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(From Anwar)
Texas football coach Tom Herman has preached the “1-0” mentality since the day he took this job.
Basically, it is Herman’s way of having his players focused on excelling at one thing at a time. Herman wants his players to be great in every aspect of their lives. When it comes to football, being 1-0 means trying to be great in warm-ups, offseason conditioning, stretching, practice, game days, film study, you name it. That mentality was an important part of Herman’s plan to change the losing culture at Texas. Herman’s implementation of going 1-0 worked so well, veteran players on this Texas team groomed this year’s group of freshmen and taught them the expectations. Not only were veteran players assigned to mentor one freshman in a big brother role, but I witnessed upperclassmen mentoring young players on the field without the solicitation of position coaches.
Texas has taken it game-by-game this season, too. After the season-opening loss against Maryland, Texas’ only goal was to defeat Tulsa. After that win, it was to defeat USC. While outsiders made the TCU game into a huge deal, Herman made sure his guys remained balanced heading into that game. When we talked about Texas’ road drought against Kansas State, Herman was definitely aware of the program’s losing streak in Manhattan, but their goal was to execute the game plan. So far, Herman’s philosophy has worked.
However, this is Texas vs. Oklahoma.
Behind closed doors, there is not a single person in charge who attempted to downplay the emotions running through Longhorn players this week. Nobody was going to lie and act like Saturday is just another game on the schedule. They are not denying those facts. Instead, they are embracing it.
Prior to Herman mentioning this during his press conference on Thursday, a person with close ties to the program told me about the GPS monitors players wear in practice. In simple terms, the instrument monitors a player’s body exertion during practice. Last year, the exertion rate was higher during practice leading up to Oklahoma than any other game. As expected, this week’s numbers have been higher than at any other point this season.
I mentioned this as we recorded our podcast on Thursday, and Alex Dunlap recognized I was talking about Player Load. There are tons of nerd metrics associated with Player Load, and I did not want to slow down the podcast by getting into all the specifics.
However, Dunlap was so knowledgeable and descriptive about the device, I asked him to give a breakdown of the technology Texas is using for the War Room.
Here is what Dunlap wrote:
“Player Load is a metric used in sports analytics, as measured by companies like Catapult and Zebra Technologies, to quantify the physical exertion of an athlete during a game or practice session. The metric was originally brought to bear by Catapult Technologies in association with the Australian Institute of Sport. It provides a quantitative measurement of the objective workload of an athlete at any given time. Measurements are taken using accelerometers placed inside the football players' shoulder pads or in little pouches connected to the pads. After practice, trainers remove these units (and they'd better not misplace them as each cost over $3,000) and the data is uploaded into a proprietary system to generate reports about each player's physical exertion levels among a million other readings. Player Load takes into account data like total distance traveled for the practice, number of explosive movements, max velocity, max sustained speed and other factors to come to an all-encompassing metric which is Player Load.
“Strength and Conditioning staffs monitor player load to know when players are going too hard or need to be eased up on, etc. While the technology is too new to say with definitive certainty that it helps in preventing injuries, the overwhelming line of thought among the sports analytics community is that injuries can be decreased when max-stress and overexertion are decreased. In a normal scenario, seeing a player or two with elevated player load as compared to the others could highlight them as players to monitor from the training and S&C side. However, an entire team showing an across-the-board elevation in player load readings would likely be indicative of an amped-up bunch going harder and faster than usual in a coordinated manner.”
Dunlap is correct.
The team is going harder this week, and for obvious reasons. That being said, the players have received a lot of guidance.
“We told them if you want to do anything because it’s Oklahoma, do exactly what you’ve done, but do it a little bit harder, and a little more of it,” I was told. “We didn’t change our routine. Didn’t change the practice schedule. Not changing pads or not pads, music at practice, intensity level, or motivation to do the things we do because of who we’re playing.”
For those who missed it, I asked Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando about trying to maintain a 1-0 mentality heading into Saturday’s game. Orlando, like everyone in the building, is not hiding from the importance of this game.
