The Insiders Podcast: Tom Brady Talks a Possible Comeback + The Latest Position Group Rankings Ahead of the NFL Draft

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The NFL Draft kicks off four weeks from tonight,

and there is still plenty to sort out beyond number one.

Our guys, Lance Zerlina, Mark Rosser here tonight

to tell you which positions boast the best talent

and which have the least.

Tom Brady loves to talk about Tom Brady.

And you won't believe what Tom Brady is saying about Tom Brady now.

Actually, you probably will.

But we'll still dive into whether Brady really could return

to a tackle football field.

Carson Beck and Emmett Johnson will definitely be

on NFL fields this fall.

But first two of the most intriguing prospects

will be here tonight.

Talk about their journeys so far.

And when they think they could hear their names called in Pittsburgh.

Welcome inside with the insiders.

Alongside Judith Batista, I am Tom Pillicero.

28 days until the NFL Draft.

And there is so much work the team still have to do

on all of these prospects.

That includes some of the visits.

The teams are doing right now.

Omar Cooper Jr.

Last scene breaking Gus Johnson's voice on national TV

with that remarkable catch at Penn State.

He was on a visit today with the Cowboys paying no attention

to the fact he wears the same number as George Fickens.

These things probably aren't related.

Cooper abundantly talented, getting a look from Dallas.

My eight pre-grabbed visits he has set up so far.

And while at Texas Tech, it was pro day today, David Bailey,

who goes highest number two in this year's draft.

The legend of Texas Tech Patrick Holmes among those on hand.

He also did a bench press.

No, actually, that was Jacob Rodriguez.

It was pumping the crap out of that iron behind the scenes.

Impressing everybody.

One, two, three, four, five, six.

I don't really trust them.

The guy spotting them here.

But yeah, I promise you, he kept that thing going.

Meanwhile, not bench pressing each other,

but definitely throwing a few grenades.

The NFL and the NFL referees association are not getting along very well.

It ramped up again last night with Scott Green, the NFL R.A. executive director.

Put on a statement that was so long we decided to just cut it down to the first paragraph.

Basically, they're not on the same page as the NFL.

We are still almost six weeks away from real football, Jeff Miller from the NFL.

Answered today, Judy, at a time that there is a item on the potential voting counter.

For next week's league meeting that pertains to potential work stoppage, where do we stand?

Well, we stand that the end of May is the expiration of the contract with the referees association.

And they're getting nowhere.

They have been talking theoretically over the last two years.

And so we are down to the last eight weeks.

It seems very unlikely that there's going to be a deal before the expiration.

Of course, that's still not the start of the regular season.

But there is contingency planning going on because the season, the NFL season would start and they need officials on the field.

So the voting item that is on the agenda would ask for permission only in the case of if they are using replacement officials that people in the command center in New York at the NFL could change calls,

either calls that are already made on the field or flags that are not thrown on the field.

So they would basically be calling the game from New York.

Now, obviously that is a contingency plan.

It's also a pretty strong negotiating tactic because obviously the on field officials would not like that.

And they also know they have the technology to do this.

The technology is far more advanced than it was 14 years ago.

The last time we had a work stoppage with the officials, everybody remembers what a disaster that was.

Everybody would like to avoid that.

But there is contingency planning already beginning in case it happens.

The NFL has been pushing for some things.

I think a lot of fans would say are common sense having your pay be determined in large part by performance.

Having performance not seniority dictate post season assignments, but unions exist to defend for hours, wages and working conditions.

This dispute stems across all of those different things still time not time to panic just yet.

NFL draft coming up in just 28 days kicking off in Pittsburgh.

Take a look at Lancer lines position group rankings.

This is the totality of the quality of the talent at the positions.

And you can tell by how small we wrote quarter back down there at the bottom of the screen what Lance thinks about that group.

Let's bring in Lance as well as our Mark Ross right now Lance break down some of these key position groups for me. Start wherever you will.

Let me start first of all the formula I basically give scores for superstar talent in the position star potential and in depth at the position.

So it's a formula I created to help really quantify how these groups hash out every single year and you know starting with the wide receiver group.

Well, I received a group spent a pretty good group most of these years.

I mean, it's pretty steady in case he concepts you don't think I want to spotlight here because he is the premier separator in this group.

Really fantastic separating in short medium long throwing, you know, whether it's any of the three levels he can separate.

I think that's something that's going to both well for him and especially for young quarterback Omar Cooper is another one I want to spotlight plays from a slap at Indiana.

But I think has the speed and the ability to play outside as well. He can really get vertical quickly has great build up speed and very powerful with the ball in his hand.

Yeah, Lance, I like the way you did the the rakeings there. We did that in draft rooms as well, but we kind of stacked it by colors where your blue chip guys your best your all pro type players were blue.

