College Football Live - CFB Live - SEC Football Kickoff Day 3

Episode Date: July 23, 2026

SEC Football Kickoff continues as we hear from players and coaches from Ole Miss, Florida, Texas A&M, and Alabama. Zubin Mehenti, Greg McElroy, Dusty Dvoracek, and Pete Thamel translate coach speak and discuss expectations as household names take the podium. Hear from Kalen DeBoer, Mike Elko, Pete Golding, and Jon Sumrall as they look ahead to the season. Hear directly from Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed why his teammates call him "the gingerbread man." All this and more on College Football Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Try the Creamy Parmesan and Bacon Quarter Pounder today or treat yourself to your Dreamburger lineup with our original Quarter Pounder with cheese or Quarter Pounder BLT. At participating McDonald's restaurants in Canada, product availability varies by restaurants. Hey, it's day three of SEC Media Days over the last handful of years. We've been in Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville, and our first foray, our maiden voyage to Tampa, where we've had four coaches a day for four days.

Here are the quartet today. Critical year three for Kalin DeBore at Alabama. Critical year one for John Somerall at Florida. First full year for Pete Golding at Ole Miss and off their first college football playoff appearance. We'll see how Mike Elko and the Aggie's doing with. With that, we welcome you inside college football live. I'm Zubin Mahente. Here is the stat of the day off the top.

This year in salary, Kalin DeBore will make more money than Nick Saban ever did in any single year at Alabama. And if that's the case, you better get the quarterback decision right. That's the big decision for the Crimson Tide. Let's run you through how we got here. Obviously, everybody knows last year, Ty Simpson was there. He's off to the NFL, first-round draft pick of the Rams, where he appears to be the future.

So who is the future at Alabama? Austin Mack spent a couple of years as a backup with DeBoard, Washington, can't underrate that. He also did play in some mop-up duty at the Rose Bowl and that lost Indiana for whatever that's worth. Then there is going to be the highly touted Keelon Russell, number one dual threat quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class. Coach DeBore sizing it up.

Both of them are more than capable. I think they're high-level. elite quarterbacks. Fortunately, we have both in our program, and it's going to be a competition that's going to lead to a tough decision. It's one that we're fortunate to have, and it's going to be one that when we do make the decision that will be confident, we'll do a great job because they are two guys that are well respected by our entire football team. Really, I've just seen them reflect off of each other and, you know, just continue to grow day in and day out. It's been super exciting just because I've watched both of them work at an extremely high level.

It's just been exciting to see just because I know I'm getting their best every single day. That was Ryan Coleman Williams changing his name, adding his mother's last name out there an homage to mom. Great to see him. Who will he be catching passes from? That's the question. Great to see Greg McElroy, Dusty DeBorichek, Pete Thammel. All right, Pete, let's just start with you. What do you have on Intel for what is always one of the most scrutinized people in of college football, Alabama's starting quarterback. Well, Zubin, there are two types of modern camp quarterback battles. There are the, let's call it a battle so the guy doesn't transfer battles,

and then there's the actual battles where we need to see who's going to win. And the Alabama battle falls in the latter category. Two similar style quarterback, Zubin. Kailin Bore told me he'd like to make a decision on either Austin Mack or Keelan Russell with about a week and a half remaining in camp as they go into the same. Second scrimmage. Austin Macmore of a pure dropback guy. Keelan Russell guys has a little bit more wiggle.

Kailin DeBore used a phrase to describe him that no one ever described Greg McElroy as. He said he has Houdini moves. I can assure you that did not leave the lips of anyone on Nick Saban staff when Greg was there. Not true, but just we'll move on. I'm not taking the low-hanging fruit. Looking at the quarterback spot, I think a lot of it actually depends on what the offense identity needs to be. Last year, it's widely acknowledged that the Alabama Crimson Tide struggle to run the football. So if for whatever reason, that is a continuing problem for the tide, then you might lean towards the

slightly more mobile Keelan Russell. He's younger. You might make a mistake or two, but his mobility and just how dynamic he is as a player could open things up in the run game. But if for whatever reason, the offensive line improves greatly, I could see the offense maybe leaning a little bit more towards Austin Mack because they have a more traditional run game. Austin Mac has been in the program now for several years. He's got great understanding for what Kaylon DeBoer's offense is supposed to look like. He's really accurate. He's really big.

