Coach PK & the Texas D—#1 Defense in the Nation (CBS says Best in Program History)

[Chop]

More on incoming portal transfer CB Gavin Holmes (CB, Wake Forest):

Holmes has proven to be a hot commodity in the transfer portal, totaling nearly 20 offers from the likes of Ole Miss, Washington, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Texas, among others.

Holmes’ production over the last two seasons vaulted his rating to a four-star transfer (.9100) and he now becomes a valued member of the Longhorns’ 2023 class.

Holmes logged 46 tackles (36 solo), 13 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

So Holmes is an experienced player with solid production and a verified 4.52 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical leap in high school, more than adequate athleticism to play a position that demands it.

After entering the portal, Holmes also announced offers from Arkansas, Virginia Tech, Tulane, Houston, Memphis, Kansas, Ole Miss, Washington, Baylor, West Virginia, Old Dominion, Oregon State, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Penn State, and Cincinnati, putting him quickly in demand from a handful of Power Five programs.

But landing the first visit from Holmes put the Longhorns in a strong position in his recruitment and the Texas staff was able to close quickly with Holmes. Looking forward to the spring and the 2023 season, the depth chart immediately makes Holmes the favorite to win the starting job over a talented but relatively inexperienced player like Terrance Brooks, who passed Jamier Johnson in the rotation prior to Johnson’s entrance into the portal and commitment to Indiana.

It was in the 2022 season that Holmes became one of Wake Forest’s best and most consistent cornerbacks. Holmes recorded 24 tackles and nine passes defended this past season.

Texas lands Wake Forest transfer DB Gavin Holmes

Texas lands Wake Forest transfer DB Gavin Holmes

Wake Forest transfer CB Gavin Holmes signs with Texas - Burnt Orange Nation

Wake Forest transfer Gavin Holmes commits to Texas

 

[Chop]

We've been assured by at least one poster that he is too small and light to make any difference.

Wow!
Just Wow..............

Hopefully that was not somebody who has ever worn the Burnt Orange and White on the field (during a game, that is...).

Liona Lefau 6'1" 217 lbs

Here's some lighter-weight Longhorn linebacker recruits:

Derrick Johnson - 205 lbs as a HS Sr
Britt Hager - 210 lbs as a Sophomore at UT
Roderick Muckleroy - 215 lbs as a HS Sr

All of them were stars at UT. All of them played in the NFL.




And from the enemy's camp, this linebacker (208 lbs as a HS Senior recruit) absolutely destroyed us on one fateful frigid day in Dallas:

Jessie Armstead

 

[Chop]

Wow!
Just Wow..............

Hopefully that was not somebody who has ever worn the Burnt Orange and White on the field (during a game, that is...).

Liona Lefau 6'1" 217 lbs

Here's some lighter-weight Longhorn linebacker recruits:

Derrick Johnson - 205 lbs as a HS Sr
Britt Hager - 210 lbs as a Sophomore at UT
Roderick Muckleroy - 215 lbs as a HS Sr

All of them were stars at UT. All of them played in the NFL.




And from the enemy's camp, this linebacker (208 lbs as a HS Senior recruit) absolutely destroyed us on one fateful frigid day in Dallas:

Jessie Armstead

And Lefau is from Kahuku High School--that's Hawaii's high school equivalent of DeSoto combined with Katy combined with GP Northshore combined with Southlake combined with Permian (in their prime) combined with Houston Yates (in their prime), combined with some sort of tropical feeder academy for BYU and the NFL.

Lefau = #1 player in a good HS football state. I'd say he's a take.

 

[KillerHorn]

Wow!
Just Wow..............

Hopefully that was not somebody who has ever worn the Burnt Orange and White on the field (during a game, that is...).

Liona Lefau 6'1" 217 lbs

Here's some lighter-weight Longhorn linebacker recruits:

Derrick Johnson - 205 lbs as a HS Sr
Britt Hager - 210 lbs as a Sophomore at UT
Roderick Muckleroy - 215 lbs as a HS Sr

All of them were stars at UT. All of them played in the NFL.




And from the enemy's camp, this linebacker (208 lbs as a HS Senior recruit) absolutely destroyed us on one fateful frigid day in Dallas:

Jessie Armstead

Ugh, I was there that awefu day. But the shoulder pads back then made the players look SO BADASS.

 

[KillerHorn]

Ugh, I was there that awefu day. But the shoulder pads back then made the players look SO BADASS.

 

[KillerHorn]

Who has insight on why pads have changed so much

 

[mchammer]

Who has insight on why pads have changed so much

I suspect the receivers or rb’s who caught passes got tired of passes bouncing off their enormous pads. As new technology got better, the pads got smaller.

 

[Chop]

Don't put me in at referee. 1st play of the game-- flag. Equipment violation--5 yards, repeat 1st down.

The WRs don't have any knee pads. Neither do the CBs. And the bottom of their pants are above their knees anyway.

 

[X Misn Tx]

Thought I read before that knee pads weren't that effective?

 

[Chop]

Section 4. Players and Playing Equipment :: NCAA Football Rules Online

Mandatory Equipment

ARTICLE 3.

All players must wear the following mandatory equipment:

1. Helmet.
   
   
2. Hip pads.
   
   
3. Jersey.
   
   
4. Knee pads.
   
   
5. Mouthpiece.
   
   
6. Pants.
   
   
7. Shoulder pads. h. Socks.
   
   
8. Thigh guards.
   

 

[SabreHorn]

That list would have sent Bobby Lane into a tirade in the day. Bobby refused facemasks, knee pads and hip pads.

