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Around SBN: Dallas Cowboys Roster: Who'll Be This Year's Surprise Cut?

Dalton Santos is Coming to Texas. With Him, Hell.

Dalton Santos was the most important take at LB in our 2012 recruiting class and I shared my thoughts on what he brings to Austin back in February. Needless to say, I love what he brings.


Star-divide

Here's a nice Q&A snapshot from HornsNation of what we can further expect from this lovable maniac on the 40. If our Man from Van will work on his confidence and aggressiveness, we may have something at LB. I read the first part half of the interview in the voice of Randy 'Macho Man' Savage, then switched to Jeff Spicoli once things got outrageous.

Oh, where to begin...how about starting as a true freshman?

I'm going to do my best to get in there and knock heads. I'm not afraid to say it: I'm going to come out there and make that job mine, no doubt about it. I'm going to bring everything I have to the table and I'm not going to back down from anything or anyone. I'm coming to Texas and I'm bringing hell with me.

Only 70 more days 'til Daddy cuts my tether, lures me into a horse trailer with a chicken carcass, and drops me off in Austin! NOW I'M GONNA DO CLAP PUSH-UPS AND WATCH ROCKY IV TRAINING MONTAGE ON MY BETAMAX.

Dalton is already making friends with Longhorn back-ups...

You know, after the starting guys there's a pretty big dropoff. The starters are impressive, they are. But as soon as you get past them there's not too many guys to back them up. Really, my chance to get down there and play early is outrageous.

Outrageous. So, Dalton, what do you think of your competition at LB?

Apparently, people are going to get knocked smooth out. And not just 6th Street bouncers.

When I was young my dad said linebackers are half stupid and crazy. You've got to be half crazy out there but have enough sense to know what you're doing, and then you've gotta not care and throw your body on the line and knock somebody smooth out.

He's quoting Joyce there, I believe.

He also has a solution to the Palestinian problem:

He (the QB from Palestine) pump faked, pulled it, ran towards the sideline and I smoked him right up under the chin. Man, I remember standing above him and looking down. He got up, he looked me right in the eyes and I swear his eyes rolled to the back of his head. He just fell backwards and he was out. At that point, I knew it was over.

One riot, one ranger. One Intifada, one linebacker.

On concerns about playing against upper classmen...

I ain't worried about how much bigger or faster you are. I'm going to do my best to go out there and knock your screws out. I'm not afraid to bring what I've got to the table. I know I'm one of the strongest linebackers around. My speed, I'm fast and I can move. I'm not scared to say that. I know when I get out there I'm going to bring everything I have on every play and every second. I'm not there to play around. I want this to be my life. I hope the Lord keeps me healthy and I want this to be what I do. Not just for four years, but maybe for 10.

10 years? Someone needs to tell Dalton that while he's working on his PHD, he'll only have four years of eligibility to knock screws out of people. Also, anyone starting to get the sense that Dalton hasn't caught wind of these newfangled targeting rules and all of the concussion fuss?

Further evidence...

It gives me chillbumps. Every day I think about that kind of stuff. My first hit, the first time I knock somebody's helmet off. I think about that. It's always on my mind. I sleep, breathe and eat it.

MOM BRING ME CHEESE SANDWICH OR I WILL BREAK MY TETHER AND RUN AMOK AS I DID DURING THE MINEOLA RHUBARB FESTIVAL AND TURN OVER ANOTHER POLICE CRUISER

Dalton Santos, ladies and gentleman. This guy is going to be a lot of fun.

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I'm coming to Texas and I'm bringing hell with me...

There is iron in your word of death for all Landthieves to see.

by Bobby_Batronic on May 21, 2025 11:16 PM CDT reply actions  

Quotes

Remind me of Michael Irvin’s before matriculating to The U.

by Sailor Ripley on May 21, 2025 11:25 PM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Big hitter and highly quotable. What's not to love?

In all seriousness though this guy may be the recruit I’m most excited about seeing.

by cade21 on May 21, 2025 11:36 PM CDT reply actions  

Diggs last year, Santos this year

We are building quite a team of guys we didn’t want initially.

"The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences." - St. Augustine

by Funkytown on May 22, 2025 12:16 AM CDT reply actions  

I was just thinking about that...
Also, anyone starting to get the sense that Dalton hasn’t caught wind of these newfangled targeting rules and all of the concussion fuss?

It’s kind of unsettling how happy he is about the idea of destroying someone. It’s one thing to be a great player, but to relish in hurting opponents seems… a bit much.

