Texas A&M OC Collin Klein will be the difference maker for the Aggie's 2024 success | Texas A&M Pod

Colin Klein is going to make or break this season for Texas [Music] A&M you are locked on Aggies your daily podcast on the Texas A&M maggies part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day welcome on in to locked on Aggies I'm your host Andrew stonia thanks for making locked on aies your first Liston every single day today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel make every moment more as the playoffs wind down and the Sports Stop sporting like we want them to but this summer FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily that's right there's something for everyone every day all summer long visit fanduel.com lockon to get started so ladies and gentlemen the baseball season did come to a uh painful end we will discuss that at the tail end of the show today but first I want to start with a little bit of a discussion about Colin Klein and you know we've talked about what I call the Colin Klein effect and you know that is if you look at the numbers last year for Kansas State when it comes to uh how many yards they picked up on first down third down conversion scoring touchdowns in the Red Zone coach Klein had an elite off offense it was working it was working well and you know I think he's going to come to Texas A&M and as I have made very clear over these last you know handful of months I think he's going to be an elite offensive coordinator so now the issue here I think that as a whole and tell me if you disagree but I think we all feel pretty confident in this Texas A&M defense right you know I think we feel really good about the linebackers the defensive line and honestly every day that goes by I sort to feel a little bit more confident in the secondary just in and you know I've discussed not every position on the field is going to be elite but you need every POS you know to compete to be a really good football team you need every position to be competitive to be solid not Elite solid you can have some lead positions this Texas ANM defensive line is going to be elite um I think that the linebacker is going to be solid if the secondary is just good to solid your defense is going to be incredible uh so you know knowing how good we believe this defense is going to be which as I've said I think this is going to be an elite defense you've got great coaches at positions you obviously coach ELO's defensive mind you have an all-around great defensive staff and I think you did the great job recruiting players in the portal in high school um so this this is an allar around great defense and so you know when you have a great defense your offense just needs to be good once again I mean this this offense doesn't need to be elite for Texas A&M to win eight football games potentially nine now if it is really good if it's better than we expect which I think is very possible and I'll explain why here in a minute that is when you talk about having a season where you truly exceed expectations and you know with the weapons you have I think this offense is pure upside now obviously we have the concern which is the offensive line and that is going to be that is the concern ladies and gentlemen like let's be honest the offensive line if the offensive line is good I believe this offense can exceed expect ations if this offensive line is bad I believe it's going to be tough for this offense to move the football and score touchdowns you know looking at this offensive line I think there's two or three combinations combinations which we've discussed I think uh earlier late last week I believe but that you can go with that make a ton of sense for this offensive line as a whole and I think that this unit this team is going to play really well together but you still you need this unit to be good if the offensive line isn't good once again and and you hate that being the reality but if your offensive line isn't good your offense isn't going to be that good that's just reality they create everything they create time for your quarterback to find receivers time for the receivers to get downfield get open H for the running back I mean they they do literally everything so you know the rest of the offense though if the offensive line is serviceable which I believe it will be once again I'm not saying Elite I think that the secondary I think that the secondary has a better chance of being you know a really good unit compared to the offensive line but I think if the offensive line is once again serviceable that this offense is going to be really good I I think but so when I talk about Colin Klein Mak the difference I just think he's such a good play caller that he personally is going to elevate this offense to a level that maybe no one's expecting it to go to now you know um I did a show with a locked on South Carolina host the other day and he used a great term to to describe Conor wigman which was the best kept secret in college football I think that I mean that's a truly great way to describe Conor wigman you know we have discussed time and time again Connor wigman has a legit chance to hit and be an incredible player in college football for the aies he can be really good this season and a lot of that is going to come down to coach Klein and the play calling I mean you know a quarterback is only as good as the plays called for him and then obviously as his running backs and receiver excuse me as his running backs receivers tight ends offensive line but you know I think that the skill position players your receivers running backs and tight ends are going to be really good I think that I think that they're going to elevate Connor wigman now once again the only concern I have