May/June/JULY Football

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It's May, It's May, The Lusty Month Of May football brought to you by #LetsRide and #Believe!

With zero practices, zip coach press conferences, and zilch insider news, there's tons of UT football news to disseminate and discuss.

• Will Malik drop to a "B+" in Partial Differentical Equations II this semester?
• How many biscuits does Buck Major down in the B&G Open Competition?
• Can Charles Omenihu break his recruit texting mark set last year?
• Who will be the first to make their first 30 yard field goal?

Let's begin with an analysis of the Spring Game which we haven't done before.

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Run Game - Offense

The first play of the game was a good news/bad news kind of deal. The bad news was that we saw the first team OL lined up against a walkon DT tandem of Alex Mercado and Patrick Ojeaga... The good news was that it only took one look at #61 Mercado to realize that Steve Patterson's draconian restrictions on walk-on meals have apparently been lifted.

That first play turned out to be a 30-yard Power romp by D'Onta Foreman which set up one of the Spring Game's major themes - neither the 238-pound Foreman nor the 250-pound (!?!?!?) [Chris] Warren were going to be denied when running against the two's. The pair gave a first- and second-act beating to The Expendables that would have made Jean-Claude Van Damme and Mel Gibson proud, combining for 174 yards and two TDs on 16 carries.

Warren owned the highlight-reel run of the day on a Zone Read when freshman LB DeMarco Boyd got caught in the wash and John Bonney got caught making a business decision in the open field.

The starting OL has to be graded on a substantial curve given the way that the staff apportioned the competition, but there's reason for at least guarded optimism heading into the summer. The line's three returning starters all turned in solid showings, though you'd like to see a little more weight on Connor Williams by the fall and Patrick Vahe uncharacteristically missed his target on a pull or two.

Vahe did less pulling than usual in this one since Texas was very even-handed in the Power game with new left guard Brandon Hodges frequently on the move. He didn't lay any Haka-inducing licks and even got stalemated once or twice, but he's got feet like Baryshnikov compared to Sed Flowers and if he improves his punch at the point of attack it will be nice way to take advantage of drive blocks from Vahe and [Kent] Perkins on the right side.

Last but not least, true freshman center Zach Shackelford did everything you could reasonably ask of a [freshman]. He wasn't exactly... blasting people off the ball one-on-one, but he routinely kept his guy out of the play and there were no young Dom Espinosa/Jake Raulerson roller skate moments on display. While Mike Mattox will be getting on him and the rest of the OL about their pre-snap shenanigans, the botch rate wasn't outrageous for wet Spring football over 110 (!) first-half snaps.

The Longhorns look like they may have a functional starting five, but I'm not so sure about a sixth. Converted DT Jake McMillon might have had the best overall showing on the second-team line, and backup tackles Tristan Nickelson and Elijah Rodriguez didn't do enough in the ground game to make up for some hide-your-eyes moments in pass pro.

Pray for healthy starters this season, and don't be surprised if we burn at least one shirt on the incoming OL class.

[Full BC article]

 

Running Game - Defense

The Longhorns' likely Starting Six box defenders (Paul Boyette, Poona Ford, Charles Omenihu, Naashon Hughes, Malik Jefferson and Anthony Wheeler) only played together for a few series, but they turned in an agreeable performance against an overmatched second-string OL. Occasionally disruptive and consistently gritty, the starting defensive front stood their ground against drive blocks and gave their linebackers clean reads and good lanes to attack the ballcarrier.

The burgeoning "Free Malik" movement has been casting about desperately for a competent Mike to do some dirty work between the tackles, and sophomore Anthony Wheeler offered some hope in that regard. He looks to have added some good weight in the offseason and while he may not be too much better than his front allows him to be against the run, his instincts and aggression were a nice starting point.

Malik might not have logged 20 snaps in this one, but brought smiles when he stood up a pulling guard in the first half and had a moment in the second half that will hopefully typify his 2016 campaign.

