Fall Camp 2016

Discussion in 'On The Field' started by Godz40acres, Aug 1, 2016.

  1. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Malcolm Roach/Erick Fowler: HC Charlie Strong said on Saturday that freshman linebacker Erick Fowler will start his career at Texas at ILB. While I’ve said a major reason for that is due to the lack of quality depth at LB right now, another reason is the emergence of Malcolm Roach at FOX. I stated earlier during camp that Roach and sophomore Breckyn Hager had been doing a great job of pushing senior Naashon Hughes. While I expect Hughes to start, Roach will play. I was told by one source after Saturday’s scrimmage, “Roach is a dude, he’s always in the backfield.”

    At 6’1 Fowler doesn’t have ideal height for a pass-rusher in the four man front but Charlie has played both three and four man fronts. Fowler can be a menace playing a stand up position with three down-linemen. That front masks his height deficiency. I expect him to be back at FOX, likely in 2017. I say this because I expect to see more varied fronts next year. Also, Naashon Hughes will be gone, Malcolm Roach could very likely be moved to SDE as he’s already north of 260 lbs, and Breckyn Hager is, in my opinion, a pass rush specialist, not an every down player at FOX. That’s where Fowler slides in. Just some stuff I’ve heard over the weekend.

    Jeffrey McCulloch: I was chatting with someone close to the Texas program over the weekend and one of the players mentioned was freshman linebacker, Jeffrey McCulloch. How much the young linebacker plays this year remains to be seen but in this person’s opinion, he has a very bright future. “Jeff is going to be special. You don’t find guys that big move like that. He moves like a ‘db'.”

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  2. OldHippie

    OldHippie 2,500+ Posts

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  3. caryhorn

    caryhorn 5,000+ Posts

    That sucks that we lost him. On the other hand, glad for him. Hope it works out for him.
     
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  4. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Another poster posted this post:

    If I was Coach Strong, I would lock Foreman and Warren in a room and make them watch this for about 20 straight hours and tell them, "This is what we expect, men."

     
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  5. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Reports coming out that QB Kai Locksley is taking some WR reps.



    Also, that DE Quincy Vasser is getting a look at TE.
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2016
  6. Horns11

    Horns11 10,000+ Posts

    Not sure exactly how many people we have to sign at TE every season before moving someone over from the defensive side of the ball. That position has been a barren wasteland since Irby's injury against Rice.
     
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  7. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    What we’ve heard:
    • Nothing new on center Zach Shackelford, but we’ve been told if there’s hope of him playing for Notre Dame they’d like to see him back at practice this week.
    • We expect Tristan Nickelson to be back and healthy. In the meantime, Denzel Okafor and Brandon Hodges have done a good job taking first team reps at right tackle. Hodges has never been able to take control of a starting position, but he might be able to turn into a utility man on the offensive line. Hodges is learning multiple positions, and he could be a plug in guy throughout the season.
    • We hear the running backs are rounding back into form, and their days off were largely a result of a conservative approach from the training staff.
    • One name you haven’t heard from receiver reports is Davion Curtis. We checked in on him this week and were told to be prepared for him to play quite a bit this season. Curtis has been the leader among the young receivers when it comes to learning the offense, and he often assists others with getting up to speed. He’s working on both sides in the slot position, and he’s doing very well against a talented secondary group in practice.
    • While guys like Jacorey Warrick and Jake Oliver will get some early time in the slot, expect the young group of Curtis, Devin Duvernay, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey to all push them. If Foreman is healthy he should be in right away, but the young guys have all had some great moments during camp.
    • We’re hearing the transition of Jerrod Heard to receiver is going very well. Expect him to play early and often in some packages, because his athleticism is just too good to keep off the field.
    • Speaking of quarterbacks switching to receiver, a little birdie told us that Kai Locksley might be warming up to the idea. A great indication of that is the fact that he was working on punt return in practice per Charlie Strong.
    • On the defensive side of the ball we are told that Anthony Wheeler is really having a great camp. If Wheeler can take the next step, he and Malik Jefferson could combine for a scary duo.
    • Word from the weekend scrimmage is that Malcolm Roach is providing an early surge at the Fox position. Roach is already over 260 pounds, but he’s playing with some nice pass rush ability and disrupting plays.
    • Jason Hall is still holding on to his starting position, but DeShon Elliott is having a marvelous camp from what we know. Elliott put in a lot of work this offseason, and his natural playmaking ability is starting to show up.
    [HS]
     
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  8. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Agree.

