Spring Practice 2017
- Thread starter Godz40Acrez
- Start date
No Worries
2015 walk-on QB Josh Covey could be the answer.
“Covey might actually be a better option right now at third-string quarterback than Jerrod. The kid can run a little bit and he’s thrown the ball pretty well.” – Tom Herman
2015 walk-on QB Josh Covey could be the answer.
“Covey might actually be a better option right now at third-string quarterback than Jerrod. The kid can run a little bit and he’s thrown the ball pretty well.” – Tom Herman
Well....there you are....Josh Covey. Hell, I remember Marvelous Marv Khristinik...he played ok...
Lets play ball!
Lets play ball!
Cannot possibly express my appreciation for what TH says at the very end about being representatives of the student body.
TH choosing his words carefully. Makes me wonder is his Spring practice tougher than Charlies. Are these guys that soft because it was lax!
Yes, this is Bonney's profile video, but it's good to see some practice stuff in HD. Especially at 0:43 – The Hagernade explodes on Kyle Porter.
One thing I'm a bit disappointed with – and I've seen it twice now – is the team arriving in busses. Always liked Charlie having the players and coaches walk to the field. Good for stretching the old legs.
One thing I'm a bit disappointed with – and I've seen it twice now – is the team arriving in busses. Always liked Charlie having the players and coaches walk to the field. Good for stretching the old legs.
After the debacle against Oklahoma [last season], Bonney was elevated back to starter and held the job for the rest of the year. In those remaining seven games he had nine pass break-ups, which put him in the team lead by a solid margin with P.J. Locke in second place (with six).
For the 2017 season John Bonney will be a redshirt junior with experience (in practice if not games) at virtually every position in the secondary. There are new schemes to learn but he has the technique to play multiple positions and has demonstrated in the past the willingness to work and master coverages.
So he could very well be in line for a breakout 2017, right? The problem is that he’s not one of the fan’s anointed talents. The preference is for Brandon Jones to win one spot and DeShon Elliott another, both of whom are big, physical, and athletic talents that offer the kind of intimidating play-making that everyone craves from the safety spots.
Currently Bonney’s listed at 6-1, 200 (the height is probably generous) and Herman says they like him at boundary safety because he’s “bright” and “a physical guy that can support the run.” I would still have him pegged at field safety because of his coverage and being “bright” enough to set calls from that spot but we’ll see how things develop.
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I didn’t imagine Bonney a fit for the boundary or weak side safety position. However, after going back to the tape of the Houston defense and focusing only on the weak safety position, I came away with a different perspective. John Bonney might be just what Orlando is looking for at the weak safety position. Without digging into Orlando’s defense too much here, understand that he uses a split-field approach, usually referred to as ‘read’ and ‘away’ sides. ‘Away’ is called such because it’s literally away from the strength (number of receivers, tight end, field, or other). The away side will have it’s own assignment separate from the read side. Bonney will have at his disposal the following:
- Deep half-field zone
- Quarter-field zone (Catch-man)
- Deep third zone (Man-free, Zone blitz)
- Box (Edge or Interior gap blitz)
This is where John Bonney comes in and while Jason Hall remains out of practice, this is where Bonney can assert himself. If he can meet and exceed expectations here, you may be seeing a lot more of Bonney in the boundary, err, at weak safety. Granted, these positions will clarify as Spring progresses. You have other candidates for this position that may emerge, only time will tell.
[Much more @ IT and TFB]
re: Bonney profile
i don't, nor does the staff (i hope), give two flips about who the fans want to see on the field. i also like brandon jones, from what i've seen. but that's just it, it's just what i've seen. i don't see the day-in, day-out stuff. may the best man win the job.
i don't, nor does the staff (i hope), give two flips about who the fans want to see on the field. i also like brandon jones, from what i've seen. but that's just it, it's just what i've seen. i don't see the day-in, day-out stuff. may the best man win the job.
We've tried the coddling best friends way with less than stellar results. Might as well see if they'll play harder just to shut him up. Lol, whatever lights that fire & pushes them to their full potential.
Spring Practice #4: 3 Observations
(Media access limited to 15 minutes of drills)
1. The right side. Texas split up its offensive line for part of its time, and it used that opportunity to simulate runs to both sides of the field. When it ran to the right, the Longhorns used one unit that consisted of center Zach Shackelford, guard Jake McMillon and tackle Tristan Nickelson, three players who combined for 17 starts in 2016. Additionally, guard Patrick Hudson and tackle Denzel Okafor worked out on the right side.