Breckyn Hager showed some nastiness on the edge as a Fox player and did a much better job on contain than he managed during his late-season snaps as a freshman. Quincy Vasser... earned full marks for hustle as he chased the play and ended up scooping the fumble.

DeMarco Boyd had an up-and-down day as the backup Mike, but showed enough lateral quickness to make you think he can hang at linebacker in the Big XII.

Tim Cole actually had a good day in the phone booth, laying some good licks on interior runs while backup Will linebacker Cam Townsend turned in the top solo tackle on Foreman when he stuck him on a 3rd and long draw.

At safety, DeShon Elliott... laid a wicked lick on Rod Bernard to force a fumble. Bernard was set up on a silver platter, but that's still the kind of applied violence you want to see from your safeties.

[Full BC article]

 

I was impressed with Vasser a few times. He seemed to be playing with some intensity.

I wouldn't mind seeing redshirts coming off true freshmen, especially OL and DL. It just means an upgrade for the 2-deep and sends a signal to the next recruiting class that playing time is there for the taking.

 

You're right. We should be seeing as many as 3 DL and 2 OL shirtless freshmen.

 

Passing Game - Offense

[The Spring Game] showcased a bevy of impressive athletes who haven't gotten to log much time in a functioning pass offense.

John Burt and Armanti Foreman dominated the stat sheet with a combined 187 receiving yards and a pair of TDs... Burt's got a motor and should thrive in a system that gets downfield early and often. Foreman (and just about everyone else who saw action, really) need some more instruction from Charlie Williams on how to maintain their position on fades without getting muscled into the sideline on every route.

While an end zone drop and some lazy footwork kept [Collin Johnson] out of the Sunday headlines... I reckon 85 should be just fine as a single-him-at-your-peril weapon come Fall ball.

Jacorey Warrick pinged on the Gaskamp radar after nabbing a nice deep throw and showing some post-catch elusiveness. DeAndre McNeal would have done better not to slather his hands in Crisco before the scrimmage, but he showed some solid seam-stretching ability for a guy north of 220 pounds.

Dorian Leonard and Lorenzo Joe both had some nice moments and if they make strides during Summer 7's Texas could be looking at a legitimate depth chart at the position.

The tight ends were on a milk carton during the aerial portion of Saturday's proceedings.

The pass protection from the starting OL was solid aside from a Breckyn Hager hustle sack that split Kent Perkins and Andrew Beck. Neither Tristan Nickelson nor Elijah Rodriguez did much to fill anyone with confidence that tackle will be in good hands if Williams or Perkins goes down - stay healthy, boys.

[Full BC article]

 

Passing Game - Defense

Charles Omenihu was probably the day's defensive standout. It's great to see the big man demonstrating some good bend and burst at 6'5" and 260+ pounds. If he had a partner in crime on the day it was sophomore linebacker Breckyn Hager, who looks to be settling nicely into the Fox role.

Naashon Hughes got good pressure to force another Romoesque escape from by Buechele, but was otherwise kind of quiet. Quincy Vasser managed a couple of pressures as well as a nice deflection against Buechele, though he could get lost in the shuffle once Bryce Cottrell is back in action and freshman Erick Fowler jumps in the mix at Fox.

If you were hoping to see a little more pressure from Paul Boyette and Poona Ford against the backup OL... you weren't alone.

The Longhorns' speedy linebackers didn't get to apply much pass rush heat on a day dedicated to vanilla D, but Anthony Wheeler and Malik Jefferson in particular looked far more active and aware in their drops than they did last season.

Holton Hill and Davante Davis each gave up some production on the outside, but they're the least part of your worries on this defense. Hill had a couple of terrific break-ups and Davis was a sure tackler on plenty of quick stuff.

Kris Boyd probably had the best day of any outside corner, and he's going to force both of last year's freshman phenoms to bust their butts if they want to keep him at #2 on the depth chart.

P.J. Locke looks to have locked up starting nickel duties, and... was in tight coverage every time he got tested up the seam. Antwaun Davis isn't ready to go quietly into that good night, sticking tight to McNeal in the slot on multiple occasions.

