Horns247 Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The State of Recruiting: Texas recruiting about to ramp up May 14, 2021

Show notes

The State of Recruiting is a podcast about recruiting in the State of Texas. Horns247 recruiting analysts Mike Roach and Nick Harris work the road in Texas week in and week out to collect the latest recruiting information.

Mike and Nick recap the state track and field championships and the state of Texas basketball recruiting

Hosts: Nick Harris and Mike Roach

The Flagship: Biggest concerns for Texas football, UT baseball clinches major series vs. TCU May 12, 2021

Show notes

The Longhorns will soon wrap up the spring semester and welcome the next wave of players to the Forty Acres in the remaining members of the 2021 signing class. On this week's episode of The Flagship Podcast, Horns247 columnist Chip Brown and managing editor Taylor Estes weigh in on the main positions of concern for the Longhorns as they enter the offseason summer training schedule leading up to fall camp. Whether it's offensive line, linebacker, wide receiver or another, The Flagship discusses some of the deficiencies on the Texas roster in Year 1 of the Steve Sarkisian era in Austin.

The Flagship also weighs in on the positions that are necessary to take the next step to help out the overall trajectory of the team and what to make of the unknowns at middle linebacker entering the 2021 season.

The hosts also discuss the latest with Texas baseball after the Longhorns took two of three games against TCU and what to make of this team as they enter the final weeks of the regular season before post season action begins.

After a short break, The Flagship returns with our weekly 'Love it or Leave it' segment, with this week's topics centered on the main concern for Texas football at this point of the year, why the offensive line either is or isn't one of the key concerns on the roster and give some predictions on Texas baseball's post season trajectory, and whether or not Omaha could be on the table for the Longhorns.

Catch all of that and much, much more on the mid-week episode of The Flagship Podcast.

Longhorn Blitz: Tackling Texas' problem developing talent May 11, 2021

Show notes

Rod Babers, Matt Butler and Jeff Howe are back for the latest edition of Longhorn Blitz. Arguably the biggest issue facing Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is how he and his regime can rectify the issues in the player development realm that have plagued the program during its downturn at the start of the 2010s and this week's podcast begins to pick a scab that's more than 10 years old.

— How talented is the roster Sarkisian inherited from Herman? It's talented, certainly, but those who remain on campus from the 2018 and 2019 recruiting classes are at risk of falling victim to some of the same issues that plagued numerous blue-chip recruits before them.

— The 2018 signing haul has a low bust rate. But are there enough high-caliber players entering their fourth season in the program that Sarkisian and Co. can get a good hit rate of future NFL players out of the group?

— The bust rate for the 2019 class, on the other hand, is at a point where holes have already been created in the talent pipeline.

— What was the biggest issue regarding player development (or lack thereof) for the previous regime? The issue of injury prevention and management is something Sarkisian had to deal with in the spring.

— Additionally, this week's show opens with a tribute to Texas linebacker Jake Ehlinger following his recent death. Rod, who was recruited with and was a teammate of the late Cole Pittman when he passed away in 2001, offers a unique perspective along with the heartfelt condolences of the Blitz crew.

You can get the latest Longhorn news and analysis at Horns247. The Horn, Austin's flagship radio station for Texas athletics, is where Rod (3-7 p.m.) and Jeff (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) can be heard on the air daily.

The Flagship: Sam Acho talks Texas football strengths, weaknesses May 10, 2021

Show notes

This week's interview edition of The Flagship Podcast features former Longhorns' and NFL defensive lineman Sam Acho, who helped cover the Orange-White game for Longhorn Network — and, of course, the older brother of former Longhorn linebacker Emmanuel Acho.

This interview covers a lot of ground. Before we even get into Sam's thoughts about the Orange-White game and what he learned about the early stages of the 2021 team, we ask Sam the key behind becoming No. 2 all-time in recovered fumbles at Texas (nine).

Acho also talks about his new book: "Let The World See You: How To Be Real In A World Full Of Fakes."

Then, we get into the 2021 Texas football team and what Acho learned from the Orange-White game.