I guess I’m glad he’s on our team, but I can’t help but think of that game in 2010 when Blake Gideon decked the crap out of Aaron Williams…

by vortic on May 22, 2025 3:55 AM CDT reply actions  

Anyone who played football

relishes the idea of knocking someone cold on the field. He’s not unique. You just don’t want to permanently injure anyone.

by Scipio Tex on May 22, 2025 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions  

what's the over/under

for how long it takes him to slept they coach?

by vortic on May 22, 2025 2:09 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

This guy was brewed up in a test tube specifically for Diaz, but

with a mouth like that, Diaz will be all over his ass if he can’t back it up.
But if he can…(shudder)…

by lurkerinthedark on May 22, 2025 4:15 AM CDT reply actions  

Starting as a freshman?

Love the attitude, work ethic and physical attributes this kid brings to the team, and I can even appreciate the cockiness of a guy who says he’s aiming to come in and take the starting job as a freshman, but no way he starts over a healthy Steve Edmond.

I note that he backed off a bit from that statement he made back in February about taking the middle linebacker’s job as a freshman, admitting now that the starters "are impressive." No shit. He must have had a chance to check out the grown-man badassery of Edmond during spring practice and saw the need to recalibrate his position.

Where he fits in the pecking order at linebacker might not even be an issue by next year. Coming in at 250+, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him grow into a DL before long.

At any rate, he’ll be a fun dude to watch.

by TKO on May 22, 2025 6:33 AM CDT reply actions  

Big MIKEs are necessary

“Coming in at 250+, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him grow into a DL before long.” Kid looks like Jeff Leiding the way he gets after it. I am happy we got rid of the smallish MIKEs—Bobino, Muckelroy, Acho, Norton, Robinson. These are outside lbs we threw into MIKE position. Santos is a true MIKE.

by longhornflash on May 22, 2025 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions  

I thought Muck

was a true MIKE in attitude and willingness to mix it up inside, but I get your point.

by Scipio Tex on May 22, 2025 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah, he'll learn

He may have to walk back some of his comments. But you have to like the attitude.

by Scipio Tex on May 22, 2025 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions  

Let’s hope he’s fun in the outrageous, talk-big-and-back-it-up way, and not fun in the Eric Hall way. Hall, forgotten by many, had a crazy career here. He puffed and touted a decent (but not stellar) HS record from Tennessee into some kind of internet meme as an out of state badass, and got recruited as a DE. He redshirted his freshman year, but picked up a 15 yard penalty from the sidelines of the 2001 TT game when Vasher blew up the fake punt. He missed his second season with a broken jaw from an off-campus fight (Vaccaro laughs at him). He inexplicably was our starting OLB in 2004, and was solely responsible for about 200 of Peterson’s yards against us. I’m sure I’m overlooking some other craziness.

by TaylorTRoom on May 22, 2025 6:59 AM CDT reply actions  

Didn't Taylor Bible come in spouting off that we were going to win 4 straight national titles?

And everybody and their mother thought he would back that up with great play at the time too. Still, a steady dose of that newfangled trite platitude, “swagger”, is probably healthy for a football team. I do love this kid’s high school film, but more than Bible’s junior year film? Hardly. Let’s all hope he works hard and backs it up better than Bible did. Good luck Santos. I will (hopefully) enjoy watching your career as a Longhorn.

"ABC welcomes you back to Vince Young Field"
-Rose Bowl sign

by Andrew Wiggin on May 22, 2025 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions  

Good news is...

if Santos gains weight, he might just grow into a Defensive lineman as opposed to eating himself off the football field like Bible did.

by BurntOrangeJuice on May 22, 2025 9:20 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

This kid scares

by BurntOrangeJuice on May 22, 2025 7:05 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Me

And I like it.

by BurntOrangeJuice on May 22, 2025 7:08 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

“10 years? Someone needs to tell Dalton that while he’s working on his PHD, he’ll only have four years of eligibility to knock screws out of people”

He’s got too much “compassion” for the game to worry about messing around with a PhD.

by BurntOrangeJuice on May 22, 2025 7:11 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  

I Hope...

We’ve already assigned a tutor

by Hager's Mullet on May 22, 2025 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

The game is in need

For only pennies a day, you can save football.

by Scipio Tex on May 22, 2025 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions  

Where the hell is Sarah McLachlan?!