Sheroid Evans' wheels appear to be in good working order, but it's clear that he needs more healthy reps to stay in phase with his receiver and out of Chykieville.

The safeties were somewhat marginalized by a passing game that featured plenty of on-time strikes to the sideline, but DeSean Elliott had a nice moment jumping an out route while backup John Bonney got to haul in [an] INT following a deflection by Holton Hill.

[Full BC article]

This will make a decisive difference in next year's defensive play in short – intermediate coverages. It may even help our adequate DTs see some marks go into their "S" column.

 

Quarterbacks

There were some interesting moments from both QBs in the ground game. Shane Buechele looked shifty and decisive as a runner and would have tacked 15 more yards onto his rushing total if not for some quick whistles, but the last thing we needed today was to see his 185-pound form crumpled on the turf while Duke from Rocky shouted, "This was supposed to be an exhibition!"

Tyrone Swoopes showed his ability to run tough on the Power Read...and also demonstrated the fact that [Boo] likely offers a better option on keeps outside the tackles.

Swoopes... threw a much better percentage of catchable balls downfield than we've seen from him to date. Despite an ability to rocket some pro-caliber throws on deep in-breaking routes, Ty has traditionally had [trouble] judging distance on straight go routes and fades and has airmailed many a would-be TD. He was more on the money, starting with a perfect fade route that ricocheted off John Burt's facemask.

His best throw of the day [got] hauled in, as he stepped up to avoid pressure and lofted one that Jacorey Warrick ran under in 11-on-11 action against P.J. Locke (which might have been Locke's only bad moment of the day.)

I'm inclined to give Swoopes the benefit of the doubt on the pair of 50/50 balls that he threw on deep shots to Lorenzo Joe and Collin Johnson, mainly because I spent the Spring chiseling a stone tablet that reads:

Thou shalt not overthrow 1 or 85 in single coverage.​

In other words, you'd rather throw the deep ball like Shane Buechele.

Buechele's downfield passing dropped jaws [and] toasted some quality DBs.

The fun began on his first drive with a subtle pump fake that froze Davante Davis and freed up Dorian Leonard for a nicely lofted sideline ball. Boo [threw] down the other sideline that would have hit the left pylon if it hadn't been hauled in for a picturesque TD by Armanti Foreman despite Holton Hill's breath on the back of his neck. He later made up for a miss to Burt with a pair of on-the-dot lobs down the right sideline, with the last one covering 65 yards to notch the game's final score and send the long-suffering Longhorn faithful into a state of Booamania over his 299-yard, 2TD line in one half of football.

You can lay the loss of at least 80 yards passing at the feet of his receivers. Quite literally in this case, as Collin Johnson, Armanti Foreman and Armanti Foreman Again plucked on-the-money sideline throws but didn't manage to mind their footwork along the boundary.

To put it briefly (ha!), while Swoopes had some nice moments on the deep ball, Buechele was simply outstanding. And in the short and intermediate game, it wasn't even close.

Swoopes did look to be processing things faster than he has in the past, and he managed to hit a few hitches while connecting on several of the quick ins and slants. He... didn't deliver a single out-breaking route with anticipation, though, and DBs got their hands on at least two when he threw after the receiver's break. There were a couple of hide-your-eyes flashbacks to seasons past as Tyrone missed three yards high and behind a slanting Jacorey Warrick while also launching a wide-open quick out throw into Section 113.

Buechele's biggest advantage over Swoopes on the shorter stuff was his ability to anticipate and deliver accurate and zippy throws on outs, where he picked up a pair of third down conversions. He delivered slants and in-breaking stuff in spots that gave his receivers the chance to run after the catch, and put a trio of hitch/stick routes right on the money. Buechele even impressed with his mature decisions to throw the ball to a coach when he was flushed outside the pocket with no other options.

Right now it appears that Buechele is well ahead of Swoopes in the ability to execute a reasonably diverse passing game, and that gap figures to get wider rather than narrower before September rolls around.

