May/June/JULY Football

bystander said:
http://www.barkingcarnival.com/2016...aiting-on-patrick-hudson-will-decide-thursday

"If Patrick Hudson joins the fold, the Longhorns will have put together extraordinary back-to-back classes in 2015/2016. Charlie Strong is probably one class and one healthy, assertive QB away from getting this back on track fully."
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I'd agree with these sentiments. Bring me a damn kicker!!!!! This will be, like Brad said, the final coaching failure for CS. If seriously substandard special teams play keeps is from getting this program back on top he has to go. That oversight is day 1 ****.
 
A source told TFB that the decision by Texas to no longer pursue Parrish Cobb was partially due to him not showing up for his meeting with Strong this past weekend.

Maybe Mr. Cobb gorged his son on waffles the night before so he'd be too hung over to make the meeting.
 
In one week we've gotten 4 outta 6 Bailor jumpers – three 4-stars and one 3; one second-best-in-class (Hudson) and one runner-up (Devin Duvernay). We went from having the national #11 recruiting class to the #7.

In. One. Week. In. June!

 
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All of the excitement this past week made me wanna get out, play a little sandlot football, and plant some poor sap in the ground! It didn't go well, though – 6th graders are a lot tougher these days. I'm guessing 6th grade boys are even tougher.

So, I dug out the old DKR video to do a little vicarious Malik-ing. It never gets old.

 
As Charlie Strong prepares for his third season as the head football coach at Texas, the period of having to adjust to a new way of life for the players has passed.

The Longhorns will benefit this season and beyond from having young roster where legitimate NFL talent residing within every position group. It’s a roster where the fifth-year seniors have had a longer run of playing for Strong as opposed to Mack Brown, which makes Strong’s third Texas team his own in the truest sense of the word.

The familiarity the players have when it comes to what Strong and his coaches expect from them has created a level of understanding currently present inside the locker room that hasn’t been there in recent years.

With the players having had a spring to get adjusted to the veer-and-shoot offense Sterlin Gilbert and Matt Mattox installed during the spring, there shouldn't be anything to do once preseason practice arrives in August except to hit the ground running.

[247]
 
​

It's July. One month to go before the start of Fall Camp. Two months before the start of the season.

Who'd thunk that we'd be entering this month with so much more potalent than we had on February 3? But we are because we do.

Hope all of you have a great and safe July 4th weekend!
 
Sporting News picks Predator first-team Preseason All-American.

It’s a big year for Charlie Strong at Texas, and Jefferson is a reason for that optimism. He stepped in as a freshman with 61 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Jefferson is an instinctive linebacker who can deliver the big hit. Will he help elevate the Longhorns’ defense to something more as a sophomore?​

Sports On Earth chose Patrick Vahe, Davante Davis for their All-Breakout Team.

Vahe:
Offensive line has been a huge problem for Texas at times in recent years, but Charlie Strong is starting to assemble a foundation. While slightly overshadowed by fellow freshman Connor Williams last year, Vahe is also emerging as a star. They both started as true freshmen, with Vahe at left guard for 10 games before an injury. The 6-foot-2, 319-pound sophomore will be a key factor in blocking for what should be a breakout running game that features tailbacks D'Onta Foreman and Chris Warren.

Davis:
A four-star recruit, Davis played his way into the starting lineup in the second half of last season, starting the final five games. The 6-foot-2, 191-pound sophomore had 35 tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception, becoming an integral part of the Longhorns defense -- a unit that is young but promising. Davis and fellow sophomore Holton Hill could grow into one of the nation's top cornerback duos.​
 
From an April 8th 247 article:

Buechele appears to have exceeded expectations through 11 practices, impressing his teammates along the way. Senior safety Dylan Haines recently told a story of how Buechele established himself as a legit contender in workouts.

Haines recalled one of Texas’ first practices where he was playing the curl/flat area. He thought he baited Buechele into making a bad decision on a bubble screen/slant combination route, jumping the bubble with thoughts of an easy interception. Instead, Buechele made an unexpected move that left Haines in no man’s land.