We go through each position on defense, player by player, about what Acho likes and where there might still be some questions.

Acho has some nice predictions for junior defensive lineman Moro Ojomo.

On offense, Acho says he would "need a crystal ball" to figure out if the starting quarterback is going to be Casey Thompson or Hudson Card.

Acho says he may be crazy, but he's excited about UT's offensive line, because he likes the chemistry he's seeing between certain players.

When it comes to Bijan Robinson, count Acho among those who believe the sophomore running back is the next line of great backs at Texas.

Acho gives his thoughts on the hiring of Steve Sarkisian and his staff and how well they're relating to players on the team.

As far as expectations for the 2021 football team, Acho said fans should look for improvement throughout the season as opposed to a certain number of wins.

Football season never ends on The Flagship Podcast, so enjoy this interview with Sam Acho.

The Flagship: Texas staff working transfer portal, Longhorns who are prime candidates for 2022 NFL Draft May 05, 2021

Show notes

After Texas football recently wrapped up spring practice, the Longhorns are shifting their focus to the next wave of players headed to Texas, including the staff continuing to eye some key prospects in the transfer portal. On this week's episode of The Flagship Podcast, Horns247 columnist Chip Brown and managing editor Taylor Estes take a quick look back at the 2021 NFL Draft and where the Longhorns landed at the next level. The Flagship weighs in on who has the highest ceiling in the NFL and the ones who may have to work hard to remain on an NFL roster. The hosts then look ahead to next year's draft with Texas having a variety of players who could hear their name called next year depending on how productive of seasons they have in Year 1 of the Steve Sarkisian era.

Speaking of players with the chance of becoming future NFL Draft picks, Chip and Taylor weigh in on some veteran guys the football staff is recruiting in the transfer portal, including USC linebacker Palaie Gaoteote. The Flagship also weighs in on the latest with Texas basketball as Chris Beard and staff continue to work the transfer portal, plus what to make of Greg Brown and Jericho Sims as the duo continue to keep quite about their future plans.

Following a short break, The Flagship returns with Love it or Leave it, with this week's topics focused on the guy who has the best chance of having a productive NFL career, players who've emerged as contenders to replace Juwan Mitchell at middle linebacker and Sam Ehlinger's upcoming battle for the No. 2 role with the Indianapolis Colts.

Texas fans won't want to miss this loaded episode of The Flagship Podcast.

Longhorn Blitz: Recapping the 2021 NFL Draft May 04, 2021

Show notes

Rod Babers, Matt Butler and Jeff Howe are back to break down the 2021 NFL Draft for the Texas Longhorns on the latest episode of Longhorn Blitz. Five Longhorns were taken and this week's podcast tackles a number of angles coming out of the draft.

— How Samuel Cosmi's selection reflects both sides of the coin when it comes to player development under former head coach Tom Herman.

— Why Joseph Ossai's 2019 season where he played out of position on a bad Texas defense might've carried more weight with NFL teams than the All-American season he had in 2020.

— Why the Denver Broncos targeted Caden Sterns in the fifth round and what version of the safety they believe they can get.

— Did years of Texas defensive linemen being undervalued in the draft finally turn the other way with Ta'Quin Graham getting picked in the fifth round?

— What going to the Indianapolis Colts means for Sam Ehlinger's future and why it might be the best NFL fit for any of the Longhorn draft picks.

Plus, Rod relieves his draft weekend, what the drafts for Alabama and Washington say about Steve Sarkisian and Pete Kwiatkowski and how premium-round draft picks relate directly to victories on the field for the Longhorns are topics up for discussion on this week's episode of Longhorn Blitz!

The Flagship: SiriusXM Big 12 Today host Ari Temkin weighs in on expectations for Steve Sarkisian, Chris Beard in Year 1 at Texas May 03, 2021

Show notes

On this week's interview edition of The Flagship Podcast, we talk to Ari Temkin, host of Big 12 Today weekday mornings on SiriusXM Radio (Ch. 375) as well as host of the Dallas Cowboys' pre-game and post-game on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.

