May/June/JULY Football

I thought I answered your question – my bad.
;)
Today's TFB report also said that Hudson, despite some Bailor reports, is still seeking his release. That's about it. The kid is so tight-lipped, it's hard to get much outta him or his family.
 
Hahaha it's all good. Yes I remember that he is remarkably private after recuritment and signing day. That would be a huge puzzle piece for this offensive line. Unfortunately, it looks like he wouldn't be around for summer school and practice.
 
Fox Sports senior college football analyst Bruce Feldman:

"I definitely think Texas is on the right track. I was the sideline reporter for UT's Thanksgiving game against Texas Tech. The Horns lost that game and were decimated by injuries like I'd never seen one team go down on a given night like that, but from being around UT that week, I got a sense of how good those freshmen are.

Malik Jefferson leads what should be a terrific young group of linebackers while Davante Davis and Holton Hill are solid corners with sophomore Kris Boyd giving them a third good CB. Jason Hall played banged up last year and will be a third-year starter and anchors the middle.

"Obviously, the big key will be who the triggerman is for the offense. My hunch is true freshman Shane Buechele will win the job. He fits the new system best. He's the most accurate of the QBs, which is crucial and he's got enough savvy to handle this situation at least to some degree.

"The schedule is not forgiving though...."
 
Godz40acres said:
Fox Sports senior college football analyst Bruce Feldman:

"I definitely think Texas is on the right track. I was the sideline reporter for UT's Thanksgiving game against Texas Tech. The Horns lost that game and were decimated by injuries like I'd never seen one team go down on a given night like that, but from being around UT that week, I got a sense of how good those freshmen are.

Malik Jefferson leads what should be a terrific young group of linebackers while Davante Davis and Holton Hill are solid corners with sophomore Kris Boyd giving them a third good CB. Jason Hall played banged up last year and will be a third-year starter and anchors the middle.

"Obviously, the big key will be who the triggerman is for the offense. My hunch is true freshman Shane Buechele will win the job. He fits the new system best. He's the most accurate of the QBs, which is crucial and he's got enough savvy to handle this situation at least to some degree.

"The schedule is not forgiving though...."
Click to expand...
As much as I'm literally frothing at the mouth for a great season, Big XII title talk, and good bowl games, I don't think Charlie should be fired after this season regardless of the outcome. I could easily see us shooting ourselves in the foot repeatedly and dropping games and **** the bed on the season. Always a possibility with a young team undebatibly devoid of talent at the top. I can also see a situation where we are all kinds of shocked with the power of this team after (and if) we manage to stomp ND. That game could be like Vince Youngs Oklahoma St game or Colt McCoys Arkansas game... The pivot point of the program and we get 9 wins this season and looking for CFP birth the next years while laughing we ever were thinking about firing Chuck. I'm sure my tune will change daily, but today I'm keeping Strong on board until Malik graduates. If he hasn't won big by then, see ya.
 
wins 7 games and then plays in a bowl game and he has a chance.....He better not get blown out in any game either like TCU or Iowa State.

Hall is horrible, probably the worst safety I have ever seen play at Texas......anybody who says he anchors the middle knows nothing about safety. The other kid is just as bad, Haines? Our safety play is and has been horrible for the past two years!!!
 
The Need To Meddle With The Middle​

One thing [Coach Strong] said during his address at the Touchdown Club of Houston luncheon is sticking with me, and it’s why anyone thinking the Longhorns are poised to win 10 games and compete for the Big 12 title in 2016 needs to take a big step back and look at the big picture.

This is a talented team, but Strong mentioned the uncertainties the Longhorns have down the middle of the field on both sides of the ball that they have to solidify in order to be the type of team they want to be.

The chance of having a true freshman starting at quarterback and center, numerous true freshmen being counted on to contribute right away at defensive tackle and having a true freshman as perhaps the team’s most talented player at the safety position is typically not the type of ingredients that make for highly successful teams.