“He gave me a nice pump fake and went back to (the slant),” Haines said. “I had a hand out but (the ball) whizzed right by my hand. I had to applaud him for that because that’s something not a lot of true freshmen can do, and not a lot of quarterbacks can do.”

Haines said Buechele has made some mistakes most true freshmen are expected to make, but, by and large, he’s been smart with the ball and evasive in the pocket. That’s on top of Buechele carrying a veteran presence that’s got him in the mix to be the man on the Forty Acres early in his career.

“The poise is definitely there,” Haines said. “If you didn’t know any better you’d think he’d been playing college football for three years.”

-------

Then came the Spring Game:

 
Even though he's listed on the Texas roster, we're still awaiting official news that DE Erick Fowler has enrolled for Summer II (July 11) and will, therefore, come under the loving hand of the Dread Pat Moorer.
 
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The Elite Texas Youth

SigningDay2015-2016.jpg

While it's dangerous to assume that every incoming young gun will live up to the pressures fans have placed on him, I truly believe that if the NCAA ruled all juniors and seniors ineligible that Texas would have one of the best teams in the nation. The future of the Texas football team isn't a random mish mash of undeveloped kids, but a diverse team of top recruits mixed with under the radar targets already proving their worth. To show this, I mocked up a lineup of only true sophomores and younger:

QB: Shane Buechele (fr.) - After a dominant spring season, Shane Buechele’s hype surpassed that of any other player donning burnt orange. Buechele’s success would be crucial to the future of the program, but Strong has other options.

Jerrod Heard (rs. so.) may be switching to wide receiver, but he had an occasionally promising season last year at QB. Kai Locksley (so.) was an ESPN top 300 recruit out of high school, but has experienced frustration at Texas, including not getting to play at the spring game.

RB: Chris Warren (so.) - Texas' "smash brothers" got their nickname from the popular Nintendo video game, and this half of the bulldozing duo is like watching Mario gorged with stars and mushrooms. He added nearly 20 pounds by March and appeared as menacing as ever in the spring game, breaking off a 55-yard touchdown run and shedding off defenders along the way.

Texas also has depth for the future, as talented backs Kirk Johnson (so.) and Kyle Porter (fr.) could both become key contributors once the other Smash Brother, D'onta Foreman (jr.), graduates.

WR: John Burt (so.), Collin Johnson (fr.), Devin Duvernay (fr.) - John Burt was Texas’ leading receiver in his freshman year, and he’ll be joined by two impact freshmen in 2016. Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay are opposites in many ways. Johnson is a 6’6 target with great catching abilities. Duvernay is a 5’11 target with blazing speed. Johnson was the story of the spring, while Duvernay is the story of the summer.

Texas also has Ryan Newsome (so.), DeAndre McNeal (so.), and Lil’Jordan Humphrey (fr.), who each cover a unique skill set to aid the Texas receiving corps.

TE: Peyton Aucoin (fr.) - This 6’5, 240 pound tight end has the frame to be developed into a solid blocking option. Aucoin only caught two passes in his senior season, but Texas hasn’t utilized an athletic, play-making tight end since Jermichael Finley. Strong has said that Aucoin's blocking abilities will significantly help the Longhorns run the ball.

OT: Connor Williams (so.), Jean Delance (fr.) - Connor Williams was a true freshman All-American and Jean Delance was an Under Armour All-American in high school. Sounds like a pretty good combination for the future to me. Williams will almost certainly be Texas' best offensive lineman this year. Delance should see the field alongside Williams in the coming years. Buck Major (rs fr.), is also nothing to scoff at, listed at 6'6, 330 pounds. And of course, one can't forget about four-star recent Baylor flip J.P. Urquidez (fr.).

OG: Patrick Vahe (so.), Patrick Hudson (fr.) - Like Williams, Patrick Vahe was also a true freshman All-American last year. Vahe will continue to be an anchor at the guard position. Recent Baylor flip Patrick Hudson was ranked the second guard in the nation for his 2016 class. He was a crucial get for Texas, and should bloom into a key player to open up holes for the Smash Brothers. The raw strength of Tope Imade (fr.) and size of four-star signee Denzel Okafor (fr.) (7 foot wingspan) should also aid the Longhorns at guard.