“To me, I kind of let it unfold,” Orlando said. “Myself, I’m relatively new to this, but I watch Breckyn Hager, I watch Charles Omenihu, Anthony Wheeler, and I watch those guys dial it up a little bit. We understand what’s on the line. I don’t think we have to talk about it. Herm [Tom Herman] is trying to get these guys [to say] this is the moment we’re in right now. Let’s make sure we’re doing things by routine. We’re not going to change just because it’s OU. Let’s make sure we do things the way we’ve done it the last couple of weeks. I know this, in that locker room, with those kids, they’ll ready. We won’t have to worry about motivating those guys for this week.”
--- Speaking of Orlando, I heard some good things about the game plan for Saturday. Now, please do not hold me responsible if for some reason the defense struggles against Oklahoma. I am just saying it appears the staff has a very solid plan in place, but they need the players to execute.
Obviously, I am not going to discuss any specifics and give Oklahoma any ammo. I will just say if the players can be successful and execute Orlando’s plan, it could be a great defensive day for the Longhorns.
---- A win against Oklahoma will definitely help recruiting, but nobody believes a loss would be a fatal blow.
Clearly, the goal is defeat Oklahoma and obtain an advantage when it comes to the players in the 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes. Nobody within the program believes Saturday’s outcome will have a huge impact in the 2019 recruiting class. Oklahoma is the host school this year, which limits the interaction from Texas.
A win against Oklahoma helps with the “Texas is back” narrative with recruits. It would allow Herman’s staff to sell something more than signing with Texas to help turn around the program.
However, a loss is not a death blow, because if Texas rebounds, advances to the Big 12 title game, and plays in a premier bowl game, everyone in the building believes they can work with that resume from a recruiting standpoint.
******
In case you missed it, Texas running back Porter did not travel with the team to Kansas State this past weekend. Herman was asked about Porter’s absence during his press conference on Monday. During Herman’s explanation, it became very apparent that it was Porter’s decision not to travel. After appearing in four games this season, Porter seemingly has shut it down.
For background purposes, Porter was not thrilled with his lack of playing time last year, and those sentiments did not change in 2018. Porter continues to be used as a blocker, but is behind Tre Watson, Keaontay Ingram and Daniel Young on the depth chart. As a fourth-string running back, Porter rarely sees the field.
As a result, Porter recently informed Herman he did not want to travel with his team to Manhattan, Kansas.
It is my understanding that Herman, along with other staff members, tried to talk Porter into playing this season. However, it appears Porter is thinking about life after Texas.
Porter has appeared in four games this season. The only way Porter’s transfer makes sense, from a football standpoint, is if he can graduate after this season (he is currently a junior). He is currently enrolled in the prestigious McCombs School of Business. If Porter does not play in another game this season, and graduates, he will have two years of eligibility remaining.
If not, Porter will have to sit out next season, and will have only one year remaining.
I do not know Porter’s academic status, but unless there is a drastic change, his playing days at Texas might be over.
Porter has appeared in 27 games, compiling 468 rushing yards and five touchdowns, plus 63 receiving yards and one touchdown.
If Porter does leave, it will not be the first time Herman has done everything within his power to accommodate a transferring player.
As I previously reported, former Texas defensive back John Bonney walked into Herman’s office prior to the season and announced he was transferring to Texas Tech. Herman could have questioned whether Bonney spoke to coaches at Texas Tech while still on scholarship at Texas. In addition, Herman had the right to limit Bonney’s choices as a grad transfer (new rule change went into effect this month). However, Herman allowed Bonney to take his knowledge of Texas’ playbook to another Big 12 school.
In addition, one person associated with the program told me they believed Herman is doing his best not to burn a potential redshirt season for quarterback Shane Buechele in case he decides to transfer. Everyone in the building wants Buechele to remain at Texas. However, Buechele has been such a standup guy since losing his starting job, there is a belief Herman has developed a soft spot for the quarterback, and even though he will never admit it publicly, the coach does not want to hinder any future options for his player.
It appears Herman has the same soft spot for Porter.
******
(Ketch)
With good vibes in the air from a positive start to the football season, I reached out to a high-level Texas administrator this week to get a feel for the overall state of the athletics department union this week.