    -------

    Horns247 posted stuff I didn't know on Bluiett and quotes by Traylor:

    As good as Caleb Bluiett was at tight end last season there’s plenty of reasons to think he could have greater impact on the offense in 2016. The 6-foot-3, 257-pound senior made the move back to tight

    end, where he spent time during his redshirt freshman season before moving back to defense, during camp all while recovering from an ACL tear he suffered late in the 2014 season.

    Passing game coordinator Jeff Traylor said Bluiett also dealt with a hand injury last season, which means he may have better productions than the 20.9 yards per reception he averaged, the two

    touchdowns he scored and the prowess he showed in emerging as one of the better blocking tight ends in the Big 12.

    “He played through the whole season kind of with one hand and on one leg,” Traylor said. “I think with two legs, two hands and some experience you’re going to see a better Caleb Bluiett.”
     
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  9. caryhorn

    caryhorn 5,000+ Posts

    That run by Earl is awesome for so many reasons! Thank you for posting it.
    First, he has the quickness, as a very big RB, to take the pitch and beat the defense to the outside; then he has the shiftiness to make a quick cut to the hole that opens just inside of the wideout gap; then his speed beats all but one D-back to the flag; he is hit hard by the D-back at the three yard line; Earl CARRIES the D-back into the end zone where the D-back then falls off Earl harmlessly to the turf; Earl somehow regains his balance, dances sideways a few steps and straightens up to slowly come to a stop, on his own power about five yards deep in the E-zone.

    That run really encapsulates just about everything you need to know about the greatest running back (imho) that ever donned the burnt orange and white. :hookem2:
     
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  10. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller


     
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  11. p_town_horn

    p_town_horn 1,000+ Posts

    I think Bluiett is one of our least talked about gems. He loves to hit people (former DE) and is faster and has better hands than you would expect. He flashed last year but was underutilized. I think the minds of Traylor and Gilbert will find more ways to use him this year and we will all be reminded of the glory days at TE.

    :hookem: for you Mr. Bluiett. I predict that you will be a red-zone menace this year with at least 6 touchdown catches!!

    Combine that with two steamroller RBs, and I think we have a pretty potent red zone offense this year.
     
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  12. Detective Shilala

    Detective Shilala 2,500+ Posts

    I like the cut of his jib. (did I just say "cut of his jib")
    Seriously, the guy is intense about his football. You can see it on the field and on the sidelines. Good guy to have in the locker room and I hope he sees a lot more of the ball this year because good things happened last year when they throw to him.
     
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  13. LAGA4

    LAGA4 500+ Posts

    That's a good take on Earl's run, however, he did a little more than carry the DB to the end zone, he blew him up like a clay pigeon.
     
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  14. Driver 8

    Driver 8 Amor Fati

  15. ProdigalHorn

    ProdigalHorn 10,000+ Posts

    You know, some guys are content to just spike the football when they score. Earl preferred to spike the defensive back.
     
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  16. BevoQ

    BevoQ 250+ Posts

    I think Mike Leach tried that already... Apparently it's frowned upon.
     
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  17. bystander

    bystander 10,000+ Posts

    Sure could have used the depth at center this year.
     
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  18. bystander

    bystander 10,000+ Posts

    Besides Earl going through the defender like crap through a goose, the blocking on this run was text-book.
     
