@Ketchum highly recommend the FF retirement. I did this years ago and have never once missed it. The time I get back with the family is invaluable. I only watch my beloved/wretched Chicago Bears and some high profile games if I'm bored. If I want to talk mess to my buddies I just text them now 😀.
Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend
- Thread starter Ketchum
- Start date
Did you leave off G Harrison's 'Here Comes the Sun' ? #1 streaming Beatles song must mean something
Awesome report. after looking at the roster, seems like a significant # of players are not of “SEC“ caliber” and eventually wont make the cut. What “managed” attrition occurs with red shirt freshmen, linemen and d-line to free up roster spots?
Sure it does. It's not about the performance in high school games... it's about translatable traits and abilities. I think what he showed this season took him from an elite prospect to a "three year and 1st round draft pick" prospect like a Cam Robinson or Andre Smith type.
Jaylan Ford will be starting opposite of D-Mo
That top ten with the Beatles might be the most impressive thing I've seen a sports writer put together. Well done.
When I last left you before Christmas, the discussion focused on the remaining scholarship numbers with which Steve Sarkisian still has to work going into the 2022 season.
The hard line math says the following:
a. Texas currently has five available scholarships.
b. Texas will need to lose only five more players in the off-season in attrition in order to take 33 incoming players without the 85-man scholarship being an issue if you include the super seniors that have already announced that they will return for an extra season of eligibility. If the NCAA decides in the spring to give 85-man waivers to all super seniors (something that is not at all assured), the Longhorns would need only two more departures to clear the 85-man scholarship limit.
c. If Texas loses anywhere between 6 to 80 players between now and August, it will not impact UT's availability to take more players. The limit Texas can take is 33. Just 33. Not 38, if they lose 10.
Remember the following formula: 25 (normal incoming class size) + 7 (NCAA allowed Portal replacements) + 1 (extra scholarship from the 2021 recruiting year)
As we also mentioned, Steve Sarkisian mentioned on National Signing Day that the Longhorns could take as many as 35 or 36 players in this class. A little more digging allowed us to confirm there's no magic potion with the ability to make that happen, as the only way to get to 35 or 36 is by telling either 2 or 3 of the players that signed on December 15 that the coaches/program needs them to reclassify as 2023 prospects, either as a greyshirt or blueshirt.
For the record, we've checked with all of the names you might think would make for a possible reclassification candidate and up until this point, it doesn't seem like the Texas coaches have had that conversation with anyone, which means that the coaches might be taking a wait and see attitude towards a potential problem that they might not ever have to deal with.
Think of it as glass the coaches only want to break if needed.
With the 2022 Texas Longhorns still having so many needs on paper, my goal in the opening section this week is to prioritize the needs that the program has by inspecting a projected 2022 starting line-up, which will hopefully allow us to prioritize the areas that could potentially use the most improvement.
QB: Quinn Ewers
RB: Bijan Robinson
WR: Xavier Worthy
WR: Jordan Whittington
WR: Marcus Washington
TE: Gunnar Helm or J'Tavion Sanders
LT: Christian Jones or Kelvin Banks
LG: Junior Angilau
C: Jake Majors
RG: Hayden Connor or Neto Umeozulu
RT: Andrej Karic or Cameron Williams
DE: Alfred Collins
NT: Byron Murphy or Keondre Coburn
DT: T'Vondre Sweat
Edge: Jett Bush or Justice Finkley
SLB: Ovie Oghoufo
WLB: DeMarvion Overshown
ILB: Luke Brockermeyer or David Gbenda
CB: Ryan Watts or Jahdae Barron
CB: D'Shawn Jamison or Jahdae Barron
S: Jerrin Thompson
S: J.D. Coffey or Bryan Allen Jr.
Nickel: Anthony Cook
K: Will Stone
P: Issac Pearson
If we break those players into three categories (no-doubt-about-it, solid and questions/concerns), here's how it would break down:
No-Doubt-About-It: RB Robinson, WR Worthy, NT Murphy/Coburn, DT Sweat, SLB Overshown, CB Watts/Barron, CB Jamison/Barron
Solid: WR Whittington, LG Angilau, C Majors, DE Collins, SLB Oghoufo
Questions/Concerns: QB Ewers, WR Washington, TE Helm/Sanders, LT Jones/Banks, RG Connor/Umeozulu, RT Karic/Williams, Edge Bush/Finley, MLB Brockermeyer/Gbenda, S Thompson, S Coffey/Allen Jr., K Stone and P Pearson
From my vantage point, the top 5 positions of need probably look like this...
1. Edge
This is the single most important position on the entire defense, which proved to be haunting because the Longhorns received historically low production from the players that manned this position in 2021. We know that Jeff Bush isn't the answer. That leaves Finkley and a couple of other freshmen like J'Mond Tapp and Ethan Burke to carry a lot of responsibility and it's too much if you ask me. If the coaches can find someone that can improve the team here, it has to be done. Of course, finding pass rush help in the Portal is easier said than done, but we can't close our eyes to the importance of the needed upgrade simply because of its complications regarding answers.
2. Middle linebacker
There's a reason why the Longhorns tried to lure UNLV's Jacoby Windmon in for an official visit before he committed to Michigan State. The Texas defense can't get better at stopping the run unless an upgrade at the anchor of this linebacker unit emerges.
