Which one of you is Colibreh on Shaggy? Show yourself.
We are the Joneses - The Official Texas Longhorns Athletics Thread
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Which one of you is Colibreh on Shaggy? Show yourself.
...well, answer the man...dammit!!!
By: Jesus Shuttlesworth
In this edition of Mondays in the Humidor the Big Cigar we will look at several factors that come into play for the 2016 version of the Texas Longhorns and indirectly Charlie Strong’s tenure. El Cohiba Grande has ground level intel about how the big recruiting weekend went, which should speak well of the program going forward. The Cigar also gets into team workouts which have begun in earnest earlier this week. There’s definitely news from that side of things and it bodes well for the team going forward if things continue to trend this way. Finally, the Cigar talks a little bit about hoops and the trajectory of that program as we go inside the Humidor.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: So let's start things out talking about the life-blood of any program — recruiting. Evidently as far as changes go from earlier in the season, Charlie has turned the ship around to an extent when it comes to recruiting. What are you hearing?
Big Cigar: Yeah, so we talked about polls and exit surveys of football players just after the season and the returns weren’t all that great if you were paying attention. Keep in mind this was after a disappointing non-bowl season with a lot of rumors swirling about Strong’s demise so the results may have been clouded a bit but I’m hearing recruiting is taking on a different persona. If you ask the kid that's visited Texas this past week or so, you’d know that the tune they’re singing is quite a bit different than the team or players leaving the program.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: How so?
Big Cigar: To a man or to a player they harped about how much of a family atmosphere the Charlie Strong regime seems to be from A to Z.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Thanks for not using “soup to nuts”. We have a lot of millennials on our board.
Big Cigar: Yeah, so you have plenty of kids and I’m talking 4- and 5-stars who mention family atmosphere and the pleasure of having dinner at Strong’s house as winning selling points and reasons they’ll likely commit to Texas at some point. It’s not unlike what Mack Brown had going in his Hey Day but I don’t know that Strong has manufactured that feeling like Mack did. You know I have my faults with Strong, but this seemed altogether different than what Mack had going on. These kids seemed tied into what Strong and his family were selling and it wasn’t DJ booths and barbershops that the Aggies pitch. These are really good players that believe in the story that Strong is pitching. plain and simple. He is bringing in a good recruiting class and it deserves credit.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: And what do you make of the Tommie Robinson replacement?
Big Cigar: I’m told it’s welcomed and they’ll get more efficiency getting the offense and terminology installed with the new guy. I’m not sure if Jay Norvell will bolt but there won’t be a lot of tears shed if he does. Look, they need a guy who can come in and pitch the Baylor spread to the kids and I don’t know if Norvell is the quickest way to that end.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Great stuff. Let’s move on down to team workouts. What’s the story there and why should our fans care?
Big Cigar: Currently, we’re exactly one workout deep into the Coach Moorer workout and I’m told it’s so far, so good. You have 100% participation and every team member is loving life (no really) but at least none have puked. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are lifting days and the kids are expected to make good gains in the program.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Very good. What are your thoughts on the practices so far at Texas?
Big Cigar: I’m told that the unofficial passing practices have basically Kai Locksley in front of everyone else. The reason this is so important is that they’re purely passing formats and don’t have much to do with running the football. Kai is definitely exceeding expectations spinning the football and doesn’t get to run it like he could.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: So is Kai, as the son of a coach, turning heads?
Big Cigar: He is but not for the reason you think. He can spin the ball and he’s the teams second best runner behind Jerrod Heard, and he’s a kid that the other kids are starting to get behind.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Would you say he’s the odds-on favorite to win the starting position?
Big Cigar: Yeah, I would. He’s that good and the perfect blend between Heard and Tyrone Swoopes. He also owes nothing to Sterlin Gilbert or anyone else for that matter so it is probably a real movement. If you ask the top five or six players on offense who they think should be quarterback right now, they’ll tell you Locksley is right there and is probably in the lead.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Let’s finish with the hoops team. What’s going on there?
Big Cigar: You have a huge phenomenon going on because Shaka doesn’t have his players but he’s competing on a national level. He needs a 5 who can run the floor, a 4 who can rebound and defend and also run the floor while shooting in the half court, and he needs a point who can extend a defense with his jump shooting. To say nothing of their ability to apply pressure the whole floor. Shaka is beating teams while being grossly inadequate at the above. Give him ¾’s of that element and he’s got three less losses. Just know that hierarchy has taken notice and he’ll be given plenty of wiggle room. If we can get football right, we’re in high cotton.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Thanks.
