Fall Camp 2022

Discussion in 'On The Field' started by Godz40acres, Jul 26, 2022.

  1. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    [​IMG]
    Comin' up cwick! I'm ready for the Sark sequel, "SARK II!" (Just hope I can last this year and enjoy it.)

    The 2021 season looked promising until it didn't; which was too soon. Fingers crossed the boys absorb the coaches' techniques and quickly solidify their units.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  2. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Hook'em Headlines:
    2-deep Offensive Depth Chart Heading Into Fall Camp

    Left guard
    Starter: Junior Angilau
    Backup: Cole Hutson

    Center
    Starter: Jake Majors
    Backup: Logan Parr

    Right guard
    Starter: Hayden Conner
    Backup: Devon Campbell

    Left tackle
    Starter: Kelvin Banks
    Backup: Cam Williams

    Right tackle
    Starter: Andrej Karic
    Backup: Christian Jones

    Tight end
    Starter: Jahleel Billingsley OR Ja’Tavion Sanders
    Backup: Gunnar Helm

    X-wide receiver
    Starter: Xavier Worthy
    Backup: Agiye Hall

    H-wide receiver
    Starter: Jordan Whittington
    Backup: Tarique Milton OR Brenen Thompson

    Z-wide receiver
    Starter: Isaiah Neyor
    Backup: Troy Omeire

    Running back
    Starter: Bijan Robinson
    Backup: Roschon Johnson OR Keilan Robinson

    Quarterback
    Starter: Quinn Ewers
    Backup: Hudson Card

    [Click here for more at the Hook'em Headlines article]
     
    • Like Like x 4
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
  3. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

     
    • Like Like x 2
  4. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Hook'em Headlines:
    3 Upperclassmen With Most To Prove In Fall Camp

    Tarique Milton, WR

    One of the most underrated additions for the Longhorns out of the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason was the former Iowa State Cyclones elusive senior wide receiver Tarique Milton. If Texas is going to get any version of Milton that is even somewhat close to what we saw from him at Iowa State in 2019, then this will be a tremendous addition to the receiving corps.

    Milton was a big-time playmaker at Iowa State during the 2019 season. But injuries and other underclassmen stepping up in the receiving corps would ultimately wind up supplanting him in the last couple of seasons. After having a breakout 2019 campaign, where Milton registered more than 700 receiving yards and three touchdown catches, his yardage was roughly cut in half in the last two seasons combined....

    Moro Ojomo, DL

    Another upperclassmen that has contributed in meaningful ways in the Big 12 for multiple seasons now that could have a battle for his spot on the depth chart this fall is the super senior defensive lineman Moro Ojomo. Yet, last season didn’t see Ojomo live up to some of the expectations the Longhorns faithful had for him in the first year under Sark’s regime.

    Ojomo just didn’t have much of an impact in an area where Texas needed it, in the pass rush. He posted career-lows in sacks, QB hits, and pressures during his time as a regular for this Texas defensive line. Ojomo was one of a plethora of Texas defensive players that really saw their production dip during the six-game losing streak last season.

    But it wasn’t all bad for Ojomo last season as he posted a career-best defensive grade and had a career-high 20 stops and nearly a dozen run stuffs. He also posted a career-best with 3.5 tackles for loss....

    Christian Jones, OT

    The upperclassmen for the Longhorns on this list that is definitely facing the most danger of losing his starting spot this fall is the super senior offensive tackle Christian Jones. Texas is going to see some pretty significant changes take place along the offensive line this fall. And Jones could be one of the first starters that moves down the depth chart in fall camp as this staff looks to improve in the trenches after a bad showing at times last season.

    It didn’t go particularly well last season for offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood and the Longhorns having Jones as the starting left tackle. Jones led the Longhorns in quarterback pressures allowed, and it wasn’t very close, with two-dozen last season. He also posted the lowest run-blocking grade among the regular starters along the offensive line last season....

    [Click here for more at the Hook'em Headlines article]
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
  5. X Misn Tx

    X Misn Tx 2,500+ Posts

    It's Sark Week!
     
    • Winner Winner x 5
    • Like Like x 1
  6. Pickle_Nuts

    Pickle_Nuts Will travel with tickets.