3. Wide Receiver
Marcus Washington is an outstanding blocker and the best on the team at his position at this particular skill, but it's not the primary skill that the starting outside receiver next to Worthy needs to possess.
4. Left tackle
One of the five remaining scholarships is going to be used on Devon Campbell, which means he might represent the improvement that can be made at right guard. But he doesn't project as a left tackle and I'm not sure that Kelvin Banks really does either, which means that it might be Christian Jones or bust at the position in 2022 unless additional help is on the way.
5. Safety
If Ryan Watts sticks at cornerback as he says he plans to, I'm just not sure how much I completely trust what's going to happen at either safety spot. Yes, any number of cornerbacks could be moved to safety, but it might end up being a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Maybe Texas should get a safety.
6. Right tackle
How much do you trust Karic, who has yet to find the light switch, or Williams, who might not even be a college tackle?
7. Kicker/Punter
At some point, Texas will need to either ...
a. Trust and live with the results from Stone and Pearson.
b. Find someone through the walk-on program (see Mack Brown's heyday)
c. Beg Cameron Dicker to return (where is his announcement?)
Pick one of those three because I can't justify using a scholarship on the kickers, unless Stone is a player that will be asked to reclassify, which would translate to swapping a like for a like. Personally, I'm not trading upgrades for any of those positions listed above this one for a kicker/punter.
View attachment 1961
No. 2 - Updated Portal List ...
With the original Top 25 Best Available list ravaged by commitments, it feels like a good time to keep everyone updated to the current availabilities in the Portal before the next wave of arrivals comes following the bowl season.
Before we look at the new Top 25, here's a look at the players from the 12/2 list that signed/committed to schools since entering the portal:
No.1 CB - Elias Ricks (LSU to Alabama)
No.2 OL Miles Frazier (FAU to LSU)
No.3 RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech to Alabama)
No.4 QB Jake Haener (stayed at Fresno State)
No.5 QB Spencer Rattler (OU to South Carolina)
No.7 QB Dillon Gabriel (UCF to UCLA)
No.8 WR Jaden Haselwood (OU to Arkansas)
No 9. LB Jacoby Windmon (UNLV to Michigan State)
No. 11. CB Marcus Banks (Alabama to Mississippi State)
No. 12. TE Austin Stogner (OU to South Carolina)
No. 13. RB - Tiyon Evans (Tennessee to Louisville)
No. 14. LB - Aaron Brule (Mississippi State to Michigan State)
No. 15. QB - Adrian Martinez (Nebraska to Kansas State)
No. 16. LB - Mohamed Sanogo (Ole Miss to Louisville)
No 17. QB - Myles Brennan (returned to LSU)
No 18. WR Theo Wease (returned to Oklahoma)
No 19. OL Corey Gaynor (Miami to UNC)
No 20. OL Paul Tchio (Clemson to Georgia Tech)
No. 21. WR Mycah Pittman (Oregon to Florida State)
No 22. OL Tylan Grable (Jackson State to UCF)
No 28. OL Pierce Quick (Alabama to Georgia Tech)
No 29. OL Kayden Lyles (Wisconsin to Florida State)
No. 30. LB - Khris Bogle (Florida to Michigan State)
No 33. OL Gerald Mincey (Florida to Tennessee)
New Top 25.
1. RB - Zach Evans (TCU) - You guys know all about his story. Reports have Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Ohio State as schools that have already contacted him since he entered the portal.
2. OL Victor Oluwatimi (Virginia) - A Rimington Award Finalist this season, Oluwatimi is wanted by schools all over the nation, with Michigan the front-runner in the minds of many.
3. DE Jared Verse (Albany) - Verse was a first-team All-CAA selection this season after finishing the year with 9.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss and 52 total tackles in 11 games. Florida State, Tennessee, Nebraska, Purdue, West Virginia, Colorado and Kansas have all offered.
4. WR - Jacob Cowing (UTEP) - The first-team All-CUSA receiver caught 69 passes for 1,354 yards (No. 7 nationally) and seven touchdowns. He was referenced in the War Room as a player that has Steve Sarkisian's interest.
5. OL - Mason Brooks (Western Kentucky) - A two-time all-conference player at right tackle for the Hilltoppers, who just happens to hail from Cedar Park, Texas. Has more than a dozen power five offers since entering the Portal.
6. S - Iseem Young (Iowa State) - The Big 12 Conference’s co-defensive freshman of the year in 2020, Young finished his career by starting 29 straight games for the Cyclones.
7. LB - Terrence Lewis (Maryland) - A five-star linebacker prospect in 2021, Lewis missed the 2021 season because of an ACL injury in March, but he'll be one of the most coveted players in the Portal.
8. DB Koby Perry (Austin Peay) - The Georgia native was named conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team FCS All-American this year with 85 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 INT and 3 PD.
9. LB - Mohamoud Diabate (Florida) - A Rhodes Scholar candidate for the Gators, Diabate has played in 37 career games and has amassed 70 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks during that time.