Big Cigar: You bet.
In this edition of Mondays in the Humidor the Big Cigar we will look at several factors that come into play for the 2016 version of the Texas Longhorns and indirectly Charlie Strong’s tenure. El Cohiba Grande has ground level intel about how the big recruiting weekend went, which should speak well of the program going forward. The Cigar also gets into team workouts which have begun in earnest earlier this week. There’s definitely news from that side of things and it bodes well for the team going forward if things continue to trend this way. Finally, the Cigar talks a little bit about hoops and the trajectory of that program as we go inside the Humidor.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: So let's start things out talking about the life-blood of any program — recruiting. Evidently as far as changes go from earlier in the season, Charlie has turned the ship around to an extent when it comes to recruiting. What are you hearing?
Big Cigar: Yeah, so we talked about polls and exit surveys of football players just after the season and the returns weren’t all that great if you were paying attention. Keep in mind this was after a disappointing non-bowl season with a lot of rumors swirling about Strong’s demise so the results may have been clouded a bit but I’m hearing recruiting is taking on a different persona. If you ask the kid that's visited Texas this past week or so, you’d know that the tune they’re singing is quite a bit different than the team or players leaving the program.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: How so?
Big Cigar: To a man or to a player they harped about how much of a family atmosphere the Charlie Strong regime seems to be from A to Z.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Thanks for not using “soup to nuts”. We have a lot of millennials on our board.
Big Cigar: Yeah, so you have plenty of kids and I’m talking 4- and 5-stars who mention family atmosphere and the pleasure of having dinner at Strong’s house as winning selling points and reasons they’ll likely commit to Texas at some point. It’s not unlike what Mack Brown had going in his Hey Day but I don’t know that Strong has manufactured that feeling like Mack did. You know I have my faults with Strong, but this seemed altogether different than what Mack had going on. These kids seemed tied into what Strong and his family were selling and it wasn’t DJ booths and barbershops that the Aggies pitch. These are really good players that believe in the story that Strong is pitching. plain and simple. He is bringing in a good recruiting class and it deserves credit.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: And what do you make of the Tommie Robinson replacement?
Big Cigar: I’m told it’s welcomed and they’ll get more efficiency getting the offense and terminology installed with the new guy. I’m not sure if Jay Norvell will bolt but there won’t be a lot of tears shed if he does. Look, they need a guy who can come in and pitch the Baylor spread to the kids and I don’t know if Norvell is the quickest way to that end.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Great stuff. Let’s move on down to team workouts. What’s the story there and why should our fans care?
Big Cigar: Currently, we’re exactly one workout deep into the Coach Moorer workout and I’m told it’s so far, so good. You have 100% participation and every team member is loving life (no really) but at least none have puked. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are lifting days and the kids are expected to make good gains in the program.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Very good. What are your thoughts on the practices so far at Texas?
Big Cigar: I’m told that the unofficial passing practices have basically Kai Locksley in front of everyone else. The reason this is so important is that they’re purely passing formats and don’t have much to do with running the football. Kai is definitely exceeding expectations spinning the football and doesn’t get to run it like he could.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: So is Kai, as the son of a coach, turning heads?
Big Cigar: He is but not for the reason you think. He can spin the ball and he’s the teams second best runner behind Jerrod Heard, and he’s a kid that the other kids are starting to get behind.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Would you say he’s the odds-on favorite to win the starting position?
Big Cigar: Yeah, I would. He’s that good and the perfect blend between Heard and Tyrone Swoopes. He also owes nothing to Sterlin Gilbert or anyone else for that matter so it is probably a real movement. If you ask the top five or six players on offense who they think should be quarterback right now, they’ll tell you Locksley is right there and is probably in the lead.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Let’s finish with the hoops team. What’s going on there?
Big Cigar: You have a huge phenomenon going on because Shaka doesn’t have his players but he’s competing on a national level. He needs a 5 who can run the floor, a 4 who can rebound and defend and also run the floor while shooting in the half court, and he needs a point who can extend a defense with his jump shooting. To say nothing of their ability to apply pressure the whole floor. Shaka is beating teams while being grossly inadequate at the above. Give him ¾’s of that element and he’s got three less losses. Just know that hierarchy has taken notice and he’ll be given plenty of wiggle room. If we can get football right, we’re in high cotton.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Thanks.