and I've voiced this many times some disagree and that's fair um the only issue I have with this offense when it comes to skill position players my concern is is a receiver going to be that guy the wide receiver one that's my only concern there and I don't think I believe that it'll happen I'm not saying it's not gonna happen I'm just I think you need to see that happen you got to have someone take over as the guy and then you know a couple wide receiver twos and threes but um you know coach Klein is gonna make the difference I think that if he is able to elevate this offense which you know go back and and click on the episode of lockon ai's a month maybe two months mons ago it was called you know the Colin Klein effect and those numbers are legit when you look at Colin Klein and what he did at Kansas State last year his numbers were incredible they scored touchdowns in the Red Zone you got to remember like we talked about this a lot last year Texas A&M they were scoring they were kicking field goals in the Red Zone while Kansas state was scoring touchdowns one of the best numbers n college football at doing that and that stuff matters they're moving the football on first down they were converting third Downs they were doing exactly what you have to do to score points and be a successful offense so I don't see why coach Klein will have any issue bringing that over to Texas A&M I think he has better weapons I mean you look obviously they had sonat last year at Kansas State I believe he went in the second round I keep forgetting what team he went to he's probably a good Dynasty um fantasy football guy but I forget what team he ended up going to um but you know a great player there but you know Texas saying him these running backs you've got I think Donovan Green is just as good of a tight end as sonat is and then you've got moose and Noah Thomas and Jay Walker a playing receiver this this is an elite offensive skill set of of players offensive skill players and you know I think that they're going to elevate Conor wigman to where Connor wigman can have the season where he ends up being a top five maybe perhaps top three quarterback in the conference um and and if that happens if this offense does any of that if this offense clicks if this offense hits I believe Texas haon wins nine football games because I am very confident in the defense as I have said time and time again I have so much confidence in this um defense I don't think it's going to struggle I think that the secondary is gonna be a lot better I'm really starting to buy into that I really am so with how good I believe these linebackers which we'll talk about in a minute in defensive line are going to be I think that looking at this team I think that if the offense is good you can win nine football games and I believe the key to doing that is going to be Colin Klein being as good as advertised as good as I've sit here and advertised him to be I mean the numbers don't lie on him I think he's going to be great but it's you know once again we can sit here and talk about it all we want you got to see it happen but you know I think that he's going to elevate these skill position players I think he's going to elevate Conor wigman I'm hoping that coach Cushing is going to help with offensive line we're going to get this unit uh looking good and playing good football but if all that happens and Texas A&M hits on offense this team can win n football games but I do believe the difference is going to be call Klein if he ends up not being as good as advertised it could it's going to cost you a couple wins but if he's as good as advertised this Texas STM team can overachieve I think by a win you know definitely by a win so you know I think the call and Klein effect is going to be real for the agies and I can't wait to see how good he ends up being as an offensive coordinator because I think he's going to be elite we're going to talk about a linebacker depth chart it's a conversation we've had a ton here at lockon agies we've talked about who's going to be that second linebacker next to York and I think that someone is starting to separate themselves as that player we'll have that conversation coming up right here unlocked on agies I love Sports I love them so much I never want them to stop but the playoffs have winded down we get fewer games and the sports aren't sportsing like I want them to but FanDuel lets me keep the sports going whenever I want all I have to do is open the app and dream up bets anytime I'm in the mood and this summer FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily that's right there's something for everyone every day all summer long so head over to fanduel.com lockon and start making the most out of your summer ton of stuff still going on you got MLB baseball going on I love every time I go to a baseball game I love to make a parlay on FanDuel it just makes it more fun um hockey obviously is over ended last night congrats to the Florida Panthers um the Celtics won the NBA but listen those two things ending mean we're getting closer to football ladies and gentlemen and as you know I couldn't be more excited FanDuel official sports betting partner of Major League Baseball so ladies and Gentlemen let's talk a little bit about this linebacker dep chart came out from agie wire and you know I think it's a great list it gives you pretty much a three deep even a four deep at the week linebacker but um you know I think this is a great article um you're obviously you're going to have York at your one linebacker no listen we're not going to sit here and argue that we know that Teran York is going to be the guy um starting there at your middle linebacker he's gonna have such a good season I still don't think