As we get ready to turn the page into August, the excitement level for the 2011 football season continues to build. After a summer of workouts both on the field and in the weight room, the Texas Longhorn team members will return to Austin this week.
The preseason storylines will be abundant for a team looking to bounce back from a 5-7 campaign in 2010. This year's Longhorn team, complete with the off-season coaching overhaul, is a team of unknowns.
Will Texas get improved play from the quarterback position? Does Texas have any real offensive playmakers? Can UT field a formidable offensive line? Does Texas have enough depth at defensive tackle? Can the Longhorns survive with at least two new starters in the secondary? What will Bryan Harsin's offense and Manny Diaz's defense look like? We could go on.
Over the weekend, Orangebloods.com subscribers were treated to some offensive player notes and defensive player notes detailing some of the summer standouts. Let's go a little deeper after talking to a few different sources of late ...
- One of the Horns' biggest issues last year was establishing leadership, particularly on offense. Gone were Colt McCoy (and Jordan Shipley), and first-year starting quarterback Garrett Gilbert was seemingly never able to take full control. Gilbert's made a strong effort this summer to take on a bigger role as an offensive leader (he was in charge of organizing all the 7-on-7 sessions), but we're hearing it's still not an inherent trait for the junior. Gilbert's liked and respected by his teammates, but he's not a natural vocal leader.
Looking for offensive leaders for this year's team? Several people have pointed to senior running back Fozzy Whittaker, which comes as no surprise. Another name we've now heard from multiple sources is sophomore offensive lineman Mason Walters. When Walters talks, people listen ... both on offense and defense.
- Speaking of Gilbert, a couple people who are very close to the team told us this week that they still feel he's the runaway leader to hold down the top spot. That being said, he hasn't completely seized the top spot in the way that most were probably hoping.
In years past, the starting quarterback took complete control of the position during the 7-on-7 sessions and separated themselves from the pack. Colt McCoy did it. Vince Young did it. Garrett Gilbert has had his moments this summer, but he's also battled some consistency issues.
"He'll make some great throws and have some great drives, but he also had quite a few turnovers and mistakes," said one regular 7-on-7 attendee. "But I still don't buy the open competition. It's definitely his job to lose."
- Davis Ash got the fewest reps of the four quarterbacks, but he continues to impress with his play between the lines and his impressive frame for a true freshman. One person very close to Ash believes the Belton product will redshirt this year, but people inside the program are still giddy about his long-term future.
Ash, we're told, is all about football and his books. He pours over the playbook every chance he gets and spends most of his weekends back home in Belton with family, avoiding the party scene.
- Keenan Robinson and Blake Gideon, along with Manny Diaz, are regarded as the clear leaders of the defense. Generally, people close to the team have far fewer concerns on this side of the ball. One small criticism that was relayed to us is that the team could use a bit more instruction from the veterans to the younger players but all things considered, people feel pretty confident about that side of the ball.
- As has been reported a few times this summer, DeMarco Cobbs continues to draw tremendous reviews as a linebacker. His play is impressive but he's also winning people over with his effort and personality.
- From the "broken record" file - Jaxon Shipley turned in an incredible summer. There's already talk among players on the team that it's going to be next to impossible to keep Shipley out of the starting line-up, most likely as a slot receiver.
- David Snow earned praise for his off-season efforts and there's thought from those close to the program that he could be in for a big senior year. Of course, the true test for the linemen will not come until the team puts on the pads again. The forecasts have been mixed for Tray Allen's 2011 season.
- Defensive ends Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor are being talked about as maybe the top two players on the Texas defense. Okafor's name comes up in just about every conversation. As we first reported a few weeks ago, true freshman defensive tackle Desmond Jackson continues to draw praise and people close to the team are expecting him to play very early.
- Still some uncertainty with how H-back/wide receiver/special teams standout Malcolm Williams fits in. After missing most of the spring, Williams did not participate in many (if any) of the team's voluntary workouts this summer. From ALL accounts, Williams is a well-liked and respected guy and the hope from everyone in the program is that he comes back for his senior year, but we've heard from a few people that his participation isn't set in stone.
Similarly, we're still not completely clear on tight end Dominique Jones' status. Jones has been seen around the football facilities a few times, but he has not participated in any organized team workouts.
RECRUITING "RUMORS"
- 5-star OT Andrus Peat this week, a few days after taking a visit to UT, listed Texas, FSU, Nebraska and Notre Dame as his four favorites.
In talking to a couple people, the vibe I've picked up is that the UT visit went as well, or even better, than could have been expected. It should be enough to get Peat back on campus for an official visit.
After his visit to Texas, I asked Peat what stood out (he mentioned several things, including the entire coaching staff). I also asked if there were any areas of disappointment. Peat could not find a one.
- So you think Texas has no chance to get 5-star athlete Nelson Agholor out of Florida? Publicly, the Tampa Berkeley Prep standout has shied away from naming favorites. But Agholor did tell one person privately that Texas and USC were tied as his top two, with FSU running third.
- In case you missed it, four-star OT Vadal Alexander (Buford, Ga.) said last week that Texas, North Carolina and USC are in the running for his fifth official visit (he already has stops at Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Miami penciled in). Consider this one an extreme long-shot, but if Texas can get him on campus it will at least have a puncher's chance.