Big Cigar: You bet.
Kai Locksley@dtownreppin214 @Dr. Narcisse
Breh realize we are still in January and they have only been through one workout. The likelihood of that being true is slim to none. My guess is the reason that passage was adding was because of the recent video he released on Twitter.
Dr. Narcisse
Veteran
By: Jesus Shuttlesworth
In this edition of Mondays in the Humidor the Big Cigar we will look at several factors that come into play for the 2016 version of the Texas Longhorns and indirectly Charlie Strong’s tenure. El Cohiba Grande has ground level intel about how the big recruiting weekend went, which should speak well of the program going forward. The Cigar also gets into team workouts which have begun in earnest earlier this week. There’s definitely news from that side of things and it bodes well for the team going forward if things continue to trend this way. Finally, the Cigar talks a little bit about hoops and the trajectory of that program as we go inside the Humidor.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: So let's start things out talking about the life-blood of any program — recruiting. Evidently as far as changes go from earlier in the season, Charlie has turned the ship around to an extent when it comes to recruiting. What are you hearing?
Big Cigar: Yeah, so we talked about polls and exit surveys of football players just after the season and the returns weren’t all that great if you were paying attention. Keep in mind this was after a disappointing non-bowl season with a lot of rumors swirling about Strong’s demise so the results may have been clouded a bit but I’m hearing recruiting is taking on a different persona. If you ask the kid that's visited Texas this past week or so, you’d know that the tune they’re singing is quite a bit different than the team or players leaving the program.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: How so?
Big Cigar: To a man or to a player they harped about how much of a family atmosphere the Charlie Strong regime seems to be from A to Z.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Thanks for not using “soup to nuts”. We have a lot of millennials on our board.
Big Cigar: Yeah, so you have plenty of kids and I’m talking 4- and 5-stars who mention family atmosphere and the pleasure of having dinner at Strong’s house as winning selling points and reasons they’ll likely commit to Texas at some point. It’s not unlike what Mack Brown had going in his Hey Day but I don’t know that Strong has manufactured that feeling like Mack did. You know I have my faults with Strong, but this seemed altogether different than what Mack had going on. These kids seemed tied into what Strong and his family were selling and it wasn’t DJ booths and barbershops that the Aggies pitch. These are really good players that believe in the story that Strong is pitching. plain and simple. He is bringing in a good recruiting class and it deserves credit.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: And what do you make of the Tommie Robinson replacement?
Big Cigar: I’m told it’s welcomed and they’ll get more efficiency getting the offense and terminology installed with the new guy. I’m not sure if Jay Norvell will bolt but there won’t be a lot of tears shed if he does. Look, they need a guy who can come in and pitch the Baylor spread to the kids and I don’t know if Norvell is the quickest way to that end.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Great stuff. Let’s move on down to team workouts. What’s the story there and why should our fans care?
Big Cigar: Currently, we’re exactly one workout deep into the Coach Moorer workout and I’m told it’s so far, so good. You have 100% participation and every team member is loving life (no really) but at least none have puked. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are lifting days and the kids are expected to make good gains in the program.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Very good. What are your thoughts on the practices so far at Texas?
Big Cigar: I’m told that the unofficial passing practices have basically Kai Locksley in front of everyone else. The reason this is so important is that they’re purely passing formats and don’t have much to do with running the football. Kai is definitely exceeding expectations spinning the football and doesn’t get to run it like he could.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: So is Kai, as the son of a coach, turning heads?
Big Cigar: He is but not for the reason you think. He can spin the ball and he’s the teams second best runner behind Jerrod Heard, and he’s a kid that the other kids are starting to get behind.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Would you say he’s the odds-on favorite to win the starting position?
Big Cigar: Yeah, I would. He’s that good and the perfect blend between Heard and Tyrone Swoopes. He also owes nothing to Sterlin Gilbert or anyone else for that matter so it is probably a real movement. If you ask the top five or six players on offense who they think should be quarterback right now, they’ll tell you Locksley is right there and is probably in the lead.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Let’s finish with the hoops team. What’s going on there?
Big Cigar: You have a huge phenomenon going on because Shaka doesn’t have his players but he’s competing on a national level. He needs a 5 who can run the floor, a 4 who can rebound and defend and also run the floor while shooting in the half court, and he needs a point who can extend a defense with his jump shooting. To say nothing of their ability to apply pressure the whole floor. Shaka is beating teams while being grossly inadequate at the above. Give him ¾’s of that element and he’s got three less losses. Just know that hierarchy has taken notice and he’ll be given plenty of wiggle room. If we can get football right, we’re in high cotton.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Thanks.