[Full BC article]

 

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It was an exciting Spring Game scrimmage, to be sure.

Some caveats that have to be made are that we didn’t see any 1s vs 1s, so the 1st team OL faced a very uneven front and the whole game was a scripted scrimmage with the coaches working various base packages in a very obvious fashion.

For instance, they’d call a particular passing play twice in a row and have the defense respond in zone, then in man as the QBs would demonstrate their ability to make those fundamental reads. Neither the offense nor the defense was really working to target each other’s soft spots save for who the QBs chose to throw fade routes to on vertical concepts.

We did get to see some “good on good” when the 2nd team DEs and secondary were isolated at the point of attack against the 1st team. Breckyn Hager and Quincy Vasser made a lot of good plays on the edges and neither QB ever had an easy time throwing outside the numbers with Sheroid Evans, Kris Boyd, and Antwuan Davis patrolling the skies. That 2nd team group of DBs would be 1st team at many schools in this league.

Here were the main evaluations and schematic revelations:

Texas has some defensive ends

Since we’ve seen Tristan Nickelson and Elijah Rodriguez in action against Big 12 competition and neither were horrible, I think we can assume that the way Naashon Hughes and Charles Omenihu utterly destroyed them in pass protection is a good indicator for the upcoming season.

It’s fun to note at this point that Kansas State, Baylor, and Texas Tech all fail to return any starting offensive tackles from a year ago.

Hughes played well; he always plays solidly, but he may have to fight for his job if Hager continues to take to DE as well as he has thus far. The Westlake product gave Texas a lot of trouble trying to execute power and counter on the edge, even as the 2nd team DTs were washed away by double teams inside of him. His pass-rush is pretty solid as well, Hager just plays very violently and moves with suddenness even in a tight space.

Omenihu is really learning to put together his absurd length, quick feet, and long strides into a nasty pass-rushing arsenal. He sets up OTs, gets them to plant their feet, and then with a step he’s moving by them.

The coverage guys

It’s going to be very interesting to see how Texas makes the most of the absurd abundance of good coverage players on this team. Kris Boyd and Sheroid Evans were both very good, but Holton Hill and Davante Davis are becoming very well-rounded and aware in man coverage.

You’d think about moving someone inside to nickel but PJ Locke didn’t really show any weaknesses there in this scrimmage. Safety is still a weaker spot, particularly the “strong safety” position manned by Dylan Haines, but John Bonney demonstrated some range and comfort there when not asked to try and make an open field tackle against a 255-pound freak (Chris Warren III) with poor leverage.

If Texas can get good box play from Hall this year to allow DeShon Elliott to make another leap and keep Haines or Bonney well protected to roam the deep field playing over man coverage defenders of this caliber, then the Longhorns are probably going to be very tough on defense in a passing league.

The running game

It’s going to be interesting to see how teams scheme the Texas rushing attack next year given that D’Onta Foreman and Warren are absolute murder at the 2nd level if they have any chance to build momentum (and neither need more than a step or two to do so).

Most opponents will have no choice but to bring a safety close to the line to try and prevent Texas from springing its backs into open grass, thus leaving their corners in man to man matchups. Naturally, this sets up the Texas passing game.

The passing game

When you’re left playing man-to-man on the receivers outside, there’s not much that the passing has to do except execute a few different route combinations with simple reads. For that reason, there’s hope that Tyrone Swoopes could be a capable option in the coming season if Shane Buechele goes down (yes, of course the freshman is going to end up starting!).

Amongst the concepts that they ran in the Spring game were some play-action/max protect “you three just go get open” plays, a little bit of West Coast quick game stuff, and tons of slants and hitches.

One play that should be good to Texas next year was with the slant/hitch-in combination to a twins side. Where Buechele was good on this play (and where Swoopes often struggled) was that he’d throw the WR back to the line of scrimmage where he’d then have more space to make a move on the CB and pick up yards after the catch. If opponents start to play this too tight, there’s always the hitch and go, which Buechele throws really well.