10. QB Cameron Ward (Incarnate Ward)
11. Tyrese Chambers (FIU
12. WR Jaden Blue (Temple)
13. LB - Branden Jennings Maryland)
14. WR Taj Harris (Syracuse)
15. OL Hunter Nourzad (Cornell)
16. WR Sam Crawford (Tulsa)
17. WR Jakob Herres (VMI)
18. DL Malik Hamm (Lafayette),
19. WR Mitchell Tinsley (Western Kentucky)
20. QB Zack Calzada (Texas A&M)
21. OL Curtis Dunlap (Minnesota)
22. QB Harrison Bailey (Tennessee)
23. WR Deion Smith (LSU)
24. DE Jacob Lichtenstein (USC)
25. WR Jaylen Hall (Western Michigan)
No. 3 - About the tight ends ...
We're going to be talking about this position group throughout the off-season, but it's kind of wild to me that it seems like we've blinked and the Longhorns are suddenly counting on Gunnar Helm, J'Tavion Sanders, Juan Davis and a coming-off-of-injury Brayden Liebrock at the tight end position.
The returning group combined to catch a single pass for zero yards in 2021.
Take a guess ... it was Davis.
Despite the lack of returning production, a case can be made that the foursome listed above represents the most talented foursome of prospects at the tight end position that I've ever seen the Longhorns work with.
Obviously, Sanders will be one of the most-watched players in the program this spring because it felt like the Longhorns wasted a five-star talent in 2021 by not being able to find any kind of a role for the most talented member of the 2021 recruiting class on an offense that needed all the help it could get.
Can Sanders crack through? Can Helm recreate the buzz from the 2021 off-season when people inside the program were raving about him? Can the position live without Sanders, who has exactly the type of talent the defense needs, his preferences be damned? Does this position even matter outside of the needed donkey work in a Sarkisian offense?
No. 4 - Saying the quiet part out loud ...
Someone in burnt orange with a business needs to give Cameron Dicker an NIL deal that makes it more financially viable to wait a year before heading off to the NFL.
No. 5 - Bijan's run to burnt orange immortality ...
Heading into the 2022 season, Texas running back Bijan Robinson will have 1,830 rushing yards under his belt.
The current top-five for UT's all-time rushing list looks like this:
1. Ricky Williams - 6,279
2. Cedric Benson - 5,540
3. Earl Campbell - 4,443
4. Jamaal Charles - 3,328
5. Chris Gilbert - 3,231
A 1,401-yard season will move Robinson into 5th place, while a 1,499-yard season will push him past Charles into 4th place.
That's very doable if he can stay healthy for the entire season. Playing in more than 12 games would go a long way to getting there.
No. 6 – Shout out to Devin Duvernay …
When Quandre Diggs and Justin Tucker were announced to the 2022 Pro Bowl rosters this week, I basically did a shoulder shrug.
Of course, they made the Pro Bowl.
When I saw that former Texas star Devin Duvernay made the Pro Bowl as a return man, I did a serious double-take. I guess I wasn't paying attention too closely, but I didn't know he was leading the entire NFL with a 14.4 yard return on punts coming into the weekend, while also leading the league in total punt return yards.
Go on with your bad self.
No. 7 – BUY or SELL …
(Buy) Depending on what the Longhorns do in these last 5+ spots, that number might be closer to 10 than 5.
(Sell) Can I go with Chris Del Conte for hitting his fundraising goals during a pandemic and The Eyes of Texas saga?
(Sell) Is that really a thing? As far as I can see in a search through the message boards, the last time a mod did such a thing was back in the summer of 2020 and it was related to soccer.
(Buy) I don't know what else to say other than I think giving up on the kid is a mistake. He wasn't ready to play in the hottest kitchens as a second-year player, but that hardly makes him unique. People wanted to move Vince Young to wide receiver by the second game of his second season ...
(Sell) I think it's going to happen, but PK will be in charge.
(Sell) I don't think 40 percent is a real number. Card won't start another game for Texas unless Ewers is hurt.
(Buy) Yes, he'll have some struggle-bus moments, just like most quarterbacks who have zero game experience.
(Buy) There's no reason not to.
(Buy) It's the one thing I have to do this month.
(Buy) Yup, but this year's class needs to be the first of many just like it. If the program simply asks the 2022 class to do everything, it'll likely come up short.
(Sell) Bridesmaid.
(Sell) I just think there are too many needs to use what's really two of four available spots because one is saved for Devon Campbell.
(Buy) It's not automatic, but my personal opinion is that it's very possible.
(Sell) This is no time to insert head into sand.
(Buy) I wish I could say otherwise.
(Buy) Yes, if the team can have the mean without the ups and downs.
(Buy) I mean..
(Buy) But, don't we say this every season?
(Buy) No reason to back off at this point.
No. 8 - Scattershooting on the sports weekend ...
... The constant cancelation of bowl games has me seeing a rather ominous cloud hovering near the playoff games.
... Speaking of bowl games... zzzzzzzzzzzz.
... I'm going to lose in the semifinals of my fantasy league because my opponent happened to have Justin Jackson lurking on his bench, just in case Austin Eckler caught COVID for the second time this year, while I left Chase Edmonds on the bench. Oh, and I trusted Matt Stafford ...
... I officially am announcing my retirement from fantasy football.
... Trevon Diggs chased down Everson Walls. I never thought that was possible.
... What the hell got into the Texans? Why did that happen?
... Joe Burrow is some kind of player when he's on. My goodness, he was on against the Ravens.
... Feels like the clock struck midnight on Mac Jones and the Patriots in 2021.
No. 9 - Top 10 The Beatles ...
I'm sure no one will disagree with this undertaking. Before we get to the Top 10, let's break the songs down into tiers.