Here area few highlights from our conversation.
On Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte...
"I think we will look back in a decade from now and we'll view his hire as the single most important hire in the history of our athletics program. We're at a critical juncture right now with regards to fundraising and the developments of numerous big projects. What we're trying to achieve is ambitious and I'm not sure after seeing him first-hand that we would be in a position to pull off what we want to pull off without him."
On fundraising efforts...
"We're pleased, but there's so much more to do. One of our real challenges is that our pool of donors has changed quite a bit over the last decade and part of what Del Conte has to do is create new natural resources for our fundraising. You can only go to the same wells so often. Fundraising efforts never stop. Del Conte never stops. I think people really like him because so eager to please, but he doesn't turn off."
On Texas football...
"If you had told me two Novembers ago that we'd be ranked and undefeated in conference play with wins over both TCU and USC going into the Oklahoma game in Tom Herman's second year, I would have said, 'Where do I sign?' We're not exactly where we want to be, but we're getting there and this weekend is a step in that direction."
On Tom Herman ...
"This (OU game) is why we hired him. To win this game. To be the difference in this game. I think we're all excited about what he'll have this team doing this weekend."
On whether he expects there to be changes on the staff after this season...
"Whatever Tom wants to do with his staff, he'll find universal support. We're not going to fall short because we blinked when it's time to be there for him in these situations. It's completely up to him, but, yes, we'll make sure he gets what he needs if he needs anything at all. In a perfect world, we're going to win a lot of games this season and continuing to have staff continuity will be seen as a positive."
******
(From Suchomel)
Other than the Sunday night commitment from linebacker David Gbenda, it’s been a pretty uneventful week on the recruiting front, so what better place to start than with an update from Gbenda?
The Katy Cinco Ranch product pulled the trigger on his pledge on Sunday night, putting an end to a recruitment that had been strongly trending UT’s way for the last couple months. Gbenda said his decision to go public this week was just something that felt right to him.
“I told other schools and myself, it was just what I was feeling,” Gbenda said. “It was really more of a feeling that came on to me. It was time with the season coming on, I was like, ‘Who is still with me?’”
Gbenda said he was still considering TCU, Texas A&M and Ole Miss when he made up his mind on Texas. His relationship with the UT coaches, especially Todd Orlando, helped the Longhorns win out.
“It was the feeling, just knowing the coaches were talking with me, the relationship I built with coach Orlando,” Gbenda said. “We just talk about life, football, daily events. He would talk about football, the opportunity they have for me.”
With Texas set to graduate a couple senior starting linebackers, Gbenda has been told he’ll have a chance to play early if he works hard and is prepared.
“They’ve said the opportunity is there, that I should come in ready to play,” Gbenda said.
The 6-0, 212 Gbenda is being recruited by Texas to play middle linebacker He feels his speed and athleticism will help him fit in well with what UT likes to do.
“As a middle linebacker, I can bring my speed and aggressiveness, reach the ball,” Gbenda said. “Really, just my knowledge of the game. My explosiveness helps me get off the ball. And I really enjoy the game, have a passion for it, for hard work, really. That’s what you’re getting from me.”
How good does Gbenda feel about his decision? When he and I were hanging up, I thanked him for his time, and the last words he said before hanging up were “Hook’Em.” I’m taking that as a good sign.
******
Safety Jalen Catalon has said all along that he wanted to take his time with the recruiting process, and he’s stuck to his plan. But things are finally starting to heat up with the Mansfield Legacy standout.
Last weekend, Catalon took an official visit to OU. This weekend, he’ll take an official visit to Arkansas. Catalon is down to a final four of UT, Arkansas, OU and TCU. Visits to UT and TCU have yet to be set up, and Catalon said this week his plan is still to announce in January.
One person I spoke with this week didn’t think the Oklahoma visit moved the needle too much. The Sooners are in Catalon’s final grouping for a reason so you can’t totally count them out, but this person told me he still thinks Texas is the team to beat.
