Per BurntOrangeNation: It can be easy to forget about the redshirt freshmen after the new class signs and faxes in their National Letters of Intent, but don't sleep on Texas Longhorns defensive end Derick Roberson. As the No. 1 recruit in his class (yes, he was more highly ranked than quarterback Jerrod Heard), the 2014 Under Armour All-American was one of the most important prospects for head coach Charlie Strong to retain once he arrived in Austin. So when Roberson signed with the Horns weeks after Strong took the job, it was one of the biggest early wins for Texas football's new leader. The 6'3, 219-pounder wasn't ready to play when he arrived after he showed up at less than his listed weight and underwent a minor shoulder procedure during the fall. However, he should be ready for spring practice and contains all of the upside suggested by his consensus four-star rating as the No. 64 recruit nationally, the No. [?] strong-side defensive end, and the No. 9 player in the state of Texas. Despite the classification as a strong-side defensive end, Roberson has the closing speed and overall range to fit perfectly in the FOX end position used by Strong. If that's the position he worked out on the scout team before his injury last fall, he gained some experience dropping into coverage and moving in space. Since Shiro Davis could move over the strong side to compete with junior college defensive end Quincy Vasser, Roberson could end up in a competition with Naashon Hughes on the other side... So Roberson could get a chance to flash in space or with his hand on the ground. His first-step quickness and timing coming off the ball are tremendous. In fact, defensive coordinator Vance Bedford believes that Roberson could become an "outstanding" pass rusher because of that ability to get off the ball before the offensive tackle can even get out of their stance. After a year in the Texas strength and conditioning program, it's not hard to imagine him posting better measures of athleticism than the already impressive 4.47 shuttle and 34-inch vertical leap he posted in high school. In fact, Roberson was the definition of physical upside... [He posted] a monstrous senior season that saw him rack up 111 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 39 quarterback pressures, and 20 sacks to earn 4A Defensive Player of the Year honors from the AP and TSWA. In Strong's meritocracy, he has the ability to play if he's healthy and can build upon the impressive tools he showed in high school. [Emphasis added] [Full article here]
Great article and video on Roberson. The kid is a beast and I can imagine him becoming an Orakpo type DE before he is done. Power, strength and speed to burn. His future is very bright under CS. Outside of QB and perhaps DT, CS has re-stocked the program shelves with some real talent. Time in the strength & conditioning program, getting properly coached up, moving players to positions that fully utilize the kids talents and puts the team in the best position to execute more effectively and time in practice, will produce some very healthy dividends in the future. We all just have to be patient and give it time. Hook 'Em!
Like the video...looks like he has some good ST skills to get downfield and jack up the return man. If he gets the weight up some I expect to see him in the rotation this fall. I have high hopes for the D this coming year, even though a lot of experience has moved on the year.
Good point Godz40acres -- I did not follow recruiting for 2014 like I did for 2015 and now for 2016. We probably have many redshirt players ready to step into the limelight. Someone smarter than me should do a profile of all of the Redshirt guys about to hit the big stage. Would be interesting stuff.
Well, it's highly doubtful that I'm smarter than you, but I'll see if I can work something up - it's a good idea.
Derick is athletic and fast for a DE. Had 2 sacks in 2015 season. With improved strength and technique, he could be a force going forward.
The Mack Brown curse is upon us. JK, Good for him, honestly I still don't remember him. Don't even know why he transferred except it was Strong so those are years I just try to block out.
Kid was at another level in high school. Was so quick no tackle in high school could barely touch him coming off the edge. I was kind of surprised he didn't make it here, but he was kind of glam, so it wasn't too surprising. I assumed that he was so dominant that he never learned how to overcome similar competition in college. Especially as he would of had to put on weight and become proficient at arm/hand skills to dominate here.