The John List:
1. Come Together 2. Strawberry Fields Forever 3. Twist and Shout 4. Dear Prudence 5. Yer Blues 6. Across The Universe 7. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds 8. I Am The Walrus 9. You've Really Got a Hold On Me 10. Help!
The Paul List: 1. Yesterday 2. Let It Be 3. Eleanor Rigby 4. Hey Jude 5. Here, There and Everywhere 6. Kansas City/ Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey 7. Can't Buy Me Love 8. Why Don't We Do It In The Road? 9. Helter Skelter 10. Two Of Us
The John/Paul List: 1. A Day In The Life 2. I Want To Hold Your Hand 3. In My Life 4. A Hard Day's Night 5. She Loves You 6. She's Leaving Home 7. I Saw Her Standing There 8. I've Got a Feeling 9. Ticket To Ride 10. Love Me Do
The George/Ringo List: 1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 2. Something 3. Roll Over Beethoven 4. I Be Mine 5. With a Little Help From My Friends
Pre-Rubber Soul: 1. Yesterday 2. I Want To Hold Your Hand 3. Twist and Shout 4. A Hard Day's Night 5. I Saw Her Standing There 6. Kansas City/ Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey 7. Roll Over Beethoven 8. Can't Buy Me Love 9. You've Really Got a Hold On Me 10. Help!
Post-Rubber Soul: 1. A Day In The Life 2. Let It Be 3. Come Together 4. Eleanor Rigby 5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 6. In My Life 7. Strawberry Fields Forever 8. Dear Prudence 9. Something 10. Yer Blues
With my notes out of the way, let's get on with the list …
Last five songs out: A Hard Day's Night, Something, Hey Jude, Dear Prudence and Yer Blues
10. In My Life - I don't care who wrote what, I just know that it's next to impossible to leave this song out of a top 10 list.
9. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - George Harrison's masterpiece. It's ironic that the band broke up right at the moment when he was truly reaching his creative best.
8. Strawberry Fields Forever - John's most beautiful song in a catalog full of beauties.
7. Twist and Shout - This song's place in Ferris Bueller's Day Off ensured that this song will forever have a place on any list I make.
6. Eleanor Rigby - One of my favorite Paul songs and my vote for the best song on Revolver.
5. I Want To Hold Your Hand - This is the song that changed rock and roll forever and kick-started America's love affair. Yes, the sophistication of the song-writing and sound evolved from this moment on, but there's a beautiful romantic nature to the song 50 years later.
4. Come Together - 100% rock and roll heat for the ages.
3. Let It Be - There are some things in this world that can't be helped and my playing this song at least three times in a row every time I hear it is one of them.
2. Yesterday - Personally, this is one of my favorite songs in existence. It's just a timeless beauty of a record and it foreshadowed the fearlessness that would eventually become a staple of their work.
1. A Day In The Life - It's the perfect selection for the No.1 choice in my mind because it's a true collaboration between John and Paul, and it occurs as the group was reaching its pinnacle in terms of creating the kind of music that transcended what others had ever thought of creating. It's just a masterpiece of a song.
No. 10 - And Finally...
After watching The Power of the Dog on Netflex, I thought I had watched a perfectly fine movie. I'm not sure if I'll ever watch it again.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FAVORITES FOR BEST PICTURE!?!?!?
I'm a stones guy so I'm impressed.
1. Let it Be
2. You’ve got to Hide Your Love Away
3. Yesterday
4. In My Life
5. I Want to Hold Your Hand
6. Ticket to Ride
7. Michelle
8. Norwegian Wood
9. Penny Lane
10. Chains
You can probably tell that I’m more of an early Beatles guy. I can still remember playing my dads Beatles records when I was a kid. Great memories.
2. You’ve got to Hide Your Love Away
3. Yesterday
4. In My Life
5. I Want to Hold Your Hand
6. Ticket to Ride
7. Michelle
8. Norwegian Wood
9. Penny Lane
10. Chains
You can probably tell that I’m more of an early Beatles guy. I can still remember playing my dads Beatles records when I was a kid. Great memories.
Great Beatles effort, I would include Sexy Sadie on John’s list.
If Luke B starts again WE ARE IN TROUBLE. Ford should be only one listed there. I would think Cook moves to Safety and Jamison moves to Nickel. Watts and Barron are best two CB's on this team with Brooks hopefully close 3rd.
Has anyone in the college football modern era played both ways at DLine and TE? Would it be too much to handle for J. Sanders to go both ways? Thoughts? Seems like a good sell for NFL draft status.
I know these OL RECRUITS are Freshmen, but Flood didn’t score High B/C, he promised early playing time, while players like Banks and Campbell I’ll struggle mightily they will not red shirt. If you put the same ole guys out there we will be lucky to win 6. You may as well give them early playing time so that following year they can grow into All Americans. Everyone on this board believes Banks and Williams are guards, they can’t be any worse than what we had in place. For sure Banks will be our starting LT, as the picking in the TP. IF YOUR GOING TO BE A LOSING TEAM LOSE WITH THE YOUNG ONES.
That was allsome.
When I last left you before Christmas, the discussion focused on the remaining scholarship numbers with which Steve Sarkisian still has to work going into the 2022 season.
