May/June/JULY Football

[Godz40acres]

Who Will Start @QB?

Mike Finger thinks he may have coaxed the answer out of Coach Strong at the B12 Media Days....





But, it's still anyone's guess. I guess.

 

[Godz40acres]

"Nothing He Can't Do"​

The Summer of Shane is about to come to an end with the start of fall camp.

During the spring, Strong referred to Buechele as a baller, saying that other players already recognize that ability in him. It’s also an ability extends past the football field.

“Last night me and Bluiett was talking about it and Bluiett, every time I walk in the game room and see him and Bluiett there they're shooting pool and Bluiett is like, ‘There’s nothing he can’t do,’” Strong said.

Ping pong. Basketball. Golf.

While discerning where the talent begins and the work ethic ends is difficult, the end result is that Buechele is baller at it. The talent helps breed belief. The work ethic bleeds into the how the rest of the team approaches football.

“Just like his overall attitude, within the whole team it's seepin', seepin', seepin',” Strong said.

Listed rather generously at 6’1 and 191 pounds, Buechele is a player the coaches would have to manage in the running game — the true freshman still has to add strength in the weight room.

It’s no longer breaking news that Buechele is a gym rat. Neither is the description by his head coach about what he does well, but Strong does make an important point about the implications of all those things.

“When you look at him on the field he just puts the ball in the right place and he understands the offense, but he's going to study the game and he does a really good job of setting the game and he can always get better. You can always improve.”

The thing with Buechele is that he has the right mix of attributes to be the guy for Texas.

All signs point in that direction until they don’t.

[BON]

 

[Godz40acres]

Bad news on Erick Fowler. Higdon broke the news, and then it predictably appeared a few minutes later on all of the other sites, of course.

Test score not improved. Now needs an A and a B in his two summer school classes to qualify. Higdon mentioned that he would more likely go prep than JUCO, which obviously be far better for us.

He apparently has to work a full-time job and has other adult-level responsibilities, so achieving these grades is very far from a given.

[Per another poster]

 

[easy]

Bad news on Erick Fowler. Higdon broke the news, and then it predictably appeared a few minutes later on all of the other sites, of course.

Test score not improved. Now needs an A and a B in his two summer school classes to qualify. Higdon mentioned that he would more likely go prep than JUCO, which obviously be far better for us.

He apparently has to work a full-time job and has other adult-level responsibilities, so achieving these grades is very far from a given.

[Per another poster]

I wonder if he will ask to be released and try to get back into lsu good graces if they are easier as far as admission

 

[Godz40acres]

Here are some other important facts I learned during media days this week Longhorn fans need to know:

- Strong is very high on cornerback Sheroid Evans, and mentioned him on more than one occasion during his media availability. Strong said, “The guy who has been a surprise for us in Sheroid. Sheroid is battling through two knee injuries, but he he’s battled back … It’s amazing what he’s done. There’s not a harder worker on the team than Sheroid. Not a harder worker, and the players see that. It’s good because I want some good things to happen for him just because of what he’s done and what he’s put into it.”

- D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren are two big running backs. In fact, they are too big, according to Strong. They need to shed a few pounds between now and the regular season opener. Strong did not say how much weight he wants each guy to lose, but said, “Both of those are big and probably carrying too much weight. They know it and are getting in shape. They are trying to trim down their bodies.”

- Linebacker Anthony Wheeler has been praised by people inside the building for learning how to the play the Mike position. Malik Jefferson could play at the Fox and have Wheeler start at Mike, but Strong is not interested in that change. He prefers to have Jefferson play the Mike and put Wheeler at the Will.

- Texas currently has five scholarship quarterbacks, which has made many Longhorn observers wondering if Jerrod Heard will be moved to receiver. Here was Strong’s response: “You’re going to always need those quarterbacks because you never know what’s going to happen. Jerrod’s a quarterback. Right now, he’s just behind because of what happened to him in the spring, his injury in the spring.”

- Of course, Kai Locksley’s future at Texas remains questionable at this moment. Locksley will enter fall camp as the team’s fifth string quarterback (behind Matthew Merrick), a position he is not happy about. Locksley can remain at quarterback, but be behind Shane Buechele and incoming freshman Sam Ehlinger next season. The switch to receiver is always an option if he wants to play this year, but I have been told Locksley still believes he has what it takes to play quarterback.

“I don’t ever talk about moving guys,” Strong said. “I think what guys do is they look around and see where they can help somewhere else and they make that move themselves. Kai is going to get his chance. In the spring, he worked a little, but he’ll get his chance. Guys understand that. They’ll make that move themselves.”

