Texas coach Tom Herman has promised to turn around this program.
That is going to be a good thing for the players who embrace it.
Sure, no player is going to enjoy the offseason program Herman puts him through, and we know that is by design. We will hear stories about players who think the workouts are too tough. You should expect to read posts claiming some players are not high on the new coaching staff. There will be a few guys who pack their bags and leave for another program. That kind of change is to be expected whenever a new regime takes over. We know Herman intends to push his players to create a mentally tougher team, but there will be guys who question his approach.
However, Orangebloods publisher Geoff Ketchum posed an interesting question during our recent podcast. The question was which players will benefit from Herman’s hiring?
We always hear stories about players buried on the depth chart, but thrived when given a second chance by a new staff. Longhorn fans witnessed the emergence of former receiver John Harris after Charlie Strong was hired. There will definitely be players who take advantage with Herman in charge. It will take some time before we know who is ready to become the next John Harris.
There will definitely be a few players who become standouts next season, and here are guys who could thrive with this new staff:
Sam Ehlinger, QB
The previous regime was always content with the quarterbacks on their roster. Even with David Ash recovering from a concussion in 2014, and Tyrone Swoopes struggling during the spring game, there was never a sense of urgency to bring in more quarterbacks. It took the struggles of Jerod Heard and Swoopes to create the opening for Shane Buechele this season. It is hard to imagine Ehlinger would have been given an opportunity to start next season if the previous decision makers were still here.
Instead, Ehlinger steps on campus in January with a clean slate and chance to compete right away. Most Longhorn observers believe Texas needs to add at least one transfer quarterback, and possibly another high school passer, to add depth to the room. If Ehlinger can stay healthy, he will be given the opportunity to win the job. Ehlinger is bigger than Buechele, and arguably has more arm strength. In addition, Ehlinger has a lot of confidence and is a natural leader (how many UT players showed up to his high school games?). I am not saying Ehlinger will start, but he seemingly has a better chance to play right away under Herman.
Photo via the Austin American Statesman
Malik Jefferson, LB
Does anybody remember when Jefferson was a 5-star recruit? Players with that ranking usually have a 50-50 chance of playing in the NFL, according to Ketchum. Some Longhorn fans believed Jefferson would be gone in three years after starting as a freshman. Next thing you know, Jefferson is struggling in games this year, and was eventually benched. Jefferson rebounded and played better, but his lack of consistency at Texas has been puzzling.
Jefferson has flashed too many times for me to believe he cannot live up to the hype. A new system and opportunity might be what Jefferson needs to flourish. The biggest problem most coaches have is believing yelling at Jefferson will get the most out of him. Actually, Jefferson responds better when he has open communication with coaches, which finally occurred after a heart-to-heart meeting with the staff after he was benched. If Herman’s staff can speak Jefferson’s language, there is nothing preventing him from becoming one of the nation’s best linebackers in 2017.
Photo via San Antonio Express-News
Devin Duvernay, WR
Speaking of memory, how many people remember the times when Duvernay had a big play this season? How many times do you remember seeing him make another play after that? Yeah, you get my point.
Duvernay was arguably the team’s best receiver this season, but there was never a consistent effort made to get him the ball. He was lost in a long rotation of receivers. Herman has worked with enough elite coaches to know the importance of making opposing teams beat your best receivers. If Duvernay is a consistent part of Texas’ offense, he has the opportunity to figure out opposing defensive backs and get into a rhythm. Duvernay was committed to Baylor coach Art Briles, spent one year with Strong, but could excel under Herman.
Photo via HookEm.com
John Burt, WR
If there was ever a guy who needed a fresh start, Burt does. He went from looking like a promising playmaker as a freshman to an inconsistent player this season. Burt’s fall was painful to watch. Every Longhorn observer knows Burt is a nice guy, but those drops were inexcusable. Burt even had a pass hit him in the helmet this year.
