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2016 Season Running Thread

Possibly related... SIAP- IT is saying that the coaching staff is seriously considering moving Jerrod Heard to Slot WR.

If they do, it's all on Heard, he just isn't a leader nor is he dedicated to getting better. Might as well utilize him in some way, or let him walk.
 
Possibly related... SIAP- IT is saying that the coaching staff is seriously considering moving Jerrod Heard to Slot WR.

That's really hard to believe. I'm going to take that report with an entire mine of salt. IT (Nahlin) does some good work in recruiting, but their "connections" to the coaching staff consist of fan-fiction writer Jesus Shuttlesworthless flinging mountains of sh*t at the wall and hoping something sticks.

We'll see what Higdon says about it, if anything.
 
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If they do, it's all on Heard, he just isn't a leader nor is he dedicated to getting better. Might as well utilize him in some way, or let him walk.

According to the coaches Heard does work hard to get better, and always has, he's just not on the level of Shane...but apparently most aren't when it comes to hard work. That talk about Heard not being a hard worker, was second hand info last year, and the coaches came to his defense. So when you say he isn't dedicated to getting better, that would be incorrect. He works harder than you think.
 
According to the coaches Heard does work hard to get better, and always has, he's just not on the level of Shane...but apparently most aren't when it comes to hard work. That talk about Heard not being a hard worker, was second hand info last year, and the coaches came to his defense. So when you say he isn't dedicated to getting better, that would be incorrect. He works harder than you think.

Of course the coaches are going to defend him publicly. His work ethic has been an impediment to his development according to people with connections to the program. He has done a better job since the start of the year, since it was clear from the beginning that he wasn't the presumptive starter. We'll see if it lasts.
 
Of course the coaches are going to defend him publicly. His work ethic has been an impediment to his development according to people with connections to the program. He has done a better job since the start of the year, since it was clear from the beginning that he wasn't the presumptive starter. We'll see if it lasts.

They went out of their way, to say he was always putting in the extra work. I'll trust the coaches, over those with connections to the coaches. Strong has no problem calling out players, that don't work hard. Why would it be any different with Heard?

The only time they said he wasn't putting in as much work, is when he was still learning...which is when Watson first got there. He got better, and started putting in the work. But then again, they said Watson was basically ignoring Heard, because he favored Swoopes off top. That could have been a part of it. Doesn't matter now, we got our QB.

But I trust your info BBR, you're usually on point.
 
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Okay, so lets say he has a great work ethic. Then the alternative is this. The report is wrong and he will be a QB next year. Or, he is being looked at at slot receiver because he doesn't have the ability to be a QB.

Is there another scenario i'm not seeing?
 
The offseason is also the beginning of “transfer season” in college football....From what I was told, players began meeting with Strong on Wednesday to discuss their future at UT. Each player is receiving an individual assessment and should have a better idea of where they stand after their meeting. Friday is the last planned meeting day, assuming nobody had to reschedule.
Inside Texas reporting LB Dalton Santos is looking to transfer after meeting with the coaches last week.


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.
 
I would be surprised if Heard were to move to WR. We don't exactly have great depth considering the other bodies at that position aren't really getting any reps this offseason. Even so given today's climate with QBs I would guess both Heard and Locksley would transfer before changing positions.

Truthfully you probably put Heard and Locksley on transfer watch once Shane locks down the starting job which will probably happen sometime this year.
 
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Hornsports Burnt Ends - 05/16/2016

Some notes we’ve heard from team sources and some current players we’ve spoken with over the last week. What we have is a mish-mash of info, so we will try to hit the big story lines and blend in what we were told.