Buechele’s ability to feel and escape pressure and throw accurate balls on the run rolling either left or right will probably get some attention at some point in the 2016 season. That’s one of his many special abilities he showed off in the scrimmage.

The main holes on the team

Texas has a few obvious weaknesses, some of which can be shored up and others that will need creative solutions or mitigation.

The first is pass protection, which doesn’t look like a team strength but may not be that big of an issue. Texas can always run lots of play-action with max protection (seven guys staying in to block) and rely on John Burt, Armanti Foreman, or Collin Johnson getting open outside running option routes. Most teams won’t be able to totally stop that on run downs and the fact that Texas has three or four good options outside could make a huge difference this year. On third down, it might be more of a problem.

The next hole is in the slot, where Texas didn’t seem to have any answers in the Spring game. Armanti Foreman seemed like the obvious answer before the scrimmage but he’s looking more comfortable on the outside.

The next hole is at backup TE, where we’ve already discussed how Texas doesn’t have another guy besides Caleb Bluiett who can execute all the key blocks. Andrew Beck is mobile but he’s just not physically dominant at the point of attack. Perhaps Peyton Aucoin can be the answer here but it’s a tough job for a true freshman, if Texas can find some other OL maybe they could slide over the swiss army knife, Jake McMillon.

Finally there’s DT, which has three different guys that should be pretty good in 2016 with Paul Boyette, Poona Ford, and Chris Nelson but none of whom are great against the double team.

[Full IT article]

 

This is why Charlie has said (paraphrasing):

We need to get those five new defensive tackles in here A.S.A.P.! Three of them are over 300 pounds and one is right at it. We need to rotate in big bodies to keep our line fresh and wear down the offense.
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And he's absolutely right. Green Mile's early exit was a big blow because what we have now is not going to be able to hold up for an entire game.

My guess is that we'll see three of the five shirts get ripped off after four fall practices.

 

I feel like Ridge could have made this from an iffy group to a solid and maybe really good group. There's so much on this defense that depends on the D-line forcing numbers and creating gaps, it just seems like even adding one guy that you just can't block one-on-one ever would make a world of difference in the LB run support, taking a little pressure off the safeties and just making everyone's job easier. It sounds like this team has pieces to be really good everywhere but up front, and even there, it wouldn't take that much more.

One of those freshmen needs to come in and blow up.

 

That's a concern, a new group of [potentially] good DTs and other D players this year. It's going to be a young group again this year, but a lot of the young guys will have a season under their belts. The inexperience and question marks are at the DT position where we're thin on experience. I hope the new group of 5 can come in a get in the rotation this year, or it may be tough to stop an opponent's run game. We'll see soon enough. The newbies arrive in a little over a month for summer.

 

It is being reported at various places that DT Marcel Southall (along with Erick Fowler) will have to complete summer school before coming to UT in the fall. I don't think Southall was one of the 300+ lb. DTs to begin with, but this will probably set him back a bit for preparing for the season physically and scheme (or would that be "schemely").

 

Just because I "Liked" your comment doesn't mean I like it. If true, that's not good news attall – especially concerning Erick Fowler.

 

Did you like the word "schemely"?

This is the quote I read from SpursTalk.com:

OrangeBloods reporting DT Marcel Southall and LB Erick Fowler will have to take summer school in order to qualify.

However, things are expected to go smoothly and there isn't near the worry like there was with the Florida prospects or Lampkin.

 

Whoa!! Santos leaving!? Dang!! Good luck to him!

 

The four newest Longhorns keep building strong bonds off the field.

The [team] done with spring practice and players are busy preparing for finals, but that didn't stop the group of four early enrollees from continuing to spend time together, as quarterback Shane Buechele hosted wide receiver Collin Johnson, center Zach Shackelford, and linebacker Demarco Boyd in Arlington on Saturday evening for a Texas Rangers game:


Known as a gym rat for always being around the football offices and leading extra workouts, it appears that Buechele is intent on growing his leadership ability into the summer as he attempts to cement his position as the Texas quarterback of the future.