Wearing a green jersey, tight end Andrew Beck also took part in the drill. Beck had been sidelined this spring with a foot injury, but the rising senior was a limited participant Tuesday. Texas coach Tom Herman said a few days ago that Beck wasn’t expected to return to full-contact drills until next week.
2. Who’s No. 17? That would be walk-on [QB] Jimmy Morton, who was an all-district quarterback his senior season at San Antonio Central Catholic in 2015. Morton wasn’t seen taking any meaningful throws from Buechele or Ehlinger, the position front-runners, or Covey.
3. Pre-Pro Day spectators. In addition to the Undertaker, Texas also practiced under the watchful eye of two members from last year’s squad. Former running back D’Onta Foreman and offensive tackle Kent Perkins were spotted at the Denius Fields on Thursday. Foreman and Perkins are both expected to participate in Texas’ pro day, which will be held next Tuesday.
[More @ HookEm]
My apologies for stepping into the frame at the end. I didn't realize it.
(Media access limited to 15 minutes of drills)
1. The right side. Texas split up its offensive line for part of its time, and it used that opportunity to simulate runs to both sides of the field. When it ran to the right, the Longhorns used one unit that consisted of center Zach Shackelford, guard Jake McMillon and tackle Tristan Nickelson, three players who combined for 17 starts in 2016. Additionally, guard Patrick Hudson and tackle Denzel Okafor worked out on the right side.
Wearing a green jersey, tight end Andrew Beck also took part in the drill. Beck had been sidelined this spring with a foot injury, but the rising senior was a limited participant Tuesday. Texas coach Tom Herman said a few days ago that Beck wasn’t expected to return to full-contact drills until next week.
2. Who’s No. 17? That would be walk-on [QB] Jimmy Morton, who was an all-district quarterback his senior season at San Antonio Central Catholic in 2015. Morton wasn’t seen taking any meaningful throws from Buechele or Ehlinger, the position front-runners, or Covey.
3. Pre-Pro Day spectators. In addition to the Undertaker, Texas also practiced under the watchful eye of two members from last year’s squad. Former running back D’Onta Foreman and offensive tackle Kent Perkins were spotted at the Denius Fields on Thursday. Foreman and Perkins are both expected to participate in Texas’ pro day, which will be held next Tuesday.
[More @ HookEm]
My apologies for stepping into the frame at the end. I didn't realize it.
Next Man Up: Derek Warehime
UT's Third OLine Coach in Three Years
UT's Third OLine Coach in Three Years
Derek Warehime, 34, is young, that’s for sure. He might be the first assistant coach at UT who once had his own recruiting profile on Rivals and 247Sports’ websites. Warehime was listed as 6-foot-3, 278 pounds back then.
He played for his father, Nick, at Choctaw and then started 34 games at Tulsa. “I grew up in a field house, in small towns, living right across the street from the field house,” Warehime said. “I was there all the time and with my dad all the time.”
That influenced Warehime to try the family business. He was a graduate assistant and video coordinator at Rice from 2006-07. UT coach Tom Herman joined the Rice staff in 2007. The two became close friends and, after Warehime spent three seasons at New Mexico, joined up at Houston in 2015.
Warehime had to juggle 11 different starting lineups for the Cougars over the course of a 14-game season in 2015. “I mean, you want to talk about chicken salad, that was the ultimate patchwork, piecemeal, whatever phrase you want to use,” Herman said.
The Cougars ranked 60th nationally in scoring (29.8 points) in 2014 before Herman and Warehime arrived. The program jumped to 10th nationally (40.4) in 2015.
Warehime doesn’t have the line problem that Wickline faced in 2014, though. The depth up front has been well stocked thanks to two solid recruiting classes.
Connor Williams, a likely preseason All-America candidate, is entrenched at left tackle. Zach Shackelford started at center most of his freshman season. Jake McMillon and Elijah Rodriguez are versatile specialists who can play anywhere inside. Tristan Nickelson and Brandon Hodges are two seniors who can hold down the right tackle spot.
“Warehime, he’s intense,” Williams said. “He wants things done how he wants it. He’s a perfectionist. So everything I do I have to do perfect.”
One player Warehime needs to unlock is Patrick Vahe. Widely thought to be a natural guard, the hulking sophomore from Euless Trinity landed in the previous staff’s doghouse last fall and got benched. He’s another player who may benefit from a clean slate.
“Vahe’s in a great spot mentally right now,” Warehime said. “He’s doing unbelievable well in our offseason. I get a tap on the shoulder or a whisper in my ear from a coach on our staff every day about how much he works and how much effort he gives.”
And Warehime has a slew of younger players at his disposal, too. The Longhorns haven’t truly unleashed Patrick Hudson, Denzel Okafor or Jean Delance.