On the QB battle

“It’s Shane. If it’s not Shane, the team might riot” – Team source

“I think it will be Shane. That dude is just so good in practice. Every throw he makes is right where you want it to be, and guys listen to what he says. His only problem is that he’s a little small, but he will basically live in the weight room with coach Moorer this summer”. – Current player

On new members of the coaching staff

“There was an adjustment at first, but everyone realizes that these new coaches are just trying to help us get better. Some of us are getting used to the new coaching style, but our coaches are just learning about us too”. – Current player

On Sterlin Gilbert

“That’s my dude! He seems like he’s real serious and hard, but he has a great time with the team. His offense is so good, I don’t know where he comes up with some of these plays”. – Current player

On Pat Moorer/The Pit

“You don’t want to be there, it’s miserable. You’re pulling tires, running with cinder blocks, and all sorts of other things. I try to stay out of there”. – Current player

On DBU

“DBU is most certainly back. Those boys are about to surprise some people this year”. – Current player
 
Per Chip:

JERROD HEARD WILL STAY AT QB - FOR NOW

Heard is working out at quarterback - and is also catching some passes here and there.

Heard will definitely go into fall camp as a quarterback. If Shane Buechele is indeed the guy, Texas still needs a backup quarterback. But much like Trevone Boykin (who waited his turn behind Casey Pachall as a running back and receiver at TCU), Heard is willing to do whatever it takes to get on the field and appears to be hedging his bets by running some routes on the side.

Definitely still a quarterback for Texas heading into fall camp. But as one source said, "He'd make a hell of a slot (receiver), too."
 
If Heard moves to WR I'd like to see us put in one of those double pass plays and give him a chance to use some of the QB stuff he learned.
 
Hornsports Burnt Ends - 05/16/2016

Some notes we’ve heard from team sources and some current players we’ve spoken with over the last week. What we have is a mish-mash of info, so we will try to hit the big story lines and blend in what we were told.

On the QB battle

“It’s Shane. If it’s not Shane, the team might riot” – Team source

“I think it will be Shane. That dude is just so good in practice. Every throw he makes is right where you want it to be, and guys listen to what he says. His only problem is that he’s a little small, but he will basically live in the weight room with coach Moorer this summer”. – Current player

On new members of the coaching staff

“There was an adjustment at first, but everyone realizes that these new coaches are just trying to help us get better. Some of us are getting used to the new coaching style, but our coaches are just learning about us too”. – Current player

On Sterlin Gilbert

“That’s my dude! He seems like he’s real serious and hard, but he has a great time with the team. His offense is so good, I don’t know where he comes up with some of these plays”. – Current player

On Pat Moorer/The Pit

“You don’t want to be there, it’s miserable. You’re pulling tires, running with cinder blocks, and all sorts of other things. I try to stay out of there”. – Current player

On DBU

“DBU is most certainly back. Those boys are about to surprise some people this year”. – Current player


Yes, Yes, YES, YES, and Hell YES!

I know its fluff season time. But this stuff is the kinda stuff you want to hear.
 
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There's been a lot of talk about 2016 signee Erick Fowler's status as the incoming freshman class gets ready to report, and I was able to catch up with the five-star linebacker this week for a quick update.

In talking to Fowler, he's still hopeful that he'll be enrolling for the first UT summer session, but he hasn't been fully cleared yet. Fowler took the SAT earlier this month. He's not sure when he'll get his scores in, but If he gets the necessary mark he plans to enroll with the majority of the incoming freshmen. If not, he'll have to re-take the test in June and enroll later.

So at this point, it's just a matter of Fowler's SAT score. He said he does not have any other high school classes he'll need to take.

"I'm graduating June 2nd," Fowler said. "I'm walking the stage and everything."

The 6-3, 235-pound standout is understandably anxious to get his results and he's ready to get started on his college career.

"Man, my nerves haven't been right," Fowler said. "I'm ready to throw some pads on. I just have to get back in top shape."

Speaking of workouts, Fowler has been doing CrossFit to stay in shape. He actually started CrossFit when he was a freshman after suffering a knee injury. He told me this week that he's been so focused on school that his workouts have slipped a bit, but he's planning to get back into his routine in order to get ready for life as a Longhorn.

As for how he feels about the recent test ...

"I feel pretty good," Fowler said.