If Burt gives up running track, he has a shot to reemerge next season. Yes, I know Burt enjoys being a track athlete, but he missed portions of spring practice to focus on another sport, and it reflected on the field this season. Burt may not have been able to earn back the trust of the previous staff, but if he flashes the same potential we witnessed during his freshman season, the jokes might end. If Burt remains focused on being a two-sport athlete, he may continue to struggle.
Photo via AP
Patrick Vahe, G
Call me stubborn, but I refuse to believe Vahe mysteriously forgot how to play football last season. It is hard to believe a guy who started as a freshman and was viewed as a team leader does not belong on the field. Whatever doghouse Vahe landed in would have been hard to climb out of with the old staff. That being said, Vahe will enter next season as a junior with plenty of playing time, and a guy with a second chance.
Photo via USA Today Sports
The TicketCity Podcast
In case you missed our podcast from this past week, be sure to check it out. We had over 13,000 people check out the previous podcast, and we hit a lot of different topics. Whether it is Jason and I debating damn near everything, Dustin McComas defending his belief that Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie to Geoff Ketchum, or Alex Dunlap on one his epic rants, there is enough entertainment value, and information, to listen whenever you have a chance.
https://audioboom.com/posts/5401124-jingle-bells-and-the-ticket-city-extravaganza
Funniest Thing You Will See This Week
Sports On A Dime
1. Hell of a damn run by Texas’ volleyball team. It was a great season, and at least there has been something positive occurring on campus (from a sports perspective) the past few months:
2. Former Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes’ decision to enter the NFL draft as a tight end was a no-brainer decision to me. He has zero chance to be drafted as a quarterback, and full-time NFL fullbacks are pretty much a thing of the past. That being said, props to former play-caller Jay Norvell for realizing Swoopes could be effective at another position and turning the quarterback into an NFL prospect.
3. The addition of former Houston defensive coordinator Todd Orlando is Tom Herman’s most important hire this offseason. No matter who ends up calling the plays on offense, we know Herman will have a lot of input in those meeting rooms, and on game day. However, Texas’ defense has struggled to consistently tackle, apply defensive line pressure, and stop teams on third-downs throughout the past few years. Orlando faces the tough task of getting this group to play better.
4. When Strong was hired, there were 17 players committed to the Longhorns. Herman inherited seven. The players from that 2014 class who committed after Strong was hired were Blake Whiteley (tight end), Ed Freeman (linebacker), Alex Anderson (offensive line), Elijah Rodriguez (offensive line), Poona Ford (defensive tackle) and Chris Nelson (defensive tackle). Yeah, it is safe to say Herman and his staff have a lot of work to do when the dead period ends.
5. It appears that most of Strong’s offensive staff from this season will join him at the University of South Florida. Considering my Bulls pretty much ripped off the Hook Em sign, and UT is funding that coaching staff in Tampa, USF at least owes Texas a Cuban sandwich (others might prefer a trip to Mons Venus).
6. Props to the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters for pursuing a lawsuit that eventually forced the release of Sooners running back Joe Mixon’s assault on a female student. We have witnessed media outlets in other college cities seemingly cover-up crimes committed by players, which made it refreshing to see real journalists represent our industry in the right way. Even if Bob Stoops coaches at Oklahoma for the next 10 years, at least this story was not buried.
7. RIP Craig Sager
8. Which one of your brave parents is going to tell this 9-year-old to get in bed because she has to wake up for school in the morning?
9. Bryce Petty must have purchased some pretty crappy Christmas gifts for his offensive line. Nothing else can explain their decision not to block for him and see him killed.
10. OMG, Bernard Hopkins. I know boxers hate to retire, and you may not want your career to end, but if you and Roy Jones Jr. can stop boxing, fans would appreciate not seeing your legacies tarnished.
Merry Christmas To The OB Family
If you enjoy kids, then you should get a kick out of my son in his first holiday concert. I rarely mention Maximus, but he is the kid with curly hair who appears ready to ditch the group and go solo.