Big Cigar: You bet.
@dtownreppin214 @Dr. Narcisse
By: Jesus Shuttlesworth
In this edition of Mondays in the Humidor the Big Cigar we will look at several factors that come into play for the 2016 version of the Texas Longhorns and indirectly Charlie Strong’s tenure. El Cohiba Grande has ground level intel about how the big recruiting weekend went, which should speak well of the program going forward. The Cigar also gets into team workouts which have begun in earnest earlier this week. There’s definitely news from that side of things and it bodes well for the team going forward if things continue to trend this way. Finally, the Cigar talks a little bit about hoops and the trajectory of that program as we go inside the Humidor.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: So let's start things out talking about the life-blood of any program — recruiting. Evidently as far as changes go from earlier in the season, Charlie has turned the ship around to an extent when it comes to recruiting. What are you hearing?
Big Cigar: Yeah, so we talked about polls and exit surveys of football players just after the season and the returns weren’t all that great if you were paying attention. Keep in mind this was after a disappointing non-bowl season with a lot of rumors swirling about Strong’s demise so the results may have been clouded a bit but I’m hearing recruiting is taking on a different persona. If you ask the kid that's visited Texas this past week or so, you’d know that the tune they’re singing is quite a bit different than the team or players leaving the program.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: How so?
Big Cigar: To a man or to a player they harped about how much of a family atmosphere the Charlie Strong regime seems to be from A to Z.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Thanks for not using “soup to nuts”. We have a lot of millennials on our board.
Big Cigar: Yeah, so you have plenty of kids and I’m talking 4- and 5-stars who mention family atmosphere and the pleasure of having dinner at Strong’s house as winning selling points and reasons they’ll likely commit to Texas at some point. It’s not unlike what Mack Brown had going in his Hey Day but I don’t know that Strong has manufactured that feeling like Mack did. You know I have my faults with Strong, but this seemed altogether different than what Mack had going on. These kids seemed tied into what Strong and his family were selling and it wasn’t DJ booths and barbershops that the Aggies pitch. These are really good players that believe in the story that Strong is pitching. plain and simple. He is bringing in a good recruiting class and it deserves credit.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: And what do you make of the Tommie Robinson replacement?
Big Cigar: I’m told it’s welcomed and they’ll get more efficiency getting the offense and terminology installed with the new guy. I’m not sure if Jay Norvell will bolt but there won’t be a lot of tears shed if he does. Look, they need a guy who can come in and pitch the Baylor spread to the kids and I don’t know if Norvell is the quickest way to that end.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Great stuff. Let’s move on down to team workouts. What’s the story there and why should our fans care?
Big Cigar: Currently, we’re exactly one workout deep into the Coach Moorer workout and I’m told it’s so far, so good. You have 100% participation and every team member is loving life (no really) but at least none have puked. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are lifting days and the kids are expected to make good gains in the program.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Very good. What are your thoughts on the practices so far at Texas?
Big Cigar: I’m told that the unofficial passing practices have basically Kai Locksley in front of everyone else. The reason this is so important is that they’re purely passing formats and don’t have much to do with running the football. Kai is definitely exceeding expectations spinning the football and doesn’t get to run it like he could.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: So is Kai, as the son of a coach, turning heads?
Big Cigar: He is but not for the reason you think. He can spin the ball and he’s the teams second best runner behind Jerrod Heard, and he’s a kid that the other kids are starting to get behind.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Would you say he’s the odds-on favorite to win the starting position?
Big Cigar: Yeah, I would. He’s that good and the perfect blend between Heard and Tyrone Swoopes. He also owes nothing to Sterlin Gilbert or anyone else for that matter so it is probably a real movement. If you ask the top five or six players on offense who they think should be quarterback right now, they’ll tell you Locksley is right there and is probably in the lead.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Let’s finish with the hoops team. What’s going on there?
Big Cigar: You have a huge phenomenon going on because Shaka doesn’t have his players but he’s competing on a national level. He needs a 5 who can run the floor, a 4 who can rebound and defend and also run the floor while shooting in the half court, and he needs a point who can extend a defense with his jump shooting. To say nothing of their ability to apply pressure the whole floor. Shaka is beating teams while being grossly inadequate at the above. Give him ¾’s of that element and he’s got three less losses. Just know that hierarchy has taken notice and he’ll be given plenty of wiggle room. If we can get football right, we’re in high cotton.
