brain. I'll try it. I'll take a stab at it. Why is it that most of Auburn's best memorable seasons have come when the expectations were unknown or very small? Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. Because it almost seems like Auburn feels like it's setting up that way. Yeah. Because I mean, Auburn, it seems like Auburn fans would almost rather Auburn be counted out because then they seem to do better. I mean, 2010, they were expected to be okay, right? Then obviously that happened. And the 2013, I think, is obviously the culmination of that. The most extreme example of that bounce it back after a three and nine season. But I'm with you. Like if Peyton Thorne can somehow have that kind of, you know, that lightning strike that Cam Newton or Nick Marshall was, that'd be something I'm not expecting that much of an influence of what he's going to be able to do. I think it'll be better. Don't get me wrong. You know, I think, I think this team is a pass rusher away from being a solid eight and four team, Doug. And you could have, I mean, there was no way this roster was sniffing eight wins six months ago. All right, Zach, tell me about Larry Nixon the third yet another Auburn commit and transfer a linebacker out of North Texas. Man, Larry Nixon the third, doesn't that just sound like a name that's going to pop somebody over the middle? A little, a little old fashioned action. I love it. Now, this is a guy that was really solid at generating solo tackles while he was at North Texas. I think that's a good solid ratio, almost one to one as far as solo tackles versus assisted tackles. So he's not just stat padding. He's not just jumping on a pile after contacts been made. So you like that. He's initiating content with opposing ball carriers and he's done it consistently in playing college football since 2018. You got a red shirt as a, as a true freshman 2018 and then he's been a solid part of their defense every year after that. You know, I don't think he has the speed as some of Auburn's linebackers, but as far as the experience, Doug. And I mean, Auburn needs a thumper. I think every SEC team needs a thumper at linebacker and at six to two 36. I think Larry Nixon's exactly that. And also the element of, okay, you're adding these guys after spring, they're going to be very limited as far as how much contact they can have with the coaching staff over the summer. So how quick are they going to be able to pick up on the playbook and get up to speed with everything once fall, Cam starts in August. You want to experience guys that know football between the areas and have kind of done this a few times. And so I think kind of getting some experience in Larry Nixon makes a lot of sense. I got a text. I'm going to combine it with a thought for me and we'll just flow it to you all at one time. One is when is the transfer portal going to dry up for Auburn? I mean, it doesn't seem to be ending at any time soon. And next need still in the wide receiver room. If you had to point one out, got it, got it. So that's a little bit of a tricky question because, all right, when is the portal going to dry up for Auburn? Well, there's really no like restriction as far as when guys can come out of the portal with the exception of they need to be enrolled in classes if they're going to do something. So if they're going to be at Auburn for all of the summer, they need to get on campus probably by the end of the week. I believe classes start today, but they give you a little bit of a grace period, two or three days, two or three classes where you could enroll. So you may see a few more this week if guys want to be a part of Auburn for the entirety of the summer and have access to the facilities and the sort of conditioning and the food and all of that stuff. And then I am or there's many master parts of this, right? This is for all of college football. And so you know, you can enroll later in the summer and you know, take the second mini master in the summer to get enrolled. Then once you're enrolled, you have access to all of the facilities and things like that. So I guess in theory, June or July, but I bet, I mean, this is kind of the last wave, I think these next few days. So that that's my guess at that. As far as position of need, I think I just haven't seen a dude that's going to impact the receiver room that's out there anymore at this point because it doesn't seem like they're pursuing Montana Lamonius Craig, the former Colorado receiver anymore. I think he's a California guy and there's a lot of folks like Arizona State and Cal that are closer to home for him. And it seems like it seems like a path to playing time could be a little bit quicker at those places too. So I don't think Auburn is going to land his services. There's a lot of talk about the Jackson State receiver. I forget his name. I think his last name is Hooks. I can look that up over commercial break, but I think when you look at position of need, I think it's pass rusher still and you went out and got McCloud, the standout player from map state. But I think this team is a pass rusher away from being a really, really respectable team in the SEC. And so are those dudes out there? And you can graduate in any point in the summer, depending on how your situation is academically at your school. So we may see another wave of grad transfers halfway through the summer if they were to graduating and get all their credits in the first mini-master of classes. So we may see another wave of this, but that Oooku kid from James Madison, I think Auburn's still in it for him. He's the guy I'm watching up. We got Ed still? Is Ed holding on? I think we did. Let's bring him in. Hey, guys. And I want to tell them about, I'm really just, everything I'm about to say is both of y'all. But I'm going to real quickly comment on what you just were talking about as far as about having players, getting more players coming and everything. And when Auburn's not recruiting offensive, I've been so long. I think a dozen of next, of course, is raised Auburn, but I think that's probably scared a