Here are a few notes OB has gathered about early-week Longhorns closed practices following the Saturday scrimmage:
- As reported by Jason Suchomel, RB Johnathan Gray suffered a minor injury in the Saturday scrimmage and one source said he had to go to the pit during a reported full-pads practice on Monday. However, all parties that OB staff members have spoken to about Gray say he's going to be fine and it's very minor. The Texas staff is clearly being cautious about not overexerting Gray in fall camp, as it plans to lean on him heavily (when real bullets are flying) in just over two weeks.
- Speaking of players the staff plans to lean heavily on (and be very cautious with), DT Hassan Ridgeway is reportedly coming along well from a reported back issue. We have not had the opportunity to really see Ridgeway in action at practices open to the media during camp, so it's impossible to judge by second-hand reports alone, but at least the ones we've received have all been encouraging so far. Ridgeway last week was working out in pads but not taking part in all the drills per Vance Bedford. Monday, one person indicated that Ridgeway was taking part in a very physical drill (inside-run drill) because he texted that Ridgeway "manhandled" OT Tristan Nickelson "during inside."
Here a few quick nuggets (and thoughts) on the offensive line:
- People say it continues to look very good. It'll be interesting to follow whether the group continues to shine in practice like it has now that Ridgeway seems to be rounding into form. Very soon, the first OL will be facing Hassan Ridgeway and Desmond Jackson inside - which changes things. Monday marked the day that Texas begins preparations for Notre Dame and the team will need to give true looks to its true starters and personnel at some point.
- On the subject of who the "true starters" are, it feels like it's probably about time to start calling true-reshman OG Patrick Vahe one. Per one good source, the first offensive line remained the same on Monday as it has been for nearly a week now: (L to R) Connor Williams, Sedrick Flowers, Taylor Doyle, Patrick Vahe, Kent Perkins. If Charlie Strong or Joe Wickline were to be asked if Vahe was a "starter," rest assured, they'd tell you something like "he has to earn his job every day," every job is up for grabs, "we're looking for the best five guys," etc... The point is that they're not lying when they say that stuff. Vahe is working with the first team for a reason. This whole thing has gone long past the "tinkering" stage.
- We've heard from enough people to confirm that recent-freshman-enrollee OL Buck Major was at practice Monday, but not dressed out or practicing, presumably per rules about how soon a player can jump into physical activity. One person texted about Major and said "(he's) bigger than I thought" and "(he) looks like (a tackle)."
- As reported by Jason Suchomel, RB Johnathan Gray suffered a minor injury in the Saturday scrimmage and one source said he had to go to the pit during a reported full-pads practice on Monday. However, all parties that OB staff members have spoken to about Gray say he's going to be fine and it's very minor. The Texas staff is clearly being cautious about not overexerting Gray in fall camp, as it plans to lean on him heavily (when real bullets are flying) in just over two weeks.
- Speaking of players the staff plans to lean heavily on (and be very cautious with), DT Hassan Ridgeway is reportedly coming along well from a reported back issue. We have not had the opportunity to really see Ridgeway in action at practices open to the media during camp, so it's impossible to judge by second-hand reports alone, but at least the ones we've received have all been encouraging so far. Ridgeway last week was working out in pads but not taking part in all the drills per Vance Bedford. Monday, one person indicated that Ridgeway was taking part in a very physical drill (inside-run drill) because he texted that Ridgeway "manhandled" OT Tristan Nickelson "during inside."
Here a few quick nuggets (and thoughts) on the offensive line:
- People say it continues to look very good. It'll be interesting to follow whether the group continues to shine in practice like it has now that Ridgeway seems to be rounding into form. Very soon, the first OL will be facing Hassan Ridgeway and Desmond Jackson inside - which changes things. Monday marked the day that Texas begins preparations for Notre Dame and the team will need to give true looks to its true starters and personnel at some point.
- On the subject of who the "true starters" are, it feels like it's probably about time to start calling true-reshman OG Patrick Vahe one. Per one good source, the first offensive line remained the same on Monday as it has been for nearly a week now: (L to R) Connor Williams, Sedrick Flowers, Taylor Doyle, Patrick Vahe, Kent Perkins. If Charlie Strong or Joe Wickline were to be asked if Vahe was a "starter," rest assured, they'd tell you something like "he has to earn his job every day," every job is up for grabs, "we're looking for the best five guys," etc... The point is that they're not lying when they say that stuff. Vahe is working with the first team for a reason. This whole thing has gone long past the "tinkering" stage.
- We've heard from enough people to confirm that recent-freshman-enrollee OL Buck Major was at practice Monday, but not dressed out or practicing, presumably per rules about how soon a player can jump into physical activity. One person texted about Major and said "(he's) bigger than I thought" and "(he) looks like (a tackle)."