We'll keep you all posted on Fowler's status. (Suchomel)

******

The other prospect who still has a bit of work to do is defensive tackle Marcel Southall. The Duncanville product told OB's Anwar Richardson last week that he does have to take one high school summer school course so he won't be enrolling for UT's first summer session.

I do know that at least one junior college coach has been trying to reach out to Southall recently. Southall reported to OB that he should be fine, but the bottom line is there's still work to be done for him so it is a situation worth monitoring. We'll keep you all posted on this one as well. (Suchomel)

******

I caught up this week with incoming freshman DT D'Andre Christmas-Giles. It was an abbreviated conversation due to time restrictions; but here were some of his thoughts and some background on him personally as DCG packs his bags for Texas:

- Family: 1 older brother and 2 little sisters. DCG doesn't really come from a family of athletes but has always loved football. His father died when he was very young and his mother spent a lot of time moving around, but New Orleans was the place he always considered his home base.

- Football: He's been playing since age 4. I had to do a double-take and ask ... age 4? By the time DCG graduates from Texas, he'll be creeping up on his 20th football season. He played TE and LB during his younger years before moving to DT. What he loves most about football is "game day" -- "you practice like you play, but game day is where you prove this thing, it's where you prove them wrong."

- Current Height/Weight: 6-3 310 pounds (he played his senior season at 295)

- On where the coaches see him lining up: Like in the cases of Jordan Elliott and Chris Daniels, the Texas coaches have sold DCG on being versatile enough to play at any position along their defensive front. DCG did say that his favorite position was three-technique (at DT) because that is where you can be both a rush-the-passer player and an anchor-the-line player.

- On his final college decision between LSU and Texas: He felt like LSU was a place where he knew everyone and "didn't want to be part of the same crowd" in college. "I wanted to go off and do something for myself," DCG said.

On Chili: No Beans

(Dunlap)

--

Talked to a few sources around the football program and here's a small potpourri of Longhorns football-related notes during this dead time ...

- Following the transfer of DE Derick Roberson, I've checked in with two sources and both said virtually the same thing -- that they were both under the impression that Roberson, who had missed spring practice with a concussion, was probably on the David Ash-path out of football. Of course everyone wishes Roberson the best in his transfer, but I for one hope he didn't do it in order to get cleared from concussion protocol by a less-stringent set of trainers somewhere else.

- Checked back with a source about RB Kirk Johnson who said he's set to go to start fall camp. "He could go now," the source said.

- I asked one team source about the QB dynamic next season between Shane Buechele and Tyrone Swoopes in the 18-wheeler package. He said, "we didn't practice the (18-wheeler) once (all spring)." It's an interesting note that Sterlin Gilbert as new OC has never called an 18-wheeler-package play to this point. With that said, the package was installed in a hurried and impromptu pre-game setting last season. It's not like Swoopes needs to practice it to be able to run it. Still, it shows that fans shouldn't anticipate as much of the QB-Power package in goal-line situations as much in 2016 as they saw in 2015.

(Dunlap)
 
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Cool trick shot coach.........

But, ummm, errrr...... that kids last name could get some excited sportscaster in trouble one day.

Reminds me of that race horse in the 80s that some owner named "Mortar Forker".
 
Cool trick shot coach.........

But, ummm, errrr...... that kids last name could get some excited sportscaster in trouble one day.

Reminds me of that race horse in the 80s that some owner named "Mortar Forker".
Ya he's trying to walk on at Texas. I really hope he makes it and gets the starting gig just so I can look forward to announcers attempting to say his name!
 
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Ketchum Thoughts From the Weekend:

Ranking the offensive lines in the Big 12 ...

System. Development. Coaching.

Heading into the 2016 season, there isn’t a clear cut champion among the 10 offensive lines in the conference, as almost all of the units have at least one major question mark going into the fall.

At least one.

Most of these units remain major question marks coming out of spring workouts, as reports of the defensive lines whipping offensive lines was a fairly routine report when studying up on each group over the weekend.