Green with solid or really good starters red orange and so forth. So you can kind of see all the colors together to see which position groups were the strongest.

And just piggybacking on your guys there. I'm a pinpoint a car now tape from Ohio State. Of course, who got football fans know him during the season.

But of course, the combine about the 40 and then the guy lemon as well. But car now tape when you watch him the nice rich history of Ohio State.

And I think he fits in nicely with some of those guys that have come out there outstanding ball skills can get vertical and then Macai lemon from USC completely different type of receiver who's more of a slot guy.

Super tough quick inside competitive as can be you know what you're getting from this guy play in and play out.

But as Lance mentioned, you know this year I think these two guys in a typical year with some of those big time receiver classes of last few years would be more of mid to late first round.

It's worth this year, but they might be top 10 type guys tough. Safety is always a really interesting position with the way the things are evolving Lance in terms of schemes.

How different teams see different players fit in. How do you feel about this class of that position? It's a really great point. And I think you know there's different flavors of safety and every draft and it's really becoming even more varied.

And in some ways more specialized once you fight it. It's a good it's a pretty good safety draft this year. And one of the guys I want to spotlight is Emmanuel Neil Warren because he is a three level safety.

He's somebody who can play down in the box. I think he can play a robber on the middle of the field. And he's got the ability to range. That's one of the things that I you have to watch the tape long enough because they like to play him downhill.

But if you watch long enough, you'll see the range there and he is a punishing hitter, a punishing hitter. Now if you move to AJ Halsey, this is a different type of of safety.

He's more of a split field safety. Someone with terrific instincts really recognizes what the quarterback wants to do is a ball hop and he is visible. You can see from his build.

Now he is built to punish and that's something he can really do. He can hit you but don't sleep on the ball skills because AJ Halsey is a very dangerous defender on the back end.

Like I said, like how you said, all the flavors are the rise and the success of Kyle Hamilton and Emmanuel Warren last year.

Put defensive coordinators and Scouts Moro notice like, OK, these type of guys can survive and thrive. Whereas in the past, they're trying to figure out what exactly to do with those type of bigger safeties. Now teams say, you know what, we can do something with them.

But I want to spotlight Caleb Downs and I don't I don't think there's any other position where there's a little running back as well, Jeremy. I love where it's the one that this he's to me is by far and the way the best safety in the draft.

And just because he can do everything. I mean, he is so instinctive. He is so smart. He's always around the football. He is athletic. He can move, but he can tackle securely gets everybody lined up.

And the biggest phrase that I got a real good friends with his, one of the coaches there, Ohio State said he's the smartest player he's ever been around. And this guy coats a NFL and college forever.

Ever the smartest way he's ever been around. So that's going to build well for Caleb Down come draft night.

Let's get to that eight point font on the bottom of that first board here. The quarterback position Lance. We've all known has not been highly regarded within the league. It's part of why you've seen teams wanting to get 2027 draft picks, not 2026 draft picks.

When you look at this class as a whole, what do you see? Well, I mean, you know, it's, it's pretty, it's pretty self explanatory by this point. I mean, Fernando Mendoza is the clear number one in my opinion.

I don't think it's really all that close. Like Tyson Simpson for me is a clear number two as well. Mendoza, I think if he's protected well, if they make protection of very, you know, a priority in Las Vegas, I think he's going to be really good.

I think that Tyson's got a chance to be pretty good, but there's one year starters, man, there's not a great history for that. So I think he's got to be managed properly once you get past those two guys and it really drops.

There was a lot of love for Garrett and Usmire and Carson back and drew out or headed into the season, but the tape is really bumpy on those guys. So I think that, you know, I just, I can't personally trust them with a top three round pick.

And so I think they're more day three guys that you hope can kind of redevelop and get their confidence back with you on this one to Lance and to me, Fernando's the clear cut number one.

But agree, he's he's got to be the point guard, you know, he can't be your, your lead guy, your shoot guard, let's go get buckets. He's, if he's got the infrastructure, he'll be good much like he was at Indiana.

And I know the Thai Simpson hype machine is in full effect here, but I mean, that tape is scary for most of that season and that upside, I just don't see is there.

The guy to me that the wild card is tailing green who came on the scene for most people at the combine when he absolutely destroyed it and set quarterback records.

But when you watch the tape, you see the athletic ability now, he can take off and run the movement stuff. That is clear cut. I mean, he is going to be super dangerous doing that.

But what was surprising to me that he does have vision, he's got boys. The accuracy comes and goes, but his supporting cast is awful.

And he couldn't, I mean, every play he's running for his life and his receivers let him down a ton.

But when he gets in a system or better infrastructure with some players around him, I think he has a chance to flourish because he is still a little bit raw with some of stuff he does.

But he's got vision and boys and toughness, Tom.

