Making a rush judgement about this year’s Texas football team is definitely risky business. Players are practicing against teammates who they are very familiar with. The team was not in pads, which makes it hard to determine if a player would have been tackled, or gained a few extra yards, on certain plays. Plus, it is easy to excel in practice, but we all know things change when the lights are on.
I will not make any irrational predictions about the upcoming season based on the two days of practice media members were allowed to watch. Instead, I will give you some of my takeaways:
- You have probably heard a lot of people talk about how physically put together this team is. Well, they are not lying. If there was an “All Airport Team” or “All Beach Team,” Texas would claim first prize. Nearly every player has a muscular body, which is very apparent when you look at this group of receivers. Strong said the next step for his team is to be mentally prepared for the upcoming season. If this team’s mental strength matches their physical appearance, Strong may finally have a team that can compete consistently each week.
- There is no reason why Shane Buechele should not be named the starter this week. Tyrone Swoopes has done nothing to prove he deserves to start this season. Even without pads, there were times Swoopes sensed defensive pressure and froze. He still overthrows open receivers. It just is what it is. Buechele has not looked like the second coming of Colt McCoy, but when he gets into a passing rhythm, it is easy to envision him having that kind of success in games.
- Armanti Foreman was a heavily coveted recruit, but I never understood what all the fuss was about. From the moment I arrived in Austin, Foreman seemed to be more hype than substance. However, Foreman is starting to look like the real deal. He has been the most impressive receiver this weekend, which says a lot considering the talent on this team. If Foreman can stay healthy, he may live up to the hype and have a breakout season.
- Freshman receiver Devin Duvernay is built like a professional football player. He has the speed to be special – this season.
- Whenever I see Jerrod Heard running at quarterback, I keep wondering what he might look like as a receiver. Heard will have to see the field at some point this season in a special package, or after a move to receiver. If Heard does not play this year, Texas runs the risk of him transferring after this season, which could leave the Longhorns with Buechele, Matthew Merrick and Sam Ehlinger at quarterback – assuming Kai Locksley does not transfer, or switch to receiver.
- Speaking of Locksley, I wonder what is going through his head. He seems to be handling being in the doghouse fine, but is he content to use up this year of eligibility and attempt to compete for a position next year?
- If you have ever listened to a Sterlin Gilbert interview, he is always very relaxed and direct. He is not a guy who likes to waste words. That is exactly how Gilbert runs his practices. Gilbert is extremely relaxed and does not scream at players. I think his calmness will translate very well in games.
- The best thing I can say about freshman center Zach Shackelford is I have not noticed him out there. That’s actually a praise for an offensive lineman.
- My money is on freshman Jordan Elliott to be the freshman defensive tackle with a big impact this season. Elliott is just huge (6-foot-4, 318 pounds). I saw Elliott being double-teamed on defense, and he takes up a lot of space. Elliott is a guy to watch, along with D’Andre Christmas and Marcel Southall.
- It is going to be hard to keep Kris Boyd off the field this year. Boyd is a baller. He makes the occasional mistake, which is going to happen when you are going up against the same opponents every day. Whenever he hits the field, there should not be a drop-off in productivity.
- Blitzing will be the best way for Texas to generate a pass rush. Whenever I watch the defensive line, they are not at the point where I believe they can consistently get to the quarterback with a four-man rush. Malik Jefferson is the team’s middle linebacker, but their best blitzer. He needs to be turned loose.
- If cornerback Davante Davis can matchup against John Burt and Collin Johnson every day in practice, he should be fine against opposing teams this season.
- It seems like Strong has several talented players. Again, I am not going to give a win total right now, but if you tell me this team can win eight games, I am willing to entertain the conversation. The team feels like they are heading in the right direction. I was never completely sold on Shawn Watson, but Gilbert is more convincing. The staffers added this year are effectively teaching and communicating every day. Practice looks like another normal day at the job instead of a chaotic Friday afternoon with a substitute teacher. It is early, but so far, this team looks good.
I will not make any irrational predictions about the upcoming season based on the two days of practice media members were allowed to watch. Instead, I will give you some of my takeaways:
- You have probably heard a lot of people talk about how physically put together this team is. Well, they are not lying. If there was an “All Airport Team” or “All Beach Team,” Texas would claim first prize. Nearly every player has a muscular body, which is very apparent when you look at this group of receivers. Strong said the next step for his team is to be mentally prepared for the upcoming season. If this team’s mental strength matches their physical appearance, Strong may finally have a team that can compete consistently each week.
- There is no reason why Shane Buechele should not be named the starter this week. Tyrone Swoopes has done nothing to prove he deserves to start this season. Even without pads, there were times Swoopes sensed defensive pressure and froze. He still overthrows open receivers. It just is what it is. Buechele has not looked like the second coming of Colt McCoy, but when he gets into a passing rhythm, it is easy to envision him having that kind of success in games.
- Armanti Foreman was a heavily coveted recruit, but I never understood what all the fuss was about. From the moment I arrived in Austin, Foreman seemed to be more hype than substance. However, Foreman is starting to look like the real deal. He has been the most impressive receiver this weekend, which says a lot considering the talent on this team. If Foreman can stay healthy, he may live up to the hype and have a breakout season.
- Freshman receiver Devin Duvernay is built like a professional football player. He has the speed to be special – this season.
- Whenever I see Jerrod Heard running at quarterback, I keep wondering what he might look like as a receiver. Heard will have to see the field at some point this season in a special package, or after a move to receiver. If Heard does not play this year, Texas runs the risk of him transferring after this season, which could leave the Longhorns with Buechele, Matthew Merrick and Sam Ehlinger at quarterback – assuming Kai Locksley does not transfer, or switch to receiver.
- Speaking of Locksley, I wonder what is going through his head. He seems to be handling being in the doghouse fine, but is he content to use up this year of eligibility and attempt to compete for a position next year?
- If you have ever listened to a Sterlin Gilbert interview, he is always very relaxed and direct. He is not a guy who likes to waste words. That is exactly how Gilbert runs his practices. Gilbert is extremely relaxed and does not scream at players. I think his calmness will translate very well in games.
- The best thing I can say about freshman center Zach Shackelford is I have not noticed him out there. That’s actually a praise for an offensive lineman.
- My money is on freshman Jordan Elliott to be the freshman defensive tackle with a big impact this season. Elliott is just huge (6-foot-4, 318 pounds). I saw Elliott being double-teamed on defense, and he takes up a lot of space. Elliott is a guy to watch, along with D’Andre Christmas and Marcel Southall.
- It is going to be hard to keep Kris Boyd off the field this year. Boyd is a baller. He makes the occasional mistake, which is going to happen when you are going up against the same opponents every day. Whenever he hits the field, there should not be a drop-off in productivity.
- Blitzing will be the best way for Texas to generate a pass rush. Whenever I watch the defensive line, they are not at the point where I believe they can consistently get to the quarterback with a four-man rush. Malik Jefferson is the team’s middle linebacker, but their best blitzer. He needs to be turned loose.
- If cornerback Davante Davis can matchup against John Burt and Collin Johnson every day in practice, he should be fine against opposing teams this season.
- It seems like Strong has several talented players. Again, I am not going to give a win total right now, but if you tell me this team can win eight games, I am willing to entertain the conversation. The team feels like they are heading in the right direction. I was never completely sold on Shawn Watson, but Gilbert is more convincing. The staffers added this year are effectively teaching and communicating every day. Practice looks like another normal day at the job instead of a chaotic Friday afternoon with a substitute teacher. It is early, but so far, this team looks good.