How many players refuse knee pads and shorten their pants to above the knee?

 

[Run Pincher]

Section 4. Players and Playing Equipment :: NCAA Football Rules Online

Mandatory Equipment

ARTICLE 3.

All players must wear the following mandatory equipment:

1. Helmet.
   
   
2. Hip pads.
   
   
3. Jersey.
   
   
4. Knee pads.
   
   
5. Mouthpiece.
   
   
6. Pants.
   
   
7. Shoulder pads. h. Socks.
   
   
8. Thigh guards.

Apparently mouthpiece is irrelevant too. I see a whole lot of mouthpieces hanging from the helmet and not in the mouth. I always wonder why the ref's allow it. IN one of the games I saw the mouthpiece hanging from the helmet and when the runner hit the ground the mouthpiece flew off the helmet on the the ground. The ref then picked it up and handed it to the player.

So why have a rule if you're not going to enforce it?

 

[Chop]

Coach PK's ability to coach up the new LBs could be a big key to our D. DB-U is either back in business, or at least hanging the "OPEN" sign and unlocking the door. Interior DTs look strong. Edge pass rushers are a ?, except for Sorrell who is proven. Finkley and Burke look like guys who could break out this year. Maybe others as well.

Everybody give a hand to Coach PK and our awesome Defense!

 

[longhornlegend]

Anyone have details on the 3 just portaled? 2 LBs and our star recruit receiver from last year? Doesnt make sense unless they were all over rated which I doubt.

 

[mchammer]

Coach PK's ability to coach up the new LBs could be a big key to our D. DB-U is either back in business, or at least hanging the "OPEN" sign and unlocking the door. Interior DTs look strong. Edge pass rushers are a ?, except for Sorrell who is proven. Finkley and Burke look like guys who could break out this year. Maybe others as well.

Everybody give a hand to Coach PK and our awesome Defense!

Upgrades at LB and DE this year (if achieved) likely insures a 10 win season.

 

[Your Wrong]

Upgrades at LB and DE this year (if achieved) likely insures a 10 win season.

How does upgrade at one position in which we had both as first team all conference?

With this roster, 10 wins should be the minimum. And look no further than QB. No excuses for that dude to not be the dude.

 

[Horns11]

Things to gauge defensive improvement and whether or not PK deserves to hang around:

Third down conversion D:
UGA only allowed .266 last year. We were #89 in the nation at .411. There's a TON of value in that .145 difference that we couldn't tap in to. Get opponents off the field.

Turnovers gained:
We're still stuck in the dark ages in terms of creating picks and fumbles recovered since our downturn started in 2010. Only 14 last year (1+ per game). Jesus please get in some passing lanes and learn to strip like Derrick Johnson.

Sacks:
While we showed remarkable improvement in TFL in 2022, our sacks still languished despite the fact that our opponents passed more than we did. If the EDGE position players aren't creating significantly more havoc in the backfield, I think we'd need to have a serious chat about PK, even if our record improves from 2022 to 2023. I liked Sorrell's comments the other day about getting to the QB. Hope if comes to fruition.

 

[Your Wrong]

That’s a good list. There were more turnovers and sacks for the taking last year. We just need to make them.

I’d say we need to be measured in what we concede in order to get the above.

 

[Chop]

Coach PK leads our awesome Defense to new heights this season. With all the incoming talent, and the existing talent having been coached up, I can barely contain myself. This year's D is going to be awesome!!! DBU is back, and it ain't in Dallas!

3 cheers for Coach PK and the mighty Texas D!!!

 

[Chop]

"Deserves to hang around"???

More like "deserves a big raise."

 

[Chop]

The attendance at the Coach PK fan club meetings have been a little sparse this Summer. It will pick up in the Fall when we keep team-after-team-after-team under 20 points.

 

[Pomspoms]

Coach PK leads our awesome Defense to new heights this season. With all the incoming talent, and the existing talent having been coached up, I can barely contain myself. This year's D is going to be awesome!!! DBU is back, and it ain't in Dallas!

3 cheers for Coach PK and the mighty Texas D!!!

yea I am thinking of placing a bet because I see Texas getting a natty this year!

 

[X Misn Tx]

*here*

 

[Run Pincher]

He seems to be doing a decent job. But a lot of people may feel different if Dekkers had thrown the ball to Hutchinson for about the 50th time and what seemed like the 50th 3rd down conversion instead of running.

And even that was lucky. If it had been called the other way initially it would have stayed that way.

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

yea I am thinking of placing a bet because I see Texas getting a natty this year!

I was in New Orleans this past weekend so I stopped by Ceasar's to place this exact bet. I put $20 to win the Natty for a payout of $440.

I also put $20 on Texas to beat Bama with Texas getting 7 points. That one only pays out $38 which I thought was a little lame, but I'm not a pro gambler so maybe that's good.

 

[Chop]

Let's go Coach PK and the Texas D!!!

Shutout Rice!!!

 

[longhornlegend]

Dominating Rice should be a forgone conclusion. Lets just hope we have improvement this year. Texas definitely has the players to be very tough on D. If we are good for pk.

 

[X Misn Tx]

Yeah baby!

 

[mb227]

Dominating Rice should be a forgone conclusion. Lets just hope we have improvement this year. Texas definitely has the players to be very tough on D. If we are good for pk.

There have been too many years where Rice SHOULD have been dominated but wasn't.

Don't count the win until Gabriel gets horny or something like that...

 

[X Misn Tx]

Just raising this up