He's really strong and he can push it down the field. Like what Pete said, Keelan Russell has some things you just flat out can't teach. But sometimes those aren't on display all the time in a scrimmage setting because they blow it dead too quickly. His best play might actually be in real game time situation. So if he does win the job, it might be in. in the regular season when both are getting a decent look against a team like East Carolina and week one. They flipped Keel and Russell from SMU. Let's see if he can flip the script and end up becoming their starter.

One thing Greg hit on there, and Dusty, I want to talk about with you in just a second, is Alabama's rushing, which has been pretty poor, not just by their standards, but by really anybody in the FBS. You just don't see these numbers on the extreme right column ever associated with the University of Alabama on any statistical measure. Greg talked about it. Dusty, why don't you follow up on it? What's been the problem and how can they fix their once potent rushing attack? They've had talent on the offensive line, Zubin, but there's been no continuity.

And that's one thing that Kailn Mabour talked about today. They've got to be more, get more together as they work. And they're going to have all new pieces, five new starters likely on this offense. They do have some talent coming back. Michael Carroll is a guy that Kailen-N-Bor really talked about. And it's really going to come on Adrian Clem. The new offensive line coach who was just brought in in February. They have to get that rushing game going.

It was one of the biggest points of emphasis today from Kalin DeBoer. That yards per carries the lowest. It's been in Tuscaloosa since 1998. Whichever quarterback wins this job, they need a running game to support them. That's where I kind of wonder if you bring in Akielan Russell, who's got some Greg McElroy like type athleticism, and he's able to move around,

does that help the rushing attack and something? that needs a true injection here coming up this season. No doubt. And I would think it's fair to say that Lane Kiffin Polde, as Pete would say, Houdiniac, by getting out of Ole Miss and heading off to LSU. So where does that live? The Rebels.

That's where they are up next year on college football live. You know the storylines. Pete Golding, beginning his first full season after the lane train left for Baton Rouge. They ended up going to the playoff, made the national semifinals, lost the heartbreaker to Miami, Trinidad, Chamblis,

Kewan Lacey. one-two punch. Ranked second in the FBS, yards per game last season. They can absolutely fill it up through the air and on the ground. And obviously they have a huge schedule on tap. Headlined by Lanes

returned to Oxford in week three. They're going to play Texas now for just a second time in 100 years as well. We'll look forward to that. But Golding at the podium today, he knows what you're wondering, and he provided the answer. I have no ill will towards coach

Kiffin. He texts me on a regular basis, and there's certain things that we'll talk about, and there are certain things that we don't talk about. And I probably shouldn't say this, but I don't care. I told an old miss group the other day at 21. I said, all right, in 2021, if you said you can look in 2025, and you're about to be 11 and 1 to go to the playoff, would you take it if your coach was leaving? Hell yeah. I was like, you would. Everybody won from it. It's okay. Keith, like you made a great hire. He did a great job. Every place isn't for everybody. That's coaches, that's players. That's your job. That's And that's okay. And Keith there is athletic director, Keith Carter, who in my estimation, did an unbelievable

job holding the situation together last year. It could have went haywire, but he kept it in place. Pete, I want to go to you. He basically laid down the gauntlet. I mean, what are the expectations here coming off arguably? I know they had some great teams in the 60s, but arguably their best season in modern history. Zubin, it remains to be seen whether Ole Miss is going to win multiple playoff games again, but Pete Golding is now the heavy favorite.

for winning media days. He came in and he was disarming. He was charming. He was authentic. It was like drinking a can a can of Celsius listening to him after, you know, there can be a lot of one game at a times at these things. He told us in the ESPN.com that he actually bought his house that he currently lives in from Lane Kiffin. The one thing that really resonated here was that he got into the tampering allegations that Clemson had made against him. He basically said this is a broken system. Recruiting hasn't been moral for 100 years. A refreshing start to the Pete Golding area at media days. And Pete