There’s plenty of tools at Warehime’s disposal. More than anything else, Warehime’s job will be to establish stability.
[More @ HookEm.com]
The Haka Hulk Ready to Dance
Nobody ever said anything publicly about it, but it was obvious Texas guard Patrick Vahe landed in the doghouse last season.
From hulking to sulking, the 325-pound sophomore started the first seven games and then mysteriously got benched against Baylor, Texas Tech and West Virginia.
There were whispers that Vahe got crossways with then-offensive line coach Matt Mattox. Never one to hold anything back, Vahe will gladly give his opinions. That’s what makes the gregarious blocker one of the most engaging personalities in the entire Texas athletic department.
On Thursday, Vahe was made available to reporters for the first time since last October. While he didn’t go into full detail about what happened, it’s clear the 6-foot-4 Vahe wants his starting job back at left guard alongside All-American tackle Connor Williams.
“My mind’s been on the wrong path,” Vahe said after UT’s fourth spring practice. “My effort really wasn’t there. It really wasn’t what was needed for the team at that moment. But I’m on a different road right now.”
So what changed?
“Just realize why I’m here, the reason why I play at Texas,” Vahe said. “I love playing this football game. Any coach that comes through here to help me out, I take advantage of that.
“Why am I here? I do it because of my pride, my family. I’ve always wanted to come here since I was a little boy. Seeing them win these national championships, I wanted to be a part of that. Or at least get my degree from one of the best schools in the world.”
Vahe started the first 10 games of the 2014 season before missing the final two due to injury. He was an honorable-mention pick by the Big 12 coaches and was penciled in as a possible four-year starter for the Longhorns.
But last season changed the dynamic. Jake McMillon started for Vahe against the Bears and played well enough to start again the following week. One positive outcome was that UT coaches learned how versatile McMillon really was. This season, McMillon (6-foot-3, 305 pounds) should be a vital contributor up front.
New offensive line coach Derek Warehime was asked specifically about his gregarious guard and said, “Vahe’s in a great spot mentally right now.”
Vahe himself can’t say enough good things about Warehime, that’s for sure. “Very enthusiastic,” he said. “He’s a very challenging guy. He just wants the best out of everybody, and we’re starting to realize it day by day.”
[More @ Hook'Em]
Injuries* and Whatnots:
RB Chris Warren – hammy
RB Tristan Houston – ankle
C Zack Shackelford – ankle
S Jason Hall and K Michael Dickson still out with hammies
OT Brandon Hodges – time off for academics
*The severity of all injuries is undisclosed.
RB Chris Warren – hammy
RB Tristan Houston – ankle
C Zack Shackelford – ankle
S Jason Hall and K Michael Dickson still out with hammies
OT Brandon Hodges – time off for academics
*The severity of all injuries is undisclosed.
Student Appreciation Practice
Texas held a student appreciation practice Saturday afternoon, the first time UT has ever done that. In the past, it has held similar events at which fans can sit in the stands and watch. But that was for everyone: adults, kids, parents, grandparents, teenagers. Never had there been something only for UT students. They got to stand on the field. They got a swag bag. They got to meet the players and get their autographs and take pictures with them.
The field was roped off, but students stood on the turf, a couple of yards from the team. They could hear the yelling, the trash talk, the grunts. Even though it was RoundUp at UT and the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was taking place, students still flocked to DKR.
“I’m super excited to see what Herman’s doing for our program and what he’s encouraging the guys to do,” 19-year-old sophomore Avery Lavender said.
“I’m out here to support the football team. I just want to come see the calm before the storm,” 20-year-old junior Jeremy Ukazim said.
“It’s nice to actually be on the field. Normally … you can’t really see things. But it’s good to be this close and actually be a part of the team,” 20-year-old junior Praj Maohan said.
Music blared. One hour passed. Then two. Three.
“I just wanted to come out and try the drills that these guys do every day,” Stokes said.
After the skill competition, the students and the team gathered at midfield and Herman spoke.
“As long as we’re here, you will be a tremendous sense of pride and motivation for us,” Herman told the students.
[More @ Hook'Em]
TFB Practice Notes:
Coaches are still shaking things up at DB, as I heard Kris Boyd and Davante Davis were the first team CB’s yesterday. The practice before it was Davante Davis and Holton Hill, and for the first two practices it was Holton Hill and Kris Boyd. It seems they have their Top 3 CB’s for sure, now which two will separate? I won’t make my prediction but I was told “Davis is starting to get that confidence back from his freshman year”. And Eric Cuffee seems to be the #4 outside CB right now.