The hard line math says the following:
a. Texas currently has five available scholarships.
b. Texas will need to lose only five more players in the off-season in attrition in order to take 33 incoming players without the 85-man scholarship being an issue if you include the super seniors that have already announced that they will return for an extra season of eligibility. If the NCAA decides in the spring to give 85-man waivers to all super seniors (something that is not at all assured), the Longhorns would need only two more departures to clear the 85-man scholarship limit.
c. If Texas loses anywhere between 6 to 80 players between now and August, it will not impact UT's availability to take more players. The limit Texas can take is 33. Just 33. Not 38, if they lose 10.
Remember the following formula: 25 (normal incoming class size) + 7 (NCAA allowed Portal replacements) + 1 (extra scholarship from the 2021 recruiting year)
As we also mentioned, Steve Sarkisian mentioned on National Signing Day that the Longhorns could take as many as 35 or 36 players in this class. A little more digging allowed us to confirm there's no magic potion with the ability to make that happen, as the only way to get to 35 or 36 is by telling either 2 or 3 of the players that signed on December 15 that the coaches/program needs them to reclassify as 2023 prospects, either as a greyshirt or blueshirt.
For the record, we've checked with all of the names you might think would make for a possible reclassification candidate and up until this point, it doesn't seem like the Texas coaches have had that conversation with anyone, which means that the coaches might be taking a wait and see attitude towards a potential problem that they might not ever have to deal with.
Think of it as glass the coaches only want to break if needed.
With the 2022 Texas Longhorns still having so many needs on paper, my goal in the opening section this week is to prioritize the needs that the program has by inspecting a projected 2022 starting line-up, which will hopefully allow us to prioritize the areas that could potentially use the most improvement.
QB: Quinn Ewers
RB: Bijan Robinson
WR: Xavier Worthy
WR: Jordan Whittington
WR: Marcus Washington
TE: Gunnar Helm or J'Tavion Sanders
LT: Christian Jones or Kelvin Banks
LG: Junior Angilau
C: Jake Majors
RG: Hayden Connor or Neto Umeozulu
RT: Andrej Karic or Cameron Williams
DE: Alfred Collins
NT: Byron Murphy or Keondre Coburn
DT: T'Vondre Sweat
Edge: Jett Bush or Justice Finkley
SLB: Ovie Oghoufo
WLB: DeMarvion Overshown
ILB: Luke Brockermeyer or David Gbenda
CB: Ryan Watts or Jahdae Barron
CB: D'Shawn Jamison or Jahdae Barron
S: Jerrin Thompson
S: J.D. Coffey or Bryan Allen Jr.
Nickel: Anthony Cook
K: Will Stone
P: Issac Pearson
If we break those players into three categories (no-doubt-about-it, solid and questions/concerns), here's how it would break down:
No-Doubt-About-It: RB Robinson, WR Worthy, NT Murphy/Coburn, DT Sweat, SLB Overshown, CB Watts/Barron, CB Jamison/Barron
Solid: WR Whittington, LG Angilau, C Majors, DE Collins, SLB Oghoufo
Questions/Concerns: QB Ewers, WR Washington, TE Helm/Sanders, LT Jones/Banks, RG Connor/Umeozulu, RT Karic/Williams, Edge Bush/Finley, MLB Brockermeyer/Gbenda, S Thompson, S Coffey/Allen Jr., K Stone and P Pearson
From my vantage point, the top 5 positions of need probably look like this...
1. Edge
This is the single most important position on the entire defense, which proved to be haunting because the Longhorns received historically low production from the players that manned this position in 2021. We know that Jeff Bush isn't the answer. That leaves Finkley and a couple of other freshmen like J'Mond Tapp and Ethan Burke to carry a lot of responsibility and it's too much if you ask me. If the coaches can find someone that can improve the team here, it has to be done. Of course, finding pass rush help in the Portal is easier said than done, but we can't close our eyes to the importance of the needed upgrade simply because of its complications regarding answers.
2. Middle linebacker
There's a reason why the Longhorns tried to lure UNLV's Jacoby Windmon in for an official visit before he committed to Michigan State. The Texas defense can't get better at stopping the run unless an upgrade at the anchor of this linebacker unit emerges.
3. Wide Receiver
Marcus Washington is an outstanding blocker and the best on the team at his position at this particular skill, but it's not the primary skill that the starting outside receiver next to Worthy needs to possess.
4. Left tackle
One of the five remaining scholarships is going to be used on Devon Campbell, which means he might represent the improvement that can be made at right guard. But he doesn't project as a left tackle and I'm not sure that Kelvin Banks really does either, which means that it might be Christian Jones or bust at the position in 2022 unless additional help is on the way.
5. Safety
If Ryan Watts sticks at cornerback as he says he plans to, I'm just not sure how much I completely trust what's going to happen at either safety spot. Yes, any number of cornerbacks could be moved to safety, but it might end up being a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Maybe Texas should get a safety.
6. Right tackle
How much do you trust Karic, who has yet to find the light switch, or Williams, who might not even be a college tackle?
7. Kicker/Punter
At some point, Texas will need to either ...
a. Trust and live with the results from Stone and Pearson.
b. Find someone through the walk-on program (see Mack Brown's heyday)
c. Beg Cameron Dicker to return (where is his announcement?)
Pick one of those three because I can't justify using a scholarship on the kickers, unless Stone is a player that will be asked to reclassify, which would translate to swapping a like for a like. Personally, I'm not trading upgrades for any of those positions listed above this one for a kicker/punter.