[Full (short) BON article]

So, the starting wide receiver and the starting center hosted by the starting(?) quarterback. Nice.

 

Gilbert-Mattox Quick Study – Heavy Sets

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In the past, Texas Offensive Coordinator, Sterlin Gilbert and Offensive Line coach, Matt Mattox haven’t shied away from utilizing heavy personnel. The coordinators’ ability to deploy heavy sets will ultimately depend on Texas’ personnel. Currently, the tight end type bodies on the Texas roster are Caleb Bluiett, Andrew Beck, and Blake Whitely.

Incoming is blocking expert and potential pass-catcher, at least fans hope, Peyton Aucoin. There will also be extra offensive linemen available for these sets, think incoming freshman Tope Imade. If and when all of these players become available, what might the possibilities be for them in the Gilbert-Mattox scheme?

Gilbert and Mattox have deployed heavy sets in the past and for various reasons. For starters, the run game is fairly multiple when you consider the team will run inside zone, outside zone, power, counter, and draw. When you add size and extra bodies into the fold, the variations can bring extra gaps along with misdirection and different lead blocking concepts.

As the defense brings extra numbers into the box, this also allows for isolated match-ups inside and outside via play-action or POP passes. Many will recall this being the case with the Swoopes-led ’18-Wheeler’ package, in which case quarterback runs were the focus. I don’t expect this to be any different in 2016.

Gilbert-Mattox are very flexible with their thinking and use of personnel. They want to get as many involved and vested as possible. When you have a runner at QB like Tyrone Swoopes, the added element of the QB run makes matters A LOT worse for the defense. So, rest assured, Longhorns fans, the beloved bludgeoning ’18-Wheeler’ will likely be preserved in 2016.

[Full TFB article]

This is so good on so many levels and in so many ways.

I can't help but think the GO won't include the 18-Wheeler – at least, not as it was last season. There may be some form of it in goal-to-10 situations where Swoopes comes in to run it.

Of course, I'll probably end up being as astute as Marion Crane deciding to shower at the Bates Motel.

 

BINGO!!!

 

Babers Ballyhoos Boo

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The spring game seemed to confirm all of the optimistic reports coming out of spring practice about Shane Buechele, while simultaneously affirming fans anxiety about Tyrone Swoopes.

We've heard Texas coaches rave about Buechele's gym-rat mentality, his maturity and his work ethic as valuable assets that have taken the quarterback competition to another level. He's what I call an "old soul," which is a fancy way of saying a player is mature beyond his years. Coaches love the old soul because their maturity helps regulate the maturity of your team and, often times, these players are natural leaders.

I’ve played with these old souls at every level, and a lot of the time they were coach’s kids and/or products of parents and/or relatives who were professional athletes. I would describe [them] as having an "old soul" because they grew up in a culture affirming the commitment and sacrifice it takes to be successful at an elite level in sports.

Buechele’s old soul comes from having a father, Steve Buechele, who played professional baseball for 11 seasons and is currently the Texas Rangers bench coach.

That the sports are different doesn't matter because Buechele's old soul was on display in the spring game. Whether he was throwing a football away to avoid a sack or pump faking to get a defensive back to bite, there’s a savvy and a presence about him for a true freshman.

Buechele’s old soul is the primary reason he will make more strides in the offseason than his counterparts. The offseason is a time when leadership is forged within a football team.

There’s another factor that becomes obvious watching Buechele running this offense: his comfort level.

All throughout spring practice the reports consistently stated... that the installation of Sterlin Gilbert's veer-and-shoot offense was going very well.

As Strong has stated many times, 95 percent of the offensive players he's recruiting are what I call "spread babies." They've grown up in a spread culture: it’s the only football they know. There have also been several reports suggesting Gilbert's offense isn't that different conceptually than the offense Buechele ran at Arlington Lamar. It certainly looked that way during the spring game.