Teran York is getting the hype that he should be getting ahead of the season I think that he is going to have just an allaround incredible season um and then I think heading into his junior year I think he's a top three linebacker in all college football so you know York I believe he's going to be an NFL player I don't think there's much debate that needs to happen there but um so obviously no surprise here you got York there in the two deep is freshman Tristan Jernigan now you know Jernigan is a player who I don't believe is gonna have much trouble adjusting to the speed of college football he has the frame for it he seems like a super high IQ football player and you know Jordan was a player that there were some teams trying to make a run at them some U some schools and of course coach was able to hold on he's um stays with Texas A&M that was a stressful one because you know we we really wanted this kid he's a special player so he's here in the two deep and I'm not upset about it at all you know he does in in some ways remind me of Terry York and I know that's going to become the cliche about Texas A&M linebackers you know when we talk about maybe could this guy play as a freshman but um you know jurnigan he's just he's got that frame he's got that build got that football IQ the film's incredible at of high school I I think that Jernigan has everything you need um a freshman linebacker to have to have confidence that hey this guy this guy can play as a freshman so I'm very confident in Tristan Jernigan his ability to get on the field early um and you know I think if Teran York were to go down with an injury and jigan does end up being the backup are you going to be getting the same level of play as York no you're not and that's obviously no surprise no secret but I still think that jigan is going to be a solid player and while you would see a drop off I don't think it would you would see a drop off off of a mountain you know I mean I think it would be a drop off but not this huge drop off where you go oh we're done for or linebacker rawle and then in the three deep we got martrell Harris Jr you know a player a lot to prove move here um if you do end up if you're Harris Jr and you do end up behind a freshman in the depth chart you're probably not feeling great about where you're at but just a player that once again we talk about the word depth depth depth depth it is everything and he is a solid depth piece he is a player that gives you that okay if we lose a couple guys he can come in and he can play solid football for us he's been around you played a little bit here I I think that that's a solid player to have in your three deep that that makes you feel a lot better about the room as a whole so then at week side linebacker agie wire has the starter listed as Solomon the Shields and I have seen this the pit transfer I have seen this trend um come up more and I I I think that I'm starting to buy into it as well um you know once again everything you want in a transfer at a position like this experienced played a ton of snaps that is exactly what you are looking for when you go get a transfer like this so um you know I don't think you're going to see um I don't think you're going to see him have a ton of struggles switching over to the to the SEC from the ACC um obviously I think there'll be a little bit of of you know hey you know welcome welcome to the SEC moment for for the shields but you know just watching film on him he's a good player he's a sound football player he makes the right decision I think he's going to be a really good linebacker for the aies and this is exactly he is exactly what you're looking for in the transfer portal a player who's going to come in I don't know what the eligibility looks like there um I don't know he either has one or best Cas or one or two more years I look that up but um so you know but once again regardless it's a perfect addition because he has a player who comes in and whether it's one year or two year he gives you depth he um I mean he gives you veteran leadership he's going to be out there he's a guy who has played a lot of snaps this is what the Portal's for it is finding holes in your um in your team and filling them with veteran players that's exactly what you're trying to do in the portal and The Shield is a great example of that they have listed as as the um in the 2D Damen Sanford and once again we saw a lot of good stuff from Damen Sanford in the um in the spring game you know he made a couple plays you go man look at that um and another another player I would say on a level above marshell Harris Jr but like another player where it's like hey he adds a ton of elite depth to this roster and that's what you're looking for you are looking for more guys that just make this team better and make you feel better if you were to lose somebody to an injury so I think that Sanford is a player that can play relevant snaps and can really be a good player for this team I I believe that after watching him in the spring game and we'd heard good things at Spring practice and then you saw it at the spring game and that's what gave me confidence okay he's going to be a real piece for this team and then in the 3D it is Scooby Williams who uh the Florida transfer who I thought was going to be the starter for a while but now everything seems to be shifting toward Solomon Des Fields but once again scobby Williams highly ranked guy out of high school he is still a player where I believe I still do believe that there is an upside there I still believe that he has untapped talent that hopefully this coaching staff can get out of him I um I believe all of it I think that he's a really good football player and I I still think his time's G to come