For the second year in a row true freshmen will be asked to play key roles at some of the most important positions on the field right off the bat, so there are going to be growing pains this team will experience.

That doesn’t mean the Longhorns are incapable of improving on a 5-7 record, especially if those players show the kind of upside the numerous freshmen who were thrown into the fire displayed in 2015.

But they’re going to make mistakes.

The 2016 season is... about building toward a 2017 campaign when all of the pieces to the puzzle should come together and fit nicely in their proper places.

[Full 247 article]

The 2016 season is... about building toward a 2017 campaign when all of the pieces to the puzzle should come together and fit nicely in their proper places.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more.
 
I said it last year and I will say it this year, run the ball 60 times a game and we have a chance.
With Foreman, Warren, the third string kid, Heard and Swoopes 60 should be a low number. If Shane only has to throw the ball 15-20 times a game, we have a shot in every game!!!

Defensively, I think we are in for a world of hurt........weakest DL that I can remember in almost 30 years, no safeties and whole lot of young LB's that are still learning angles and the speed of the game. I see little depth on defense. I am discounting any freshmen at this point.
 
​

Even though the [Spring Game didn't show much of the] offensive playbook or see Strong and Bedford unleash anything particularly tricky against the QBs, there were still a few personnel deployments that offered intriguing possibilities.

The long-suffering acolytes of the #FreeMalik movement may have something to cheer for, as Anthony Wheeler's development as a functional between-the-tackles linebacker can allow Jefferson to get up to all sorts of nastiness. When your dime back goes 240 pounds and runs the 40 in under 4.5, you've got yourself a dirty, dirty Dime.

While the 2016 Longhorn defense should be much improved in the back seven (we've got actual sophomores now,) likely limitations up front and at one or both safety spots will put the onus on Strong and Bedford to do some creative problem-solving in order to take the fight to opposing O's. That means leaning on your difference-makers, and Malik may be the ideal weapon for turning the table on Trips looks and letting the Texas D get nasty.

[Full BC article]

Following this article, a poster posited this in the comments section:

It looks like we might be seeing the morph from Charlie and Vance having to hide their own weaknesses, to them now having the personnel to exploit the weaknesses of others.

For the last few years, they’ve been trying to play 5 card stud poker with:
  • a 2
  • a 6
  • a King
  • a 1990 Jose Canseco card
  • a discount coupon to Olive Garden.
 
E$PN has named Texas WR John Burt as their X-Factor player for the 'Horns. They've chosen one player from each of the 128 FBS teams.
 
Godz40acres said:
E$PN has named Texas WR John Burt as their X-Factor player for the 'Horns. They've chosen one player from each of the 128 FBS teams.
Click to expand...
That is intriguing. I imagine that it was hard for them to pick one player for the horns. But I standout WR would go a long way to helping the offense to build momentum.
 
Devin Duvernay – We’ll start with the one player not bound by a letter of intent. Duvernay was in Austin this weekend visiting Texas, and our sources tell us things went extremely well for Texas. Our sources have said from the beginning that Texas would be extremely favorable for the Sachse speedster, and they voiced excitement over the visit this weekend. We were told that Texas pitched Duvernay on a role in the offense no one else can fill.

Texas will also rely on the relationships Duvernay has with several players in the program. The most notable relationship is with quarterback Shane Buechele who tried to recruit Duvernay to Austin last year. TCU is going to be tough competition, but our sources in Austin believe Texas will land Duvernay, and our sources near him have said the same thing from the beginning.

The biggest question will concern Devin’s brother Donovan and his pending release from Baylor. As we’ve told you from the beginning, Devin will not do anything until there is clarity on his brother’s situation.

Patrick Hudson – Sources are all over the map and we’ve got a few storylines we are chasing for the big man. Reports from the Baylor 247 site indicate that Hudson is listening to the sales pitch of the new staff and is considering enrolling in Waco for the second summer session. We checked with some folks, and heard some similar things.

