Tag: Geoff Ketchum

Jimbo Fisher’s future at Texas A&M remains a constant obsession for Texas Longhorns media

Rain or shine, Texas Longhorns media members spend more time on Jimbo Fisher’s future with the Aggies than Texas’ 2023 season

One of the funniest parts of covering Texas A&M football and of course, head coach Jimbo Fisher’s tenure with the program is the pure and unfettered obsession regarding his future with the Aggies from nearly every other fanbase and media member in the nation, yet none of them have exerted more energy into the topic than Texas Longhorns media.

Sure, the Texas fanbase is as dedicated as they come to the cause while using weird terminology and revisionist history while acting as if the Longhorns are perennial National Title contenders, but let’s all remember that this is all in jest, yet the fact is that outside of TexAgs owner Billy Liucci’s constant back and forth with Texas fans via Twitter, those of us covering the Maroon and White tend to let things lie and focus on the impending play on the field in 2023.

On Friday, OrangeBloods.com, a subsidiary of Rivals.com, Site owner/Editor Geoff Ketchum and veteran reporter and Site writer Anwar Richardson hosted one of their many podcasts that afternoon, and before the conversation even started, the title of pod caught us all off guard, “Can Steve Sarkisian retire Jimbo Fischer?” Wait a second, “Fischer”? Aside from the comical typo, the central topic focused on the pressure that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, and of course, Jimbo Fisher are feeling ahead of the 2023 season, and without even listening to the discussion, you could have easily guessed that Jimbo came out on top.

Despite the obvious choice of focus while throwing in the always reliable “Jimbo’s huge buyout” reasoning as to why he’s still employed in College Station, Ketchum and Richardson’s back and forth was highly thought-provoking and fact-based, stating that all three programs are ascending at the right time due to exciting young quarterback play, while Fisher has the most to prove out of all three in his 6th season with the program. I recommend you check it out and the link I provided above!

Staying in reality, Texas A&M has provided more than enough evidence for consistent ridicule after going 5-7 and 2-6 in the SEC last season, but things are looking up after a solid spring football campaign provided a substantial glimpse into what the final roster filled with veteran leadership and young talent will look like by early September.

For Texas, after going a respectable 8-5 last season, head coach Steve Sarkisian will be equipped with the most talented roster he’s had since his time as the offensive coordinator at Alabama With two potential 2024 NFL Draft first-round picks in quarterback Quinn Ewers and wide receiver Xavier Worthy, so I think the focus should stay on the season ahead for the Burnt Orange, because good or bad, things will play out as they must for the Maroon and White, and especially for Jimbo Fisher concerning his imminent future at the head of the table.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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New recruiting projection for four-star Nigel Smith lands in Oklahoma’s favor

Oklahoma looks like the favorite to land four-star defensive lineman Nigel Smith as another recruiting projection points to OU.

Oklahoma has yet to pop a commitment for the 2024 class, but names are starting to pick up steam, and that steam has led to some projections on where some of the 2024 class may end up when all is said and done.

Oklahoma starts their week with a projection in their favor for them to land four-star defensive line prospect Nigel Smith.

Oklahoma’s been relentlessly pursuing Nigel Smith since the Venables era began. The Sooners offered Smith on January 27th, 2022. Since then, Oklahoma has had Smith and his family on campus six times. The most recent, January 28th of this year. The Sooners’ relationship and persistence have paid off as Texas Insider Geoff Ketchum logged a Rivals FutureCast in Oklahoma’s favor.

Oklahoma has a pair of 247 Crystal Ball predictions for Nigel Smith. With all three projections, it seems a safe bet to acknowledge that Oklahoma is leading the race for the top 75 defensive linemen from Melissa, Texas. Aside from Oklahoma, Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Texas, and other major programs are in pursuit.

A commitment from Smith would solidify a new shift for Oklahoma in terms of recruiting prowess and speak volumes about the capacity of the defensive coaching staff to routinely reel in back to classes with a top 75 defensive lineman. That feat seemed impossible consistently under the previous regime and reflected in the defensive results.

Smith would be a massive defensive pillar for the Sooners 2024 class and would not take them out of the running for the heavyweight five-stars in David Stone and Williams Nwaneri. With the connection player and coaching staff have with one another, it seems a foregone conclusion that Oklahoma will eventually get an official visit from Smith as well. If he hasn’t already committed by then, that could seal the deal for the Sooners whenever that day comes.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.