lot of quarterbacks to play. And but what I want to ask, I've got to think that over and on your own, I think I've not heard of it. Two forty seven or sports illustrated. And I would take the overall, I don't let him, you know, and never said much. But they had bama at 10 and a half. I'd take the overall that they had Auburn that sits in a half. I'd take the overall on that. And the other one that I think I would probably expect the overall is South Carolina sits in a half. I think he's done a great job. But what do y'all think about that? And. Zach, what do you say about address Auburn at six and a half? I would go way over. I'm like over a game over. I'm with you. I think they're winning at least eight. Yeah. I mean, I think seven of five is probably the most conservative projection you're seeing. So I think six and a half is a little low. And I don't think all of that's because Auburn's like so great. I think I think Auburn's got their easiest non-conference schedule that they've had to dive cover the team. I mean, they so they should go for an O there. They go to Vanderbilt and notice respect to Vanderbilt. That's just the game. Auburn should be Vanderbilt, wherever they play. And so all of a sudden that's five. And you're telling me I've got to only find two more when you get Ole Miss and Mississippi State at home. You play an Arkansas team that I'm just really not high on this season just to be clear. And I think Auburn has done well against Arkansas regardless of where they've played historically. Yeah. I think I would pound the over over six and a half right now for Auburn. Did you say, did you say over, you would take the over 10 and a half for Bama? Is that what you said? Yeah. Yeah, I said over on Bama. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I think I would too. So many people are kind of calling a down year for Alabama. But yeah, I would, I bet Bama goes 11 to 1 this year. You know, Peyton Thorne in town got their Sunday or Monday at the latest. He told us Sunday. I'm assuming he got there Sunday. The sightings of the Michigan State transfer. Still people discussing that decision and perhaps the impact on the rest of the room. As far as Peyton Thorne or other Michigan State transfers. Yeah. I mean, Peyton Thorne is, I mean, I think he's going to start right. And Hugh Freeze was asked about, you know, how Robbie responded and all that. I think Robbie's doing the right thing. I think there's just a chance Robbie's bed's already made, you know, as far as his positioning at Auburn. And I think that's a bummer. But when you have the guys who you're throwing passes to, tweeting at other quarterbacks on social media saying, Hey, come to Auburn, that to me just doesn't pass the eye test, Doug, and I know Robbie's fast and Auburn fans love mobile quarterbacks and all of that. I get it. I totally get Robbie's upside. To me, it's not about what he's doing on the field. I think it's off the field stuff. And so can he, can he win over the locker room over the summer and fall while competing with Peyton Thorne? He can. I don't think he's going to, but he's going to have to find a way to, to win some folks over that I mean, Robbie's been there a minute. Like he's, he's had time to win over the team and it hasn't happened yet. Is that going to automatically just magically happen over summer workouts and fall camp? My guess is no, but we'll see. We'll see. Cause I mean, if that kid could put it all together, I mean, it could be a really, really fun. We got Terry standing by. Terry's got a question for us. Good after a good morning, Terry. How are you buddy? I'm doing great. Doug, how you going to say good? Well, Hey, good. Terry. Hey, Zach. Got a quick, got a couple of questions. First of all, do you know, I bring good luck to him, but if the history of those guys getting out of that camp, getting drafted is not good. I've been doing a little research there. It's, it's not good. It's not good at all. I think he's coming back to Auburn, quite honestly. I, I think it's close to a lock. I do too. I think he's trying to get more NIL money. If I'm being honest with you. Yeah. Who wouldn't? I'd be driving. That is hard. As far as, sorry, Doug. So where's the pass rusher goes? Zach, I, I'm going to respectfully disagree. I don't think the guy from James Madison's coming to Auburn. I think he's going somewhere else. I think there's a lack of interest there. Don't know why. But what does Auburn do with one pass or should they start bouncing a linebacker that puts, puts them in a little bit of a problem. Apollo is nice to have quite honestly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So I mean, it sounded like with, with Uquo's, the guy we're talking about here, he, he was really interested in Ole Miss and it appears that I don't know if Ole Miss dropped him or if he dropped Ole Miss, but talking to folks close to him. I mean, it sounds like it's either Auburn or Missouri. So we'll, we'll see what happens with that. As far as, as far as like what Auburn can do schematically, Ron Roberts, he's like the father of creepers as far as the scheme. And so I think when you look at what he's going to do schematically, for those who are unaware creepers is when you send four guys, but one of those guys is traditionally like not on the line, right? So you'll send, if you line up four guys and one of them will be a Jack, you'll send a linebacker and either drop the Jack or drop your strong side. If it's been in the coverage or even, you know, drop a big guy like Jason Jones or Justin Rogers. So he, he's going to put more stress on opposing offensive lineman than previous schemes have at Auburn, even dating back to Kevin Steele. So we'll see how much that helps. I think it will help some. I don't know if it's going to help as much, you know, kind of replicate what Auburn lost at edge a year ago with losing Derek Call and Equally Oda and Marcus Bragg. We'll see. But yeah, I mean, I do think you're going to see more linebackers get sent this year opposed to previous years. music. Download the Amazon Music app today. Hey.