Lance Mark do not move because in a little bit here, he's going to be back to talk about the scouting of traits in some guys.

We've seen have a lot of success at the NFL level and maybe how you can translate that some of the guys were scouting in this year's draft.

That will include the likes of Joe Burrow, Jackson Smith and Jay, but what did our guys see on them coming out?

Who could be the next one? They'll tell you in just a little bit, but first we'll talk to one of those quarterbacks from this year's draft class.

Carson Beck from Georgia to Miami to Who knows where next? Maybe back notes. We'll ask him right after this on the insiders.

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Here's Bucky Brooks top five quarterback prospects 2.0 or on 2.0 are ready for an end up in those a number one.

Of course, and then the spotlight number four on Carson Beck from the University of Miami took the hurricanes all the way to the national championship.

And now Carson Beck is here on the insiders joining me Judy Batista and Brian Baldinger Carson.

Welcome to the insiders. Great season. I know you guys just had the pro day down in Carl Gables a couple of days ago.

What are you doing right now? Just bring us up to speed. What are you doing to get ready for the draft?

Yes, ma'am, you know, obviously training the the combine and then pro day. So, you know, just trying to eat well, you know, stay healthy, get nutrition, get workouts in when I can.

But again, it's been it's been a really cool process and obviously super grateful to have been able to experience this.

And I was at camwards pro day last year and then coach Christopher inviting me down to spring practice the next day.

You were out your real rehabilitating your shoulder at that time, I believe.

But I was just impressed by Mario. It was just the whole program, Carson. I know you left an elite program in Georgia.

You come to Miami. I haven't seen a team practice like that in a long, long time. Like how much of what happened this year?

Get to the national championship game. It's just the willpower of Mario and his whole staff right now.

Yeah, absolutely. Obviously, I'd love coach Christopher. He's a fierce competitor and he shows up to work each and every day with.

I mean, just an unmatched level of intensity, you know, and he's there's the first one in the building is the last one out of the building.

He loves the game football and obviously he was our leader, you know, we were behind him. We followed him and super grateful to, you know, I've had the opportunity that not only play quarterback for the University of Miami, but for a coach like him.

Art Daniel Jeremiah called you one of the most polarizing players in the entire draft just because of the sort of roller coaster of a college career that you had.

You obviously played for two elite elite programs. You had the injury and then last year, of course, you went all the way to the national championship game.

What do you think you have taken from that experience from from those years? You've been in the spotlight a lot. What did you get out of that?

Yes, man, obviously, you know, I played in a lot of football games. I've had a lot of experience with different coaches with different backgrounds and different minds.

So, you know, being able to develop under so many great coaches and then also just have the opportunity to start and play in so many games with so many great players and in top 10 matchups on the road in front of hundreds of thousands of people.

Again, you know, I feel like all of, you know, those experiences will serve me well. And again, it's been an amazing road. It's been a great experience and I'm super grateful to, you know, I have been through, you know, this college experience that I've had.

Carson, perception is kind of eyeing the beholder. I'm just watching your last game against Indiana. If you finish that last draw and you win the national championship.

Carson Beck and everybody else right now, like are you the presumptum number one pick of the Las Vegas Raiders and everything gets changed around?

You know, I don't like to live off of fans and buds. So that's that's how it happened. We came up short, you know, to a really good Indiana team. I was really well coached and had a lot of talent.

You know, for me, it's show up every day and work as hard as I can do what I got to do. Obviously, I have confidence in my ability and, you know, what I'm able to do and what I'm able to bring to the table.

But again, like you said, you know, perception is up to the, you know, eye of the holder and, you know, for me, all I can do is just show up to work each and every day and do what I do and be the best that I possibly can be.

So, you know, everybody's depending on that is left up to them and I'll just do what I can do and keep doing that.

Obviously, transfer to Miami last year and Baldy referenced it like you came in. You were still rehabbing the injury. It had to learn a whole new locker room, a whole new coaching step whole new system, a whole new everything.

What did that teach you? What'd you get out of that experience?

Yeah, obviously coming down to Miami and new coaches, new teammates and I wasn't even able to throw a football when I first got here, you know, I was going through my elbow rehab.

And obviously that was something really tough for me, you know, mentally and physically going through something like that and not being able to throw a football and not being able to do what I love.

So, you know, really, I leaned on these relationships that the guys around me, you know, that's a two-way street, you know, I had great teammates that, you know, really accepted me and welcomed me into this university and they really made that transition super seamless.

And again, really helped me through a probably hard time in my life. What I would say is the hardest thing, you know, I've ever been through as far as, you know, facing adversity and, you know, having resiliency through that.

And if it wasn't for my teammates and my coaches and just the training staff and everybody else around me, you know, I don't think that process would have been as easy, but, you know, they really made it as seamless transition.