The eye test proved many things while watching Swoopes and Buechele in the spring game, none more obvious than Buechele's compatibility with this offensive system... In this case Buechele seems to be a perfect match for where Texas wants to go and what the Longhorns want to become on offense.

Regardless of the way Strong and his staff decide to handle the quarterback depth chart for preseason practice, or the timeline to name a starter, there’s one group that will know who the starting quarterback is even before the coaches themselves: the players. Usually the locker room knows who they’re willing to trust and follow.

[Full 247 article]

 

It was interesting that during the spring game Buechele was about 3 seconds faster in getting a play off than was Swoopes. His comfort and familiarity in the spread may be serving him well in making quick decisions.

I still worry about a blind side sack by a 250 lb. DE or meeting a LB or safety about 10 yards down the field. He will not be VY durable or even Colt durable yet.

 

Locke Ready To Breakout

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The nickel position at Texas is very important and typically goes to a very well-rounded defensive back. The nickel is often tasked with ‘forcing’ perimeter runs, defending the cutback on weak side runs before pursuit, defending inside receivers in man and zone coverage, and perhaps most important, knocking-out opposing teams’ quarterbacks. I kid, I kid, but for real.

It’s important to note that the nickel will also be involved in the numerous 1 and 2-high coverages Strong and Bedford like to run.

Heading into 2016, Texas may have a number of options for the nickel position, considering the current roster and incoming freshmen, but among those players, one seems to stand out, PJ Locke.

Locke is setting himself up to have a breakout year. What may set Locke apart from his predecessors and contemporaries is his rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism. What you’d really like at the nickel position is a player that can hit and tackle like a Sam linebacker, but move like a defensive back, and in Locke’s case, he possesses both traits.

Considering that, what may really allow him to take the position to new heights is the potential to blitz him from the edge, alley, or the middle. If Locke becomes an effective blitzer, it allows the staff to be much more multiple in the pressures they bring, as they attempt to pick apart opposing teams’ pass protection schemes.

In essence, what PJ Locke brings is the mentality and physicality of a linebacker along with the movement skills of a corner. THAT is why I’m expecting great things from the young man.

This post only scratches the surface with regard to some of the things we may see from the nickel position this year, but the main point is that Locke represents a balance as an athlete very few players at the position have possessed, past and present.

[Full TFB article]

 

Texas’ Answer To The Spread-I Formation​

One of the more popular formations right now in spread football is the spread-I, a set where the team uses a FB or H-back to allow them to execute a two-back run game (with power, counter, and iso/lead runs) while still spreading the defense out with three WRs.

This is a Baylor specialty and it makes for a really nasty downhill run game and play-action passing attack when the lead blocker is good and the slot is a threat in the seam. Texas worked a nice look against it designed to keep the ball tightly contained while freeing up the nickel and deep safety to concentrate on negating the threat of play-action.

Here’s an example against power:



The DEs are looking to force the ball inside unless the tackle blocks down, in which case they are looking to take on the kick out block and spill the ball outside. The box safety (DeShon Elliott in this instance) needs to respond by replacing the end and getting outside of the pulling blocker to force the ball inside.

The benefits of playing the scheme this way is that the linebackers can just sit in their gaps and play downhill and the DTs don’t have to be heroes against the double team. On this play Paul Boyette is unable to protect Anthony Wheeler from Tristan Nickelson reaching him, but Elliott’s insertion on the edge means no one is there to block the middle linebacker.

This is how a guy like Tim Cole makes seven tackles and looks like a champ all afternoon.

The DEs have to play that kick out block really well or you can get into trouble but as we already covered, Texas’ guys played really well there.

Here’s how this looks against an Iso-style run:



Now the DEs are strictly playing contain, the LBs are still filling their primary gaps, and the box safety is responsible for making the tackle after the LB blows up the lead blocker.

The box safety has to be Johnny on the spot in this scheme, recognizing the blocks and getting himself into the right positions. Elliott was a mixed bag in the Spring game (on one occasion he failed to get outside but then Malik covered for him) but Kevin Vaccaro did well. There’s no doubt Elliott was the most athletic and versatile safety on the field in the scrimmage but you could see places where he’s still working out his role. It’s a shame we couldn’t see how Jason Hall looks in this scheme.