Malik Jefferson, Breckyn Hager, and Naashon Hughes have been the starting LB and that didn’t change. But I continue to hear good things about Jeffrey McCulloch and it sounds like Erick Fowler may have already passed up Edwin Freeman on the depth chart, but it’s obviously still early.
Brandon Hodges' [absence gave] Denzel Okafor a chance to rotate with the 1’s at RT with Tristan Nickelson.
Coaches are still shaking things up at DB, as I heard Kris Boyd and Davante Davis were the first team CB’s yesterday. The practice before it was Davante Davis and Holton Hill, and for the first two practices it was Holton Hill and Kris Boyd. It seems they have their Top 3 CB’s for sure, now which two will separate? I won’t make my prediction but I was told “Davis is starting to get that confidence back from his freshman year”. And Eric Cuffee seems to be the #4 outside CB right now.
Malik Jefferson, Breckyn Hager, and Naashon Hughes have been the starting LB and that didn’t change. But I continue to hear good things about Jeffrey McCulloch and it sounds like Erick Fowler may have already passed up Edwin Freeman on the depth chart, but it’s obviously still early.
Brandon Hodges' [absence gave] Denzel Okafor a chance to rotate with the 1’s at RT with Tristan Nickelson.
Texas had two big problems unleashing Malik as a hybrid pass-rusher/inside-backer in the Strong defense. The first was Malik’s own inconsistency as a pass-rusher. As we all became increasingly aware over the course of the last two seasons, Malik had a tendency to stop and reevaluate when he encountered OL in his blitz path rather than taking on their blocks with aggression. This came up a lot when he’d blitz interior gaps like Orlando’s D regularly asks of the Rover.
However, after his triumph against Texas Tech he started to play with more confidence in every regard, including on his interior insert blitzes.
The other problem that Texas encountered was holding up when Malik wasn’t around at the second level to take away hot routes or make tackles against the run. It’s even possible that a lack of trust in his teammates was partially to blame for his occasional tendency to stop and look for the ball if his blitz didn’t find immediate success.
The whole structure of the “zone blitz” defense depends on those three underneath droppers forcing the QB to a second read and not getting gashed by runs. When Malik is blitzing those three underneath droppers are going to come from the pool of the other linebackers, the safeties, and the nickel. For Texas the boundary safety and other inside-backer have been the sore spots in this equation, particularly in run defense. In 2015 that was Peter Jinkens and then either Jason Hall or Dylan Haines. In 2016 it was Hall, Haines, and then an assortment of other players but usually Anthony Wheeler.
In 2017 the current depth chart features John Bonney and Breckyn Hager as the other two guys defending the seams and shallow middle. Bonney is a fantastic fit here in terms of taking away quick easy throws but needs to prove himself in the run-stuffing department. Hager needs to prove he has the lateral range to do either or else he could lose out this job to Gary Johnson in the fall or....
Another dimension to watch for here is Malik’s growth in run defense and playing coverage underneath. His physical skill set as a linebacker is comparable to NFL-bound hybrid backers like Myles Jack of UCLA and Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame but his mental approach to the game is entirely different.
Despite his occasional lack of aggression and physicality in taking on blockers, Malik is actually a vastly more aggressive player than either Jack or Smith. He loves to use his explosiveness and speed to make plays in the backfield. In just 22 games he has as many TFL as Jack and more sacks than either him or Smith and that’s partly due to the way he sniffs out chances to run under blocks and run things down from behind.
The key has always been Malik adding the skills and understanding of when and where to be aggressive and when to be sound and look to cover for his teammates. There have been times when he’s gotten those two considerations exactly wrong in his play.
In year three the Predator is going to be kept in position to attack the backfield from various alignments, the key is whether Orlando can teach him the skills and confidence to put it all together in a way that fits the team concept. If that happens, you can expect the NFL to come calling.
[More @ IT]
TFB Saturday Scrimmage Notes
Collin Johnson and Malcolm Roach were the alpha dogs on their sides of the ball, not a huge surprise.
The OL had their share of struggles. Zach Shackelford left early with an injury and the backups were a little jumpy. I was told Terrell Cuney (who replaced Shack) and Jean Delance both didn’t have their best days at all.
I think the staff knows what they’ve got in WR Devin Duvernay. It seems he’s moved past Armanti Foreman as the #1 guy in the slot.
Shane Buechele worked with the 1s and Sam Ehlinger with the 2s. Both had good moments, more designed roll-outs for Ehlinger.
Malik Jefferson and Breckyn Hager were all over the place at LB, very little running room on Saturday.
Davante Davis and Holton Hill were with the 1s at CB and DeShon Elliott and John Bonney at safety with PJ Locke at nickel.
