(From Anwar)
After months of seemingly talking about everything except football, we are finally trending in the right direction with the season opener six weeks away.
Sure, the Big 12 must decide whether its teams will play a 12-game regular season. We have heard whispers about a potential 10-game season. The Big Ten and Pac-12 canceled their non-conference games. However, the Big 12 is waiting to see if it can play every football game this year. Most college football observers expect to know the verdict within two weeks.
That being said, Texas continues to prepare for its home opener against the University of South Florida on September 5. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte recently told season tickets holders he intended to have all home games at 50 percent capacity this season. Del Conte said, “At 50 percent capacity, we anticipate being able to offer all season-ticket holders an opportunity for season tickets. Each season-ticket holder will be allocated season tickets up to their respective Texas-OU priority limit for each home competition.” The football momentum is heating up.
Texas will take a huge step on Friday as it continues preparing for the upcoming season.
Beginning on Friday, players will be allowed up to 20 hours of countable athletically related activities per week, including up to one hour each day for a walk-through.
For the past two weeks, players were allowed to participate up to eight hours of weight training, conditioning and film review per week. Players participated in running and lifting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They also participated in on-the-field activities on Tuesday and Thursday, which was limited to one hour.
The Division I Football Oversight Committee is allowing an increase in activity beginning on Friday.
Here are the guidelines:
“From July 24 through Aug. 6, student-athletes may be required to participate in up to 20 hours of countable athletically related activities per week (not more than four hours per day) as follows:
“Up to eight hours per week for weight training and conditioning.
“Up to six hours per week for walk-throughs, which may include the use of a football.
“Up to six hours per week for meetings, which may include film review, team meetings, position meetings, one-on-one meetings, etc.
“During this 14-day period, student-athletes are required to get at least two days off.”
However, teams are not allowed to use a football during those sessions. In addition, they cannot us football-specific equipment. For instance, the Longhorns cannot use a blocking sled, but are allowed to utilize a conditioning sled. Coaches and players cannot not use a football or tennis ball, but can use a tennis ball for reaction drills.
According to my sources, Texas will conduct six hours of meeting, six hours of walk-through, and eight hours of strength and conditioning each week.
Here is a partial look at the immediate schedule:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
--- Beginning on Friday, every member of the team will enter the practice field together. They were previously separated into three groups during voluntary workouts. That will no longer be the case during the next two weeks.
--- The entire team, including coaches, will practice together, beginning this week. This is the first time everyone has been on the same field since March. It will be a major moment for Tom Herman’s seven new assistant coaches as they continue strengthening relationships with players they have never coached at full-speed.
--- Players will have position meetings at 7 a.m. for an hour before hitting the practice field at 9 a.m. One side of the ball will lift during the session while the other will conduct a walk-though practice. Then they will flip-flop.
--- Here is the interesting aspect of those days. Coaches are not allowed to be around players conducting 7-on-7 workouts after practice. The staff cannot organize or supervise those sessions. However, Longhorn senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger can take the reins whenever he wants to.
After each session, I learned coaches will leave the field in case players want to conduct their own 7-on-7 workouts.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
--- Virtual meetings will begin at 7 a.m. for an hour. The workout session will begin at 9 a.m. on the practice field.
--- These days will consist of mostly running and walk-throughs. One side of the ball will run while the other is participating in a walk-through. They will eventually flip-flop.
--- In addition, the final 15 to 20 minutes will be devoted to special teams on those days.
I know somebody did the math and wants to know why players are participating six straight days when the rule states they must have two days off. Players are required to get at least two days off during the 14-week period, not necessarily each week.
According to my sources, players will be off on Sunday, followed by a rest from August 2-4, which is four days overall.
Hopefully, we will know more about the start of football season no later than the first week of August.
Let us hope it continues to trend in the right direction.
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As we play the wait-and-see game as relates to the start of college football, some states are postponing the start of high school sports until 2021.
According to USA Today, “Most high school football teams in California are expected to begin the season in December or January as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body for high school sports in the state.
“The CIF, which administers high school playoffs, on Monday accommodated that anticipated scheduling change when it announced the last day for football state championships this academic year will be April 17. The championships traditionally are held in the fall.”
In addition, WUSA9.com reported high school football in Virginia will be pushed back until next year:
“High school football in Virginia will not be played this fall as schools continue to adjust to reopening efforts amid the pandemic, the Virginia High School League announced July 15.