Consider that only two of the top 10 offensive linemen on last year’s Coaches All-Big 12 teams remain and I’m guessing 90-percent of you reading this column would be hard-pressed to name either of them.

Go ahead … without cheating … try to name them.

The bottom line as far as I can tell, a lot of what we see from this position across the league will come down to each school’s ability to develop players and have them quickly adapt to the scheme concepts within each offense.

When specifically looking at the Longhorns, new offensive line coach Matt Mattox has as much raw talent to work with as almost any school in the Big 12. With three returning starters, including one of the most experienced tackles in the Big 12 returning with Kent Perkins, this shouldn’t be a group that ranks in the bottom half of the league. In fact, Texas is the only school that returns two players from last year’s coaches All-Big 12 teams, even if Patrick Vahe and Connor Williams were both only honorable mention.

For all of the issues with depth that Mattox faces, he’d likely find at least half of the league that would trade options right now, sight unseen. With that being said, let’s take a look at my pre-season offensive line group rankings within the Big 12.

No. 1 West Virginia: Third-year sophomore left tackle Yodny Cajuste (six starts in 2015 before injuring foot), senior left guard Adam Pankey (25 career starters), senior center Tyler Orlosky (2nd-team All-Big 12), junior right guard Kyle Bosch (started 13 games in 2015) and junior right tackle Marcell Lazard (career back-up)

Quick thoughts: Orlosky is one of the top two returning linemen in the conference if you go by last year’s All-Big 12 awards. The interior three might be the best three-man starting unit in the conference, based on quality of play and experience. Only right tackle ranks as a real question mark.

2. Oklahoma State: Junior right tackle Zach Crabtree (started 13 games in 2015), center Brad Lundblade (started 13 games in 2015), senior tackle/guard Michael Wilson (has started 21 career games at various positions), guard Victor Salako (played in one game in 2015) and tackle Jesse Robinson (played in 10 games/started seven in 2015)

Quick thoughts: There might not be a true standout in the group, but four of the five spots are filled with returning starters. Although this unit struggled this spring to take the next step as a unit, it has only one real question mark among the starters and it is a group that has played a lot of football together.

3. Oklahoma: Redshirt sophomore left tackle Orlando Brown (freshman All-American, honorable mention All-Big 12), redshirt freshman left guard Cody Ford, junior center Jonathan Alvarez (started 10 games in 2015, nine at guard), sophomore right guard Ben Powers (JUCO transfer) and sophomore right tackle Dru Samia (nine starts in 2015).

Quick thoughts: Those that follow the program believe this group looks much further ahead of the unit at the same exact point a year ago. Brown might be the best left tackle in the conference. The interior of the line will lean on two very unproven players in Ford and Powers.

4. Texas: Sophomore left tackle Connor Williams (started 12 games in 2015/Freshman All-American), junior left guard Brandon Hodges (Redshirted in 2015), true freshman center Zack Shackelford, sophomore right guard Patrick Vahe (started 12 games in 2015) and senior right tackle Kent Perkins (24 career starts)

Quick thoughts: Believe it or not, Williams and Perkins are the best tackle duo in the Big 12 on paper. It’s the interior of the line that ranks as the biggest question mark.

5. Baylor: Senior center Kyle Fuller (2nd-team All-Big 12), junior left tackle Dom Desouza (JUCO transfer), sophomore right tackle Patrick Lawrence, junior left guard Rami Hammad (played in 13 games in 2015) and junior right guard B.J. Autry (JUCO transfer)..

Quick thoughts: Fuller might be the best returning lineman in the league, but he’s the only starter that returns from a year ago. The two JUCO transfers will likely determine the overall quality of this group in the fall.

6. Kansas State: Redshirt freshman left tackle Scott Frantz, senior left guard Terrale Johnson (played in 10 games/four starts), sophomore center Dalton Risner (started 13 games/Freshman All-American), junior right guard Reid Najvar (played in two games in 2015) and sophomore right tackle Abdul Beecham (JUCO transfer)

Quick thoughts: Risner might be the best young lineman in the league that doesn’t play for Texas or Oklahoma. His presence alone was reason enough for me to slot KSU in the six-spot, even with all of its questions marks, which should tell you plenty about what’s to come.

