2016 = 5 true DTs in this class, LA vs TX?

[JMISASANO]

That's a LOT of DTs just for one class, nice problem to have as you figure out who's who down the road.

The best DT prospects being from the state of Louisiana? Would most agree?

Coach Haley must love those Louisiana DT prospects and will prove they'll be a big part of Texas football to entice future Louisiana prospects.

#1 Gerald Wilbon
#2 Stephon Taylor
#3 D"Andre Christmas Giles
#4 Jordan Elliot
#5 Chris Daniels

I'm sure Haley built those Louisiana long-term relationships, while he was at LSU and he'll take care of them at Texas.

I can see Gerald Wilbon, Stephon Taylor and D'Andre Christmas Giles starting next season on the rotation. Jordan Elliot and Chris Daniels will redshirt most likely. Those prospects from Louisiana are physically imposing prospects, ready for D1 football now.

 

[Top Gum]

Do any of them bail on Texas because of space? Like perhaps Daniels?

 

[4MNChampsHorn]

We are so thin at DT (without them) and we will rotate fresh bodies on the field (see Alabama). There is tons of playing time available for all of them. Unfortunately, we cannot assume they will all always be healthy to play.

 

[JMISASANO]

We are so thin at DT (without them) and we will rotate fresh bodies on the field (see Alabama). There is tons of playing time available for all of them. Unfortunately, we cannot assume they will all always be healthy to play.

Daniels may be on the outside looking in from the Louisiana prospects? He'll redshirt regardless most likely.

 

[Bass Elder]

Stroke of mojo there were an exceptional amount of DT's just in time for the Longhorns...our coach's did a great job to land at least four.

 

[JMISASANO]

Stroke of mojo there were an exceptional amount of DT's just in time for the Longhorns...our coach's did a great job to land at least four.

It helps that Coach Haley has long-term relationships with his Louisiana DT corp. Those long-term relationships tend to pay dividends in recruiting.

He'll take care of them at Texas.

 

[Scholz]

That's a LOT of DTs just for one class...

Necessary when you only get 2 DTs in the previous 3 classes unfortunately.

 

[Longhorn Crazy]

Looks like we will continue to destroy Blowu's OL for years to come!

 

[JMISASANO]

Necessary when you only get 2 DTs in the previous 3 classes unfortunately.

Still 5 DTs will result in a transfer or two, definitely not continued head to head competition for four or five years.

 

[Scholz]

The cupboard is bare there. Need to restock the whole depth chart at that position.

 

[mm42]

Still 5 DTs will result in a transfer or two, definitely not continued head to head competition for four or five years.

Awesome problem to have. I thought your class last year was good, but not great because you missed on the the toughest 2 positions DT and QB (you guys might disagree on QB which is ok). Anyway, by cleaning up at DT this year, it really makes your class last year look a lot better. Strong is doing something right, even if he doesn't keep his job, the next guy will appreciate these big boys. Sucks for me, but congrats to you guys.

 

[BringBackRoyal]

Still 5 DTs will result in a transfer or two, definitely not continued head to head competition for four or five years.

Not all of them are being recruited as DTs.

 

[BringBackRoyal]

Awesome problem to have. I thought your class last year was good, but not great because you missed on the the toughest 2 positions DT and QB (you guys might disagree on QB which is ok). Anyway, by cleaning up at DT this year, it really makes your class last year look a lot better. Strong is doing something right, even if he doesn't keep his job, the next guy will appreciate these big boys. Sucks for me, but congrats to you guys.

Agreed overall, but just noting that Kai might surprise some doubters this fall. He's making big gains, and his work ethic is unsurpassed. Heard is going to find himself out of a job sooner rather than later, since there are two competitors for the job -- Kai and Buechele -- that put in more work in a day than he does in a week (slight exaggeration).

 

[MiccoMacey]

Not all of them are being recruited as DTs.

Is Jordan Elliot your new CB?

 

[mm42]

Agreed overall, but just noting that Kai might surprise some doubters this fall. He's making big gains, and his work ethic is unsurpassed. Heard is going to find himself out of a job sooner rather than later, since there are two competitors for the job -- Kai and Buechele -- that put in more work in a day than he does in a week (slight exaggeration).

I'm not a Heard fan as a QB. No clue on the other two guys, but I would hope one of them is the guy if I were a Texas fan. Hard to know until you see them in live fire. No debating your DT haul though.

 

[MiccoMacey]

OU needs to follow suit. HUGE need for DT's. Need about 2 each class, even in our hybrid 3-4.

 

[bubba2023]

The cupboard is bare there. Need to restock the whole depth chart at that position.

Yep. Some may transfer later on down the road if they don't progress, but the opportunity for PT is right there for all of them. A lot will be seeing action immediately next season, and likely all will see action the season after that.

 

[TheDecker]

How thin/young is the 2016 Texas Depth Chart at DT?

 

[Scholz]

We've gotten 2 DTs in the past 3 classes combined and 1 ain't all that. And Ridgeway left early. Immediate PT for multiple true freshmen.

 

[TheDecker]

We've gotten 2 DTs in the past 3 classes combined and 1 ain't all that. And Ridgeway left early. Immediate PT for multiple true freshmen.