“The league, which sanctions interscholastic play for the more than 250 high schools in Virginia, laid out three different scenarios for sports to resume. While VHSL won't vote on a final plan until July 27, none of the three scenarios include football being played this fall.
“Of the three options, one model would allow for a condensed plan that lets schools resume shorter seasons beginning December 14. That would mean football could return with six-to-eight games and a playoff season next year. Under that model, football would likely see a start date in February.”
After hearing that news, I wanted to know how that would affect Texas’ recruiting of out-of-state players. The question is relevant when you think about two targets, 4-star receiver Malcolm Johnson and 4-start defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam Jr.
The Longhorns are actively pursuing both athletes, who just so happen to play high school football in Virginia. Johnson and Gilliam list Texas as among their favorite schools. I wanted to know if the lack of a senior season hurts high school players in states pushing football back to 2021.
Not really.
My sources said the delay probably hurts smaller programs more than Texas. The Longhorns begin recruiting elite talent during a player’s freshman or sophomore season. By the time a player has completed his junior season, he is already on their radar. It is very rare Texas recruits a player based on his senior season.
In fact, one person told me that last time that occurred was during the recruitment of Katy defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, who was offered after his senior season in December 2017 and signed in February 2018.
Since the majority of evaluations are done prior to an elite player’s senior season, nobody inside the building is concerned about an athlete signing a scholarship in December this year before his senior season is played.
In fact, I was told they mentally view the delayed start to high school football in some states as an injury.
Longhorn offensive lineman Jaylen Garth missed his senior season due to a knee injury. In addition, defensive back Xavion Alfred missed his senior season due to a knee injury, too. Texas saw enough players on film during their junior seasons to take their commitments. That is why nobody associated is too concerned.
I did ask if there was a chance Texas might save a spot for seniors enduring a delayed start.
Nobody expects that to occur.
Instead, the Longhorns will attempt to sign players currently on their radar in December.
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Texas defensive coordinator Chris Ash decided to move DeMarvion Overshown from safety to linebacker this offseason due to the lack of depth at that position.
Longhorn strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight’s assignment was to help Overshown add weight this offseason to play linebacker. He weighed 214 pounds in late February, and the staff wants him around 225 pounds. Of course, the pandemic shut down football, and Overshown was stuck at home.
Many people inside the building were concerned about what Overshown might weigh when he arrived in Austin. Overshown did not have the benefit of meals prepared for him daily on campus, or advanced workout equipment. McKnight gave Overshown a workout plan, while the nutritionists on campus suggested an everyday eating regime. Nevertheless, the true test would occur when Overshown rejoined his teammates.
Overshown did not disappoint anyone.
After months of suspense, Overshown weighed 221 pounds after arriving in Austin. It was a pleasant surprise for the staff, and encouraging enough to set a new goal.
I learned the target weight for Overshown is now 230 pounds, which could be attainable since he has rejoined the Longhorns.
In addition, I was told Overshown has been “flying around” during on-the-field workouts. The staff is extremely happy with Overshown’s workout dedication while away from football.
“Speaking of being able to run, play in space, a guy transitioning like that,” Texas linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler previously said. “I'm excited to work with him. Physical player. At the point of contact, not afraid to mix it up and throw it in there. Those are the things that got me excited. Obviously, watching him in the workouts, all the athleticism and stuff that he brings. Look forward to putting the pads on come spring ball.”
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Here is a nugget worth filing away.
Keep an eye on Arizona grad transfer linebacker Tony Fields II.
Texas recently offered Fields a scholarship, but the staff wanted to make sure the interest was mutual. They did not want to pursue a player who did not have any interest in attending Texas.
Well, it appears Fields is very interested in the Longhorns.
Fields recently spoke with Longhorn staff members, and those conversations went very well. Like any recruitment, we have to see how this plays out. For now, the first hurdle has been cleared, which was establishing mutual interest.
Fields started every game over the past three years for the Wildcats – 37 straight – at the “Will” linebacker spot. He accumulated 287 tackles, including 17 for losses and 8.5 sacks. He defended six passes and had two interceptions. He reportedly was slated to start in Arizona’s new coordinator Paul Rhoads’ 3-4 defense, which features two inside linebackers.
Herman has developed a knack for signing grad transfers.