Jesus Shuttlesworth: Thanks.
Big Cigar: You bet.
@dtownreppin214 @Dr. Narcisse
I hope like hell Kai wins this. Intangibles are off the charts.
Brehs, give it up, its going to be Heard. Kai should be QB2 though.
lmao, dtown and doc, y'all are some damn fools with those smilies
Jordan Elliot decommitted from Michigan.
It's happening brehs.
It's happening brehs.
Talked to a half dozen folks close to the program for some info on where the players are three workouts into their winter conditioning, and the first thing that came up was how Sterlin Gilbert has come in and carried himself as the new sheriff running the offense at Texas.
“Listen, this guy carries himself with a lot of confidence and is super high energy – almost hyper energetic," one source said. "Anyone who saw his first press conference and thinks he’s some mellow, West Texas dude – forget it.
“Just in three days of conditioning, he’s communicating with the guys in a manner that says he knows exactly what he wants.
"And he delivers the message with a very natural confidence. Kind of reminds me of a young Jimbo Fisher. And that’s what you’d expect from a (Art) Briles’ guy.
"All of the Briles’ guys come across like that offense gives them an unfair advantage, and they teach it that way. And, honestly, that’s what this group of players on offense need. They need a very clear direction, and Gilbert seems to sense it.
“Again, he’s just leading certain parts of their conditioning right now. But he’s already messin’ with the guys, and the players are responding.
"They’ve all been watching film of Tulsa’s offense. And you can tell by the way they’re talking they think something good is about to happen. And that’s where it all starts.”
QUARTERBACK – There appears to be a weird dynamic going on at the quarterback position, because the new offense has put everyone on equal footing in terms of opportunity.
And just by the way guys are carrying themselves in the workouts, I’m told you’d think Kai Locksley is the returning starter.
One person I talked to said Locksley was really upset/disappointed when he wasn’t put in a position to compete for the QB job after the offense changed and Jerrod Heard replaced Tyrone Swoopes as the starter following the Notre Dame game last year.
“He (Kai) didn’t handle it very well – just young and a little immature about it,” the source said. “But Shawn Watson actually helped him to understand the learning aspect of the job, the benefit of going up against the first-team defense as the scout-team quarterback and the value of patience.
“Now, you’re seeing a second-year guy carrying himself with a lot to prove. I get the feeling he can’t wait for spring ball to get started, so he can put everything on display and compete.
"I think what sets Kai apart – and probably Shane Buechele as well – is maybe their capacity and willingness to work at the job. It's early. But everything in Buechele's evaluation says that.
“Swoopes and Heard both have some top-end talents as quarterbacks, but they both still haven’t figured out how much work it takes to be the starting quarterback at Texas.
"It’s a (expletive) job. Sorry. That’s what it is. And I think because Kai’s dad is a DI offensive coordinator (Mike Locksley), and Buechele’s dad (Steve) is a former Major League baseball player, they just understand it a little more.
"And Kai and Shane both have the personalities to lead – at all times. Leaders don’t stop leading when they get off the field. Leaders lead all the time. And I think Kai and Shane get that a little more – just from a mental makeup standpoint. Those two may end up being the ones who really compete for the starting job. We’ll see.”
RUNNING BACK – Kyle Porter wanted to meet both Chris Warren and D’Onta Foreman on his visit to Texas – and I’m told those face-to-face meetings, along with Tommie Robinson moving on to USC are probably the reasons Porter will pass on Texas.
Foreman grinds all the time – always with something to prove, probably because he grew up in the football shadow of his twin brother WR Armanti. I’m told D’Onta’s grinding focus as well as the grinding focus of Kirk Johnson have both had a great effect on Warren, whose first instinct isn’t always to push himself.
“The running back room is really good right now,” one source said. “Respect and healthy competition.”
RECEIVER – John Burt pushes everyone – and it’s a beautiful thing, I’m told.
“Burt sets the tone for that group, and they all know it,” one source said. "Watch out for Ryan Newsome. With Daje Johnson moving on, I think Newsome really senses the opportunity."
TIGHT END – Look for Caleb Bluiett to stay at TE and not return to his beloved defensive end.
“Caleb brings a toughness to the tight end position that just isn’t there without him,” one source said. “Now, when Peyton Aucoin gets on campus, there will be another tight end with that toughness.”