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  19. Driver 8

    Driver 8 Amor Fati

    Jerrod Heard article at Hookem.com - by Brian Davis

    I was all for it and ready to go

    jerrod.jpg

    Texas receiver Jerrod Heard said he’s enjoyed the position change and he’s “loving every minute of it.”

    Heard had not spoken to reporters since news broke earlier in August about his new role. The sophomore started 10 games at quarterback last season but is now lining up in the slot.

    “I didn’t fight nothing,” Heard said Tuesday. “Really, I was ready for the transition myself. I felt like it would be a positive thing for me and my future. I was all for it and ready to go.”

    For Heard, the mere idea of sitting on the bench had to be unbearable. He won two state titles in high school and played a key role with the Longhorns last season. If Heard didn’t change positions, he likely would have been anchored to the sideline as life rolled on.

    Heard said he’s studied some other former quarterbacks who reached the NFL as a receiver. That’s a career track Heard can see for himself.

    “It’s a humbling thing, and you do want to do things to get yourself out there,” Heard said. “Like in my situation, I made that transition. I don’t want to say bad, but I do feel like I’ve got to be out there. I feel like I’ve got to continue to help this team and be that reliable guy.”

    As for who should start at quarterback, Heard couldn’t choose between Tyrone Swoopes and Shane Buechele.

    “I’d like to see all three of us run out there,” he joked.
     
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  20. easy

    easy 2,500+ Posts

     
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  21. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

  22. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Kai Locksley: I was told that Kai Locklsey worked extensively at WR on Tuesday. I had previously stated that I believed Locksley would have a smoother transition to WR than Heard would, but with this switch so close to the season opener, the impact Locksley will have in 2016 it is truly unknown.

    Remember that Locksley played WR at the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game and held his own vs some of the best DBs in the nation. Additionally, his knowledge of the offense should help his transition.

    Armanti Foreman: Foreman had been held out of practice for awhile due to an ankle injury. I was told last night that he was back working out with the team during practice. While he was working in individual WR drills, he wasn’t out there as much during 11-on-11 period. It sounds like Foreman should be back at 100% by next week.

    Zach Shackelford: I was told last night that while freshman center Zach Shackelford hasn’t returned to practice yet due to an ankle injury, he is out of a walking boot which is a positive sign. The staff is still optimistic he will be able to return before the Notre Dame game. Right now RS sophomore Jake McMillon is taking the first team reps at center followed by RS sophomore Terrell Cuney.

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  23. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    The four underclassmen who were arrested over the weekend will be available to play against Texas, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said Wednesday, although their status could change if the University decides to hand down further discipline.

    Those players—running back Dexter Williams, linebacker Tevon Coney, wide receiver Kevin Stepherson and cornerback Ashton White—are participating in practice.

    Senior cornerback Devin Butler, however, is not. Butler was suspended indefinitely on Sunday. He pleaded not guilty to two felony charges Wednesday afternoon in a court appearance.

    An even swifter decision was made in the case of senior free safety Max Redfield, whom Kelly dismissed from the team Sunday. Redfield was with the four underclassmen Friday night in Fulton County (Ind.) when they were arrested following a traffic stop. All five were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, while Redfield, Williams and Stepherson face an additional misdemeanor charge of possession of a handgun without a license.

    [247]
     
  24. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    The Quarterbacks

    Jerrod Heard – The quarterback roster has changed, as the long-suspected move of Jerrod Heard to wide receiver was confirmed during Fall camp. I like the move, but don’t count ‘Juice’ out just yet, fans may see him take some snaps this season before long (read ‘Hazardous Heard’).

    Tyrone Swoopes – The embattled big man will likely receive playing time, a good way to provide the staff with important confirmation, can Swoopes overcome his troubled past under ‘live fire’? Also, don’t forget the ’18-Wheeler’ package, as Gilbert and Mattox do employ ‘jumbo’ personnel in short yardage and goal line situations.

