Saturday: Champions...

Champions are made in the off-season.

The off-season doesn't grab many headlines, and it's not always pretty. A lot of hard work, early morning workouts, increased and improved attention to detail, growth (physically and mentally), tinkering with the personnel and schemes, self-scouting and opponent scouting, it's all part of the process.

The right emphasis placed on the off-season pays untold dividends when the season comes.

I feel like Steve Sarkisian and his staff nailed last year's off-season; there's no doubt in my mind that the seeds of the 2023 Big 12 championship were planted last winter, during this very same time period we're in now.

I spoke with Bryan Erwin about the topic for this morning's Saturday Conversation, and I think it's something all folks will want to listen to who care about the ins and outs of what's going on not only for the players but also for the coaches.

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True freshman receiver Ryan Wingo, edge Colin Simmons and safety Xavier FIlsaime continue to be singled out behind the scenes for their really strong work. Wingo has been cut from different cloth. And that is coming from multiple sources.

Mentioning Wingo like this will undoubtedly mean fans think he should be ready to roll this spring. But we all have to remember, no matter how talented they are and what these young players are showing right now, they all have to acclimate to college football once the pads come on and the speed of the overall game changes.

That being said, Wingo, Simmons and Filsaime are showing some ability and pluck early.

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I also heard another name recently that seems to be impressing -- tight end Jordan Washington. Washington's skill set is much different than the other young tight ends - Spencer Shannon and Will Randle - so that admittedly could be part of it.

It's something that bears watching. It was the first time his name has come up this off-season.

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I am told that two of the younged offensive lineman have made strong pushes so far this off-season - Trevor Goosby and Jayden Chatman.

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Another class of 2023 member that continues to gain notoriety behind the scenes is Warren Roberson. The cornerback has been highly regarded for his athleticism almost since he arrived in Austin a year ago. But we didn't see him much at all last season.

Yet folks still hold him in very high regard. This could be the year where we see him break through.