    Shut the board down, there will not be a better comment until next Monday or later.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Funny Funny x 2
  7. mchammer

    mchammer 10,000+ Posts

    Jones was @SabreHorn favorite OL last year. Apparently he was noticed by others as well, and thus he is found on this list.
     
  8. Horns11

    Horns11 10,000+ Posts

    Seems like all of our OL was "noticed" last year. But Banks and Williams as the 1 and 2 at the blind side position? I know we were historically bad on QBP allowed last year, so placing guys who have never played a snap is sure to fix it...

    Milton's 2019 clips really look a lot like JW. I guess the issue is whether he'll ever be able to regain his playing condition from 3 seasons ago. ISU sure didn't believe so, and I tend to trust their staff more than pretty much any other in the XII. I'm hoping Alexis or Thompson get the first crack at snaps that otherwise would be Milton's.

    I'll believe TE hype when I see it on the field. This reminds me an awful lot of "you won't BELIEVE what Blaine Irby is doing to the defense!" leading into the 2008 season. And I still think Sanders should be playing DE.

    I think Finkley replaces Oghoufo as the primary buck, and I don't think it'll be close after watching film.

    A 2-deep that doesn't have Brockermeyer at LB is... misguided? I think the staff really digs him, and while I don't like that we had to use him so much, I still think he'll get more snaps than Ford or Gbenda. Tucker-Dorsey is the dark horse, but it's going to be a leap from tackling Morehead and Elon backs to OU and Bama players.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  9. RainH2burntO

    RainH2burntO 2,500+ Posts

    Great to see you, Godz.
    Thanks for starting this
    -football intensive- thread.
    :hookem:
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. RainH2burntO

    RainH2burntO 2,500+ Posts

    I felt like Brock looked very slow and a step behind last year.
    Anyone else observe this?
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
  11. moondog_LFZ

    moondog_LFZ 5,000+ Posts

    Has Sark named a starter or just someone's projection?
     
  12. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Just a projection. Sark's waiting for me to tell him who to pick.
     
    • Funny Funny x 6
  13. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    Ok in the interior OL (C and Gs).
    Looking a bit shaky at OT.
    Our OTs have especially had trouble handling the quick and speedy rush ends.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  14. mchammer

    mchammer 10,000+ Posts

    Thus the need for 2 good TE’s:

    5 OL
    2 TE
    2 QB/RB
    2 WR
     
  15. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Bijan and Roschon lead the way,
    but who is behind them?

    Texas has known commodities at the top two spots of its running back depth chart. Junior Bijan Robinson was selected as the Big 12 preseason offensive player of the year in recent weeks after his 1127-yard sophomore season. Senior Roschon Johnson missed out on the media’s preseason All-Big 12 team, but joined Robinson on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top back.

    Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has heaped mountains of praise on both Robinson and Johnson since the 2021 season ended. Not only has that duo performed on the field, they’ve done everything Sarkisian and his coaching staff believe is right off of the playing surface....

    Keilan Robinson enters his second year in the Longhorn program. The Alabama transfer was third on the team in rushing yardage behind Bijan Robinson and Johnson with 322 yards on 45 carries. Following Bijan Robinson’s season ending injury versus Kansas, Keilan Robinson rushed for 111 yards and a score on nine carries in the game at West Virginia.

    Keilan Robinson also plays a key role on special teams. His explosive quickness that was made evident a handful of times last year is useful not just in the return game, but also on punt block and other special teams units.

    For Robinson to find more opportunities than that of a change-of-pace back, his hands need to improve. In 11 games last season, Robinson caught seven of the 10 passes intended for him. For as often as Sarkisian distributes the ball to running backs in the pass game, better hands are needed for him to be more than a wrinkle.

    Contending for the third spot with Robinson is Johnathon Brooks. A standout at Hallettsville, Brooks rushed 21 times for 143 yards and a score last year, and played meaningful snaps versus Kansas when injury plagued the position. However, he too fell victim to injury and was lost for the year in that game....

    Jaydon Blue elected to sit out his senior season at Klein Cain High School in the Houston area before enrolling at Texas. That raised eyebrows for those following his recruitment, but a fellow member of his running back room said Blue has acclimated himself well to college football....