One person told us that there are some scare tactics are in place possibly pushing Hudson in that direction. Other sources indicated that Hudson still has a connection with the existing staff, and he really sees Waco as a good fit coming from a small town. There were a couple of people that told us Hudson is still evaluating his options, and pushing for a release is still a very real option.

At the end of the day we think if Hudson pushes for and is released from his LOI he will end up in Austin.

Parrish Cobb – There’s not much new information to report here. It’s a two team race at this point between Oklahoma and Texas, and sources are starting to feel more optimistic about the chances he lands in Austin.

[Full HS article]
 
While I appreciate your optimism about our defense.....I have to disagree. Malik is a beast that was out of position and taking bad angles every game last year. We saw that with Hicks a few years back, it took him almost 3 full years before he figured it out. Kindle we ended up putting at DE because he couldn't figure it out. If the offense cannot keep this defense off the field it will be ugly and it will get ugly fast.......

I truly hope that you are right but you are putting a whole of faith in one player who is great but still has basics to work on.....
 
^^^^ This. These were the issues on defense that had nothing to do with the offense being pitiful resulting on the defense being on the field to long.

Ultimately Strong's success will rest on the defense which is why no defensive coaching changes (except Vaughn who had to go) is a real head scratcher.
 
As of late, I’ve had trouble getting much information directly from the Fowler family regarding Erick Fowler’s qualification status. I took that as a sign that the situation may be bleak.

However, I just got off the phone with someone close to the family who said that the family is still optimistic that Erick can meet the qualification requirements. I am also told that the family is expecting his SAT results to come in any day now…possibly today.

I have been told Erick’s GPA and if the number I’m being told is accurate, qualification certainly sounds reasonably achievable as long as he receives even a decent score on the SAT.

I should note though that a source at the school mentioned Erick had a number of absences this past year. I cannot say for certain how or if that may affect things, but I would surmise that if he achieves the GPA and test score needed then that would suffice.

[Full TFB article]
 
– UPDATE (7:31 pm): I just spoke with Erick Fowler. He let me know that he did receive his test scores today. He said he spoke to Texas today and based on those conversations he believes he is “good to go”. Fowler said that all that remains for him to do is to submit his final transcript to UT along with his test score. He noted that after hearing about his scores the Texas coaches were excited and expressed as much to him.

Fowler said he’s hopeful that he will be able to report sometime before the second summer session begins. All this comes straight from Erick so it certainly gives fans reason to feel optimistic. However, I would caution our readers to keep in mind that we have no access to any academic information so we are not able to independently verify anything. Additionally, we all saw what happened last year in the Lampkin situation.

There is reason to be optimistic but I’d save the confetti until the star linebacker is on campus. – (Super K)

http://texas.thefootballbrainiacs.com/2016/06/open-post-wednesday-june-14th/
 
The Fowler news is very solid. Really really happy he could get it together and get on campus. Still kind of shocks me that te football coaches and PARENTS of these kids are breathing down there necks to get them qualified.
 
Last year only 1 of the 4 questionable academic qualifiers made it to campus. This year it looks like 2 for 2. Congratulations to Erick Fowler and Marcel Southall for taking care of business.
 
As of today, I would say 4 of the 5 starting OL spots are pretty much locked down. With Connor Williams at at OT, Patrick Vahe at OG, Zach Shackelford at C, and Kent Perkins at either OT or OG. I’m still not sold on JUCO transfer Brandon Hodges just yet at the other guard spot. This past spring Hodges just didn’t have anyone who was going to push him for time on the field.

That changes with freshman Tope Imade and the possibility of Denzel Okafor who could also play guard. Additionally, Kent Perkins natural position is guard, but due to lack of options he has played plenty of tackle. So, if Okafor or Delance can take over the right tackle position, they could bump Perkins back in at guard.