Of course, and I guess everybody has an evaluation these days, you know, I have to go very far in any social media, GC some evaluation.

And, you know, you've been through these interviews at the combined individual teams, but at the end of the day, when I look at you, I go, this guy's 37 and 6.

He's won a lot of football games. He's played a lot of football games. He's played for too late.

Just sometimes you just want to say, just go watch the tape. Just let the tape, you know, just like take it an hour and then just go watch one of these games against one of these programs that are supposed to be, and you're coming out victorious.

It's part of you just say, well, there's a lot of, there's a lot of answers if you're just studying the tape right now.

Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, that's what it comes down to, you know, you're playing a football.

So again, if you put on a tape, you see obviously, you know, the teams I've been on and what I've, you know, been able to be a part of.

Obviously, I've been on some great teams with some great coaches, but at the end of the day, you know, it's about winning football games.

And obviously, I've been a part of teams that have been able to do that.

And I mean, that's why that's why you play the game. You play the game to win and to, you know, go on these, you know, play out runs and play deep into the postseason.

And I've been able to do that with, you know, some really talented teams. So it obviously super blessed to have been a part of them and to be able to, you know, play quarterback on some really good teams.

All right, I want to read what Bucky Brooks said about you and having you forth on his list of quarterbacks. He called you statue-esque, a lot of big game experience.

He said, well, you're best suited for a managerial managerial role as a pro given his success as a college caretaker evaluators could view him as a developmental QB one who could eventually win as a starter.

What kind of feedback have you been getting from teams and what's your pitch to teams that need a quarterback this year?

Yeah, absolutely. Obviously with, you know, all these meetings and interviews from the combine to pro day to visits and things of that sort.

You know, meetings are all over the place either there. There's questions of, you know, just trying to figure out maybe more who I am, you know, get up on the board, talk football.

I mean, obviously somewhere in between where it's a little bit about. So again, for me, just trying to enjoy this process. And then obviously continue to try to be the best quarterback in person that I can be.

But again, you know, heading into this, I mean, I'm a fierce competitor. I'm relentless and, you know, my efforts as a leader and as a person to, you know, build relationships and try to bring the best out of guys around me.

So that's going to, you know, be what I continue to do and continue to pull my best foot forward and continue to try to be the best person in quarterback that I can be.

I guess I finished this car and was saying that, you know, you've been an elite prospect in two different sports in baseball and in football.

You look like you're going to go to Alabama, you go to Georgia, you end up at Miami. I mean, the elite of the elite and you've been successful.

Like, there's already a part of you that doesn't believe that you're going to be successful at the next level.

I mean, of course, I believe that I'm going to be successful. I think if I didn't truly believe that I'd already be a step behind the curve and everybody should, it should be like that, you know, that that mentality and that mindset.

I feel like I've always had, you know, a lot of confidence in myself and my ability.

And again, just continuing to have that mindset and that mentality, I think we'll vote well.

You know, as I continue on this journey and this path, but again, you know, you got to put in the work to be able to get the results and, you know, just put my head down, staying quiet and, you know, continue to do that work.

You know, it's all I can do and, you know, we'll see what happens moving forward in the future.

All right, before we let you go, what do you have on tap for these last few weeks before the draft? What are you going to be doing?

Yeah, so down in Miami right now, obviously after pro day, I got a kids camp that I'm hosting on Sunday, which I'm really excited about.

I was able to do one up at Georgia a couple of years back. So, you know, let's be able to give back to Miami and do that.

Well, you know, it's something special that I really wanted to do. And then again, I'll be on a plane after this, just flying around doing a bunch of visits and, you know, just again, super excited about this process and, you know, what the future holds.

Carson, lots of luck. It was a pleasure to watch you play this season. We look forward to watching you at the next level. Thanks so much for joining us.

Of course. Thank you.

I'm Bernie got back on the football field, at least the flag football field recently taking a brief break from all the things he does in his life, including being a very, very involved minority owner of the Raiders.

He was asked recently about possibly that he could return to the tackle football field as well.

Funny enough, you ask. I actually have inquired and they don't like that idea very much. So I'm going to leave it at that.

We explored a lot of different things and I'm very happily retired. Let me just say that too. So I love being out there playing in the fly game.

I love not getting hit. I've got a lot of really fun things I'm involved in and it's never going to be old, you know, and get old thrown passes to incredible athletes on the football field.

But if anything, that game reconfirmed to me that I'm very happy in my retirement.

Let's be very clear about this. The NFL may love the idea of a nearly 50 year old Tom Brady playing football again for the same reasons.

They love Philip Rivers coming back after five years away, but they don't like that idea, Judy, because it's explicitly against the rules.

But also he's going to be 49 years old by the time this season starts.

Having said that the last time he played when he was 45, he did have career highs in attempts and completions.