Temkin admits he wasn't initially blown away by Texas' hire of Steve Sarkisian to replace Tom Herman. But Temkin says he has since come around on Sarkisian's hire and explains why.

Temkin talks about what the rest of the Big 12 thinks of the Sarkisian hire and where he projects Texas in the 2021 Big 12 race at this point. Hint: It's not first or second place.

Temkin weighs in on the fact the Big 12 didn't have a single player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and offers his thoughts on where Longhorns' players were selected - namely safety Caden Sterns and quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

Temkin also uses Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard, who ran for 2,000 yards in 2019, as a cautionary tale about whether to return to school after a season like that (considering Hubbard wasn't selected until the fourth round and was considered now lower than a second-round pick if he'd have come out after the 2019 season).

We talk Texas basketball with Temkin, a proud graduate of Kansas, who says the entire Big 12 should be on alert that Chris Beard is coming for them (thanks to Beard's prowess with attracting transfers).

We wrap up this week's Flagship Podcast interview by sizing up what to like and what not to like about the Dallas Cowboys' draft, including first-round selection Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.

It's another can't-miss interview covering all of your favorite topics on The Flagship Podcast.

The State of Recruiting: Mike and Nick take Houston Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

Mike and Nick recap a busy week in Texas recruiting and their tour of Houston schools

Hosts: Nick Harris and Mike Roach

The Flagship: Key takeaways from Texas spring game Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

The first Orange-White spring game of the Steve Sarkisian era at Texas concluded over the weekend when Team White came from behind to take down Team Orange, 20-12. The Longhorns took the field in front of a large crowd inside Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon and gave viewers the first glimpse of how this team is shaping up under Sarkisian and his new assistant coaches on staff.

On this week's episode of The Flagship Podcast, Horns247 columnist Chip Brown and managing editor Taylor Estes deliver a loaded football. The Flagship takes an in depth look at the Orange-White spring game beginning with the quarterback position as the QB battle between redshirt junior Casey Thompson and redshirt freshman Hudson Card continues to play out. Chip and Taylor weigh in on what stood out about both quarterbacks performances in the spring game, and give their thoughts on whether or not the race for the starting job is in favor of either QB. The hosts also discuss the players who flashed on both sides of the ball and some positions and players of concern as spring football comes to a close. In addition to player specific topics, The Flagship also weighs in on the strongest and weakest position groups for the Longhorns as they enter the summer offseason months.

After a quick break, The Flagship returns with Love it or Leave it, with this week's topics focused on which quarterback leads the charge as the Longhorns enter summer offseason work, who's deserving of the spring game MVP award and what it means for the wide receiver group after former walk-on WR Kai Money finished as the leading receiver for both teams in the Orange-White spring game.

Catch all of that and much more in this loaded episode of The Flagship Podcast.

Longhorn Blitz: Texas spring game recap and an NFL draft preview Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

Rod Babers, Matt Butler and Jeff Howe are back with a loaded edition of Longhorn Blitz fresh off of the Texas spring game. With spring practice in the books and the 2021 NFL Draft on the horizon, there's a lot to get to in this jam-packed episode.

— Lifetime Longhorn Kyle Shanahan holds one of the most significant cards in the draft with the San Francisco 49ers owning the No. 3 overall pick. What will Shanahan and John Lynch do as the former Texas wide receiver eyes a return to the Super Bowl?

— Where will Samuel Cosmi and Joseph Ossai land? What about Caden Sterns and Sam Ehlinger?

— The battle for Ehlinger's replacement added a chapter in the spring game and the Blitz crew breaks down the spring game performances of Hudson Card and Casey Thompson. One of the biggest questions coming out of the game is why Card didn't get to work with the No. 1 offense?

— What was there to like on display in the spring game? What are areas of real concern that exist heading into the summer?

You can get the latest Longhorn news and analysis at Horns247. The Horn, Austin's flagship station for Texas athletics, is where Rod (3-7 p.m.) and Jeff (10 a.m.-12 p.m.) can be heard on the air daily.