OFFENSIVE LINE – Everyone’s waiting to see who else is going to emerge on the O-line along with LT Connor Williams, OG Patrick Vahe and OG/OT Kent Perkins.
One person I talked to said Brandon Hodges, the JUCO transfer last year who redshirted, will definitely be an impact player on the line this year.
"Hodges can play," the person said. "His personality conflict with Joe (Wickline) may end up being a blessing, because he still has two years of eligibility."
The coaches are already expecting to give Zach Shackelford a hard look at center in the spring.
Elijah Rodriguez is eager to show he belongs, I’m told.
The spring will be huge for redshirts Garrett Thomas and Ronnie Major to show they are ready for prime time.
DEFENSIVE LINE/LINEBACKER – Paul Boyette and Poona Ford along with Bryce Cottrell are leading this group.
As physically talented as Naashon Hughes is, he’s not a natural leader. It's going to be a critical spring for Hughes and Derick Roberson as the defense has to develop more of a pass rush from the Fox end position.
I’m hearing Malik Jefferson might really try to push for a move to Fox end/OLB if enough linebacker help emerges.
The guys to watch at linebacker, obviously, are Ed Freeman, Anthony Wheeler and Breckyn Hager. Cam Townsend is an outside linebacker.
One person told me the coaches don’t realize how much Hager wants the middle linebacker job, in part, because they think Hager’s future may be with his hand on the ground as a pass rusher because of his explosive first step.
Hager struggled with nagging injuries as a freshman last year. So coaches are hoping a year in the weight room will do a lot of good for Hager in 2016.
SECONDARY – This group has a chance to take an elite step in 2016 because of all the experience gained last season by Holton Hill, DaVante Davis, DeShon Elliott and P.J. Locke.
I’m told the reason Kris Boyd didn’t get on the field more on defense was because he just didn’t grasp zone concepts as well as he needed to.
Plain and simply, it appears Boyd didn’t put in the work necessary to develop his grasp of zone coverages.
Why?
I’m told it's because he’s always simply relied too much on his incredible physical talent/speed/recovery speed to cover up for any mistakes.
Boyd’s willingness to invest of himself in getting better will determine if he has a big-time role on the defense in 2016 or if he’ll continue to be used sparingly.
Boyd’s too physically gifted not to be a big factor on the defense, so Chris Vaughn, Vance Bedford and Strong will all have to get it out of him.
Until Boyd takes that next step, look for P.J. Locke to start off as the defense’s new nickel back, replacing Duke Thomas.
And look for nobody to be able to keep DeShon Elliott, aka The Kraken, off the field at safety. Elliott’s so hungry it’s palpable, I'm told.
(Chip Brown)
*****
WHERE WILL MCNEAL PLAY IN 2016?
Apparently there is no intention from Sterling Gilbert to move DeAndre McNeal from wide receiver at this point.
One reason for this is due to the fact that McNeal has dropped over 15 pounds and is now down to 220 pounds. He was listed at 6-foot-1 and 236 pounds last season.
The Longhorns, as you know, are going to be loaded with wide receivers in 2016 so I would not be completely surprised to see some attrition there at some point before fall camp. That’s just a hunch.
Look at all of the WRs Texas would have if everyone stayed for fall camp:
Armanti Foreman
Lorenzo Joe
McNeal
Dorian Leonard
Jacorey Warrick
Ryan Newsome
Jake Oliver
Ty Templin
Collin Johnson
Reggie Hemphill-Mapps
Davion Curtis
*** If Lil’Jordan Humphrey ends up at Texas he’d be a WR to start out]
Something has to give.
[William Wilkerson]
*****
IMPRESSIVE FRESHMAN
Speaking of wide receivers, I keep hearing Collin Johnson’s name come up as a player that is really, really standing out during workouts right now.
This is a great sign for many reasons, one being that Johnson appears to be back to near full health after he suffered a shoulder injury in mid-September that cost him most of his senior season at San Jose Valley Christian.
I fully expect Johnson to not only make an impact for UT next season, but I think he is capable, if given the opportunity, of having the type of impact John Burt had. I think he’s that good.
[William Wilkerson]
*****
HEALTH AT RB
From what I am hearing D’Onta Foreman is working out right now but Kirk Johnson is not working out quite yet.
Johnson injured his right knee in that Texas Tech game that saw more injuries happen to the Longhorns than any game in a long, long time.