She’s supposed to be here to sing “Angel” while petting a sad football player!

by BurntOrangeJuice on May 22, 2025 11:55 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions  

Worst commercial in the history of commercials. Every time it plays, I adopt a dog. Thank God the commercial doesn’t run on the LHN. I can handle having a Dr Pepper and a real good time during games, but I’d end up adopting the entire Houston SPCA kennel if the sad dog commercial kept running over and over.

by Yossarian Rising on May 22, 2025 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions  

Aaaaaaggghh that damn commercial

Fortunately I already have one rescue dog so I have a guilt buffer, but I have to lunge for the damn clicker every time I hear McLachlan start to warble or I’d end up with the cast of Snow Dogs II in my condo.

by nobis60 on May 22, 2025 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

I am glad to see

that men are just as affected by those commercials as women. I want to cry every time I see that or the one with that actress whose name escapes me.

I have a purebred, and I love her to pieces, but I’m pretty convinced that my next dog will be a rescue of some sort.

by Sasha is a Longhorn Dog on May 22, 2025 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

I hope for his sake that he turns out to be a great linebacker

Since he seems to have been blessed with the personality that his faux hawk suggests.

by CMDR on May 22, 2025 7:46 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  

Hopefully KV can get him set up straight away with his anger management counselor.

by Tackchevy on May 22, 2025 8:15 AM CDT reply actions  

Knocking the screws out of people

Not sure if he thinks he’s playing against cyborgs, or if he plans on hitting guys so hard that they are no longer able to function sexually.

Either way, I approve.

by nobis60 on May 22, 2025 10:24 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

I LOL'd

Nobis - you and scipio need to collaborate on a book.

It’s one thing for an 18 yr. old HS kid that is 250 lbs. and can run, to dominate little HS kids, but whey you matriculate to Texas - that ain’t shit!

"All the white meat is gone. There's nothin' but necks on the platter."
Darrell Royal

by Snide Aside on May 22, 2025 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

I read this at least 3 times

…and have been laughing for roughly 30 minutes. This is pure gold.

by Big(g) Ern on May 22, 2025 10:32 AM CDT reply actions  

10 yrs.

I’m glad to see he is on the same degree path that I mastered (not Masters) so well.

by b&g80; on May 22, 2025 11:03 AM CDT reply actions  

I hope he kicks ass but it seems the guys that talk shit before getting here flame out at a higher rate. Howell, Bible, Rufus “Destructive Back” Harris.

by stuckinmn on May 22, 2025 12:17 PM CDT reply actions  

Vaccaro talked plenty of shit

He turned out okay.

I’m willing to indulge Santos in these suburban Mad Maxisms.

This team could use a little more crazy.

by Vasherized on May 22, 2025 12:25 PM CDT reply actions  

Prediction

Won’t last 4 years here. Not in the good way.

Definitely sounds Van-ny though.

by Young Williams on May 22, 2025 12:29 PM CDT reply actions  

Can we get...

“Mean” Gene Okerlund to interview this kid before every OU game?

“Mean” Gene: Dalton, can you tell us how you’re feeling about your first Texas-OU game?
Dalton: I’ll tell you how I’m feeling Mene Gene. This weekend, LIVE at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, I’m gonna be knockin’ guys smooth out. (Turns and faces camera) STOOOOOOPS, I know you’re watching at home. You’ve been warned: I’m bringing hell with me. (Pushes Mean Gene down and walks off)

by St. Stephen on May 22, 2025 12:44 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

One of these guys

looks like the hardass coach of a win-at-all costs football program. The other looks like a happy-to-be-there tourist who should be wearing a hawaiian t-shirt and a cowboy hat, simulateneously.

by Young Williams on May 22, 2025 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

Somewhat ironic that the voice of OU athletics is also the ringside voice of

WWF or whatever set of initials pro wrestling goes by today.

What is more ironic is that when you are in that part of the world you get choose to eat from either Jim Ross’ find restaurant or Toby Keith’s place I believe in Moore.

Then again the MIchelin guide rating for restaurants takes an entirely different meeting in Oklahoma.

by davey o'brien on May 22, 2025 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions  

They should let him...

fire up the team before every game whether he sees the field or not. And tape and put it on youtube for us all to wonder at. That is just great great entertainment if nothing else.

And I agree knocking people out on a football field is fun when you are in high school. I shudder to think about the long term effects today, but when you’re 17…

by Monahorns on May 22, 2025 12:48 PM CDT reply actions  

We need an 80's buddy-cop show

With Edmond as the violent-silent type and Santos as the violent-mouthy type. I’m thinking something like Duvall and Penn in Colors. “No, son. Let’s walk down. And fuck them all.”

by tx2step on May 22, 2025 1:12 PM CDT reply actions  

Who the hell are you?

Smalls. Leonard Smalls. My friends call me Lenny. But I got no friends.

by Sailor Ripley on May 22, 2025 1:40 PM CDT reply actions  

I would not be surprised to see Santos in the WWE in 10 yrs

He has that kind of mentality and he appears to be quite the character.

by HornsUpInLA on May 22, 2025 1:42 PM CDT reply actions  

Santos just looks like one of those homerun or strike-out prospects.