Golding's got to be so excited because I think he's got the best quarterback in the SEC and arguably the best quarterback coming back at college football. Trinidad Chambliss is electric. And what we watched him do last season I think is just a glimpse. I had a chance to spend some time with him here today. And he

is exuding confidence. And he said he's just continuing to learn and learn and learn. They go get John David Baker, who was with Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin just two years ago. And he had been there for three years. He goes to East Carolina and he's going to implement essentially the exact same system, similar tempo, similar style. So that continuity is there for Trinidad Chambliss, who I think is going to

pick up right where he left off. And he's got arguably the best running back of the SEC to add the football to Kiwan Lacey with 24 touchdown. This offense, I don't think Greg's going to miss a beat. Well, I think system-wise, a carryover's great. That's so helpful on a quarterback. You're dealing a hot hand at the end. Like, keep that momentum going throughout the offseason. I think when you look at Ole Miss and what's been lost and all the focus on Lane Kiffin, the Golding dynamic, is that they actually upgraded on several different fronts. Defensively, they were remarkably thin last year. Philosophically, most of the resources that Ole Miss had went to the offense last year. The defense, however, they've upgraded in certain spots. They went out and got some key additions.

They are deeper along the defensive line. They feel better about their linebacker play. They think the safety spot, which was a problem area last year, they think they've upgraded there and they have better depth at corner in competition as well. The biggest question for me for Ole Miss this year, I think they have a chance to be better, but it assumes the wide receivers don't drop off significantly. They had a dynamic tight end last year in Dayquan, right. They had two big time wide receivers and Trey Wallace and Dajon Stribbling.

DeJohn Stribbling was the first pick at the second round last year. So I think if they can adequately replace their personnel at wide receiver, they have a chance to actually be better last year. Will they make it as far? I don't know, but I think collectively as a whole, they could take a step forward. All great points, and I just wanted to accentuate what Pete said about the transfer scandal involving Luke Forelli. That was his first kind of big test going ten on ten with Dabo.

That could have swallowed a much smaller head coach, but he came out of that looking okay. Now the big challenges are ahead. Still to come here on college football live. Marcel Reed's going to join the show, and he said something today at Media Days that caught all of the Aggies media flat-footed. He's not flat-fitted. Look at him. He'll join us next, and I'll ask him about just that answer. as we roll through day three of SEC Media Days,

and that is Marcel Reed, suited, booted, ready to hit the set with me right after this. Prime presents perfect pairings. What pairs with Reacher on Prime? Reaching for a sparkling punch delivered with Prime. It's an unbelievable feeling when you're enjoying a punch. At the same time, Reacher is enjoying punching. people.

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Download it now. He's a super confident guy, and he deserves to be seen as one of the top quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference. He's throwing the ball well. His ability to scramble. He plays winning football.

Reed, flushed out. throws. Hought. Touchdown. Aggies. Wow. Fourth in the game. Reed pumps.

Fire on the keeper. Touchdown. He is a danger from anywhere on the field to throw with his leg. Apologies to South Carolina fans that had to watch that. Marcel Reed pulling out one of the most magical finishes

of last season. This is some good company. 3,000 passing yards, 400 on the ground and 10 wins for an Aggie quarterback. Only Johnny Mansell who hoisted the Heisman trophy is on that list with Marcel Reed.

And Marcel Reed joins us here on college football live. It is great to have you here. There are five captains for the Texas A&M Aggies. You are one of them, and I know leadership means a ton to you. What does it mean to you to be a captain, and what do you expect to do with it? Yeah, it's an honor. I always love when your teammates and your coaches can honor you with a captain's badge across your nameplay. So, I'm just happy that they did that for me. And, you know, I'm going to give my team 110% every single day, do anything that I possibly can to, you know, promise them to success. So I appreciate them for doing that and I'm going to live up to it for sure. I love how you said all 85 get here

in different ways. You've got to connect with different people in different ways. It's a really matured way to look at it. Now to the hard-hitting question. Why do they call you the gingerbread man? That means it can't catch me. Now, I heard you don't love that nickname. You would prefer dragon, dragonfly? Is that what I heard? Dragonfly's cool too. You know, I don't know if you've ever tried to swat a dragonfly before, but it's pretty hard to do. Is that sort of like it's hard to bring you down? Is that what I'm saying?