C: Zach Shackelford (fr.) - I would argue that second to Shane Buechele, Zach Shackelford’s success next season could make or break Texas’ year. The 3-star from Belton, Texas impressed coaches in the spring and earned the starting job at center. If he can hold down the position, Texas’ young o-line could develop to be scary good over the next couple of years.

DE: Charles Omenihu (so.) - Charles Omenihu didn't have an action packed freshman season, but he did recover a fumble for a touchdown [and] forced a fumble, flashing the potential that made him an All-American bowl selection in high school. Texas signed Andrew Fitzgerald (fr.), the 10th ranked strong-side defensive end, and Malcolm Roach (fr.), who said playing for Charlie Strong is "all [he] could really ask for."

DT: Jordan Elliott (fr.), Chris Daniels (fr.) - Jordan Elliott was a four-star recruit [who] reopened his commitment and went to the 'Horns. Chris Daniels was a fellow four-star recruit who picked the 'Horns on signing day. It's also important to note that though Chris Nelson (rs. so.) doesn't count for this list since he's been on campus for three years, he still has three years of eligibility left. He hasn't played a major role for Texas thus far, but that could change this year.

Fox: Breckyn Hager (so.) - Burnt Orange Nation gifted Breckyn the title of being 'the one flying around everywhere with bad intentions." Like father, like son. Hager is a natural linebacker, but he could play a role as a guy who can pressure the QB. He's already begun to prove that he's the real deal by registering 18 tackles and an interception in his freshman season despite missing three games to injury. Army All-American Erick Fowler (fr.) should also get serious playing time in 2016 at the fox position, as [he] was one of Strong's most prized recruits.

LB: Malik Jefferson (so.), Anthony Wheeler (so.) - Malik Jefferson was rated as the best linebacker out of high school for 2015, but Anthony Wheeler was the third best inside linebacker in the class and the second best recruit signed to the 'Horns that year. Furthermore, fourth ranked outside linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch (fr.) picked Texas on 2016's National Signing Day. Of course, rankings don't mean everything. But it's evident on the field that Texas is stacked for the future at linebacker -- Jefferson didn't earn Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the year for his recruiting ranking.

CB: Davante Davis (so.), Holton Hill (so.) - Texas actually has a trio of fantastic true sophomore corners, as Kris Boyd (so.) was also a four-star recruit who picked the 'Horns in 2015. Texas struggled defending the pass last year. However, don't expect a sophomore slump from these corners -- they experienced their growing pains last year, and should be primed for a big season. Additionally, Texas added four-star Eric Cuffee (fr.) to its 2016 class. Charlie has signed four corners in the top 30 of their position in his two classes at Texas.

S: DeShon Elliott (so.), Brandon Jones (fr.) - DeShon Elliott was reported to be making "tremendous strides" by senior safety leader Dylan Haines in March. He already recorded a forced fumble and two interceptions in his first year in burnt orange, and he only has room to grow. Meanwhile, Brandon Jones was the number one safety out of high school, and has the makings to be a star at the college level. Burnt Orange scouted him to have "elite agility" to add to this "poise, and the mental and emotional make up" that will service the Longhorns well.

NB: P.J. Locke (so.) - P.J. Locke has only had one start in his career so far, but if it's any indication of his future than Texas should be just fine at nickle back. In Locke's start against Baylor, the freshman had seven tackles and forced a fumble with a bruising hit on Bears quarterback Chris Johnson that knocked him out of the game.

Though Strong doesn't have a solidified kicker yet, Michael Dickson (so.) is a quality option at punter. The Aussie was an honorable mention All-Big 12 winner, and averaged 41.3 yards per kick.

To conclude, the Baylor flips not only will significantly improve Texas for 2016, but will also take off a little bit of recruiting pressure for 2017. Charlie Strong can focus on a select number of elite prospects rather than attempting to amass another huge class. Texas may still be in rebuilding mode this year. However, if the team can coalesce and take eight or nine games, then this burnt orange dawn should transition to blue, sunny skies for the program. When you consistently sign good players, good things tend to happen.