That is going to be a good thing for the players who embrace it.
Sure, no player is going to enjoy the offseason program Herman puts him through, and we know that is by design. We will hear stories about players who think the workouts are too tough. You should expect to read posts claiming some players are not high on the new coaching staff. There will be a few guys who pack their bags and leave for another program. That kind of change is to be expected whenever a new regime takes over. We know Herman intends to push his players to create a mentally tougher team, but there will be guys who question his approach.
However, Orangebloods publisher Geoff Ketchum posed an interesting question during our recent podcast. The question was which players will benefit from Herman’s hiring?
We always hear stories about players buried on the depth chart, but thrived when given a second chance by a new staff. Longhorn fans witnessed the emergence of former receiver John Harris after Charlie Strong was hired. There will definitely be players who take advantage with Herman in charge. It will take some time before we know who is ready to become the next John Harris.
There will definitely be a few players who become standouts next season, and here are guys who could thrive with this new staff:
Sam Ehlinger, QB
The previous regime was always content with the quarterbacks on their roster. Even with David Ash recovering from a concussion in 2014, and Tyrone Swoopes struggling during the spring game, there was never a sense of urgency to bring in more quarterbacks. It took the struggles of Jerod Heard and Swoopes to create the opening for Shane Buechele this season. It is hard to imagine Ehlinger would have been given an opportunity to start next season if the previous decision makers were still here.
Instead, Ehlinger steps on campus in January with a clean slate and chance to compete right away. Most Longhorn observers believe Texas needs to add at least one transfer quarterback, and possibly another high school passer, to add depth to the room. If Ehlinger can stay healthy, he will be given the opportunity to win the job. Ehlinger is bigger than Buechele, and arguably has more arm strength. In addition, Ehlinger has a lot of confidence and is a natural leader (how many UT players showed up to his high school games?). I am not saying Ehlinger will start, but he seemingly has a better chance to play right away under Herman.
Photo via the Austin American Statesman
Malik Jefferson, LB
Does anybody remember when Jefferson was a 5-star recruit? Players with that ranking usually have a 50-50 chance of playing in the NFL, according to Ketchum. Some Longhorn fans believed Jefferson would be gone in three years after starting as a freshman. Next thing you know, Jefferson is struggling in games this year, and was eventually benched. Jefferson rebounded and played better, but his lack of consistency at Texas has been puzzling.
Jefferson has flashed too many times for me to believe he cannot live up to the hype. A new system and opportunity might be what Jefferson needs to flourish. The biggest problem most coaches have is believing yelling at Jefferson will get the most out of him. Actually, Jefferson responds better when he has open communication with coaches, which finally occurred after a heart-to-heart meeting with the staff after he was benched. If Herman’s staff can speak Jefferson’s language, there is nothing preventing him from becoming one of the nation’s best linebackers in 2017.
Photo via San Antonio Express-News
Devin Duvernay, WR
Speaking of memory, how many people remember the times when Duvernay had a big play this season? How many times do you remember seeing him make another play after that? Yeah, you get my point.
Duvernay was arguably the team’s best receiver this season, but there was never a consistent effort made to get him the ball. He was lost in a long rotation of receivers. Herman has worked with enough elite coaches to know the importance of making opposing teams beat your best receivers. If Duvernay is a consistent part of Texas’ offense, he has the opportunity to figure out opposing defensive backs and get into a rhythm. Duvernay was committed to Baylor coach Art Briles, spent one year with Strong, but could excel under Herman.
Photo via HookEm.com
John Burt, WR
If there was ever a guy who needed a fresh start, Burt does. He went from looking like a promising playmaker as a freshman to an inconsistent player this season. Burt’s fall was painful to watch. Every Longhorn observer knows Burt is a nice guy, but those drops were inexcusable. Burt even had a pass hit him in the helmet this year.