It's kind of hard to catch you. Is that what you're saying? It's hard to touch me, hard to bring me down, everything. Hard to get close. I love it. Let's talk a little bit more about that. You said you want this year the offense to be able to utilize more of your dual threatability than we have the last couple of years. I mean, how does the offense do that?

Yeah. You know, we do some things like, you know, stretch the pocket a little bit, get some rollout stuff going. But, you know, a lot of teams always try to stop it. So, you know, I'm going to do whatever I can to present that when the opportunity to present itself. But other than that, I'm just going to trust my read and, you know, trust my Olinman and the running backs, too. You know, I said before the break, there was a lot of eyebrows raised among the Texas A&M media. I entered the SEC media. When you said earlier today that, you know,

I might be back in 27. Why is that something you're thinking about right now? I mean, when you get asked the question, I really didn't, you know, give him a sure answer, but I still have two years left, so it's up in the air. Whatever happens, happens, but there's a possibility. What do you think the difference that Mike Elko has brought to the program in your view? I think he just, you know, true honesty.

He's a really good coach, and he's one that's going to tell you straight forward. And I think that's what a lot of people look for and respect and Coach Elko. And that's what a lot of recruits look for too. It speaks a lot of volume in why we have the number of recruiting class in 2027 right now. A lot of these parents appreciate the staff that he has and what he does for this program and also the character that he builds within his players. Yeah, maybe those recruits will see you in 2027. We'll have to wait and see.

Hey, last thing for you, last year on college, game day, one of the great breakout moments that people loved, whereas you coaching the Aggie Land Flag Football team, guys like half your age, maybe a third of your age. What was that experience like? You're going to be back as a coach Reed with the whistle? Yeah, I know. That's always fun.

You know, they host practice a couple of minutes down away from my house. So me and a couple other teammates like Ruben Owens, Terry Bussie, and we all just go out there and, you know, you know, play with these kids while they're doing the flag. football stuff and just kind of get back to the community. We love spending time with them. You know, they're always a great time and, you know, their parents are amazing. So anytime we get the chance to after practice or something like that, we'll go show some love. Good stuff. They're the class of 2037. So we're talking on 2037. It's never too early, as you know.

Never too early. Yeah, no doubt. Pleasure to talk to you. And I hope we see it for maybe one, if not two, more college seasons. Best of luck this season in College Station. I appreciate it. Thank you. That's Marcel Reed. Tale of two seasons. Marcel knows this well. A&M has had some really quick starts, and then they've kind of faded to the finish.

Head coach Mike Elko knows it's just a constant improvement method that eventually will get it done. I just think maybe a better understanding, again, of what we need to do to be successful. I think one of the things we've tried to do is build that foundation of work ethic throughout the offseason in those moments when nobody's watching in those moments when people aren't paying attention. And I think each year that has grown. And I think this group probably understands that better than any other group that we've had. I just think

that work ethic and that commitment to being great is probably at a level a little bit higher than it's ever been. Results have been pretty darn good. Greg and Dusty are back. Dusty to you. I struggle with this a little bit because a team. that won 11 games had a great season in my mind, but it wasn't great the way that it ended. What are the expectations heading into 26 for you? Talk with Mike Elko today. They expect to be back in the college football playoff and be in the mix to be in Atlanta for an SEC championship. They're hungry after last season.

With Marcel Reed, one thing I want to see, better consistency, you know, throwing the football, especially intermediate with accuracy, taking better care of the football, all 14 turnovers a season ago. Holman Wiggins, the receivers coach, promoted from within to be the offensive coordinator, so they'll keep some continuity. It's a very talented wide receiver core. And I love what Marcel said about moving the pocket, Greg, getting him outside. I think that's oftentimes when he's at his best.