Then it all could change if Patrick Hudson ends up at Texas. I personally feel a redshirt year would be best for him (that’s what the Baylor staff planned to do with him in 2016). Obviously with a late enrollment it makes the likelihood of a redshirt even higher. But Hudson is a road grader at guard and is a tough guy to move. There also is the reality that there is a little more room for error at guard especially when you are as athletic as Hudson.

[Full TFB article]
 
9 Forgotten 'Horns May Be Keys to 2016

splatter-question-mark.png
RB Kirk Johnson – Soph
Johnson’s agility and natural burst, along with his ability to catch the football, drew comparisons to Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk from former Texas running backs coach Tommie Robinson when Johnson was being recruited. That’s a lofty comparison, but it speaks to the type of playmaking ability Johnson brings to the table for an offense looking to load up with as many weapons as possible.

RB/KR Roderick Bernard – Jr
Now that he’s recovered from his [ACL] injury, Bernard has a chance to make a big impact in 2016 with what he can do in the return game should he show the same promise he showed Strong two years ago.

WR/PR Ryan Newsome – Soph
Ryan Newsome has been an afterthought when it comes to talking about the wide receiver rotation, but he’s got a chance to be special as a punt returner and make what was a strength for the Longhorns last season and in previous years a strength once again in the coming season.

WR Jacorey Warrick – Sr
As long as Strong continues to praise Warrick for his efforts he can’t be discounted as someone who could contribute in a big way offensively. Warrick only has 16 catches for 129 yards in three years, but he’s in an offense now that will give him more chances to make plays if he’s up to the task.

TE Blake Whiteley – Jr
Blake Whiteley committed to Texas as the nation’s No. 1-ranked junior college tight end prospect. Will he ever be able to recapture the form that once made him a sought-after prospect with high upside? Or is he the latest in a long line of Texas tight ends who never fully recovered after suffering a devastating knee injury?

OL Elijah Rodriguez – Soph
Elijah Rodriguez is still a valuable piece on the depth chart because he’s got the ability to play any of the five positions along the offensive line after working at center during the spring. The bigger the buffer the staff can have to keep from being forced to throw the true freshmen into action the better things will be, which makes Rodriguez’s progress this summer important to monitor.

DE Quincy Vasser – Sr
Vasser’s five tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry and one fumble recovery in the spring, in addition the intensity he showed, showed what he’s capable of doing. The 6-foot-4, 246-pound Navarro College product has something to offer, it just remains to be seen if he can hold off incoming freshmen from reps in the trenches.

LB Edwin Freeman – Soph
Anthony Wheeler left spring practice as the starter next to Jefferson, but Freeman is still a young, athletic defender capable of making an impact. Hager moving to Fox will give Freeman a better chance of earning reps once fall camp gets going.

CB Antwuan Davis – Jr
Antwuan Davis started the first five games of the 2015 season at CB before Holton Hill was put into the starting lineup for good. He ended spring practice working at the nickel position, a spot that his skill set as a big, fast athlete who doesn’t mind getting physical projects to nicely. That’s two positions where Davis can play, making him a reliable backup the coaches can trust to play quality reps when he’s out there.

[Full 247 article/slideshow]
 
of that group, I like Johnson and Freeman
maybe Newsome on kicks
But we will see, someone always surprises
if nothing else, we have some depth again (after a very loooooong dry spell)
 
Joe Fan said:
of that group, I like Johnson and Freeman
maybe Newsome on kicks
But we will see, someone always surprises
if nothing else, we have some depth again (after a very loooooong dry spell)
Click to expand...
Yeah, KJ was one of my favs coming in last year.

And, yeah, dry spell for sure. How dry has it been? It's been so dry on the 40 Acres, all the camels died.
 
While he does have a knack for the ball, it always seems to have been a really bad pass, never one of those interceptions like where did he come from.......He is slow, he needs white shoes help make him look faster!!!!!! lol
 
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