So if he was out there, somebody would take a look at him.

And we'll keep asking him until he's in his eighties at least because it's Tom Brady is the greatest of all time and why wouldn't you.

So slightly younger quarterbacks, even though they might be 25 or so of themselves.

We've faced upon all the rules and college football right now and it into the NFL draft kicking off four weeks from tonight.

You see one of them Fernando Mendoza at the top of Charles Davis's mock draft for more on the scouted of this class and much more land.

Zirline and Mark Ross take it away. Yeah, Mark is not to put some people on game here.

Okay, so we're going to move to the quarterback position. I want to know two traits that you think are very important for quarterbacks.

And then give me one that you think is a little bit overrated when it comes to quarterbacks.

Sure, Lance, you know, you could have scouting report and go with 15 positive traits, five, six negative traits.

But I really look for the poise that quarterbacks have and then the offset of the vision off of the poise.

So the poise is when everything's going to haywire around them, Lance, what can they do?

How did they handle it and the vision is how they can look down field and find everybody.

And then on the flip side, one that's not as important it gets talked about all the time, especially at pro days, is the arm strength.

And both Joe Barrow to me is a perfect encapsulation of what I'm talking out there when you watch Joe Barrow play.

He manipulates everything. He feels everything around him. He never panicked. He never is flustered.

And he always goes to his first, second, third, sometimes fourth receiver.

Or, hey, let me get out of there when I feel stuff and no one would ever say Joe Barrow has the strongest arm,

but his timing is anticipation. His touch, his accuracy offset that.

So I got to go hunt Joe Barrow. So here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to get defensive events.

And this is what I look for what I look at defense events. I want to see get off.

I want to see somebody who gets off the ball and can beat the tackle on the first two snaps because the quicker you get to the top of the rush, like Micah Parsons,

the better chance you have to turn the corner flat and go get the quarterback. That's essential.

Now, you don't have to have the greatest get off if you've got great hands.

And that's where TJ Watt comes in when you see TJ Watt and his ability to utilize his hands. I made a big mistake scouting him.

I was worried too much about to get off. I was worried about beating up people around the corner and bending and blah, blah, blah.

And then this guy has unbelievably elite hands. And he turns into the one of the best sack artists we have in the league right now.

So those are very important. I think overrated a little bit on that is sometimes that's just bull rushes and speed.

The power, I think, can be a little bit overrated if you got him anchor heavy tackle.

Love that, Lance.

Let me swing back to you and always had those.

I want to pair the receivers. I'm going to go receivers to what two good traits and one bad to pair with my quarterbacks there.

And for receivers is what do you got to do? You got to run routes. Lance and then you got to catch the ball.

You know, and the overrated is the 40 time. And we've heard this car now tapes been the victim of this just past these.

Well, he's not fast. But if you look at the best receivers in the league right now, Jackson Smith and Jigbo who just got a ton of money.

He's not the biggest. He wasn't the fastest, but he runs routes and he catches everything. And it's not just easy catches, Lance.

It's when people are around him or in traffic or adjusting to catches.

And if you go down to Amon Ross, St. Browns and the CD Lambs of the world, the Puka, Nukuas, they're not straight line fast run fast 40s.

They run routes and they catch the ball, Lance.

Get open. And if you're tight window, make a contest to catch those guys stand the league forever. That's great, Mark.

Tom, that's a little look with the scouting hats we had on back to you.

The 2026 NFL draft now just 28 days away in our Bucky Brooks revealing his 2.0 list of the top prospects by position.

They look at the running backs right there in a certain corn husker joined our Brian Boltinger.

We are joined live by the real Emmett Johnson from the University of Nebraska.

I think you can see number 21 right there. Just had his pro day yesterday in Lincoln.

Emmett, tell us what that was like yesterday. Everybody wants to get excited about pro days. How did go for you yesterday?

Yes, sir, man. I went really well. As expected, man.

I put a lot of work in for that moment. I feel like I was just going out there and trusting my training, trusting in God, man.

It just feels fun to see some of my teammates and everything like that. But it was amazing, man. I loved it.

You know, the one thing it's curious because, you know, if you watch, when you watch the tape, obviously, you're, you're superpowers ability to make people miss like in the phone booth.

You can just change direction and leave people just grabbing nothing but air.

Can you demonstrate that in a pro day? Can you show the quickness that you're exemplary and how you run your style of running?

Yeah, definitely, man. I went through, you know, running back drills, a coach, coach Thomas, and I was kind of just like, you know, going through all those things and also just kind of showing up my forward, my change of direction.

Meet my ability to catch the ball at the backfield and run routes, things like that. I was able to show a lot of my skillset.

And I also showed that the combine as well.

Yeah, 92 catches it at Nebraska there, Emmett.