That's scary

After QB and OL, DT is next position where I least want True Frosh walking into major PT

An injury ended up putting Notre Dame in a similar situation in 2015
(4* DT Jerry Tillery walked into a 2-Deep spot after Jarron Jones injured his knee in fall camp)

Against strong OLs, having young guys in positions that physical can really come back to bite you

 

[Scholz]

It's not ideal no but that's why so many DTs in this class. Hopefully a few of them will pop.

 

[Longyac]

Daniels may be on the outside looking in from the Louisiana prospects? He'll redshirt regardless most likely.

No. Someone in his family played for Strong at USCe.

 

[TheDecker]

It's not ideal no but that's why so many DTs in this class. Hopefully a few of them will pop.

What's the DT depth chart supposed to look like for 2016, if you land the guys you're after?

 

[outhereincali]

Agreed overall, but just noting that Kai might surprise some doubters this fall. He's making big gains, and his work ethic is unsurpassed. Heard is going to find himself out of a job sooner rather than later, since there are two competitors for the job -- Kai and Buechele -- that put in more work in a day than he does in a week (slight exaggeration).

Is this true about Jarrod? I haven't heard but then again I'm 2000 miles from Austin. Do you think Kai will be the right fit for Stirlin Gilbert's offense?

 

[outhereincali]

Do we really have a chance with Stephon Taylor? From what I've read is between us and FSU and they say FSU has been his number one for a long time.

 

[BringBackRoyal]

Is this true about Jarrod? I haven't heard but then again I'm 2000 miles from Austin. Do you think Kai will be the right fit for Stirlin Gilbert's offense?

That's the word. (Same goes for Swoopes, as a matter of fact, although I'm not sure any amount of work could make Swoopes into a legitimate QB at this level. He came into college developmentally too far behind, having effectively had no actual coaching at the position in high school.)

It's too early to say how things will play out on the field, obviously, but people inside the program are saying that Kai and Buechele are the only two on the roster that actually understand that being a successful college QB is a full-time job. Kai was initially unhappy that he wasn't considered as a possible solution at QB last year after the ND game (but came to understand that a redshirt was best for him); he has apparently channeled that disappointment into unrelenting hard work. Jerrod does the minimum. Kai, on the other hand, spends as much time as he can trying to get better, whether throwing in 7-on-7 with his teammates or digesting film. Again, too early to make any grand pronouncements before the pads go on and practices start in earnest, but Gilbert is apparently pleased with what he's seen of Kai.

I really hope we're done with Heard (and Swoopes, of course) as a starter. Frankly, if a guy can't learn after a season like the one Heard just had that he can't come close to just "out-talenting" everyone at this level, then he's never going to get it.

 

[BringBackRoyal]

Do we really have a chance with Stephon Taylor? From what I've read is between us and FSU and they say FSU has been his number one for a long time.

We definitely have a chance. Higdon has been reasonably confident about him for a long time.

 

[Bass Elder]

Think/thought Eric Fowler was our new CB...

 

[Longyac]

Think/thought Eric Fowler was our new CB...

Fowler plays the FOX.

Little bummed that Taylor got antsy over depth cart with that many DTs. He could be special.

A poster at Horn Digest made this chart of the 2 years that Coach Strong has actually managed the talent and recruiting.

 

[HornosaurusRex]

from poster at HD:

2015 and 2016 recruiting classes by position (2015 red shirts are shown as freshmen as are 2016 signees)

Hook 'em

 

[HornosaurusRex]

It's too early to say how things will play out on the field, obviously, but people inside the program are saying that Kai and Buechele are the only two on the roster that actually understand that being a successful college QB is a full-time job.

New offense and a new coach, so I'm guessing that they will let all five compete through spring and may the best man win. Fully agree with your point that at this level, talent alone is not going to cut it and certainly will not maximize your potential or take you to the next level. There's a lot more smarts involved to exploit the subtle details of on field mismatches and defensive breakdowns.

I think it's best if Buechele redshirts, unless he clearly shows he is best equipped to lead this team to victories. I also think both Kai and Merrick have legitimate shots at being the man this year, but regardless, I feel pretty comfortable with a new guy running a new offense, that everyone will get a fair shot to show their stuff in the spring. With no one having an experience advantage with the new system, it does seem like the competition may favor those who are willing to put in the work necessary to master the details.

Being able to shore up the o-line and seeing promising signs from the running game, if we can find our quarterback we will get some wins this year.

Fantastic day and a fantastic class in the books with plenty to look forward to next fall.

Hook 'em

 

[BringBackRoyal]

New offense and a new coach, so I'm guessing that they will let all five compete through spring and may the best man win. Fully agree with your point that at this level, talent alone is not going to cut it and certainly will not maximize your potential or take you to the next level. There's a lot more smarts involved to exploit the subtle details of on field mismatches and defensive breakdowns.

I think it's best if Buechele redshirts, unless he clearly shows he is best equipped to lead this team to victories. I also think both Kai and Merrick have legitimate shots at being the man this year, but regardless, I feel pretty comfortable with a new guy running a new offense, that everyone will get a fair shot to show their stuff in the spring. With no one having an experience advantage with the new system, it does seem like the competition may favor those who are willing to put in the work necessary to master the details.

Being able to shore up the o-line and seeing promising signs from the running game, if we can find our quarterback we will get some wins this year.

Fantastic day and a fantastic class in the books with plenty to look forward to next fall.

Hook 'em

Doh. I forgot to give Merrick his due for some reason. Word is he's a very hard worker as well.