- If freshman safety Brandon Jones is ready to play against Notre Dame, Strong will not hesitate to start him: “When you talk about skill guys, skill guys are skill guys. It’s athletic ability. Brandon has some tremendous athletic ability. He’s done a good job since he’s been here this summer. You’re not afraid of that because you’ve seen a lot of freshman defensive backs.”

- Finally, Strong did admit he is a little worried about the kicking situation: “I’m nervous because you've got to look for consistency there because when you get the ball down there, you want to score points. That’s what you have to be. You have to be effective. Are we going to be good from 25 in? Are we good from 30 in? Where do we need to get the ball to give us points?”

[Per another poster]

 

[BevoQ]

Here are some other important facts I learned during media days this week Longhorn fans need to know:

- Strong is very high on cornerback Sheroid Evans, and mentioned him on more than one occasion during his media availability. Strong said, “The guy who has been a surprise for us in Sheroid. Sheroid is battling through two knee injuries, but he he’s battled back … It’s amazing what he’s done. There’s not a harder worker on the team than Sheroid. Not a harder worker, and the players see that. It’s good because I want some good things to happen for him just because of what he’s done and what he’s put into it.”

- D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren are two big running backs. In fact, they are too big, according to Strong. They need to shed a few pounds between now and the regular season opener. Strong did not say how much weight he wants each guy to lose, but said, “Both of those are big and probably carrying too much weight. They know it and are getting in shape. They are trying to trim down their bodies.”

- Linebacker Anthony Wheeler has been praised by people inside the building for learning how to the play the Mike position. Malik Jefferson could play at the Fox and have Wheeler start at Mike, but Strong is not interested in that change. He prefers to have Jefferson play the Mike and put Wheeler at the Will.

- Texas currently has five scholarship quarterbacks, which has made many Longhorn observers wondering if Jerrod Heard will be moved to receiver. Here was Strong’s response: “You’re going to always need those quarterbacks because you never know what’s going to happen. Jerrod’s a quarterback. Right now, he’s just behind because of what happened to him in the spring, his injury in the spring.”

- Of course, Kai Locksley’s future at Texas remains questionable at this moment. Locksley will enter fall camp as the team’s fifth string quarterback (behind Matthew Merrick), a position he is not happy about. Locksley can remain at quarterback, but be behind Shane Buechele and incoming freshman Sam Ehlinger next season. The switch to receiver is always an option if he wants to play this year, but I have been told Locksley still believes he has what it takes to play quarterback.

“I don’t ever talk about moving guys,” Strong said. “I think what guys do is they look around and see where they can help somewhere else and they make that move themselves. Kai is going to get his chance. In the spring, he worked a little, but he’ll get his chance. Guys understand that. They’ll make that move themselves.”

- If freshman safety Brandon Jones is ready to play against Notre Dame, Strong will not hesitate to start him: “When you talk about skill guys, skill guys are skill guys. It’s athletic ability. Brandon has some tremendous athletic ability. He’s done a good job since he’s been here this summer. You’re not afraid of that because you’ve seen a lot of freshman defensive backs.”

- Finally, Strong did admit he is a little worried about the kicking situation: “I’m nervous because you've got to look for consistency there because when you get the ball down there, you want to score points. That’s what you have to be. You have to be effective. Are we going to be good from 25 in? Are we good from 30 in? Where do we need to get the ball to give us points?”

[Per another poster]

Thanks for the update

 

[Godz40acres]

Colt Buechele.

 

[Godz40acres]

Under The Lights UPDATE (Sat. 11:40 pm): The states top prospect and 5-star OLB Baron Browning let me know that he will arrive in Austin around 3. Huge to get him on campus again.

Also, the 2016 class will be out in bunches at UTL recruiting tonight. Those guys don’t stop.

[TFB]
[Emphasis added]

 

[Godz40acres]

Buck, I really hope you're working harder to contribute on the field than to being a better editor.

 

[Godz40acres]

Key Upperclassmen: Offense​

What seniors and juniors on offense have to step up in 2016?

OL - Perkins, Nickelson, Hodges
Kent Perkins is a natural guard who is likely to be pressed into action at RT. Wherever he's placed, 'solid' can't be the descriptive for the experienced senior's play. Mangling, destructive and crushing is what we need for the Power game to go.

Junior Tristan Nickelson could solve the Perkins position switch problem, but feet and anchor have been a problem. Gilbert's offense allows down blocking and it doesn't demand dominant pass pro at RT, but allowing free shots on the QB or whiffing in the run game is a no-no.

Junior Brandon Hodges still has a chance to offer the OL salvation at guard.