View attachment 1961
No. 2 - Updated Portal List ...
With the original Top 25 Best Available list ravaged by commitments, it feels like a good time to keep everyone updated to the current availabilities in the Portal before the next wave of arrivals comes following the bowl season.
Before we look at the new Top 25, here's a look at the players from the 12/2 list that signed/committed to schools since entering the portal:
No.1 CB - Elias Ricks (LSU to Alabama)
No.2 OL Miles Frazier (FAU to LSU)
No.3 RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Georgia Tech to Alabama)
No.4 QB Jake Haener (stayed at Fresno State)
No.5 QB Spencer Rattler (OU to South Carolina)
No.7 QB Dillon Gabriel (UCF to UCLA)
No.8 WR Jaden Haselwood (OU to Arkansas)
No 9. LB Jacoby Windmon (UNLV to Michigan State)
No. 11. CB Marcus Banks (Alabama to Mississippi State)
No. 12. TE Austin Stogner (OU to South Carolina)
No. 13. RB - Tiyon Evans (Tennessee to Louisville)
No. 14. LB - Aaron Brule (Mississippi State to Michigan State)
No. 15. QB - Adrian Martinez (Nebraska to Kansas State)
No. 16. LB - Mohamed Sanogo (Ole Miss to Louisville)
No 17. QB - Myles Brennan (returned to LSU)
No 18. WR Theo Wease (returned to Oklahoma)
No 19. OL Corey Gaynor (Miami to UNC)
No 20. OL Paul Tchio (Clemson to Georgia Tech)
No. 21. WR Mycah Pittman (Oregon to Florida State)
No 22. OL Tylan Grable (Jackson State to UCF)
No 28. OL Pierce Quick (Alabama to Georgia Tech)
No 29. OL Kayden Lyles (Wisconsin to Florida State)
No. 30. LB - Khris Bogle (Florida to Michigan State)
No 33. OL Gerald Mincey (Florida to Tennessee)
New Top 25.
1. RB - Zach Evans (TCU) - You guys know all about his story. Reports have Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Ohio State as schools that have already contacted him since he entered the portal.
2. OL Victor Oluwatimi (Virginia) - A Rimington Award Finalist this season, Oluwatimi is wanted by schools all over the nation, with Michigan the front-runner in the minds of many.
3. DE Jared Verse (Albany) - Verse was a first-team All-CAA selection this season after finishing the year with 9.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss and 52 total tackles in 11 games. Florida State, Tennessee, Nebraska, Purdue, West Virginia, Colorado and Kansas have all offered.
4. WR - Jacob Cowing (UTEP) - The first-team All-CUSA receiver caught 69 passes for 1,354 yards (No. 7 nationally) and seven touchdowns. He was referenced in the War Room as a player that has Steve Sarkisian's interest.
5. OL - Mason Brooks (Western Kentucky) - A two-time all-conference player at right tackle for the Hilltoppers, who just happens to hail from Cedar Park, Texas. Has more than a dozen power five offers since entering the Portal.
6. S - Iseem Young (Iowa State) - The Big 12 Conference’s co-defensive freshman of the year in 2020, Young finished his career by starting 29 straight games for the Cyclones.
7. LB - Terrence Lewis (Maryland) - A five-star linebacker prospect in 2021, Lewis missed the 2021 season because of an ACL injury in March, but he'll be one of the most coveted players in the Portal.
8. DB Koby Perry (Austin Peay) - The Georgia native was named conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team FCS All-American this year with 85 tackles, 8 TFL, 2 INT and 3 PD.
9. LB - Mohamoud Diabate (Florida) - A Rhodes Scholar candidate for the Gators, Diabate has played in 37 career games and has amassed 70 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks during that time.
10. QB Cameron Ward (Incarnate Ward)
11. Tyrese Chambers (FIU
12. WR Jaden Blue (Temple)
13. LB - Branden Jennings Maryland)
14. WR Taj Harris (Syracuse)
15. OL Hunter Nourzad (Cornell)
16. WR Sam Crawford (Tulsa)
17. WR Jakob Herres (VMI)
18. DL Malik Hamm (Lafayette),
19. WR Mitchell Tinsley (Western Kentucky)
20. QB Zack Calzada (Texas A&M)
21. OL Curtis Dunlap (Minnesota)
22. QB Harrison Bailey (Tennessee)
23. WR Deion Smith (LSU)
24. DE Jacob Lichtenstein (USC)
25. WR Jaylen Hall (Western Michigan)
No. 3 - About the tight ends ...
We're going to be talking about this position group throughout the off-season, but it's kind of wild to me that it seems like we've blinked and the Longhorns are suddenly counting on Gunnar Helm, J'Tavion Sanders, Juan Davis and a coming-off-of-injury Brayden Liebrock at the tight end position.
The returning group combined to catch a single pass for zero yards in 2021.
Take a guess ... it was Davis.
Despite the lack of returning production, a case can be made that the foursome listed above represents the most talented foursome of prospects at the tight end position that I've ever seen the Longhorns work with.
Obviously, Sanders will be one of the most-watched players in the program this spring because it felt like the Longhorns wasted a five-star talent in 2021 by not being able to find any kind of a role for the most talented member of the 2021 recruiting class on an offense that needed all the help it could get.