    Blue arrived at Texas with tremendous physical gifts as evidenced by his personal best 10.7 in the 100m. After taking a hiatus from competition, so far Blue has proven those gifts have translated to Texas.

    [More at IT]
     
    • Like Like x 3
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
  16. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Numerous Texas Longhorns breakout candidates
    exist on both sides of the ball

    [​IMG]
    *Defense*

    This may get revised in late August depending on how camp goes, but the Texas Longhorns have a handful of candidates to break out in 2022....

    SO Byron Murphy

    Previous season: Honorable mention Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the year. Played in all 12 games with 1 start. 15 tackles (10 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

    Optimism: Murphy is competing with Keondre Coburn to start and has a real chance to win out. Even if he doesn’t become the starter in name, he’ll play starter’s snaps. His nickname could be ‘The Motor’ and when that’s the case, it sets a high floor for a defensive lineman... Murphy combines the low-man advantage with power and feet and agility befitting a much smaller player.

    JR Jaylan Ford

    Previous season: Played in all 12 games with 2 starts. 53 tackles (29 solo), 6 tackles for loss

    Optimism: Ford has taken control of the Mike position and is a lock to start, barring injury. He has flashed the combination of skills required to excel at the position, including perhaps the most important with instincts for the position. An underrated aspect of Ford’s game is his athleticism in space... He is not a finished product but entering his junior year he’s poised to make a big-time jump as full-time starter.

    JR Jahdae Barron

    Previous season: Played in 9 games with 2 starts. 18 tackles (12 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass break-ups

    Optimism: Barron was widely considered the best defensive back over the course of the spring. His versatility has him primed to start at Star (nickel) but he’s a corner first and foremost and is one of two corners on the field when the team is in base. Essentially, he won’t leave the field... Like Ford, he’s already shown physicality for his position... [W]ith Barron now at the position, coverage will improve further....

    August is always a time for surprise players to announce themselves. Last year at this time Xavier Worthy would have made this list. Let’s see if any of the talented freshmen make their way into a revision.

    [More at IT]
    I'll post his offensive players in the article later.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
  17. RainH2burntO

    RainH2burntO 2,500+ Posts

    Keilan Robinson = underutilized IMHO
    Also IMHO Brooks looks like the real deal, too. Looked like he was about to breakout ahead of schedule before the injury. And if Blue proves to be real...hold your mouthguards.
    Anyone care to compare the current state of UT RB room (with '23 recruits in mind, also..especially if we get Baxter) to former RB rich days on The 40???
    Very strong right now in that room and likely adding two more top backs next cycle.

    You can tell alot about a program when depth starts growing at key positions.
    (hint: They're all key positions)
     
    • Like Like x 1
  18. RainH2burntO

    RainH2burntO 2,500+ Posts

    One thing that would add some excitement coming through and out of Fall camp would be if Omeire somehow reemerges impressing AND healthy ....to add to our already stout WR weaponry.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  19. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    With K Robinson, Brooks & Blue, I’d say that we’re in about as good a position (at that position) as we could be.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  20. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    I agree. The coaches aren’t dumb, so they must either see a breakout opportunity for Sanders at TE or perhaps he has expressed a strong desire to remain on the O side of the ball. But man do we need a stud rush end…
     
    • Like Like x 1
  21. Dionysus

    Dionysus Idoit Admin

    • Like Like x 3
    • Hot Hot x 1
  22. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Numerous Texas Longhorns breakout candidates
    exist on both sides of the ball – Part II

    [​IMG]
    *Offense*

    I’m omitting the quarterback position, but whoever the starter is will also be a prime candidate to become one of the conference’s breakout stars.

    SO Hayden Conner

    Previous season: Played in 8 games

    Optimism: There has been optimism regarding Conner’s overall ability since spring of his freshman season when he enrolled early. That optimism proved credible in Conner’s limited action in 2021 and then again in the most recent spring game. Conner’s intelligence lends itself to versatility, as does his size. He was a clear winner of the Kyle Flood hire as he fits Flood’s ‘large human’ type. Conner is a solid athlete, solid enough to get looks at offensive tackle. He’s more likely to shine this season at one of the guard spots.