QB - Swoooooopes
Senior Tyrone Swoopes will contribute much in the Swoopesasaurus Tex packages, but unfortunately, Buechele's stature and age - and the injury likelihood linked to both - mean he'll likely be asked to do more than trample Big 12 safeties on 3rd and 2.

TE - Bluiett, Beck, Whiteley
Senior Caleb Bluiett can offer real help as an EBS and he's athletic enough to convert short yardage situations with the occasional 57 yard TD. Andrew Beck won't set the edge like Caleb, but Gilbert will employ him in running sets. Not sure how Blake Whiteley fits into this offense.

RB - D'onta Foreman
As with Perkins, we need great and not solid play from Foreman. Foreman has shown an extra gear most big men lack, but consistency will be key.

WR
Armanti Foreman should be prime for a breakout season. If he's not motivated by depth chart speculation that freshmen Duvernay and Johnson will be the best complements to John Burt, we can't help him. A freshman QB needs an upperclassmen security blanky. Be the blanky.

Then there's Jacorey Warrick, Rod Bernard, Lorenzo Joe, Dorian Leonard, Jake Oliver. Last year, the five combined for 11 catches total.

[BC]

 

[Godz40acres]

Key Upperclassmen: Defense​

[L]et's dive in on the importance of defensive upperclassman contributions:

DL Boyette, Ford, Hughes, Cottrell, Vasser
Boyette and Ford need to step up their games inside and stay out of the trainer's room. You don't have to dominate at DT in this league to defend well, but bad or average comes with a price.

Similarly, veteran Naashon Hughes has to tick up from solid to game-altering. Bryce Cottrell has flashed at times, but now it's time to win a Gaskamp Award. JUCO Quincy Vasser has thus far underwhelmed, but he did show some signs of life in the Spring game.

LB Tim Cole
He led the Spring game in tackles, but some rough patches in game action spot duty aren't easily forgotten.

CB Evans, Davis
Sheroid Evans and Antwuan Davis certainly look the part. But injuries have plagued Sheroid's career and Davis hasn't made plays when the ball is in the air. Evans locking down a starting CB gig opposite Davante Davis or becoming a monster 3rd corner for our nickel and dime man-under looks would be fantastic.

S Haines, Hall, Vaccaro
What is worth discussing is whether 10 pounds of weight gain will help him deliver some tackling pop and if upgraded personnel around him will expose him more favorably. He was arguably more effective in '14 than '15 and the supporting cast played a big role in that.

Vaccaro is a tough-minded athlete who can provide attitude and motivation for more talented, less focused peers.

[BC]

 

[mchammer]

 

[Godz40acres]

 

[Godz40acres]

The 10 Best Players Today

The Horns247 crew decided who were the best players on the team coming into Fall Camp.

10. Shane Buechele – Buechele should shine in first-year offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert's veer-and-shoot attack, which is similar to what he ran at Arlington Lamar.
9. Collin Johnson – At 6-foot-6, 212 pounds, Johnson will be a load to handle in Texas' new offense. He's a future All-American in Austin.
8. Dylan Haines – The senior has led Texas in interceptions the last two years, though he's underappreciated by fans.
7. Holton Hill – The Houston native is a potential All-Big 12 performer in his second season.
6. Chris Warren – He ran for 382 yards and four touchdowns over Texas' last two games when injuries forced him into the starting lineup.
5. Davante Davis – Davis, a long, physical cornerback, will also contend for All-Big 12 status this year.
4. Patrick Vahe – A mauler as a run blocker, he's also the vocal leader of the offensive line.
3. D'Onta Foreman – Foreman, a 6-foot-1, 249-pound back with 4.4 speed, was the more consistent back last season.
2. Connor Williams – Williams will only continue to get better. He is the face of what Texas hopes is an offensive line renascence the next few seasons
1. Malik Jefferson – The face of Texas' program and without a doubt its top player, Jefferson is the easy choice for No. 1 on this list.

-------

How do you leave Burt off the list?

 

[Dionysus]

Vaccaro is a tough-minded athlete

The word “Vaccaro” translates roughly as “hot malice”

 

[Texas Lawhorn]

I didn't know that Shane is actually smaller than Colt. That ='s not good for durability. Hopefully our line can keep him off the turf.

 

[moondog_LFZ]

I didn't know that Shane is actually smaller than Colt. That ='s not good for durability. Hopefully our line can keep him off the turf.

McCoy is listed at 6'1", 215lbs.
Shane is listed at 6'2", 195lbs(I think is his current weight)
He just needs to beef up a little.

 

[Godz40acres]

Seniors Want A Family

​

As important as anything in the downfall of a once powerful collegiate dynasty was a fractured locker room. It was an environment so unsavory that the current Texas seniors remember being shunned by certain veterans upon arrival.