whether it's this year whether it's you know later whatever it is I I believe in Scooby Williams and and I think that if this coaching staff can get get it out of him we know the talent he possesses he has the frame he has everything needed to be an elite player so um you know that's going to be really interesting to see how that works out but um you know I I still think that that all three of these guys the shields Sanford and Williams are going to make a run at this at this starting role so while I do think the shields has has a leg up at the moment don't be surprised if Scooby Williams makes a run at at the starting um starting job for the Aggies so that will be interesting all right as much as I don't want to ladies and Gentlemen let's talk about the baseball game we'll talk about it coming up right here unlocked on Aggies passion drive and patience the formula for winning championships is also what keeps your ride or die alive eBay motors has everything you need to maintain your vehicle and leveled up to Peak Performance superchargers roof racks exhaust kits LED headlights and more whether you're into speed power or style eBay Motors has you covered with over 122 million parts for your number one ride or die you'll always find exactly what you're looking for and with eBay guaranteed fit your part is guaranteed to fit your ride every time or your money back because with eBay Motors you're burning rubber not cash cash with all the parts you need at the prices you want it's easy to make your car the MVP and bring home huge wins keep your ride or die alive at ebaymotors.com eligible items only exclusions apply eBay guaranteed fit only available to you as customers so the agies lose the final game of the season to the Tennessee Volunteers 65 um you know before we get into the game and where do we go from here uh proud of this team I mean really really proud of this team congrats to Tennessee um you know both of these teams were looking for their first Tennessee got it um congrats to them I um I know that some you know people aren't a huge fan of Vell when he does some things that I don't love but you know I love the whole putting the the the chairs down making his team stand up and cheer so congrats to Tennessee um you know painful way to lose painful way to lose and you just you you don't want to play the what if game but man it's just I think Shane said would have made such a difference in that series having another guy out there who could have given you a chunk of innings um obviously you know else what else you were Miss not making excuses just wish I wish this team could have played this you could have had your whole team um and not say Tennesse did I mean I'm not trying to make that excuse I just I really wish you would had that extra pitching more than anything because you just kind of you know um I think at the end eer Beck kind of just ran out of gas you know he um he went three Innings give up six hits three ear runs um those you know three in runs not it's not on E back I just I think that he ran out of gas and I'm you know thei lose this game 65 um proud of this team for making a push in the E eighth and Ninth scoring a couple runs in each to to try and get back in this game um you know you had the tying run run at the plate at one point um so um I mean just proud of this team really genuinely truly proud of this team um hate the way it has to end but I really proud of this baseball team you know they brought me all y'all so much joy over these last three four months um I knew they could do it and they were so close but um I'll tell you one thing the AI will be back it'll be interesting to see what happens with Coach SLO um I'm gonna I'll I'll tell you this be honest with you you know we talk about this all the time I I think fan bases I saw coach Slash's post game you know statements when it comes to the you know he's happy at Texas A&M he planned on this being his last job don't want to go anywhere you know I I told fan bases all the time when I was doing the coaching stuff search about the football uh you know a couple you know months ago and uh fan bases would come and say no he's not going to leave he's not never going to happen I well you never know um I don't believe coach slash is going to leave I don't believe he's going to but I'm going to be honest I I do have a little bit of concern a little bit of concern just because here's the deal you know you got to remember it like this in his postgame press conference he's not GNA sit there and go yeah I'm leaving he's not gonna say that he's obviously going to to wait it out and see what happens to make a decisions so um it'll it'll be interesting I believe he'll stick around at Texas A&M but you just never know but I mean once again just just proud of this team proud so proud of these players you had a lot of freshman out there um you had a lot you just a lot of these transfers shot and the P I mean it's just um thank you to all these players to these parents to these families to this coaching staff to everybody to help put this season together um it was a joy to be around it was a joy to watch proud of everybody involved in this program and and once again I don't think this baseball program is going anywhere I think coach loss is going to is going to re Lo rebuild and we'll be right back here next year but uh proud of this team you know everybody truly thank you for all these memories to this baseball team um and I'm excited for next season to see how it um it works out for the agies that is going to do it for today's episode of lockon agies thank you all so much for being here every single day really really appreciate it hope everybody has an outstanding rest of their day today and we will see you tomorrow