I’ve thought forever that Arkansas was UT’s biggest threat, and apparently there’s a lot of confidence on the Arkansas side of things heading into this weekend’s visit. In fact, one Arkansas insider believes the Razorbacks are not only leading, but they have a stranglehold on the top spot in this one.
Catalon’s a very cerebral young man who isn’t the type to rush into a decision before he’s ready, so I wouldn’t expect any fireworks this weekend. But Arkansas could make a strong move with a good visit, putting Texas in a position where it will need Catalon to stay patient and continue to work through the process. With Catalon having one teammate (Enoch Jackson) committed to Arkansas and another (Taurean Carter) who could wind up a Razorback, that’ll be an additional hurdle the Longhorns will have to overcome.
Again, I’m expecting Catalon to stick to his original plan and not commit for a while, but there is confidence from people in Arkansas and this weekend’s visit will be one to watch closely.
******
2020 defensive end Alfred Collins picked up a UT offer while on campus (on the football field, to be exact) for the USC game. Collins returned again for the TCU game, and said he was excited when he got the UT offer.
“We got to the stadium, we chilled out for a bit in the meeting room. Then we went down to the field, one of the helpers took me to coach Herman in the middle of the field. Herman said he wanted to see me face to face, eye to eye, and offered me a full scholarship,” Collins said. “I was excited.”
Collins was accompanied by his parents for that meeting and he said they were both excited as well. Along with Texas, the 6-5, 250-pounder has offers from Texas A&M, SMU, Oklahoma and Baylor. At this early stage, he says he’s wide open.
“Honestly, I like them all right now. I don’t really have any real favorites,” Collins said. “I’m just enjoying it right now.”
Collins’ mother played basketball at Texas, to the Longhorns would seem to have an in there, although Collins said his mother has told him she’ll support him wherever he goes. He’s planning to be at the Texas-OU game this weekend. As for what stands out about UT, Collins said it’s a general feeling of comfort and the bond within the program.
“The family atmosphere. That’s what I like a lot about UT,” he said.
This will be one worth monitoring closely, but Collins said he is taking his time with the process. He likes what he’s heard from UT early, and the UT staff has told him they can help him develop into a Sunday player.
“They just say things like how I can be a monster, they can turn me into more of a beast than I already am,” Collins said.
******
If you missed it, Brian Bowen, Sr., the father of former five-star basketball player Brian Bowen, testified today in New York at the college basketball corruption trial. During part of his testimony, he stated, among a long list of things that included alleged payments that would be made by schools, that former agent Christian Dawkins told him Texas, specifically former assistant coach Mike Morrell, would, “help me with housing” if Bowen’s son committed to Texas. That quote is from reporting by Yahoo! Sports’s Dan Wetzel. According to Adam Zagoria, Bowen stated he didn't accept any of the offers.
https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1047949477225668608
Again, Bowen was relaying information told to him by Dawkins, who has a past that paints a picture of questionable credibility, and these are allegations. But the Longhorns find themselves linked to the Bowens during the trial. Obviously, they’d prefer not to be. You can read our summary from earlier today and notes about Bowen’s recruitment HERE.
After digging around, there’s nothing to pass along from UT’s end, or anything else to report on Bowen’s testimony. Based on what I know currently, I don’t think there’s reason for Texas or its fans to be concerned, although the trial will be ongoing for weeks and Bowen will likely speak again tomorrow. We're just a few days into this, and it's already turned into the type of mess many expected it to.
As mentioned earlier today, Bowen went from a very likely Arizona commitment in December (our notes from today map out the timeline based off Bowen’s comments), to dragging his recruitment out, to the recruitment becoming a mess, and then pulling a surprise move by enrolling at Louisville. Late in May of 2017, while Bowen was taking unofficial visits, including one to Oregon, Texas had a chance to start recruiting Bowen again, and pulled out. (McComas)
*****
From what I’ve heard, it sounds like Stanford is no longer in the running for Westlake (Austin) five-star big man Will Baker, which would bring his list to Georgetown, Texas, and UCLA. The recruitment remains a very quiet one, but I still lean towards Baker being done with his visits. Today, Texas head coach Shaka Smart was at Westlake to see the priority Texas target. (McComas)
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