Went to the THSCA today in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center. I sat in on the Texas press conference, which ran from 12:30 to 1:15. Todd Orlando talked about the defense and Stan Drayton talked about the RB's.
Orlando comments: Said that they are very excited about the defense and who will be replacing the eight departed starters. Said that this group's speed is what sets them apart from previous defenses. That they have very strong confidence in the guys who will step up and fill those spots. He mentioned Anthony Cook, Caden Sterns, Brandon Jones, Jeffrey McCulloch, B.J. Foster, Caleb Johnson, DeMarvion Overshown, Malcolm Roach, Ta'Quon Graham and Keondre Coburn as difference makers. Said that Jordan Whittington is the real deal and that there is no way that he'll play defense. That he was too valuable on offense. Mentioned that he has put on 20lbs and is up to 220 now. Said that he is very intelligent, eager, aggressive and loves contact. Said that they will probably use him a lot in the slot a lot and get him swing passes out of the backfield to get the ball in his hands. He will also get a lot of carries at RB.
Orlando said that when fall practice starts that he ranks his guys in the following ways. His top three on defense overall. Top two at each position. Then tries to find contributors that can play about four plays a game beyond the two-deep guys to find out about them and get them game experience. Said that upcoming fall practice is serious and all business. They don't take any time on the practice field lightly. They expect all players to be fast and physical. That the coaches discuss in their meetings about who could possibly help on the other side of the ball if there may not be an opportunity for them on offense or defense of the respective coach that they're working with.
Gave props to the Big 12 coaches in that they know how to attack defenses offensively and that it's quite a challenge to scheme against at times. He singled out Tech head coach Matt Wells, saying that he knows him well and they will "play on offense like their hair is on fire". Said that he is a very solid coach and person.
Orlando said that Coach Herman strongly prefers to take in-state Texas kids over out of state kids, but if in their collective evaluations, if they don't see what they want in-state, they have no issue with going out of state to get the players they want, but it has to have Herman's approval before they go out of state.
Drayton comments: Since he is the RB coach, most of his comments were about that group. Said that as of now, his top four RB's are Keaontay Ingram, Jordan Whittington, Kirk Johnson and Daniel Young. Said that not having Derrian Brown was very unfortunate and that they could have used him for depth at RB. He did not comment on his prognosis or future at Texas. Said that he would like to settle on two RB's. Ideally likes to have only one RB on the field, as it keeps other options open. That we are kind of predictable in that it will be a running play with two RB's in the backfield. Said that both Ingram and Whittington played more at WR and caught more balls and gained more yards in HS than running the ball. Said that he would like to keep teams guessing and utilize them in the passing game. Said that Johnson is now fully healthy and could be a key contributor. Had praise and optimism for Young.
Drayton had high praise for o-linemen Samuel Cosmi, Zach Shackelford and Derek Kerstetter. Said that they realize that Ehlinger runs the ball a lot and that each time he does that he risks injury. Said that they would be nuts to stop letting him run the ball though. However, they do need to get more productivity out of the RB group and was optimistic that they have four very good RB's.
Out of all of the RB's that he's coached, and he coached some very good one's in his career (Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliott, Jordan Howard and a few others that I cannot recall), surprisingly said that Brian Westbrook was the best that he's ever seen. Said that Whittington reminds him of Westbrook. Drayton said that the sky is the limit with J Whitt.
Orlando comments: Said that they are very excited about the defense and who will be replacing the eight departed starters. Said that this group's speed is what sets them apart from previous defenses. That they have very strong confidence in the guys who will step up and fill those spots. He mentioned Anthony Cook, Caden Sterns, Brandon Jones, Jeffrey McCulloch, B.J. Foster, Caleb Johnson, DeMarvion Overshown, Malcolm Roach, Ta'Quon Graham and Keondre Coburn as difference makers. Said that Jordan Whittington is the real deal and that there is no way that he'll play defense. That he was too valuable on offense. Mentioned that he has put on 20lbs and is up to 220 now. Said that he is very intelligent, eager, aggressive and loves contact. Said that they will probably use him a lot in the slot a lot and get him swing passes out of the backfield to get the ball in his hands. He will also get a lot of carries at RB.
Orlando said that when fall practice starts that he ranks his guys in the following ways. His top three on defense overall. Top two at each position. Then tries to find contributors that can play about four plays a game beyond the two-deep guys to find out about them and get them game experience. Said that upcoming fall practice is serious and all business. They don't take any time on the practice field lightly. They expect all players to be fast and physical. That the coaches discuss in their meetings about who could possibly help on the other side of the ball if there may not be an opportunity for them on offense or defense of the respective coach that they're working with.
Gave props to the Big 12 coaches in that they know how to attack defenses offensively and that it's quite a challenge to scheme against at times. He singled out Tech head coach Matt Wells, saying that he knows him well and they will "play on offense like their hair is on fire". Said that he is a very solid coach and person.
Orlando said that Coach Herman strongly prefers to take in-state Texas kids over out of state kids, but if in their collective evaluations, if they don't see what they want in-state, they have no issue with going out of state to get the players they want, but it has to have Herman's approval before they go out of state.
Drayton comments: Since he is the RB coach, most of his comments were about that group. Said that as of now, his top four RB's are Keaontay Ingram, Jordan Whittington, Kirk Johnson and Daniel Young. Said that not having Derrian Brown was very unfortunate and that they could have used him for depth at RB. He did not comment on his prognosis or future at Texas. Said that he would like to settle on two RB's. Ideally likes to have only one RB on the field, as it keeps other options open. That we are kind of predictable in that it will be a running play with two RB's in the backfield. Said that both Ingram and Whittington played more at WR and caught more balls and gained more yards in HS than running the ball. Said that he would like to keep teams guessing and utilize them in the passing game. Said that Johnson is now fully healthy and could be a key contributor. Had praise and optimism for Young.
Drayton had high praise for o-linemen Samuel Cosmi, Zach Shackelford and Derek Kerstetter. Said that they realize that Ehlinger runs the ball a lot and that each time he does that he risks injury. Said that they would be nuts to stop letting him run the ball though. However, they do need to get more productivity out of the RB group and was optimistic that they have four very good RB's.
Out of all of the RB's that he's coached, and he coached some very good one's in his career (Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliott, Jordan Howard and a few others that I cannot recall), surprisingly said that Brian Westbrook was the best that he's ever seen. Said that Whittington reminds him of Westbrook. Drayton said that the sky is the limit with J Whitt.