You know, that's, that's a pretty good number in today's college football.

Did you always catch the ball easily? Did it come easy or is it?

Are you on the jug machine every day and you're working on your routes or how did that come about?

Because you do have very soft hands.

Yes, sir, man, I catch 200 passes a day, you know, a starter of my older brother, Charles Johnson. He's a big inspiration in my life.

So we spend every morning getting up early morning and catching 200 passes, you know, I feel like I'm not just running back.

I feel like I play a wide back, honestly, because I'm able to run routes and run the ball.

So catching the ball is something I take big pride in.

And I know I can affect the game that way and be a weapon, you know, especially at this next level.

I feel like we're dominating the past game too as well.

You know, did you show the highlight of the year against Iowa, Emmett?

Your last game was Iowa.

You went crazy.

What was that memory? What's the last memory of playing for Big Red? What was that like?

Man, obviously we didn't win that game, which I, you know, I hate and I will always love winning the game.

But it was great just being a final fan base, man.

Like I said, every single Saturday felt like a blessing.

And I was out there kind of just, I was pissed off that week.

I remember I don't think they named me top top three for Dog Walker the week before.

So I was like, OK, I don't think I'm a top three back.

I'm going to show you. That's just kind of how my, my life has been my whole life.

I've always had to prove myself and kind of showed the time of player I am.

So that was just one of those experiences where I had to show the world where I was.

I live in South Jersey right now, Emmett.

And part of the pride of South Jersey is Mike Rozier.

I mean, probably as good and like, there's a history there.

Remind Green, you know, I'm here at Dula Lawrence Phil.

There's a good history of running backs at Nebraska.

I'm sure you're aware of the, some of the guys that had come before you.

Yeah, definitely. I'm somebody who's a big, I'm big on going back and looking at the tradition.

You know, especially wearing the end of my helmet, man, a lot of great backs.

Like you said, Mike Rozier.

Remind Green, I'm here at Dula Lawrence Philips.

You know, it goes on.

I know a lot of the grace have, you know, played here.

And so it definitely feels great to begin, you know, compared to some of those guys and everything like that.

And I know we have a good history of great running backs.

And so I wanted to be the one to, you know, bring that back to Nebraska for sure.

One of the things that when I was texting Matt Rule this morning, your head coach, I was saying, you know, he was thinking that a lot of the teams have thought that you were their best interviewer.

Like when they sat down and they talked to you, I mean, obviously just listening to you right now.

I mean, just articulate and just, you know, the history of Nebraska football, all that kind of stuff.

Does that is that part of your upbringing, your father and your mother and some of the things that they instilled in you?

Definitely, man, like I said at humble beginnings, my parents, immigrants from like barrier band.

And, you know, I've kind of been raised to be grateful for everything.

And I feel like who I am as a person, you know, is extremely important.

You know, obviously the football part on the field is going to handle itself.

But I've always been taught, you know, the golden rule, which is treating people the way I want to be treated.

And I feel like over the years, I've experienced a lot.

But there's so much adversity that I'm able to have these conversations with coaches, you know, not just talk about positive things, but negative things.

You know, things I need to work on, those are things that I try to focus on.

And when I went to the combine, that was just a example of that, man, like I wanted to go out there and show that I'm willing to compete and do every single test, every single drill.

You know, obviously too, I tested that, you know, a better number of four or four before the combine.

You know, obviously didn't run that at the combine, but I had tested at that.

And then after the combine, I tested at that again.

So that's why you know, did it again on my pro day yesterday to run a four or four.

I knew I was faster than that.

So I just wanted to show the world who I am.

I've always been proving people wrong my whole life, I've been doubted.

So I just always had that chip on my shoulder.

I'll say like a bicep ring was on my shoulder, not really a chip at this point.

So yeah.

You mentioned, you know, the father, your father escaping the Civil War in Liberia.

I know in Lincoln, you've got a neighbor of yours that's Liberian.

And she cooks for you.

So if I'm going to eat a Liberian dish that you love, all right.

I'm coming over to the house for a home cook meal.

What, what are you serving?

What's on the plate?

Man, it's, it's a lot of different suits.

But I would just say anything with rice, you know, rice and beans, tamargi.

Something that people like, that's like a famous, you know, dish is poofoo.

And I know, I don't know if you heard about that, but poofoo is something that you should actually try out, man.

I feel like that African tradition and cooking is the best of the best, man.

You definitely got to try it out.

That you said that, you know, I definitely, if we ever, you know, link up or see each other, man,

we definitely got to get that going.

Because I feel like you would love it.

A lot of people love my parents cooking.

My neighbors make the same food as my parents.

And it's been a blessing to meet this family, you know, in Nebraska.

It's kind of, you know, it's kind of crazy.

I've met them in my next door neighbors and I feel like it's just God, you know,

putting me in a good position to meet great people.

