Oh yeah, Texas is eight days away from facing Utah in the Alamo Bowl.
Photo via AP
The biggest offseason story since the regular season finale has been the coordinator searches. However, there is one more Longhorn football game to be played this year. Now would be a great time to step away from that topic and discuss Texas’ preparation for its bowl game on December 31.
Here are a few practice notes I compiled this week:
--- Texas began practicing for the bowl game two weeks ago. Practice on Friday and Saturday focused on preparing for Utah. Those practices were scout-team oriented, and I was told it went well. Players are off until Thursday. The Longhorns will practice on Thursday, and that will be run like a standard Tuesday practice. The team will travel to San Antonio on Friday. Saturday’s practice will be treated like a Wednesday; practice on Sunday will resemble Thursday of game week; December 30 is Family Friday, and Texas will play on December 31.
--- There are plenty of concerns about Utah inside the building, and defending the run is high on that list. Utah averages 207 rushing yards per game (28th in the country), while running back Zach Moss has rushed 219 times for 1,359 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. Utah’s average time of possession is 34:33 minutes (second in the nation).
As a result, Texas intends to use a four-man front in the bowl game in an attempt to slow down Utah’s ball-control offense.
--- Along those lines, my sources indicated Craig Naivar’s transition into the interim defensive coordinator has gone well. There have not been any hiccups or glitches under Naivar’s watch. The players liked former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, but it appears there has not been a practice drop off during the transition.
--- Receivers coach Andre Coleman was able to win that room over with ease. I learned Coleman had his guys run drills in practice that were unlike his predecessor. From what I can tell, the receivers embraced the challenge, and are enjoying their new coach.
--- When it comes to linebackers coach Jeremiah George and Coleman, it is important to know they are not trying to implement a lot of new things in a short time period. The time for one-on-one teaching occurs in the spring. Instead, they are focused on communication the game plan, making sure their players know where to line up when specific plays are called, and putting together drills for practice.
--- There is not a lot to report in terms of freshmen standing out during bowl practices. One source reminded me that outside of offensive linemen, many first-year players had a chance to see the field this year. In addition, young players were able to have more playing time for two practices two weeks ago. After the second practice, everything returned to normal.
Myron Warren and Kenyatta Watson II were two young names I heard. However, Watson has not been a scout team member in months. Regardless, he has looked good in bowl game practices.
--- The group of players who have caught everybody’s attention is the offensive line. According to my sources, Willie Tyler, Christian Jones, Reese Moore, and Rafiti Ghirmai look like players who will be ready to contribute in 2020. The thing that has stood out during bowl practices is they are big guys with great feet. Their athleticism has been noticeable to sources who watched them excel in practice. There is a lot of optimism about those guys.
--- Texas senior receiver Collin Johnson was limited in practice on Thursday, but fully participated on Saturday. He is trending in the right direction.
--- My sources indicated running back Derrian Brown has been “unbelievably happy and engaged” since being cleared to workout, lift weights, and run. I was told Brown feels like a full member of the team.
Photo via AP
The biggest offseason story since the regular season finale has been the coordinator searches. However, there is one more Longhorn football game to be played this year. Now would be a great time to step away from that topic and discuss Texas’ preparation for its bowl game on December 31.
Here are a few practice notes I compiled this week:
--- Texas began practicing for the bowl game two weeks ago. Practice on Friday and Saturday focused on preparing for Utah. Those practices were scout-team oriented, and I was told it went well. Players are off until Thursday. The Longhorns will practice on Thursday, and that will be run like a standard Tuesday practice. The team will travel to San Antonio on Friday. Saturday’s practice will be treated like a Wednesday; practice on Sunday will resemble Thursday of game week; December 30 is Family Friday, and Texas will play on December 31.
--- There are plenty of concerns about Utah inside the building, and defending the run is high on that list. Utah averages 207 rushing yards per game (28th in the country), while running back Zach Moss has rushed 219 times for 1,359 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. Utah’s average time of possession is 34:33 minutes (second in the nation).
As a result, Texas intends to use a four-man front in the bowl game in an attempt to slow down Utah’s ball-control offense.
--- Along those lines, my sources indicated Craig Naivar’s transition into the interim defensive coordinator has gone well. There have not been any hiccups or glitches under Naivar’s watch. The players liked former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, but it appears there has not been a practice drop off during the transition.
--- Receivers coach Andre Coleman was able to win that room over with ease. I learned Coleman had his guys run drills in practice that were unlike his predecessor. From what I can tell, the receivers embraced the challenge, and are enjoying their new coach.
--- When it comes to linebackers coach Jeremiah George and Coleman, it is important to know they are not trying to implement a lot of new things in a short time period. The time for one-on-one teaching occurs in the spring. Instead, they are focused on communication the game plan, making sure their players know where to line up when specific plays are called, and putting together drills for practice.
--- There is not a lot to report in terms of freshmen standing out during bowl practices. One source reminded me that outside of offensive linemen, many first-year players had a chance to see the field this year. In addition, young players were able to have more playing time for two practices two weeks ago. After the second practice, everything returned to normal.
Myron Warren and Kenyatta Watson II were two young names I heard. However, Watson has not been a scout team member in months. Regardless, he has looked good in bowl game practices.
--- The group of players who have caught everybody’s attention is the offensive line. According to my sources, Willie Tyler, Christian Jones, Reese Moore, and Rafiti Ghirmai look like players who will be ready to contribute in 2020. The thing that has stood out during bowl practices is they are big guys with great feet. Their athleticism has been noticeable to sources who watched them excel in practice. There is a lot of optimism about those guys.
--- Texas senior receiver Collin Johnson was limited in practice on Thursday, but fully participated on Saturday. He is trending in the right direction.
--- My sources indicated running back Derrian Brown has been “unbelievably happy and engaged” since being cleared to workout, lift weights, and run. I was told Brown feels like a full member of the team.