Speaking of RBs, Kirk Johnson is banged up again so he didn’t participate. Chris Warren was in the bull-in-the-ring drills and was working in team drills before coming out. ...After talking to some people, Warren’s weight is a concern and one person told me as of right now, “No way he could get more than 15 carries a game.” So it sounds like getting Warren in shape will be a top goal for RB coach Stan Drayton and S&C coach Yancy McKnight this summer.
There were also reports that early enrollee RB Toneil Carter didn’t participate Saturday along with Kirk Johnson, and was in a walking boot. I was told it’s just a sprained ankle for Carter so it doesn’t sound too serious.
Collin Johnson and Malcolm Roach were the alpha dogs on their sides of the ball, not a huge surprise.
The OL had their share of struggles. Zach Shackelford left early with an injury and the backups were a little jumpy. I was told Terrell Cuney (who replaced Shack) and Jean Delance both didn’t have their best days at all.
I think the staff knows what they’ve got in WR Devin Duvernay. It seems he’s moved past Armanti Foreman as the #1 guy in the slot.
Shane Buechele worked with the 1s and Sam Ehlinger with the 2s. Both had good moments, more designed roll-outs for Ehlinger.
Malik Jefferson and Breckyn Hager were all over the place at LB, very little running room on Saturday.
Davante Davis and Holton Hill were with the 1s at CB and DeShon Elliott and John Bonney at safety with PJ Locke at nickel.
Speaking of RBs, Kirk Johnson is banged up again so he didn’t participate. Chris Warren was in the bull-in-the-ring drills and was working in team drills before coming out. ...After talking to some people, Warren’s weight is a concern and one person told me as of right now, “No way he could get more than 15 carries a game.” So it sounds like getting Warren in shape will be a top goal for RB coach Stan Drayton and S&C coach Yancy McKnight this summer.
There were also reports that early enrollee RB Toneil Carter didn’t participate Saturday along with Kirk Johnson, and was in a walking boot. I was told it’s just a sprained ankle for Carter so it doesn’t sound too serious.
Yesterday, the coaching staff started something new. At the team meeting they presented an award to the "Freaks of the Week." Evidently, the FOW will be given to one player on each side of the ball every week throughout the spring. The first winners were Shane Buechele and Poona Ford.
Boo and Poo earned the awards for "their championship performance during Saturday's scrimmage."
Boo and Poo earned the awards for "their championship performance during Saturday's scrimmage."
G4A! Been on the road for a couple of years for my job... so these updates are GOLD! Thanks! I just don't have the time to track all this info down (like I used to spend hours doing), so this stuff is keeping me alive. Especially with Yancy McPain and the Mad Genius in the fold..
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for the spring updates, sir.
Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for the spring updates, sir.
Finding Points
Texas finished [the 2016 season] with zero defensive touchdowns and zero special teams touchdowns. The Longhorns never created those extra scores that can swing games. Considering they lost five games by one-score margins, a few non-offensive touchdowns could have gone a long way.
This was coach Tom Herman’s reaction upon hearing that stat after a practice last week: "Wow."
His Houston teams were among the nation’s best on that front. Todd Orlando's defenses scored seven touchdowns over the past two seasons. The Cougars' play on special teams produced six more. When it came to non-offensive touchdowns, Houston ranked No. 5 in FBS during the Herman era.
"When you’re out there thinking or tiptoeing or feeling around or evaluating, you’re going to be a step or two behind," Herman said.
There was plenty of that going on with Texas' defense last fall. Orlando noticed it frequently when he watched the tape: players getting fatigued, miscommunicating, getting lined up incorrectly and getting beat. Those errors are bound to happen when you put so many young players on the field. They’re guaranteed to happen when you change defensive play-callers after four games.
On special teams, Texas had just two punt returns of 20-plus yards and two kickoff returns of 30-plus yards. Safety Brandon Jones did block two punts (one was a safety, the other set up a field goal), but the Longhorns’ return game was a relative nonfactor.
Texas was one of six FBS teams to score zero non-offensive touchdowns last season. The other five: Arizona, East Carolina, Fresno State, Louisiana-Monroe and UMass. These six teams went a combined 18-54. None of them went bowling.
Texas might be close to turning the corner thanks to all the talent Strong stockpiled, but a dedication to detail can make a big difference. Herman’s success at Houston is a certainly proof of that.
The 13 non-offensive scores at Houston were also a product of confidence, no doubt, and that’s something the Longhorns lacked too often last season. They will have to start creating their own big breaks in 2017 if they intend to take a serious step forward. Just don’t call them lucky breaks.
"Those aren’t breaks," Herman said. "Those are earned and coached."
[More @ E$PN]
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