Texas acquired Michigan grad transfer receiver Tarik Black committed in April. Herman previously acquired tight end Kendall Moore, left tackle Calvin Anderson, running back Tre Watson, and guard Parker Braun as grad transfers. Each player received significant playing time during his one season at Texas. Anderson is currently with the Denver Broncos, while Braun turned down an NFLPA Collegiate Bowl invite because he wanted to graduate from Texas.
It is important to remember the recent grad transfer rules.
Previously, the NCAA required grad transfers to be accepted into a master’s program at their new university. The NCAA changed that rule in April allowing grad transfers to enroll in a graduate program or pursue a second bachelor’s degree. Basically, if Fields transfers to Texas, he is free to choose his next academic move.
I will keep you posted.
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(From Suchomel)
It’s been a couple months since we checked in with sources on 2022 quarterback Quinn Ewers, so did some checking this week to see if there have been any dramatic changes with the Southlake Carroll standout, particularly with Oklahoma recently landing a commitment from the nation’s top 2021 QB prospect in Caleb Williams.
From what I was told this week, Ewers continues to take the recruiting process slowly and Texas is still very much in the mix. Ewers and new Texas OC Mike Yurcich continue to form a strong relationship.
“He stays in good communication with (the Texas coaches) pretty regularly,” a source said. “It’s mostly coach Yurcich. Coach Herman is extremely busy, dealing with a lot of things. He and Yurcich talk a lot and they get along really well.”
Yurcich has done a good job of not just building a comfort level with Ewers, but also breaking down his offensive system when the two have conversed. For as talented as Ewers is from a physical perspective – one source told me his velocity recently tested at 60+ MPH – he’s also a guy who loves the cerebral part of the game, to the point that he has Riley Dodge’s full blessing at Southlake Carroll to check out of plays, alter protections, etc.
“They talk quite a bit of Xs and Os,” one person said of Yurcich and Ewers.
Texas is making Ewers the priority at quarterback in 2022. That’s not to say the UT staff doesn’t have others on its board, but Ewers is far and away priority number one. From what I’ve been told, Yurcich has stressed to Ewers that because of his tool set, Yurcich can do some things that he otherwise might not be able to do if he had Ewers in his offense. Texas has also stressed to Ewers that he’ll have an opportunity to compete for playing time right away.
So how does OU’s commitment of Caleb Williams impact things? Not a ton, from what I’ve gathered. Ewers is well-aware of which quarterbacks the schools he’s watching are recruiting, and he knows he’s going to have to compete no matter where he winds up.
“He’s not scared to compete, but he’s never going to say ‘I’m better than you.’ He’s the type that just wants to go to work and let the chips fall where they may,” I was told.
Perhaps just as important as quarterback depth charts, Ewers is also paying attention to what kind of talent certain programs are recruiting. He talks to a number of other recruits from all over the country and while he wants to play with other talented players, he also knows he could have a big hand in bringing other elite talents with him, wherever he chooses. Texas, right now, has only three non-QB offensive commitments in the 2021 class … adding some talent on that side of the ball would only help UT’s chances in this one.
“I think that affects the equation, what’s left at Teas, what they can get, who would to come in his class,” I was told.
Tough one to gauge right now since Ewers is a pretty private kid when it comes to recruiting. Schools like Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio State and Alabama get a lot of online chatter, but I’m told Ewers is pretty wide open among roughly 8-10 schools, and he’s in talks with coaches from the top programs from all the Power 5 conferences.
What about a potential commitment timeline?
“He doesn’t even know at this point,” one source said.
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Heard some interesting scuttlebutt this weekend on five-star running back Camar Wheaton …
The Garland Lakeview Centennial product is always tough to read and a bit of a wildcard when it comes to predicting his thinking, but I heard this week that a decision from Wheaton could come sooner than most expected, since nobody knows when visits will be able to take place (or if they’ll be able to take place). If that’s true, one would think it would bode well for Texas and Oklahoma since they hosted Wheaton on their campuses just before COVID-19 shut visits down.
The best news … word I heard this week was that Texas had a very productive Zoom call with Wheaton this week. One person I spoke with felt pretty confident the choice would come down to Texas or OU (LSU, Bama, A&M and TCU are also in the mix), and that same person thought Texas might have pushed out into the lead with the recent efforts.