For so long under Mack Brown the Longhorns lauded themselves for promoting a family atmosphere on the Forty Acres. It’s strange then how senior tight end Caleb Bluiett chose to describe the split between veterans and youngsters on some of the Texas teams he’s played on.

“Not being a family,” Bluiett said at Big 12 Media Days in Dallas.

The last great run of Longhorn success started when the likes of Major Applewhite, Ahmad Brooks, Greg Brown and Kwame Cavil were young players.

But somewhere along the way, someone – or a group of players rather – dropped the ball.

Passing down winning values and the knowledge of what it takes to create a culture of success was replaced with some players who put their own egos, personal goals and self-interests ahead of the team, the players assembled in Dallas said.

Those who find themselves in veteran leadership positions entering the 2016 season wanted to be the group that made the change back to the old ways.

Based on what the four seniors Charlie Strong took with him to meet with the press at the Omni Hotel had to say, the change has been made.

“We’re nothing like that,” senior offensive tackle Kent Perkins said.

Being asked to lead on a team when you’re the minority group in the room can’t be easy.

Nevertheless, in order for Texas to get back where it wants to be, the veterans had to be willing to accept the players Strong has recruited. Even if meant embracing a player who might very well take their spot at some point, the Longhorn seniors appear to have done the right thing for the sake of program.

“What we take on, we take on as a family,” Bluiett said.

For that, Strong is thankful his locker room is healthier than it’s been in either of his previous two seasons.

“It's better than it has been,” Strong said of the leadership coming from his upperclassmen. “If you harp on something enough I think they get the message and they’ve gotten the message.”

“I can’t just block them off,” Bluiett said of the young players on the roster. “A time ago I had upperclassmen do that to me.”

[T]he Texas seniors, the 13 who are slated to be on scholarship when fall camp gets going, have done their part to foster the kind of environment the Longhorns need to start putting more tallies in the win column.

“We go out with those guys all the time and eat, or we just kick it,” Perkins said. “It’s like they’ve been there a long time.

If this change truly is one, a united front might not be the only noticeable improvement the Longhorns make in a pivotal third season under Strong.

[247]

 

[Godz40acres]

If you want to see one main difference between Charlie Strong’s team between now and two years ago, you could see it on Saturday when most of the 2016 and some of the 2015 guys were out at DKR recruiting during the UTL camp. To me, that just shows how “all in” they are about turning the program around. I was also told about how physically ready some of the 2016 class already looks…

On the defensive line, I was told all those guys looks big. Heard Jordan Elliott looks great, “huge but slender” for a DL. Chris Daniels has shed a lot of his bad weight and he’s a BIG guy, “arms like tree trunks”. D’Andre Christmas may be the least physically impressive one out of that group, but if he has that impressive first step he shows on his film, he’ll play.

Devin Duvernay is BUILT. I was told he looks 100% ready to contribute from a physical standpoint. Had another person tell me he’s a Corey Coleman prototype.

Chris Warren and D’Onta Foreman are both huge and freakishly athletic but, surprisingly, I was told that best looking RB is Kyle Porter. I’ve been told all summer he’s been getting it done in the weight-room.

I was also told that Patrick Hudson looks like a guy the staff could plug and play at guard if they want to. Also that RS Freshman OT Ronnie Major has done a great job on physically changing his body, in a good way.

[TFB]

Good to hear that about Buck.

 

[Godz40acres]

Question in the comments section of a BC article:

Q. I was hoping you could elaborate on Gilbert’s use of the TE, and how he might expand his system to take advantage of a pretty athletic player like Bluiett. I feel like with all the spacing the [new offensive] system provides, a 6’3" 260 lb dude running through the middle seems like a guaranteed 7 yards.

A. Gilbert’s use of the TE in the passing game hasn’t been extensive, and neither has Briles’ or Dino Babers’ or anyone else in the (still very small) coaching tree. Some of that is by necessity – truly stud two-way TEs have become very rare anywhere and particularly in spread-happy Texas where the offense has its roots – but more is by the simple design philosophy of spread them as wide and as deep as you can.

An attached TE by definition doesn’t split too wide, and even a guy like Gronk or Antonio Gates in his prime can’t run up the seam the way slot guys like Kendall Wright or KD Cannon can. That combo tends to mean that the O goes 4 wide or deploys 3 wide with more of a moveable bludgeon at TE, and it’s worked very well so far – but this offense hasn’t had anything near the iterations and deployments that the Mumme/Leach-style Air Raid has enjoyed, so it’s hard to say that the final book has been written.