Chris Warren is still Chris Warren.
[William Wilkerson]
*****
DANG, CHARLES!
One of the other big surprises of early workouts is sophomore-to-be DE Charles Omenihu.
He was listed as 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds last season.
I’m told he’s up to 256.
Remember, he was probably the youngest 2015 recruit on the roster last season. He’s still a pup. Crazy potential.
“Listen, this guy carries himself with a lot of confidence and is super high energy – almost hyper energetic," one source said. "Anyone who saw his first press conference and thinks he’s some mellow, West Texas dude – forget it.
“Just in three days of conditioning, he’s communicating with the guys in a manner that says he knows exactly what he wants.
"And he delivers the message with a very natural confidence. Kind of reminds me of a young Jimbo Fisher. And that’s what you’d expect from a (Art) Briles’ guy.
"All of the Briles’ guys come across like that offense gives them an unfair advantage, and they teach it that way. And, honestly, that’s what this group of players on offense need. They need a very clear direction, and Gilbert seems to sense it.
“Again, he’s just leading certain parts of their conditioning right now. But he’s already messin’ with the guys, and the players are responding.
"They’ve all been watching film of Tulsa’s offense. And you can tell by the way they’re talking they think something good is about to happen. And that’s where it all starts.”
QUARTERBACK – There appears to be a weird dynamic going on at the quarterback position, because the new offense has put everyone on equal footing in terms of opportunity.
And just by the way guys are carrying themselves in the workouts, I’m told you’d think Kai Locksley is the returning starter.
One person I talked to said Locksley was really upset/disappointed when he wasn’t put in a position to compete for the QB job after the offense changed and Jerrod Heard replaced Tyrone Swoopes as the starter following the Notre Dame game last year.
“He (Kai) didn’t handle it very well – just young and a little immature about it,” the source said. “But Shawn Watson actually helped him to understand the learning aspect of the job, the benefit of going up against the first-team defense as the scout-team quarterback and the value of patience.
“Now, you’re seeing a second-year guy carrying himself with a lot to prove. I get the feeling he can’t wait for spring ball to get started, so he can put everything on display and compete.
"I think what sets Kai apart – and probably Shane Buechele as well – is maybe their capacity and willingness to work at the job. It's early. But everything in Buechele's evaluation says that.
“Swoopes and Heard both have some top-end talents as quarterbacks, but they both still haven’t figured out how much work it takes to be the starting quarterback at Texas.
"It’s a (expletive) job. Sorry. That’s what it is. And I think because Kai’s dad is a DI offensive coordinator (Mike Locksley), and Buechele’s dad (Steve) is a former Major League baseball player, they just understand it a little more.
"And Kai and Shane both have the personalities to lead – at all times. Leaders don’t stop leading when they get off the field. Leaders lead all the time. And I think Kai and Shane get that a little more – just from a mental makeup standpoint. Those two may end up being the ones who really compete for the starting job. We’ll see.”
RUNNING BACK – Kyle Porter wanted to meet both Chris Warren and D’Onta Foreman on his visit to Texas – and I’m told those face-to-face meetings, along with Tommie Robinson moving on to USC are probably the reasons Porter will pass on Texas.
Foreman grinds all the time – always with something to prove, probably because he grew up in the football shadow of his twin brother WR Armanti. I’m told D’Onta’s grinding focus as well as the grinding focus of Kirk Johnson have both had a great effect on Warren, whose first instinct isn’t always to push himself.
“The running back room is really good right now,” one source said. “Respect and healthy competition.”
RECEIVER – John Burt pushes everyone – and it’s a beautiful thing, I’m told.
“Burt sets the tone for that group, and they all know it,” one source said. "Watch out for Ryan Newsome. With Daje Johnson moving on, I think Newsome really senses the opportunity."
TIGHT END – Look for Caleb Bluiett to stay at TE and not return to his beloved defensive end.
“Caleb brings a toughness to the tight end position that just isn’t there without him,” one source said. “Now, when Peyton Aucoin gets on campus, there will be another tight end with that toughness.”
OFFENSIVE LINE – Everyone’s waiting to see who else is going to emerge on the O-line along with LT Connor Williams, OG Patrick Vahe and OG/OT Kent Perkins.
One person I talked to said Brandon Hodges, the JUCO transfer last year who redshirted, will definitely be an impact player on the line this year.
"Hodges can play," the person said. "His personality conflict with Joe (Wickline) may end up being a blessing, because he still has two years of eligibility."