    TE Ja’Tavion Sanders

    Previous season: Played in 12 games, mostly on special teams

    Optimism: Initial excitement was created by his two-way high school career and five-star rating but he had a quiet first year... However, the switch flip this past January and Sanders started making progress in leaps and bounds, culminating in an exciting spring game performance... Not known for his blocking, Sanders is showing to be good enough in that regard early in his career. Much better known for his receiving, he’ll enable Steve Sarkisian’s passing attack to remain dangerous in two tight end sets with Alabama transfer Jahleel Billingsley.

    WR Isaiah Neyor

    Previous season: Second-team All-Mountain West Conference. 44 receptions for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns

    Optimism: ... Real optimism resides in the fact he’s been fantastic and more well-rounded than initially expected against quality P5 corners. Optimism further stems from Sark’s ability to spread the ball around and create favorable matchups for downfield threats. But overall, Neyor is a more complete receiver than initially thought and should threaten the whole field, not just the vertical sideline.

    August is always a time for surprise players to announce themselves. Last year at this time Xavier Worthy would have made this list. Let’s see if any of the talented freshmen make their way into a revision.

    [More at IT]
     
    • Like Like x 1
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
  23. mchammer

    mchammer 10,000+ Posts

    I am thinking of a 3 TE set with 2 WR and an empty backfield. JWhitt could start at the RB position and then move to WR before the snap. He could also run the ball on short yardage plays. Seems like the ideal 4th down package for Sark.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  24. Your Wrong

    Your Wrong 500+ Posts


    I’ll jump in here as a newbie so feel free to disregard. Plus I’m long winded. Was he slow? I don’t know, but I think your perception is common. There have been screenshots about top speeds out there. Ford is the fastest LB this year, but I thought last year Brockermeyer was up there near the top. Wish I could find those screenshots.

    These two guys are polar opposite’s with respect to fans perceptions. In my opinion, they are dead wrong. I realize posted grades reflect poorly on the LBers, but the methodology is a little fuzzy and the behind the scenes info is unavailable. From my perspective, I’d take Brockermeyer in pass defense over any LBer I can remember. Not always but he generally gets better depth in his drops than the others. He generally reads screens better. I’m not sure what is taught, but the general thought I hear common folk discuss is to eye the QBs eyes. Yes and no. A good QB will deceive you with his eyes. As a defender you need to learn to follow the flow of the route runners with the eyes/shoulders of the QB. If you watch us, you’ll see Brockermeyer flow better and make some throwing windows a little tighter. See WVU and their 3rd and long passes and notice who is in and who’s not. That’s not to say the result would be any different but our depth was not good enough. Ford is pretty good at closing once thrown underneath, but he’s a bit more stationary in his drops.

    You also should keep in mind they both do good things so just cause one doesn’t make a particular play that the other is always better. They’re both capable.

    I’d say Brockermeyer consistently reads plays better but part of that may be because he’s more patient, but that probably means he’d get fewer TFLs than a more aggressive Ford or certainly a guy like Gbenda. I’ll take a gain of 1 versus a loss of 1 on 1st and down if you are more able to diagnose the next two plays. Some of that’s a bit of flash over subtlety.

    Our LBers have to engage a lineman almost every play. And as I’ve watched again I think our starters did a decent job of that. Early in the season we didn’t sub much and that hurt us later on. There are probably times when they’d be better served evading the blocker, but that’s not ideal for a well disciplined team because you leave a teammate vulnerable to what they feel you should be doing.

    With that in mind, we have too much of what appears to be not doing your job. Since I don’t know the coaching instruction, I can’t say for certain here, but there seems to be some perception that a LBer lined up inside is expected to contend with an Olineman and get outside to make a clean tackle. That’s even if we have a DB coming off the edge who not only fails to contain but doesn’t even slightly slow the RB down. As a LBer flowing inside to outside, it would be my expectation that guy does his job on the edge, which changes my approach as an inside guy. I’d be cautious about flowing too quickly and getting kicked out and allowing the cutback. I distinctly remember two long runs in which the DB should have had a tackle for no gain but instead they took themselves out of the play. And yeah Brockermeyer was a half step slow. But the major problem is outside contain was blown.
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Hot Hot x 1
  25. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    [​IMG]
     
    • Funny Funny x 4
  26. Sangre Naranjada

    Sangre Naranjada 10,000+ Posts

    You'd take Bijan off the field for 4th down? Sounds like Pete Carroll/Reggie Bush type decision-making to me.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  27. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    [​IMG]

    Good info in this video. It's cued to the beginning of the Neyor segment. If you want to skip to Cook, it's at 11:35.