    Shane Buechele – ‘Sugar’ Shane, as I call him is a gifted passer with sniper-like accuracy. The current knock on Shane, he’s small and may struggle some pushing the ball deep downfield. That said, if he’s accurate, understands coverage, and completes throws underneath, that may be enough. His first appearance will have all Longhorns fans on the edge of their seats.

    Kai Locksley – Kai’s current role is to serve as a backup to the 2-deep on the quarterback roster, though that may still place him behind Heard. Also, he’s been practicing at outside receiver, so there’s that too. He’s a tremendous athlete, like ‘Juice’ and may see himself returning punts or providing a backup plan for the ‘Heard package’. Either way, it’d be wise for Kai to be a great teammate and fulfill whatever role the staff asks of him. This team needs everyone to buy in.

    Mathew Merrick – Not much has been said about Matthew. I know very little about him and due to the spring game being cut short, fans didn’t see him play. Nevertheless, Matthew will likely fill an emergency role this season. If a rash of injuries occurs at the position, it’s somewhat comforting that Texas does have a 4th option.

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  25. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Malik Ready


    After dealing with the pressures of being a highly touted recruit during his freshman campaign, Malik Jefferson now has to deal with new expectations in his sophomore season. While those are different, he is ready to take it on with the help of veteran teammates.

    “I can say that,” Jefferson said when asked if he is more comfortable as a leader. “The older guys have really helped me out a lot as well. I think that there is a lot more of my leadership this year. There’s a lot of leadership in all three phases of the defense, and of course the offense as well. Guys are really coming together and understanding we’re coming for one common goal.”

    Although his team went 5-7 last season, they remain extremely confident and positive. Jefferson says this is because the team and members of his class were able to gel throughout offseason training, spring football, and summer workouts.

    “We’ve all come together,” Jefferson said. “This whole summer we’ve been working really hard and we put the time into actually getting to know each other and everybody’s been mentoring these young guys so well. It’s been a very comfortable season.”

    A year later, he now knows what to do to become a better player on the field.

    “The experience part, learning little tendencies of other teams, making sure I get in that film room spending extra time just to get to know what they do,” Jefferson said when asked what he has done in his second year to improve. “I think that’s the big part of growing and, of course, every year you have to do something different. That’s what I’m focusing on this year.”

    What the Irish will throw at the Horns in the first game is two quarterbacks, at least according to Irish head coach Brian Kelly. Though his defense has to take on two different styles at quarterback, Jefferson is not concerned.

    “It’s not going to be a big challenge to us,” Jefferson said about defending Irish quarterbacks DeShoneKizer and Malik Zaire. “We’re just going to go out there and play our game. We know what type of quarterbacks both of those guys are. One likes to run more, one’s a passer. They both are very good. We understand that. Whatever they throw at us, we’re going to counter and do whatever we can to stop them.”

    Even with all the pressure and all the different things the team has to prepare for, Jefferson says that the team is ready regardless of what those outside the program say.

    “Every day we know there are people that doubt us and we know we have to come out there and focus everyday on what we do,” Jefferson said. “And I think a lot of this year we aren’t worried about what other people say because that’s what is in the past and what people say is what people say. It’s word of mouth. They don’t know what’s happening. And I think the biggest thing for us this year is to not worry about what other people say.”

    [IT]
     
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  26. bystander

    bystander 10,000+ Posts

    And I just found out once again that I have friends in high places and will attend the game as someone's guest...
     
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  27. OldHippie

    OldHippie 2,500+ Posts

    Surprise, surprise.
     
  28. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    ^^ This. Lack of off-field study by the players was very evident last season. No where more than the back seven of the defense. Very talented players without a clue of what was coming and how to handle that. We will know in 11 days.

    Totally shocked!

    PS. Everyone enjoy Jefferson this season and next. Hopefully Strong has a plan to replace him for the 2018 season after he declares for the NFL after the 2017 season.
     
  29. WorsterMan

    WorsterMan SEC here we come!!

    Just 10 days people... in 10 days we will have many, many questions and concerns answered:hookem:
     
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  30. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    :thumbup: :popcorn:
     

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