Texas coach Charlie Strong spoke to the media during a brief press conference on Tuesday. As expected, the number one topic Strong addressed was Texas’ quarterback situation. There was not a lot of new information, but there were a few nuggets Longhorn fans might definitely want to know.
Here are the highlights from Strong’s press conference:
- When spring practice began, Strong was optimistic he would be able to name a starter by the end of spring. Strong was asked if he still believed that was possible, and the coach said we may not know who will start until fall: “The competition is very good, and I don’t know by the end of spring there will be a guy. You just like the battle right now. Jerrod (Heard) is down, but Buechele and Swoopes, they’re competing, and they’re doing a very good job of just managing the offense and moving the ball.
- Strong announced Heard would be shut down for the rest of spring, which is a move we informed our readers could occur during more than one report last week. Texas will finish this spring with Tyrone Swoopes and Shane Buechele receiving most of the reps. Backup quarterback Matthew Merrick is not playing due to a back injury, and Kai Locksley is not in the mix.
- A reporter asked Strong a follow-up question about not being able to name a starting quarterback, and the coach said things just need to play out. He said, “If it takes that we have to go into fall camp and have to pick a guy, then that’s what we will do.”
- Here was Strong’s response when I asked him what it would take for Buechele to win the job: “Just keep competing, and he’s doing a great job. Shane’s a quarterback. He knows where to put the ball. He’s been in an offense similar to what we’re doing right now. He’s only going to get better. You look at Swoopes, and you look at Buechele, and they’re both pushing one another. It’s a good competition.”
- Strong praised Buechele’s knowledge of the offense. Strong said, “Shane is like a gym rat. He’s always around. He’s always learning. He’s willing to learn. When you get a player like that, he’s only going to make the other two guys better because they see how hard he works, and it drives them to work even harder. I will not be afraid to start him at all because I know he will go out there and compete and do what we asked him to do.”
- Heard is not receiving reps on-the-field, but Strong said he is getting mental reps in the classroom and learning. Strong believes that will help Heard down the line.
- Strong was asked about Locksley, and said his quarterback has not received many reps: “He’s doing a good job. It’s just that he’s working through some things right now. What we have to do with him is just make sure he stays involved.”
- Heard’s injury has not hindered the installment of Sterlin Gilbert’s offense. Strong it is going well on the field.
- Strong said his biggest problem on the offensive line right now is depth. However, the guys who are there right now are competing very well. On defense, Paul Boyette missed a few practices, but is back at practice. Strong also praised Poona Ford and Chris Nelson.
- Here was Strong’s response when asked what Swoopes has done to improve the past few years: “Well, he’s mature and much better now. He’s going to get better. As you get older, you have to get better. You should. What we’re asking him to do right now on offense, he’s doing those things. He’ll get better and improve. That just comes with age … oh, he’s a lot different player (than when Strong first arrived), and just a whole approach to the game. He’s totally different.”
- When asked what it would take for Swoopes’ practice performance to translate to meaningful games, Strong pointed to confidence: “There’s so much that plays a part. You got to have an offense line that can protect him, and he’s got to be confident in his offensive line. You have running backs right now who can run the ball. You got to have receivers who can make the catches. It all plays into one. I know we put so much into one position, but it’s not just one position. You have 11 guys out there on offense, and they to play together, and just make sure we manage the offense well enough for not only Tyrone, but if it’s Buechele. Whomever is in there, they have to be able … Jerrod … they have to be able to move the football and make the right throws and puts us in the right place.”
- Strong praised receiver Collin Johnson’s height, speed and ability to catch the football. In addition, Strong said Johnson will be given every chance to start this season.
Here are the highlights from Strong’s press conference:
- When spring practice began, Strong was optimistic he would be able to name a starter by the end of spring. Strong was asked if he still believed that was possible, and the coach said we may not know who will start until fall: “The competition is very good, and I don’t know by the end of spring there will be a guy. You just like the battle right now. Jerrod (Heard) is down, but Buechele and Swoopes, they’re competing, and they’re doing a very good job of just managing the offense and moving the ball.
- Strong announced Heard would be shut down for the rest of spring, which is a move we informed our readers could occur during more than one report last week. Texas will finish this spring with Tyrone Swoopes and Shane Buechele receiving most of the reps. Backup quarterback Matthew Merrick is not playing due to a back injury, and Kai Locksley is not in the mix.
- A reporter asked Strong a follow-up question about not being able to name a starting quarterback, and the coach said things just need to play out. He said, “If it takes that we have to go into fall camp and have to pick a guy, then that’s what we will do.”
- Here was Strong’s response when I asked him what it would take for Buechele to win the job: “Just keep competing, and he’s doing a great job. Shane’s a quarterback. He knows where to put the ball. He’s been in an offense similar to what we’re doing right now. He’s only going to get better. You look at Swoopes, and you look at Buechele, and they’re both pushing one another. It’s a good competition.”
- Strong praised Buechele’s knowledge of the offense. Strong said, “Shane is like a gym rat. He’s always around. He’s always learning. He’s willing to learn. When you get a player like that, he’s only going to make the other two guys better because they see how hard he works, and it drives them to work even harder. I will not be afraid to start him at all because I know he will go out there and compete and do what we asked him to do.”
- Heard is not receiving reps on-the-field, but Strong said he is getting mental reps in the classroom and learning. Strong believes that will help Heard down the line.
- Strong was asked about Locksley, and said his quarterback has not received many reps: “He’s doing a good job. It’s just that he’s working through some things right now. What we have to do with him is just make sure he stays involved.”
- Heard’s injury has not hindered the installment of Sterlin Gilbert’s offense. Strong it is going well on the field.
- Strong said his biggest problem on the offensive line right now is depth. However, the guys who are there right now are competing very well. On defense, Paul Boyette missed a few practices, but is back at practice. Strong also praised Poona Ford and Chris Nelson.
- Here was Strong’s response when asked what Swoopes has done to improve the past few years: “Well, he’s mature and much better now. He’s going to get better. As you get older, you have to get better. You should. What we’re asking him to do right now on offense, he’s doing those things. He’ll get better and improve. That just comes with age … oh, he’s a lot different player (than when Strong first arrived), and just a whole approach to the game. He’s totally different.”
- When asked what it would take for Swoopes’ practice performance to translate to meaningful games, Strong pointed to confidence: “There’s so much that plays a part. You got to have an offense line that can protect him, and he’s got to be confident in his offensive line. You have running backs right now who can run the ball. You got to have receivers who can make the catches. It all plays into one. I know we put so much into one position, but it’s not just one position. You have 11 guys out there on offense, and they to play together, and just make sure we manage the offense well enough for not only Tyrone, but if it’s Buechele. Whomever is in there, they have to be able … Jerrod … they have to be able to move the football and make the right throws and puts us in the right place.”
- Strong praised receiver Collin Johnson’s height, speed and ability to catch the football. In addition, Strong said Johnson will be given every chance to start this season.
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