Blueitt is a guy with good-not-crazy straight line speed and not necessarily much in the way of quicks out of his breaks. He can be used to attack the seams, and his versatility as a blocker means they can move him around the formation and potentially create extra gaps in a lot of spots to aid the running game. As far as specifically deploying him in the passing game, it’s usually a matter of thinking about how he could replace one of the routes that’s often run by a receiver in this O and how well he could do it.

 

[Godz40acres]

There was a time when some Longhorn observers – and reporters – believed Strong needed to get rid of Brian Jean-Mary and find an ace recruiter. Some believed Clintt Hurtt, a former assistant under Strong at Louisville, was the answer. Others thought the solution was hiring a coach with in-state ties.

Well, nobody is questioning Jean-Mary after the past two recruiting classes, including a late surge to snag players who were previously committed to Baylor.

“BJ does an unbelievable job.” Strong said. “He does an unbelievable job coaching his players. He has Malik, has Wheeler, has the linebackers. A great recruiter. When we go in and look at the Dallas area, he can go anywhere. When you talk about it, when you look at a coach, when you’re able to coach, and you’re able to recruit, you know you've got someone special. Some guys can only coach. Some guys can only recruit. When you get a guy who can do both, you know you've got someone. That’s what we have in him.”

[Per another poster]

 

[Godz40acres]

 

[OldHippie]

There was a time when some Longhorn observers – and reporters – believed Strong needed to get rid of Brian Jean-Mary and find an ace recruiter. Some believed Clintt Hurtt, a former assistant under Strong at Louisville, was the answer. Others thought the solution was hiring a coach with in-state ties.

IIRC, Hurtt was being looked at as a defensive tackles coach before Brick Haley was hired.

 

[Godz40acres]

IIRC, Hurtt was being looked at as a defensive tackles coach before Brick Haley was hired.

What prevented Hurtt from coming here was the whole Locker thing.

 

[Godz40acres]

"The entire defense will have to be leaning forward."

I've got the popcorn ready for when I see Connor Williams pulling and bearing downhill against some poor middle linebacker. I was watching some of that workout video, and Williams looks like a freaking 300 pound running back. The thought of playing middle linebacker (I used to be one) against the likes of Vahe, Williams, Shack, …Foreman, Warren….and Tyrone in the 18-Wheeler…..MAN! There is nothing to do but load up on every play and act like a mountain goat at rutting time. That would be the only way to have a chance at that downhill load. Hesitate for a second and you’d be launched into the cheap seats.

Just imagine how this very real threat will open up the passing game! The entire defense will have to be leaning forward.

Pulling Williams can also reduce pressure on any straight up alignments Shack might face, as Vahe can slant down into the nose guard, and Williams can pull around and fill Vahe’s gap. We also have two huge backs who could fill for Vahe. That nose guard wouldn’t stand a chance – Vahe would drive him into West Texas.

Oh, man! We have toys to play with! Real honest to goodness toys! They can run and block and tackle and do all sorts of great tricks!

Notre Dame will love our new toys! BOOM!!!!!!

[Per my fav poster on another site]

 

[Godz40acres]

While the effort coaches put forward on the recruiting trail is often talked about, I’m a firm believer that players currently on the roster are the best pitch men when it comes to recruits. This is why I keep bringing up how evident it is that the players already on campus are buying into what Charlie Strong and his staff are preaching. They are putting in overtime on selling the program and its future, and clearly they are actively engaged in trying to procure as much talent on The 40 Acres as possible.

[HornSports]

 

[Godz40acres]

"... much of the league hasn’t dealt with Chris Warren yet and some of the league hasn’t even had to tackle D’Onta Foreman very often.

The most enjoyable part of 2016 will likely be watching the horrifying reality of the Texas power running game dawn on opposing teams as they realize how difficult it will be to defend Warren in the veer and shoot concept with Buechele at the helm. Everyone is used to facing Baylor and having to deal with the problems presented by Shock Linwood working against a reduced front, which is no small problem, but big Chris Warren takes that issue to an entirely new level." – Ian Boyd (Inside Texas)

 

[Godz40acres]

 

[Run Pincher]

Although I like the competition, teamwork and camaraderie these exercises build, I have to wonder if it's the best methodology for strength and conditioning. How long does it even take to rotate all the players through while all but 2 are actually doing the workout? They need to be doing about 2-3 hours of actual activity like this daily to really get in shape. Maybe they are, but it just doesn't seem like it and maybe the routine is drastically different on a daily basis. I sure hope so, but I'm also sure it's drastically different from when I was doing summer workouts.

 

[p_town_horn]

In Pat Moorer I trust.