The coaches are already expecting to give Zach Shackelford a hard look at center in the spring.
Elijah Rodriguez is eager to show he belongs, I’m told.
The spring will be huge for redshirts Garrett Thomas and Ronnie Major to show they are ready for prime time.
DEFENSIVE LINE/LINEBACKER – Paul Boyette and Poona Ford along with Bryce Cottrell are leading this group.
As physically talented as Naashon Hughes is, he’s not a natural leader. It's going to be a critical spring for Hughes and Derick Roberson as the defense has to develop more of a pass rush from the Fox end position.
I’m hearing Malik Jefferson might really try to push for a move to Fox end/OLB if enough linebacker help emerges.
The guys to watch at linebacker, obviously, are Ed Freeman, Anthony Wheeler and Breckyn Hager. Cam Townsend is an outside linebacker.
One person told me the coaches don’t realize how much Hager wants the middle linebacker job, in part, because they think Hager’s future may be with his hand on the ground as a pass rusher because of his explosive first step.
Hager struggled with nagging injuries as a freshman last year. So coaches are hoping a year in the weight room will do a lot of good for Hager in 2016.
SECONDARY – This group has a chance to take an elite step in 2016 because of all the experience gained last season by Holton Hill, DaVante Davis, DeShon Elliott and P.J. Locke.
I’m told the reason Kris Boyd didn’t get on the field more on defense was because he just didn’t grasp zone concepts as well as he needed to.
Plain and simply, it appears Boyd didn’t put in the work necessary to develop his grasp of zone coverages.
Why?
I’m told it's because he’s always simply relied too much on his incredible physical talent/speed/recovery speed to cover up for any mistakes.
Boyd’s willingness to invest of himself in getting better will determine if he has a big-time role on the defense in 2016 or if he’ll continue to be used sparingly.
Boyd’s too physically gifted not to be a big factor on the defense, so Chris Vaughn, Vance Bedford and Strong will all have to get it out of him.
Until Boyd takes that next step, look for P.J. Locke to start off as the defense’s new nickel back, replacing Duke Thomas.
And look for nobody to be able to keep DeShon Elliott, aka The Kraken, off the field at safety. Elliott’s so hungry it’s palpable, I'm told.
(Chip Brown)
*****
WHERE WILL MCNEAL PLAY IN 2016?
Apparently there is no intention from Sterling Gilbert to move DeAndre McNeal from wide receiver at this point.
One reason for this is due to the fact that McNeal has dropped over 15 pounds and is now down to 220 pounds. He was listed at 6-foot-1 and 236 pounds last season.
The Longhorns, as you know, are going to be loaded with wide receivers in 2016 so I would not be completely surprised to see some attrition there at some point before fall camp. That’s just a hunch.
Look at all of the WRs Texas would have if everyone stayed for fall camp:
Armanti Foreman
Lorenzo Joe
McNeal
Dorian Leonard
Jacorey Warrick
Ryan Newsome
Jake Oliver
Ty Templin
Collin Johnson
Reggie Hemphill-Mapps
Davion Curtis
*** If Lil’Jordan Humphrey ends up at Texas he’d be a WR to start out]
Something has to give.
[William Wilkerson]
*****
IMPRESSIVE FRESHMAN
Speaking of wide receivers, I keep hearing Collin Johnson’s name come up as a player that is really, really standing out during workouts right now.
This is a great sign for many reasons, one being that Johnson appears to be back to near full health after he suffered a shoulder injury in mid-September that cost him most of his senior season at San Jose Valley Christian.
I fully expect Johnson to not only make an impact for UT next season, but I think he is capable, if given the opportunity, of having the type of impact John Burt had. I think he’s that good.
[William Wilkerson]
*****
HEALTH AT RB
From what I am hearing D’Onta Foreman is working out right now but Kirk Johnson is not working out quite yet.
Johnson injured his right knee in that Texas Tech game that saw more injuries happen to the Longhorns than any game in a long, long time.
Chris Warren is still Chris Warren.
[William Wilkerson]
*****
DANG, CHARLES!
One of the other big surprises of early workouts is sophomore-to-be DE Charles Omenihu.
He was listed as 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds last season.
I’m told he’s up to 256.
Remember, he was probably the youngest 2015 recruit on the roster last season. He’s still a pup. Crazy potential.
Cuffee committed. Personally I don't think he'll ever be a player here however he got this commit train rolling.
Why?