Stan Drayton has done a really good job of building a relationship with Wheaton, Jay Boulware had a relationship with Wheaton when Boulware was at OU and I’m hearing Jay Valai has been involved of late and that too is helping UT’s chances.
I had this one at 50% on my most recruiting board update. I’m still not sticking my neck out too far, but from I heard this week I might raise that a few points when I update again.
****
DeSoto defensive lineman Shemar Turner is a guy I’ve thought Texas has had a great shot at for the better part of a year. That hasn’t changed, and the Longhorns are in Turner’s top five with Alabama, A&M, LSU and Georgia.
In checking around this week, the vibe I’m getting is this one will likely come down to either Texas or Alabama. To be fair, Turner doesn’t plan on making a decision anytime soon so anything can happen, but the Longhorns and the Crimson Tide are generating the most buzz. Whereas I’ve had Texas as a slight leader or right at 50% on my most recent recruiting board update, I did hear this week that Alabama has picked up some momentum and Nick Saban has apparently made a strong impression of late. Not ideal, but not the end of the world either.
Remember, Turner visited Texas twice in the early months of 2020 and his mother has been on the UT campus as well. In contrast, his mom has not visited Alabama. If Texas is going to win out in this one, stressing the importance of having Turner close to home could be UT’s ticket to success (“I definitely want to be able to get my mom to the games, my whole family, so everyone can see my games,” Turner told OB earlier this summer).
Alabama definitely has Turner’s attention from what I was told, and it feels like the Tide are a much bigger threat than they were a couple months ago. Texas still has some angles it can work in its favor, but this one looks like it’s going to be an even tougher fight than originally believed.
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Tight end Gunnar Helm has been pretty quiet since visiting Austin on Monday. In checking with a source I trust, it does sound like Helm really enjoyed his time in Austin and on the Forty Acres. This one’s not decided yet from what I was told, but if Helm decides to go forward with a decision soon, as expected, I believe Texas will be the pick based on what I heard this week.
If Helm decides to wait things out, that could certainly change some things but his social media activity seems to indicate he’d like to have a decision soon. Good chance he’s a second tight end for Texas in this class in the near future.
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A couple notes from Savion Byrd that I didn’t put in my update earlier this week …
The Duncanville standout talked to Herb Hand on Sunday and was scheduled to speak to Tom Herman later that night, after he and I talked. I asked Byrd if he and Hand talked about UT’s offensive line numbers in light of Tommy and James Brockermeyer committing to Alabama on Friday.
“Honestly, he didn’t seem too bothered by that. It was more of just how’s it going, just getting on the phone and touching base,” Byrd said. “It was more about building relationships.”
Byrd is keeping an open mind and doesn’t have a formal list of favorites, but this one feels like it’ll come down to a group of Texas, SMU, Oklahoma and LSU. I asked him what factors will help one school separate from the pack.
“Definitely academics is one. I like to know if a coach is real, or if he’s just talking. I want to know if they’re going to take care of me, a place my mom would be satisfied with me going,” Byrd said. “That can be from talking to them, or talking to the players.”
Speaking of talking to players, Byrd said he’d been in touch with UT freshman Ja’Quinden Jackson a couple days prior to him and I talking. Jackson continues to stress to Byrd how much he’s needed in Austin, and told Byrd his first few weeks in Austin have been terrific.
“He says it’s all love down there, that they really want me down there,” Byrd said.
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A quick note on Bryce Foster …
Early this week, Texas commitments Jalen Milroe and Hayden Conner went to lunch with Foster as they continue to work on getting the five-star guard to Austin. According to Foster, it was a good meeting.
“Of course we're still working on Bryce. I see him every day. Me, him and Jalen actually just went to lunch the other day at Pinkerton’s, kind of a recruiting lunch, just talking about some stuff,” Conner said.
Of note, Conner is also in touch with Savion Byrd and Michael Myslinski. His message to Foster …
“It’s the same thing every single time. You know, it's family , it’s me and Jalen, you’re an hour and a half away from home. UT has a great track tradition and history. I tell him that, I tell him it’s family and to stay in Texas. Just the normal stuff,” Conner said.
Conner said he stays in touch with Herb Hand every day. This guy is completely locked in and is doing everything he can to help recruit other players to Texas. Not that he wasn’t appreciated to begin with, but Conner’s a guy Texas fans should really cherish for how loyal he’s been and how vocal he’s been in support of Texas.