7. TCU: Junior left tackle Joseph Noteboom (started 13 games in 2015), junior left guard Patrick Morris (played in 10 games in 2015), junior Austin Schlottman (started four games in 2015), junior right guard Matt Pryor (started four games in 2015) and senior right tackle Aviante Collins (played in three games in 2015)

Quick thoughts: Other than Noteboom, every projected starter fort the fall was a role player a year ago. With no real standouts and questions all over the place, I suppose in Gary Patterson every Horned Frog fan must trust.

8. Texas Tech: Redshirt freshman left tackle Terrance Steele, left guard Justin Murphy (started four games in 2015), senior center Tony Morales (played in 10 games/started six in 2015), redshirt freshman Madison Akamnonu and senior right tackle Baylen Brown (18 career starts)

Quick thought:: This group is perhaps Tech’s biggest question mark going into the season.

9. Iowa State: Junior left tackle Jake Campos (started 12 games in 2015), senior left guard Patrick Scroggins (JUCO transfer redshirted last year due to injury), redshirt freshman center Julian Good-Jones, senior guard Nick Fett (one career start) and junior right tackle center Jaypee Philbert (played in 10 games in 2015)

Quick thought:: This group is perhaps Iowa State’s biggest question mark going into the season.

10. Kansas: Sophomore left tackle Clyde McCauley (played in six games/started three), junior left guard Jayson Rhodes (played in three games in 2015), junior center Joe Gibson (played in six games/started three in 2015), sophomore right guard Jacob Bragg (played in 10 games/started five) and senior right tackle DeAndre Banks (started nine games at guard)

Quick thoughts:: This group is perhaps KU’s biggest question mark going into the season.


Scattershooting on the Longhorns ...

… I promise to never write about a certain former back-up center if you promise to never ask about him. The nicest, smartest, most-likable people in the world might not be right for each other in terms of a long-term relationship and that is definitely the case in this relationship, which is two seconds away from turning into an episode of Cops.

… Tweet of the Weekend

Charles‎@charless_94

Lmao incoming freshmen we got that earrrrlllyyy morning wake up on Monday don't be late big fella
attachment.ashx


… Prediction: Because we’re talking about waiting on a test score and then submitting it to the NCAA Clearinghouse, I’m not sure we’ll know by the time the team reports whether five-star freshman linebacker Erick Fowler will be ruled eligible or ineligible. Twenty years of being in this business tells me there will be some breath-holding in August.


Buy or sell …

(As always, all of these questions were submitted by actual Orangebloods subscribers.)

BUY or SELL: Arguably, we lost at least 2 games last year due to special teams especially kicking, unless something changes we will lose 2 games this year due to special teams?

(Sell) Outside of the place-kicker spot, which is kind of a big deal, I like the potential make-up of this team in the punt and return games. Michael Dickson enters the season as one of the more underrated players in the program.

BUY or SELL: As many as 10 signees of the 2016 Baylor recruiting class ends up at other schools?

(Sell) I have to think it won’t be quite that many, but it’s likely to be very close, especially if those that might have enrolled early have the option as well.

BUY or SELL: Charlie is still here if he wins 5?

(Sell) Even Charlie would know it would be time to put the house on the market if that happens.

BUY or SELL: Charlie Strong will allow Tim Irvin to transfer to Texas even if could impact future scholarship numbers, influence existing players and potential future recruits?

(Sell) I don’t think it will come to that. If the kid wants to come to Texas and Charlie still wants him, I don’t think it will impact all of those things you listed, at least not automatically.

BUY or SELL: Joe Mixon will be kicked off the BlowU team once the video tape is made public due to a public outcry, especially in light of the recent Baylor transgressions?

(Sell) Bob Stoops will claim you can’t double jeopardy the kid and dig in his heels.

BUY or SELL: Art Briles is coaching again in the 2017 season?