You know, I feel like that's happened throughout my life.

And so that's the second family for me, man.

I love them a lot.

Sauta Victor, the kids in the world.

I'm always with them every day.

So yeah, they've been a blessing.

So you're going to have a big fan base, you know, following you into the next level here, Emmett.

What is an NFL team getting when they draft Emmett Johnson a month from now?

Yes, sir.

They're getting the best running back in this draft.

But not only that, somebody who's going to come in and work their butt off, you know,

earn a respect to my teammates and definitely come in and just outwork everybody.

I'm somebody who, you know, I'm a leader, by example, you know, I'm going to come in and earn my stripes.

And then after that, I'll become a vocal leader, you know, a captain, things of that nature.

But I'm also going to lead y'all to the Super Bowl.

And whatever team gets me, I'm telling you right now, hey, you guys will not regret it.

I'm definitely going to do all the right things on the field, but also off the field in the community.

You know, somebody who, I've been, I've been known to be doing things in the community and things of that standpoint.

So whatever team gets me, man, it's going to be a blessing.

You know, I'm saying, I don't really care where I go.

I know guy got a player for me and it's already written.

So wherever I end up, just know if y'all getting a killer or weapon.

I mean, we can't thank you enough for joining us for today.

It's a real, real honor.

You're a special guy.

And I feel the same way.

I feel like teams are getting a special player.

That's going to be very grateful for the opportunity.

So all the best.

That's the next level.

And in the draft and everything else that's coming forward to him.

Yes, sir, man. God bless.

I appreciate you taking the time.

It's an honor.

An honor to be there.

Yes, sir.

Great stuff from Emma Johnson.

Great job by Baldi doing that interview.

But you know, Baldi really wants to talk about offensive lineman.

He'll get to do it right after this.

We're spotlighting him.

Baldi Lance, sir.

I'll break it down on the insiders.

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Judy, Lance, Baldi, what's up?

Yes.

What's up, Lance?

How are we doing, Baldi?

Good, Baldi.

Good, man.

I'm excited that Judy and Tom

are giving us a little bit of time here to talk about

some of these guys that are going to help build their

next franchise.

It's the important stuff.

You know, build a trend.

Yeah.

This is your time of year right here, Baldi.

Yeah.

I like the guys we're talking about too.

It's not my favorite tackle group I've ever studied,

but there's some interesting,

like there's storylines with all these guys.

It's kind of, it's kind of,

it's kind of fun to watch.

I don't know why some of these kids came out, Lance, honestly.

I don't either.

I would have stayed.

They just need to play.

Some of these kids just,

I mean, I understand the opportunity and maybe they were agents

or whatever,

but these kids,

there's, I mean,

there's two guys at the top of this tackle list that just

need to be back in college and playing.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I, I,

like, I think, really,

and I talked to Stacy Surles, the,

the online coach over at Georgia.

I think my coach has stayed in that year.

I don't know.

I don't know what it's doing.

Yeah.

And I don't think he's like,

I don't think he has a lot of killer instinct in him in terms

of finishing.

He's kind of,

like, he just needs a lot of,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

like,

meaning the totality, the quality, the positions, the high end guys, the depth.

Yes, you can see where quarterback checked in way down there at the bottom.

Let's start out a little bit higher on this list.

At the group that is tied for number eight.

Welcome back to the Insiders.

Tom Pillicero, Judy Batista, Ledzerline, Brian Boldier.

We're talking offensive lineman, which means we have to start with Boldy by law.

Where do you want to begin, Boldy?

Well, I mean, can we just announce this as the skilled position here Tom?

Can we just like put it this is skill?

Let's just start with Canaan Proctor.

You just say, Canaan Proctor, I mean, you go to Alabama.

You show up in Tuscaloosa here, the left tackle for three straight years.

Play every game, every snap.

You maybe you were a little heavy some years later, other years.

But you want him in a three point stance.

You want him against Auburn and Keldrick Fall.

You watch me get through the player.

Like he stands out.

He's the biggest guy in this group.

I think he's ready to play day one Lance at left tackle.

Yeah, I agree with you.

Another guy ready to play for me, a Spencer Fano.

You know, he played left tackle.

He played right tackle took some snaps at center at the combine, can play guard.

He could be one of those rare five for one guys that you draft them.

And he can play on the right side.

He can maybe slide the center.

He can get you out of the jam and left tackle if you need it.

And he has played a ton of snaps.

He's played in every blocking scheme imaginable.

Whatever type of scheme you're looking for, he can do it.

He's great on the move.

But one of the things I really love about him and the running game is he can get into space,

make adjustments and get tough blocks that can help spring big running plays.

And that's before we even get to his basketball athleticism with his passions.

Aldi, what do you think about Francis Maui Noah?