If Burt gives up running track, he has a shot to reemerge next season. Yes, I know Burt enjoys being a track athlete, but he missed portions of spring practice to focus on another sport, and it reflected on the field this season. Burt may not have been able to earn back the trust of the previous staff, but if he flashes the same potential we witnessed during his freshman season, the jokes might end. If Burt remains focused on being a two-sport athlete, he may continue to struggle.
Photo via AP
Patrick Vahe, G
Call me stubborn, but I refuse to believe Vahe mysteriously forgot how to play football last season. It is hard to believe a guy who started as a freshman and was viewed as a team leader does not belong on the field. Whatever doghouse Vahe landed in would have been hard to climb out of with the old staff. That being said, Vahe will enter next season as a junior with plenty of playing time, and a guy with a second chance.
Photo via USA Today Sports
The TicketCity Podcast
In case you missed our podcast from this past week, be sure to check it out. We had over 13,000 people check out the previous podcast, and we hit a lot of different topics. Whether it is Jason and I debating damn near everything, Dustin McComas defending his belief that Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie to Geoff Ketchum, or Alex Dunlap on one his epic rants, there is enough entertainment value, and information, to listen whenever you have a chance.
https://audioboom.com/posts/5401124-jingle-bells-and-the-ticket-city-extravaganza
Funniest Thing You Will See This Week
Sports On A Dime
1. Hell of a damn run by Texas’ volleyball team. It was a great season, and at least there has been something positive occurring on campus (from a sports perspective) the past few months:
2. Former Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes’ decision to enter the NFL draft as a tight end was a no-brainer decision to me. He has zero chance to be drafted as a quarterback, and full-time NFL fullbacks are pretty much a thing of the past. That being said, props to former play-caller Jay Norvell for realizing Swoopes could be effective at another position and turning the quarterback into an NFL prospect.
3. The addition of former Houston defensive coordinator Todd Orlando is Tom Herman’s most important hire this offseason. No matter who ends up calling the plays on offense, we know Herman will have a lot of input in those meeting rooms, and on game day. However, Texas’ defense has struggled to consistently tackle, apply defensive line pressure, and stop teams on third-downs throughout the past few years. Orlando faces the tough task of getting this group to play better.
4. When Strong was hired, there were 17 players committed to the Longhorns. Herman inherited seven. The players from that 2014 class who committed after Strong was hired were Blake Whiteley (tight end), Ed Freeman (linebacker), Alex Anderson (offensive line), Elijah Rodriguez (offensive line), Poona Ford (defensive tackle) and Chris Nelson (defensive tackle). Yeah, it is safe to say Herman and his staff have a lot of work to do when the dead period ends.
5. It appears that most of Strong’s offensive staff from this season will join him at the University of South Florida. Considering my Bulls pretty much ripped off the Hook Em sign, and UT is funding that coaching staff in Tampa, USF at least owes Texas a Cuban sandwich (others might prefer a trip to Mons Venus).
6. Props to the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters for pursuing a lawsuit that eventually forced the release of Sooners running back Joe Mixon’s assault on a female student. We have witnessed media outlets in other college cities seemingly cover-up crimes committed by players, which made it refreshing to see real journalists represent our industry in the right way. Even if Bob Stoops coaches at Oklahoma for the next 10 years, at least this story was not buried.
7. RIP Craig Sager
8. Which one of your brave parents is going to tell this 9-year-old to get in bed because she has to wake up for school in the morning?
9. Bryce Petty must have purchased some pretty crappy Christmas gifts for his offensive line. Nothing else can explain their decision not to block for him and see him killed.
10. OMG, Bernard Hopkins. I know boxers hate to retire, and you may not want your career to end, but if you and Roy Jones Jr. can stop boxing, fans would appreciate not seeing your legacies tarnished.
Merry Christmas To The OB Family
If you enjoy kids, then you should get a kick out of my son in his first holiday concert. I rarely mention Maximus, but he is the kid with curly hair who appears ready to ditch the group and go solo.
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