Can Sanders crack through? Can Helm recreate the buzz from the 2021 off-season when people inside the program were raving about him? Can the position live without Sanders, who has exactly the type of talent the defense needs, his preferences be damned? Does this position even matter outside of the needed donkey work in a Sarkisian offense?
No. 4 - Saying the quiet part out loud ...
Someone in burnt orange with a business needs to give Cameron Dicker an NIL deal that makes it more financially viable to wait a year before heading off to the NFL.
No. 5 - Bijan's run to burnt orange immortality ...
Heading into the 2022 season, Texas running back Bijan Robinson will have 1,830 rushing yards under his belt.
The current top-five for UT's all-time rushing list looks like this:
1. Ricky Williams - 6,279
2. Cedric Benson - 5,540
3. Earl Campbell - 4,443
4. Jamaal Charles - 3,328
5. Chris Gilbert - 3,231
A 1,401-yard season will move Robinson into 5th place, while a 1,499-yard season will push him past Charles into 4th place.
That's very doable if he can stay healthy for the entire season. Playing in more than 12 games would go a long way to getting there.
No. 6 – Shout out to Devin Duvernay …
When Quandre Diggs and Justin Tucker were announced to the 2022 Pro Bowl rosters this week, I basically did a shoulder shrug.
Of course, they made the Pro Bowl.
When I saw that former Texas star Devin Duvernay made the Pro Bowl as a return man, I did a serious double-take. I guess I wasn't paying attention too closely, but I didn't know he was leading the entire NFL with a 14.4 yard return on punts coming into the weekend, while also leading the league in total punt return yards.
Go on with your bad self.
No. 7 – BUY or SELL …
(Buy) Depending on what the Longhorns do in these last 5+ spots, that number might be closer to 10 than 5.
(Sell) Can I go with Chris Del Conte for hitting his fundraising goals during a pandemic and The Eyes of Texas saga?
(Sell) Is that really a thing? As far as I can see in a search through the message boards, the last time a mod did such a thing was back in the summer of 2020 and it was related to soccer.
(Buy) I don't know what else to say other than I think giving up on the kid is a mistake. He wasn't ready to play in the hottest kitchens as a second-year player, but that hardly makes him unique. People wanted to move Vince Young to wide receiver by the second game of his second season ...
(Sell) I think it's going to happen, but PK will be in charge.
(Sell) I don't think 40 percent is a real number. Card won't start another game for Texas unless Ewers is hurt.
(Buy) Yes, he'll have some struggle-bus moments, just like most quarterbacks who have zero game experience.
(Buy) There's no reason not to.
(Buy) It's the one thing I have to do this month.
(Buy) Yup, but this year's class needs to be the first of many just like it. If the program simply asks the 2022 class to do everything, it'll likely come up short.
(Sell) Bridesmaid.
(Sell) I just think there are too many needs to use what's really two of four available spots because one is saved for Devon Campbell.
(Buy) It's not automatic, but my personal opinion is that it's very possible.
(Sell) This is no time to insert head into sand.
(Buy) I wish I could say otherwise.
(Buy) Yes, if the team can have the mean without the ups and downs.
(Buy) I mean..
(Buy) But, don't we say this every season?
(Buy) No reason to back off at this point.
No. 8 - Scattershooting on the sports weekend ...
... The constant cancelation of bowl games has me seeing a rather ominous cloud hovering near the playoff games.
... Speaking of bowl games... zzzzzzzzzzzz.
... I'm going to lose in the semifinals of my fantasy league because my opponent happened to have Justin Jackson lurking on his bench, just in case Austin Eckler caught COVID for the second time this year, while I left Chase Edmonds on the bench. Oh, and I trusted Matt Stafford ...
... I officially am announcing my retirement from fantasy football.
... Trevon Diggs chased down Everson Walls. I never thought that was possible.
... What the hell got into the Texans? Why did that happen?
... Joe Burrow is some kind of player when he's on. My goodness, he was on against the Ravens.
... Feels like the clock struck midnight on Mac Jones and the Patriots in 2021.
No. 9 - Top 10 The Beatles ...
I'm sure no one will disagree with this undertaking. Before we get to the Top 10, let's break the songs down into tiers.
The John List:
1. Come Together 2. Strawberry Fields Forever 3. Twist and Shout 4. Dear Prudence 5. Yer Blues 6. Across The Universe 7. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds 8. I Am The Walrus 9. You've Really Got a Hold On Me 10. Help!
The Paul List: 1. Yesterday 2. Let It Be 3. Eleanor Rigby 4. Hey Jude 5. Here, There and Everywhere 6. Kansas City/ Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey 7. Can't Buy Me Love 8. Why Don't We Do It In The Road? 9. Helter Skelter 10. Two Of Us
The John/Paul List: 1. A Day In The Life 2. I Want To Hold Your Hand 3. In My Life 4. A Hard Day's Night 5. She Loves You 6. She's Leaving Home 7. I Saw Her Standing There 8. I've Got a Feeling 9. Ticket To Ride 10. Love Me Do
The George/Ringo List: 1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 2. Something 3. Roll Over Beethoven 4. I Be Mine 5. With a Little Help From My Friends
Pre-Rubber Soul: 1. Yesterday 2. I Want To Hold Your Hand 3. Twist and Shout 4. A Hard Day's Night 5. I Saw Her Standing There 6. Kansas City/ Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey 7. Roll Over Beethoven 8. Can't Buy Me Love 9. You've Really Got a Hold On Me 10. Help!