[Much more in the very verbose BON article]
 
The Versatile/Indispensable Malik

Malik06.jpg

The need to have LB Malik Jefferson serve multiple roles is where his being indispensable comes into focus.

He can play any of the three linebacker positions, including the hybrid Fox position, and he’s the best player the Longhorns can put at any of them as of right now. Sophomore Anthony Wheeler had a tremendous spring, sophomore Edwin Freeman appeared to be establishing himself as one of the team’s best linebackers last season before he suffered a shoulder injury in the third game of the season, and senior Timothy Cole has plenty of experience.

Yet none of those players are capable of having the type of impact on the game Jefferson can on a down-to-down basis and he’s shown, even this early in his career, that he’s capable of taking over a game.

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Godz40acres said:
Yeah, I meant to make mention of that -- kinda stood out like sore Bailor fan. Guess we'll know in about 4 weeks if "The Juice" is in the mix. So to speak.
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I have to think Heard is definitely in the mix. He can improve but he is also a great asset to the team and can move the chains.
 
moondog_LFZ said:
......
Now we shall see if Gilbert is the answer.
I really doubt we win less than 7 games.
But I bet Strong still gets his fourth year if we don't.
......
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I sure hope we don't have to find out if 6 or 7 wins gets Strong a 4th year. I fear you may be right.
 
4th_floor said:
I sure hope we don't have to find out if 6 or 7 wins gets Strong a 4th year. I fear you may be right.
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I don't fear this.
As much as I want to see the Horns back on top, I can also be realistic about the potential.
Again, I see a good season in front of us. (8 or 9 wins)
But if we start Buechele and a host of other freshmen, while installing new offense, then freshmen mistakes leading to losses that should have been wins won't surprise me.

But I will expect Strong's fourth year to be outstanding.
Conference title or damn close.
And less then 8 or 9 wins could/should lead to dismissal.
I am a patient, reasonable man.
But I have my limits. :)
 
Godz40acres said:
..............
So, I dug out the old DKR video to do a little vicarious Malik-ing. It never gets old.
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Great video for teaching what should be basic tackling technique. If we had mastered these techniques consistently, we would have several more trophies in the case.
 
Odd Or Even? Or Both?​

Longhorns fans are worried about the defensive line and for good reason. The staff will be faced with readying freshmen to contribute early and often. The two positions the Texas defense needs the most help are at the interior tackle positions.

Charlie Strong’s system is a multiple front system. His roots lie in both the 3-3 stack, a defense he helped pioneer, and the 4-3/4-2 under front defense. At Texas both fronts have been used. It’s important to note, Strong utilizes even fronts more frequently than the 3-3 stack. So, what might be the reasons for relying on one more than the other?

For starters, the 3-3 stack is predicated on movement, both on the defensive line and at the 2nd level. The schemes are more variable, but can also place an unneeded burden on young players who must first and foremost focus on the fundamentals of technique (skills) and acclimate to the size and speed of the college game. Even fronts offer a simplification for the interior tackle players, as the nose tackle and defensive tackle respectively align in a shade technique and a 3-technique on most downs.

The issue with 4-man fronts is that they run the risk of becoming predictable due to less movement. This can make it harder to make adjustments and remain effective, as productivity becomes more dependent on defensive linemen being bigger, stronger, and faster, let alone more skilled.

[The author then discusses possible tweaks Charlie Bedford may make to help the youngguns get up to speed; and to utilize Chris Nelson more effectively.]​

In sum, I don’t expect the staff to change much about a very adaptable system. However, I do expect to see a higher frequency of 4-2 fronts to help the freshmen acclimate. I don’t know whether the ideas mentioned above will be applied, but they seem intuitive to me. Besides, you never know if 1 or 2 of the freshmen will be 3-technique wunderkinds.

[TFB]
 
Sophomore walk-on kicker Evan Moore hits back-to-back 60 yarders at DKR.

Must be trying to out-do Chris Naggar's 10-fer-10 50 yarders posted last week.

 
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