     
    • Like Like x 2
  28. X Misn Tx

    X Misn Tx 2,500+ Posts

    This is what I'm anxious to hear about
     
  29. mchammer

    mchammer 10,000+ Posts

    We would have JWhitt, Savion (TE), and Worthy. JWhitt may be better for short yardage. Bijan for other down and distance situations.
     
  30. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    [​IMG]

    5. Safety

    Texas is now relying on a bunch of players who’ve moved from other positions - boundary safeties Anthony Cook (from nickel) and Mo Blackwell (from linebacker), field safety Kitan Crawford (from cornerback) as well as returning field safety Jerrin Thompson, who started five games last season.

    Steve Sarkisian has said he moved Cook and Crawford to safety as well as Jahdae Barron from corner to nickel to create better pass coverage without sacrificing the physicality and tackling required....

    MY TAKE: Coaches are counting on Cook to be the wiley veteran and play-making leader of the secondary. Cook got his hands on a lot of footballs in the spring... The battle between Jerrin Thompson and Kitan Crawford at field safety will be one of the best in fall camp.

    4. Linebacker

    There was nothing special about Texas’ linebacking corps last year with maybe the exception of DeMarvion Overshown’s first quarter against Oklahoma, when he had a sack and a punt block on back-to-back plays on OU’s opening possession...

    Coaches are hoping the play-making at linebacker will improve exponentially in 2022 with the surging confidence of junior middle linebacker Jaylan Ford (6-2, 238) as well as the combination of David Gbenda (6-0, 235) and... Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey (5-10, 219) at weakside linebacker....

    Overshown will still play weakside linebacker... when UT is in nickel. But expect Texas to be in more 4-3 looks this season because of the versatility it gives Texas in stopping the run and rushing the passer.

    Jett Bush and Devin Richardson will be backing up Ford at middle linebacker while last year’s starter, Luke Brockermeyer... won’t be cleared until after fall camp....

    MY TAKE: Jaylan Ford was the team’s third-leading tackler last season despite making only two starts. Coaches wanted him to play with more confidence in the spring, and he did. Not since Gary Johnson... has Texas had a true difference-maker at linebacker.

    3. Edge rush

    Last year, the Texas defense didn’t have a player opposing offenses had to account for on every play as the Longhorns allowed opponents to complete 67.6 percent of their passes.

    MY TAKE: [A]nything would be better than last season, and Texas has too much talent for there not to be considerable improvement. The coaching has to be better... in Year 2 in putting guys in position to make plays.

    2. Offensive Tackle

    Christian Jones started every game at left tackle in 2021... struggling mightily in pass protection while leading the offensive line in penalties (8), sacks given up (4), hurries allowed (16) and pressures allowed (23)....

    Derek Kerstetter must be replaced at right tackle, where Jones is now trying to win the job while facing competition from Jaylen Garth and a few true freshmen, including mammoth Cameron Williams (6-7, 274).

    MY TAKE: The development of the offensive tackles in 2022 will make or break the entire O-line.... Coaches have been incredibly impressed with the work ethic of Banks and Campbell and love the upside of Cole Hutson... as well as Williams’ ability to move at his size....

    1. Quarterback

    [Quinn] Ewers is what Sarkisian wants at quarterback - a pro-style passer who will hang in the pocket and go through his reads to find the open receiver....

    Teammates say Ewers off the field is a cool cat who is fun to be around and on the field is a cool cat who can make all the throws, including those awkward arm-angle throws.

    MY TAKE: ... [A] new rule allowing the coaches to actually conduct on-field coaching with players for two hours per week during the summer has come at a perfect time for Sarkisian to work with his quarterbacks, but especially Ewers.

    [More at Horns247]
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022

Share This Page