[Full IT article]

 

Catching Fire

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Of all the units, the [Longhorns] wide receivers stand to make the biggest leap in 2016. Though much of that production will be contingent on improved quarterback play, the nature of the offense definitely lends itself to getting the ball into the collective hands of this unit. In Sterlin Gilbert’s offense, receivers are organized, for the most part, as outside and inside receivers. The current roster boasts the following names at the position.

Outside: John Burt, Armanti Foreman, Dorian Leonard, Collin Johnson, Garrett Gray.

Inside: Lorenzo Joe, Jacorey Warrick, DeAndre McNeal, Ryan Newsome, Jake Oliver, [and] Ty Templin.

Tight end and or H-back types (aligned in-line, split, or in the backfield): Caleb Bluiett, Andrew Beck, Blake Whitely, and Peyton Aucoin, think of them as inside receivers in the passing game.

The presence of Burt, Foreman, and Johnson gives this unit an impressive combination of speed and length outside. Given that Burt already shows flashes of next-level ability and newcomer Collin Johnson is reportedly the real deal, a quick and fast 6’6? outside threat, it makes it very difficult to curb any enthusiasm regarding this unit.

Add to it some of the aforementioned names that also possess talent and you have the makings of a unit set to explode.

The Longhorns have speed on the outside and will have size with newcomers the likes of Collin Johnson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Given some of the dropped passes in the Spring Game, I suspect some of the newcomers will receive serious early looks.

[Full TFB article]

 

Tulsa WR = Burt & Johnson?

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In 2015, no other pass-catcher racked up as many yards as former Tulsa Golden Hurricane star Keyarris Garrett. This fall, Texas Longhorns wide receivers John Burt and Collin Johnson will fight for opportunities to make a similar impact with Sterlin Gilbert bringing his offense to Austin.

A 6'3, 220-pounder from Daingerfield, Garrett was a mid three-star prospect who didn't hold any other offers coming out of high school, but gained 35 pounds, increased his speed, and was one of the primary beneficiaries of Gilbert's arrival at Tulsa, doubling his number of catches and receiving yards from 2014.

Most relevant to envisioning how Garrett's success could translate to Burt continuing to emerge as a sophomore and Johnson to build on his buzz-building spring is how the Tulsa star gained his yardage. Garret did most of his damage on post routes, go routes, slants, and hitches. In fact, those four routes accounted for over 90 percent of his production because those are the primary routes used in Gilbert's version of the veer-and-shoot offense.

Burt already showed his aptitude running those deep routes last season... Of the two big Texas wide receivers, Burt has the better speed to take advantage of defenders on post and go routes...

After running hurdles this spring and spending nearly a year in the Texas strength and conditioning program, Burt... showed it off during the spring game when he blasted past former world-class sprinter Sheroid Evans early on a go route. Later, on a double move, he flashed that speed again on his 65-yard touchdown catch...

As good as Garrett was in stretching the field vertically, he was able to take advantage of off coverage with his physicality on slants and hitches. One nasty set of complementary plays that Gilbert likes to use is the combination of a screen pass using Garrett as a blocker and then a slant route where Garrett fakes a block and then darts inside.

Currently at 212 pounds, Johnson probably has more tackle-breaking upside than Burt because of his mass, which should only increase over the summer. He's also exceptionally physical for a big wide receiver... he tries to physically challenge smaller defensive backs by lowering his shoulder and attempting to run them over.

If he can combine that type of effort with an effective stiff arm and have his quarterback throw him open on hitch routes,... Johnson has the profile of someone who can hurt defenses with yards after the catch on short, easy passes.

By themselves, neither one is likely to come close to Garrett's production last season in terms of yards and catches because they will have to split those chances. Just don't be surprised when Gilbert's offense unleashes the collective potential of Burt and Johnson and allows them to combine outstanding numbers.

[Full BON article]