The preseason storylines will be abundant for a team looking to bounce back from a 5-7 campaign in 2010. This year's Longhorn team, complete with the off-season coaching overhaul, is a team of unknowns.
Will Texas get improved play from the quarterback position? Does Texas have any real offensive playmakers? Can UT field a formidable offensive line? Does Texas have enough depth at defensive tackle? Can the Longhorns survive with at least two new starters in the secondary? What will Bryan Harsin's offense and Manny Diaz's defense look like? We could go on.
Over the weekend, Orangebloods.com subscribers were treated to some offensive player notes and defensive player notes detailing some of the summer standouts. Let's go a little deeper after talking to a few different sources of late ...
- One of the Horns' biggest issues last year was establishing leadership, particularly on offense. Gone were Colt McCoy (and Jordan Shipley), and first-year starting quarterback Garrett Gilbert was seemingly never able to take full control. Gilbert's made a strong effort this summer to take on a bigger role as an offensive leader (he was in charge of organizing all the 7-on-7 sessions), but we're hearing it's still not an inherent trait for the junior. Gilbert's liked and respected by his teammates, but he's not a natural vocal leader.
Looking for offensive leaders for this year's team? Several people have pointed to senior running back Fozzy Whittaker, which comes as no surprise. Another name we've now heard from multiple sources is sophomore offensive lineman Mason Walters. When Walters talks, people listen ... both on offense and defense.
- Speaking of Gilbert, a couple people who are very close to the team told us this week that they still feel he's the runaway leader to hold down the top spot. That being said, he hasn't completely seized the top spot in the way that most were probably hoping.
In years past, the starting quarterback took complete control of the position during the 7-on-7 sessions and separated themselves from the pack. Colt McCoy did it. Vince Young did it. Garrett Gilbert has had his moments this summer, but he's also battled some consistency issues.
"He'll make some great throws and have some great drives, but he also had quite a few turnovers and mistakes," said one regular 7-on-7 attendee. "But I still don't buy the open competition. It's definitely his job to lose."
- Davis Ash got the fewest reps of the four quarterbacks, but he continues to impress with his play between the lines and his impressive frame for a true freshman. One person very close to Ash believes the Belton product will redshirt this year, but people inside the program are still giddy about his long-term future.
Ash, we're told, is all about football and his books. He pours over the playbook every chance he gets and spends most of his weekends back home in Belton with family, avoiding the party scene.
- Keenan Robinson and Blake Gideon, along with Manny Diaz, are regarded as the clear leaders of the defense. Generally, people close to the team have far fewer concerns on this side of the ball. One small criticism that was relayed to us is that the team could use a bit more instruction from the veterans to the younger players but all things considered, people feel pretty confident about that side of the ball.
- As has been reported a few times this summer, DeMarco Cobbs continues to draw tremendous reviews as a linebacker. His play is impressive but he's also winning people over with his effort and personality.
- From the "broken record" file - Jaxon Shipley turned in an incredible summer. There's already talk among players on the team that it's going to be next to impossible to keep Shipley out of the starting line-up, most likely as a slot receiver.
- David Snow earned praise for his off-season efforts and there's thought from those close to the program that he could be in for a big senior year. Of course, the true test for the linemen will not come until the team puts on the pads again. The forecasts have been mixed for Tray Allen's 2011 season.
- Defensive ends Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor are being talked about as maybe the top two players on the Texas defense. Okafor's name comes up in just about every conversation. As we first reported a few weeks ago, true freshman defensive tackle Desmond Jackson continues to draw praise and people close to the team are expecting him to play very early.
- Still some uncertainty with how H-back/wide receiver/special teams standout Malcolm Williams fits in. After missing most of the spring, Williams did not participate in many (if any) of the team's voluntary workouts this summer. From ALL accounts, Williams is a well-liked and respected guy and the hope from everyone in the program is that he comes back for his senior year, but we've heard from a few people that his participation isn't set in stone.
Similarly, we're still not completely clear on tight end Dominique Jones' status. Jones has been seen around the football facilities a few times, but he has not participated in any organized team workouts.
RECRUITING "RUMORS"
- 5-star OT Andrus Peat this week, a few days after taking a visit to UT, listed Texas, FSU, Nebraska and Notre Dame as his four favorites.
In talking to a couple people, the vibe I've picked up is that the UT visit went as well, or even better, than could have been expected. It should be enough to get Peat back on campus for an official visit.
After his visit to Texas, I asked Peat what stood out (he mentioned several things, including the entire coaching staff). I also asked if there were any areas of disappointment. Peat could not find a one.
- So you think Texas has no chance to get 5-star athlete Nelson Agholor out of Florida? Publicly, the Tampa Berkeley Prep standout has shied away from naming favorites. But Agholor did tell one person privately that Texas and USC were tied as his top two, with FSU running third.
- In case you missed it, four-star OT Vadal Alexander (Buford, Ga.) said last week that Texas, North Carolina and USC are in the running for his fifth official visit (he already has stops at Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Miami penciled in). Consider this one an extreme long-shot, but if Texas can get him on campus it will at least have a puncher's chance.