I think a lot about him, Judy.

I think about him all the time.

Like that's an anchor right there.

What do you want to play?

I don't know Lance.

Like sometimes I think, are we looking at an all pro guard?

Are we looking at an all pro tackle?

Like I kind of watch him and he's always on his feet, Lance.

He's a big, strong body.

He's got a great base.

He's never off balance.

He's got an unusual hour.

Whatever you want him to do, you want to play him inside?

I believe you are.

He's an all pro guard.

You want to play him outside?

He's going to protect the edges.

And I feel like the way that Mario Christopher coaches,

and he's on the offense line every day,

and you're going up against those edge rushers at Miami.

And there's Jason Taylor on the other side,

breathing fire at you.

Like I think he's been well tested for these three years at the U.

I slide him.

I think I'm with you.

I think you could be a pro ball pro type of guard as well.

The teams don't like doing that.

They like to start your tackle.

The guy I want to talk about.

No doubt it's going to start off the tackles.

Just stay attack on this Blake Miller from Clemson.

You're not going to find many players who have more game experience,

more snap experience of Blake Miller.

He's played a ton of time.

He's right tackle.

A little bit upright.

Not a great vendor, but he's a terrific athlete.

The bend doesn't seem to be much of a problem for him.

He's got 34 inch arms, which you love to see outside for a tackle.

He's got a little nastyness to him.

He's also someone who can get into space and make blocks.

I talked about it with Fano.

But he's an aggressive down blocker on inside zone.

He can get wide and seal the edge play side.

Get your cutoff blocks on the back side with the outside zone game.

So Blake Miller's the guy I think who's really rising right now

on some teams boards during the process.

Now, as much tape on Monroe,

freely in just a one year full-time starter baldy,

but playing left tackle for Georgia and that conference,

you see tough opponents every week.

What do you see about him that you like as it translates to the NFL?

Well, I think just his overall size and his length,

almost six foot eight, you know, he's got long arms.

He's got every all the measurements you want.

You mentioned just the one year starting.

That's the only knock.

And I do think you have to project a little bit with Monroe.

He's only 21 years old.

If you project, you know, two years from now,

where he's just physically stronger with a stronger core,

understands the game a little bit better,

you might have a really great for any old pro bowl player.

But you've got to be a little bit patient

because he does have to get stronger.

When he does that and when that happens,

I think you're going to get a very good player.

Look, baldy, I got a cheat on this whole thing.

I'm going center.

I know it's supposed to be a tackle.

It is a tackle segment,

but the centers are so fun to watch in this draft.

And Logan Jones is one of the most fun.

I mean, it freely needs more seasoning.

Logan's got all the seasoning.

It's not a problem for his 24 years old right now.

He has terrific snap quickness.

He can get to any landmark you need.

His hand placement, his leverage is right off the teach table.

He can't get any better than what he does.

He's got very repeatable process with his footwork,

which is a hallmark of a Kirk fans coach team.

He was a linchpin of the Joe Moore Ward.

You can see my helmet there.

The Joe Moore Ward winning offensive line at Iowa is the best offensive line at college football.

He was one of the main reasons.

He's just such an integral cog and he's a type of smart center

that offensive line coaches are going to absolutely love.

Forget the fact that he's just a dirt dog that does his job.

Lance, when I watch him, like the whole block is back.

He gets back from a tube technique, the three technique.

We're back.

We're back.

It's back.

As soon as I watch him, like the whole block,

we can actually, he's so quick and being able to like,

we don't like that.

I'm like, oh goodness.

We're going to blow past the break time.

We're going to blow past the break talking online.

Four weeks from tonight,

the NFL draft will take the streets of Pittsburgh live.

APM Eastern time Thursday, April 23rd with round one, continuing for the next couple of days.

All seven rounds.

Every network, including NFL network, NFL plus ABC, ESPN, ESPN, Deportase.

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James Winston once upon a time was the number one pick in the NFL draft.

Was also a top baseball player at Florida State.

Last night, world's colliding.

Here's James Tuyen.

Judy, I don't even know what is part of opening night coverage over there for MLB.

He was building his media future is what he was doing.

Tom, he was drafted out of high school as a baseball player.

I think by the Texas Rangers, kind of a late round pick.

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If something happens to Jackson Darty, you're going to have to play again here in 2026.

Judy, what is your ultimate baseball dream?

I know you were watching today.

What is your one thing you would like to be able to do on a baseball done?

Be able to do.

I mean, I would just look, I mean, I would like to be a hit a baseball.

I have no chance of even doing that.

How about hitting a home run?

That would be amazing.

I want to go out and throw the first pitch.

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It might like five hop at this point.

My arms shot.

But I would love to get to do it.

Twins, call me.

I'm available.

See you guys tomorrow night.

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