Not much middle ground and I am a bit torn if stuck isn’t on to something and this kid isn’t destined to be a cage fighter or a newer version of Jeff Leiding.

I wrote this elsewhere about Santos when talking about track times posted by football signees and prospects this past spring.

“The one name you might notice isn’t listed is Dalton Santos. Santos did run track, in fact the guy ran a great deal (competed in multiple individual events as well as on multiple relays) and threw quite a bit this spring. What you need to remember about his numbers is that they might not be impressive on their own (ie. He had best of 52.8 in the 400M which is 4 seconds slower than Colbert and over 7 seconds slower that Aldrich Bailey.) he is one big dude.

He posted a best of 11.7 in the 100M, 22.8 in the 200M, 52.8 in the open quarter, ran anchor on a couple of relays that were regional qualifiers, went 51’ in the shot, and 143’ in the discus. Not bad for a guy who is in the area of 6’3" and 255 pounds. "

by davey o'brien on May 22, 2025 1:53 PM CDT reply actions  

22.8 in the 200 is ass-hauling at that size

Nothing worse than a short-tempered big guy that you can’t outrun

by nobis60 on May 22, 2025 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

My 7th grader ran an 11.7 in the 100m to win district

Sorry, had to brag to Davey since I know he is a track fan.

by Horncasting on May 22, 2025 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

Of course

he is 17 years old.

by Scipio Tex on May 22, 2025 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

That would make him the Tim Riggins of Horncasting's

neighborhood which means in tens years or so he will end a couple of studio head’s careers by staring in two horrific movies that lost half a abillion dollars, but he wil always have 7th grade at Tom Landry Middle School.

by davey o'brien on May 22, 2025 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions  

it depends on what counts as striking out

i see a special teams demon or bone crushing fullback if it doesn’t work out for him at lb. i think he’ll be fine and probably be in line to start at some point at LB.

by mattw on May 22, 2025 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions  

I am calling bullshit Horncasting if you tell me he weights 250 in 7th grade.

All seriousness aside that is a great time for a 7th grader. Make sure you mix in a few cone drills that all that speend isn’t just straightline when you work him out in the back yard (aka. the Billy Riggins conditioning program.).

Saw that a 9th grader from George Ranch in Ft. Bend ran 22.05 in the 200 at a regional meet. Might be 5’1" and 110 lbls, but that is impressive for a kid that age.

nobis60,

Kid that size shouldn’t be going under 23 in the 200 and nowhere near 52 in the open quarter. As I said, the guy is either going to wreak havoc during his time in Austin or be hell in the octogon.

by davey o'brien on May 22, 2025 2:34 PM CDT reply actions  

Yeah, the 52 is the eye opener to me

How do you keep 250 lbs. moving that fast for that long? Would love to see video of that race just to see what he looked like in the last 100m.

by Horncasting on May 22, 2025 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Have to know that last straight looked like forever.

I am no math guy, but I say add 2 meters for ever 1 lb. over 200 and that gives you a rough idea how far the straight looked when he came off that final curve.

Would also like to see the look on the face of the other sprinters when he showed up to check in with the other members of the Van relay teams. Someone tell the big guy the field events check in at the baseball field.

by davey o'brien on May 22, 2025 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

When does the ubiquitous talk of moving him to fullback begin?

"The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences." - St. Augustine

by Funkytown on May 22, 2025 3:15 PM CDT reply actions  

After

we make him a tight end.

by ohiohorn on May 22, 2025 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions  

ohiohorn, You have forgotten

that tight end is the Hotel California of positions on the Texas roster. You can move there, but you will never leave.

by davey o'brien on May 22, 2025 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions  

After the thrill is gone

It’s life in the fast lane for a guy who can bring hell with him. Santos laughs at near career ending knee injuries…………….

by ohiohorn on May 22, 2025 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Careful ohiohorn and don't taunt the tight end gods.

They have been quiet and haven’t demanded a sacrifice in a few years.

by davey o'brien on May 22, 2025 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

He is going to have some major competition at FB

With the other 9 players Mack mentioned as potential FB’s at the signing day press conference.

by Horncasting on May 22, 2025 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions  

Funny Thread

I can’t stop remembering and laughing at the Spicolli clip ScipioTex chose.

by RomaVicta on May 22, 2025 4:42 PM CDT reply actions  

Over Under on career personal fouls?

I would put it at 20

by JackbeNimble on May 23, 2025 8:52 AM CDT via mobile reply actions  


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