But I think if he can be more consistent and eliminate those turnovers, it's going to give Texas A&M an opportunity to be back in the playoff of second straight season. Yeah, no one denies just how dynamic he is. I mean, just watch him take off, watch him run. You look at the speed numbers. He's one of the fastest quarterbacks in the country, especially when he takes off against LSU splits the safeties, and he's out the gate.

I don't let people can do that regardless of position. So he's dynamic. I think utilizing his legs is probably the next step of this offense's evolution. And he said, rolling out a little bit, giving him some run-pass options. Don't turn a guy that's an electric playmaker. Don't turn him into a drop-back passer. That can be a variable of his game.

It doesn't mean to be who he is on 90% of the offensive. snap. So I want to see adjustments there. I also think there's areas where he can clean up the fundamentals a little bit more, too. Keep a wide base. Keep his feet planted in the ground. That will lead to more underneath and intermediate accuracy. And the big thing for him is just don't miss layups. Simple as that. There's a lot of open receivers that are underneath that are very easy throws, throws that he could make in his sleep. Occasionally they drifted inaccurately last year. If he can just clean those up, give these receivers plenty of chances to run after catch. This office could be just as explosive it was a year ago. And in some cases, maybe even better with the addition of a couple key people. pieces at the wide receiver court.

100%. He did say earlier today, I made some mental mistakes, and I've got to clean those up, especially the easy ones. When college football live continues, John Summerall, Florida's first year coach, took the podium today, and had some very interesting thoughts on his conversation with Lane Kiffin. Take inside their cell phone chat next. The Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Plus card gives me 15% cash back for the first three months

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You're one fast bird. Well, Mr. Turkey, I drink Red Bull. But you do realize. Yes, Red Bull gives you wings, but I'm scared of heights. We're back on college football live. Great to see the old ball coach on your screen there. He dubbed Media Days Talkin Season. Urban and Steve, incredible in their run.

Summerall has a lot. of work to do because their successors, not so much. Summerall knows the road ahead. It takes what it takes to be great. There are no shortcuts. I don't care if you've been winning or you hadn't been winning. Four and eight last year's not okay at the University of Florida. We've got to fix that.

We've got to get better every day. We can't waste a day. We're nowhere near arrived. Like, we can't waste a practice rep. We have a long way to go. I'm not trying to temper expectations. My expectation is to win every time we play. we have a freaking long way to go.

This guy's so big, we had comments from him sitting and standing. Pete, let's begin with you. What are the year one expectations here at Florida? John Summerall told me today that they are not going to imminently recreate the Urban Meyer era, but he believes there is a path there, Zubin. He said they're not in the top three in the SEC in NIL spending. They're also not in the bottom three. And Dusty, he left us with a memorable quote.

He said, whoever said less is more, never had less. That's good. Look, I love this hire, Pete. I think John Somerall is the guy at Gainesville, the edginess, the toughness, and he's very charismatic. But in year one, look, I think seven, eight wins is possible. I think by year three, they're competing in the upper echelon of the SEC. But he had a lot of holdovers. They brought in some new pieces.

Love the coordinator hires, but it's going to take some time to compete for SEC championships and college football playoffs. correct. I don't expect an SEC championship game appearance. I don't expect anything like that. I can promise he's going to be a hard out. They were a hard out last year and they just couldn't get out of their own way. They say talented roster. I think he's underselling how good they are. They might have the best wide receiver core in the league. They're going to be elite potentially in certain spots on defense. If they can get quarterback right, they're elite at running back. If they can get quarterback right and they can get the offensive line playing at a better level than they did last year, then I think Florida's got a chance to surprise

people. Yeah, we got a hard out too because this show's only 30 minutes, so I have a quickly can remind you tomorrow. Lane Kiffin, Trinidad Chamblis, and Archmanning will all join us on College Football Live, and we will see you tomorrow. Now playing

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