(Sell) No way. This is not the same as the Bobby Petrino situation. Not even close.

BUY or SELL: Does your win expectation for the Horns football team in 2016 go up after the issues Baylor is having?

(Sell) Not yet. Let me see the dust clear a little more and if the whole thing comes apart, I reserve the right to change my mind. They still have a monster edge at quarterback coming into the season.

BUY or SELL: You sometimes have second thoughts, and even feel a touch hypocritical, about allowing the posting of scantily clad women on the site because you worry that the photos could contribute to a societal problem of seeing women as an object, which is a part, even though small, of the culture that can lead to sexual assaults, especially date rape?

(Buy) It’s the reason why I eliminated the “Hottie of the Weekend” component of this column. As I get older and my daughter gets older, some of the commentary and ideology on the site bothers me and more.

BUY or SELL: Both Marcel Southall and Eric Fowler pass remaining academic hurdles/join the team by August?

(Sell) Texas gets one of the two, but not both. That’s just history talking.
 
"BUY or SELL: Both Marcel Southall and Eric Fowler pass remaining academic hurdles/join the team by August?

(Sell) Texas gets one of the two, but not both. That’s just history talking."

Don't like that at all.....
 
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I would be surprised if Heard were to move to WR. We don't exactly have great depth considering the other bodies at that position aren't really getting any reps this offseason. Even so given today's climate with QBs I would guess both Heard and Locksley would transfer before changing positions.

Truthfully you probably put Heard and Locksley on transfer watch once Shane locks down the starting job which will probably happen sometime this year.
Briles' system can run through QBs, as we saw last season.

Heard at slot WR could still be worth the rare risk, though, in the right situation.
 
so we run the veer & shoot with Buschel...the 18 wheeler with Swoopes....and the Wildcat with heard....no problem!...what else yall need me to work out for ya?....world hunger?
 
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Higdon on Monday's workout:

LOVE what I am hearing about today. In particular the FR DL players. Those guys have NFL type bodies..they are not 300 and sloppy as some were thinking/suggesting. This is one HELL OF A GROUP of DL and yes it was day 1 workout but if today is ANY indication of what this group can do they are going to terrorize the big 12 for the next couple of years. Also, Okafor looks like an NFL tackle already...from top to bottom this is one physically impressive class! I will have weights on the entire man class for Inside Access on Tuesday...

More Higdon:

Starting Offense/Defense Sep. 4.

I don’t believe there is any sense me naming this right now; it would be silly. So many things will change between now and September its not even funny. Some players that I have heard great things about would include Anthony Wheeler, Charles Omenihu, Collin Johnson, Chris Warren, Shane Buechele will be the leader of the offense. Even though it’s silly lol I have been called worse sooo for the offensive side of the ball……

Connor Williams, Brandon Hodges, Zach Shackelford, Patrick Vahe, Kent Perkins

Collin Johnson and John Burt and A. Foreman

Shane Buechele with Foreman/Warren

Is the Shark a day one starter?

No, I do not think he will be a day one starter. He will have significant playing time year one and be in the rotation I believe, but not a starter from day one – that should not happen right away.

Updated weights on incoming 2016 class. Some big boys on the D line:

D'Andre Christmas-Giles DT 325
Jeffrey McCulloch LB 230
Collin Johnson WR 215
Andrew Fitzgerald DE 260
Kyle Porter RB 208
Jordan Elliott DT 315
Zach Shackelford OL 300
Shane Buechele QB 198
Jean Delance OL 309
Eric Cuffee CB 192
Lil'Jordan Humphrey WR 220
Brandon Jones S 196
Erik Fowler DE 230
Peyton Aucoin TE 246
Malcolm Roach DE 260
Denzel Okafor OL 297
Chris Daniels DT 315
Tope Imade OL 312
Davion Curtis WR 175
Demarco Boyd LB 240
Gerald Wilbon DT 320
Marcel Southall DE 310

Reggie Hemphill-Mapps WR 170
Chris Brown S 187
 
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