Post-Rubber Soul: 1. A Day In The Life 2. Let It Be 3. Come Together 4. Eleanor Rigby 5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 6. In My Life 7. Strawberry Fields Forever 8. Dear Prudence 9. Something 10. Yer Blues
With my notes out of the way, let's get on with the list …
Last five songs out: A Hard Day's Night, Something, Hey Jude, Dear Prudence and Yer Blues
10. In My Life - I don't care who wrote what, I just know that it's next to impossible to leave this song out of a top 10 list.
9. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - George Harrison's masterpiece. It's ironic that the band broke up right at the moment when he was truly reaching his creative best.
8. Strawberry Fields Forever - John's most beautiful song in a catalog full of beauties.
7. Twist and Shout - This song's place in Ferris Bueller's Day Off ensured that this song will forever have a place on any list I make.
6. Eleanor Rigby - One of my favorite Paul songs and my vote for the best song on Revolver.
5. I Want To Hold Your Hand - This is the song that changed rock and roll forever and kick-started America's love affair. Yes, the sophistication of the song-writing and sound evolved from this moment on, but there's a beautiful romantic nature to the song 50 years later.
4. Come Together - 100% rock and roll heat for the ages.
3. Let It Be - There are some things in this world that can't be helped and my playing this song at least three times in a row every time I hear it is one of them.
2. Yesterday - Personally, this is one of my favorite songs in existence. It's just a timeless beauty of a record and it foreshadowed the fearlessness that would eventually become a staple of their work.
1. A Day In The Life - It's the perfect selection for the No.1 choice in my mind because it's a true collaboration between John and Paul, and it occurs as the group was reaching its pinnacle in terms of creating the kind of music that transcended what others had ever thought of creating. It's just a masterpiece of a song.
No. 10 - And Finally...
After watching The Power of the Dog on Netflex, I thought I had watched a perfectly fine movie. I'm not sure if I'll ever watch it again.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FAVORITES FOR BEST PICTURE!?!?!?
- Nov 30, 2001
- 4,053
- 3,883
- 113
Just ask aggy.4th-ish is nothing to be ashamed of.
Ketch,
this “giving up on Card” is just in your head (unless you have inside information”
I have listened to the YouTubes but you are just making this up.
FACT
It is the job of every football coach to recruit the best players and let the best man win. PERIOD
FACT
It is not the responsibility of the coaches to hold open a position until a player “is ready”. The best player plays. If Card is better he will play. This conspiracy is in your head.
FACT
Card looked comfortable in the pocket in 1 game. The WV game where he got hurt. Shame he didn’t get to finish that game and the season because then talking heads like yourself would talk about a QB battle as opposed to “the coaches have given up on him” BS which there is ZERO evidence to support.
you like to say “what other position would the coaches give up on a player” but I would actually rebuff with the obvious, In what other position is bringing in talent seen as “giving up” on more senior players? It’s literally the coaches job!!!!!!
this “giving up on Card” is just in your head (unless you have inside information”
I have listened to the YouTubes but you are just making this up.
FACT
It is the job of every football coach to recruit the best players and let the best man win. PERIOD
FACT
It is not the responsibility of the coaches to hold open a position until a player “is ready”. The best player plays. If Card is better he will play. This conspiracy is in your head.
FACT
Card looked comfortable in the pocket in 1 game. The WV game where he got hurt. Shame he didn’t get to finish that game and the season because then talking heads like yourself would talk about a QB battle as opposed to “the coaches have given up on him” BS which there is ZERO evidence to support.
you like to say “what other position would the coaches give up on a player” but I would actually rebuff with the obvious, In what other position is bringing in talent seen as “giving up” on more senior players? It’s literally the coaches job!!!!!!
How in the hell do you leave out "Here Comes The Sun" and "My Sweet Lord" sung by George Harrison?!?!?
Unpopular opinion....the Beatles are overrated and their music doesn't carry forward as well as other top bands of their generation. Stones. Doors and Eagles all better.
Jett Bush or Finkley starting at Edge? Finkley is enrolling in Jan and has some deserved hype coming in, but he's still just a freshman. What about Dorbah or Harris who have had a year or two in a college lifting program? We're in real trouble if Jett Bush is our starting Edge.
I was of this opinion up until the last 2 weeks....I'm 52 and just finished "Let It Be" documentary on Disney + and revisited their catalogue of music and give them the edge of greatest band, edging out The Eagles.
Remember....The Beatles were only a real band for about a decade.....their seismic impact on music in such a short amount of time is unlike anything in music history and still reverberates strongly.
Agree. I goes on Paul's list. Paul wrote Long and Winding Road essentially by himself, although it was credited to "Lennon-McCartney" for years.
The Beatles were, without a doubt, the most creative force in popular music in modern history. Can't speak to Mozart's time.
Nice effort, and extra trophy point for attempting this.
Of course it is wrong. But that’s is really immaterial.
There must be some rich urologist on this board willing to give Dicker an NIL deal.
The thing that amazes me is when you listen to their remastered songs they sound better than modern produced music.....can any of you technical wizards explain to me how their music sounds soooooo good?
Eleanor Rigby reminds me of a little lady from my wife's hometown of Norwich, England. She was around the church every time I went to meet the Vicar before we were married.
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