Inside Texas launches new YouTube channel to continue to bring Texas fans the best in UT coverage
Inside Texas is proud to launch the official Inside Texas YouTube channel. Longhorn fans can go ITYT to get video insight from Eric Nahlin, Justin Wells, Ian Boyd, Paul Wadlington, and Joe Cook, expert perspectives from Lifetime Longhorn Drew Kelson, and top-notch commentary and production from the entire Inside Texas staff!
SUBSCRIBE to the channel today to stay up to date with all things Inside Texas on YouTube! ITYT will be your home for in-depth analysis on the field, perspectives on what’s going on behind the scenes, a look into how athletes prepare for big games, blanket coverage of Texas football and recruiting, and so much more!
The channel launches with “Texas Longhorns Playoff Preparation: How to Stay Focused for Huge Games.” Nahlin and Kelson go over how the Longhorns will prepare by looking at their practice schedule, assessing the mentality needed for championship games, and looking back at the 2023 season.
The video is sponsored by Andre the Lawyer.
0:00-6:55: Nahlin and Kelson introduce the channel and explain what viewers can expect from ITYT. Kelson provides his thoughts on the 2023 season put together by the Longhorns, one that saw Texas go 12-1, win the Big 12 Championship, and earn a place in the College Football Playoff. Kelson explains how he saw a spring practice in 2023 and noted a much “different energy.” That carried over into fall camp and led to Kelson being very confident in what the Longhorns could accomplish in 2023, confident enough to think Texas was on track to go undefeated and defeat Alabama. The win over the Crimson Tide was a “critical moment” for Kelson because it proved his assumptions about the team were accurate. Even a loss at Oklahoma didn’t damper his pride in the Longhorns this season. Nahlin makes sure to note the experience helped Texas at every turn this season, especially in Tuscaloosa.
6:56-9:55: With the team in the playoffs, the duo then dives into what goes on in the mind of players during the current period dedicated toward rest and recovery before the team begins practice again. Kelson, a member of Texas’ 2005 national championship team, recalls what he and his teammates did in between dismantling Colorado in the Big 12 Championship and playing USC in the Rose Bowl a month later. Kelson says it’s “uncharted territory” for the players because it’s a time where they don’t have to hit or practice and they’re taking care of themselves. However, Kelson says there’s an anticipation by players to get back to practice and work on technique. It also provides younger and scout team players the opportunity for more reps ahead of Washington specific prep. Nahlin likens the wait for the Sugar Bowl like a five year-old’s wait for Christmas and explains the Horns will be back on the practice field on December 15.
9:56-14:33: The two look back at the 2005 season and Kelson explains what his experience was like waiting after the Colorado game. Kelson explains that even with the great achievements, there are plenty of opportunities for players to still make improvements and work on mistakes from previous contests. Kelson talks about how important it is for the team to make improvements and play to the standard that got them in this position in the first place. Nahlin suggests coaches have to work to get teams to peak at the right time, and Kelson says to do that it takes an extreme focus on details without even considering the opponent. Then, the coaches need to introduce aspects of the opponent, Washington in this case, to find matchups, deficiencies, and other areas that will affect the game.
14:34-20:18: Nahlin and Kelson discuss what makes a team “physical” and which teams were some of the toughest to play against. Kelson explains that special teams is a revealing place because that’s where some players who may not see a ton of time have to give their best effort. Kelson says Kansas State and Oklahoma State were two of the more physical teams that he matched up against during his time at Texas. He also notes that Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Missouri were teams that played tough as well. He says it’s not just collisions but collision after collision after collision that makes things tough. Nahlin explains the Longhorn special teams have been physically dominant often during the 12-1 slate. The two discuss the head coach’s place in establishing physicality. Kelson says Steve Sarkisian is someone who embraces competition and that mentality permeates throughout the program. He also mentions Sarkisian’s choice of Pete Kwiatkowski for defensive coordinator speaks to that competitiveness.
20:18-24:14: Nahlin and Kelson end the show with a discussion about how players came to Texas to play for championships, meaning the players are currently where they want to be. Even with the Big 12 title in tow, they are after more. He notes improvement from younger players like Jaydon Blue and Malik Muhammad, and says that’s a sign that the team is ready to compete for a national championship.
