Jim Knowles’ ‘time will tell’ isn’t cutting it
Tennessee spent a lot of money this offseason to bring 5-star transfer Chaz Johnson to Rocky Top. Then to only find out he was medically disqualified. Johnson was promised to be that game-changing pass rusher that put the Vols over the top. It is a lot of why I feel that Auburn can win that game because if Stanton Ramil is as touted as Kyle Rush says, that is one less problem to deal with when they play.
But now you have DC Jim Knowles, who was given the job to make this defense better, and he ended up putting it behind. That isn’t instilling confidence in the fans, Jim. Answering the questions about Johnson and the pass rush, Knowles said:
"Time will tell... Really sorry about not having Chaz. I hope for the best for him. Time will tell with the pass rush because you're never hitting the quarterback in the offseason and you don't really know until you get into a game. It's a question mark. We need to have other tools in the toolbox to create pass rush if need be."
I had called the game in Rocky Top one of the must-win games for Auburn, and I still stand by that. If they lose that game, BGO fans will be screaming for Knowles’ job. There are a lot of high expectations for Tennessee, and comments like these could lower them.
At least the next one is turning heads the right way.
Lane Kiffin can’t stop hyping Sam Leavitt
LSU has done everything right this offseason. The Tigers went out and got their guy in the head coaching seat. They added the best QB in the portal and had the No. 1 player in the nation waiting in his office when he got there. LSU is just different; it’s like Auburn different, but with a lot more money.
Sam Leavitt hurt his foot in 2025 and had surgery, ending his season. So seeing Leavitt at camp is probably the most exciting thing for Bayou Bengals fans because of that injury. Then those jitters came when they saw him throw. Kiffin was excited for Leavitt because he has seen the work he has put in when he wasn’t able to be standing there.
"I thought Sam had a great day today. And really, I don't look at it that he was really far behind because he did a lot of mental work, did a lot of throwing stuff in different situations. Even when he couldn't move as well," Kiffin said.
Having a really great day during camp is a good thing to hear from your coach. LSU probably has the highest expectations outside of Ohio State, Oregon, and Texas. They will be dangerous, and Leavitt could be the guy to bring a title back to the Bayou. With title expectations in the gumbo, at least you don’t have a college and NFL legend putting their alma mater on notice like other teams in the conference...
Adrian Peterson says what Sooners fans were thinking
Adrian Peterson was something special to watch. He was one of those you-had-to-be-there guys to appreciate how good Peterson really was. So when he comes out and takes a shot at your running back room while talking to Kyle Odegard of Rotogrinders.com, you have to take notice.
“I do feel like that position was kind of something that hindered us from being that explosive offense that we can be when everything is working on all cylinders," Peterson said.
“I feel like there will be a little more emphasis on the run game, but you put emphasis on the run game when you’ve got guys back there that are being productive. I feel like if we can do that, it will put us over the hump.”
The Sooners' rushing was bad in 2025, ranking with the bottom feeders of college football. Mix that with what Peterson said, and it is hard to feel bad when your team is supposed to be a team potentially playing in the CFP. But the crazy part is, fans are actually happy he said something.
Dekota Gregory of Stormininnorman.com showed praise for the comments.
“it was probably about time someone pointed the finger at the guys actually running the football. Despite being the key part of the ground game, the Sooners’ running backs really haven’t suffered much criticism the past few years (other than Jaydn Ott)," Gregory said.
When your fans are happy that your school's legend is calling out their running backs, then you know it’s bad in Norman. I guess this might be a bad time to mention that Brent Venables is considered on the hot seat by many.
It’s early, but Oklahoma knows it’s now or never in 2026, since 2027 recruiting seems to be indicating that Venables needs to win to land a top class and give the brain trust a reason to let him see this through.
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