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It is just a matter of time before we officially learn who will start at quarterback this season.
It is safe to say most Longhorns fans believe Sam Ehlinger will start in the season opener against Maryland. Ehlinger made mistakes last season, but many of those errors occurred because he was a freshman learning the game. He did not have the benefit of sitting behind a proven veteran and learning from the sidelines. Instead, Ehlinger was thrown into deep waters. There were times when Ehlinger swam perfectly, such as his performance against Kansas State. Then there were those forgettable moments at the end of games last season that no Longhorn fan wants to talk about again.
Hey, it is a new year.
I did some digging into the quarterback competition this week and heard a lot of positive things about both passers.
Last year, those associated with the program had way more questions about Shane Buechele and Ehlinger than what I am hearing right now from those inside the program. There were questions about Buechele’s leadership ability, which was evident every time Texas football coach Tom Herman said he wanted to hear his quarterback speak up. In addition, Buechele’s ability to handle a pass rush was also a talking point behind closed doors. Meanwhile, Ehlinger was viewed as an Alpha-Male, but there were questions about his accuracy, and if he was ready to start as a freshman. At this point last year, there just was not a no-brainer decision at quarterback.
However, it appears the decision for Herman should be easier this season.
From what I have been told, each quarterback has looked good throughout the offseason. Neither has disappointed the staff. It has been more of a battle this season because Ehlinger has stepped up and shown a lot of improvements. From what I can tell, being thrown into the fire last year has helped prepare Ehlinger play a lot better this offseason.
According to multiple people associated with the program, Ehlinger’s passing accuracy during training camp has improved dramatically as compared to last season. His performances have caught the attention of everyone on the practice field. Everyone who has watched Ehlinger perform, including players, believes in his ability to lead this year’s team.
Now, that is not to say Buechele has struggled in the battle for the starting job. Quite the contrary.
According to my sources, Buechele’s has played well in training camp. He's not doing anything wrong and is playing to the best of his ability. Buechele still has a good arm. Nobody I spoke to had anything negative to say about Buechele.
However, when I think about Buechele, he reminds me a lot of Chance Mock. After backing up Chris Simms and Major Applewhite, Mock finally earned a chance to start in the 2003 season. Mock led Texas to a 4-2 record. He was not horrible, but Texas had some guy named Vince Young on the bench, and former coach Mack Brown decided to give another quarterback a shot. As Longhorn fans know, the rest is history. That is the best comparison for the quarterback battle between Buechele and Ehlinger.
Obviously, comparing Buechele to Young is absolutely ridiculous. I do not even need to explain why. However, Buechele has not done anything wrong during this quarterback battle. From what I can tell, Ehlinger appears to have that “it” factor that this team desperately needs, much like Young had when Mack Brown decided to lean on his upside over Mock's.
Now, the biggest evaluation obstacle is neither quarterback can take hits during practice.
That means it is hard to know how Buechele will react to a real pass rush. Will he step up in the pocket and complete a pass, or anticipate a sack and go down? Will Ehlinger take a sack, throw the ball away, or will he try to be a hero and possibly make a costly turnover?
There are several ways Ehlinger and Buechele are being evaluated by the staff.
First, they are being judged on toughness. Sure, neither quarterback can take a hit during practice, but everyone associated with the program wants to see how they react to defensive players in their face. Their toughness in the pocket is being gauged, even if neither quarterback has to worry about taking a big hit.
In addition, staff members are seeking input from defensive players. That’s right, they want to know which quarterback is harder to defend from a defensive point of view. Defensive players have been asked specific questions about each player. I was not told what the consensus point of view has been, but this staff is not leaving any stone uncovered when it comes to the most important position on the field.
During this offseason, one thing I have noted more than once is when Buechele and Ehlinger were healthy last season, Herman played it safe and played the sophomore quarterback. Buechele had a predictable floor and ceiling, and it appeared the staff was willing to work around that. Ehlinger had a high ceiling, but the floor for a freshman is often unpredictable.
I asked someone associated with the program about my viewpoint, and was told, “That would be inaccurate to say it’s carried over to this year.”
Obviously, I am going to play it safe with any preseason discussion about quarterbacks … forever.
That being said, I believe if Ehlinger can limit his turnover during scrimmage games, he has a good chance to start in the season opener against Maryland.
In a few weeks, Herman must decide which quarterback will start against Maryland. No matter how much feedback he receives from his assistant coaches or players, Herman will make the final decision. Herman will appoint a quarterback he believes gives his squad their best chance to win.
Fortunately, for Texas, each quarterback has improved, and this staff will have better options in 2018.
*****
This segment of the War Room is for all the Kool-Aid drinkers.
Enjoy.
In talking with multiple people associated with the program about practice this week, I've heard nothing but positive things. The reviews are so positive, I continuously ask people if they are viewing practice through rose-colored glasses. Each person has told me to wait-and-see what happens this season.
Okay, I am game.
Here are some interesting comments I received this week:
Texas offensive line back Herb Hand’s attention to detail has impressed everyone in attendance. From what I was told, Hand immediately corrects every misstep by his unit. Even if the error is only slightly off, Hand is the first person to fix the mistake. From what I have been told, his attention to detail is every impressive.
Media members have not viewed the team portion of practice, but I hear left tackle Calvin Anderson has played well. In fact, I have been told the more interesting battle is between Derek Kerstetter, Denzel Okafor and Samuel Cosmi at right tackle. Okafor is making a good run at the right tackle position.
Time to buy some stock in Junior Angilau. From what I was told, defensive lineman Keondre Coburn was having a lot of success against the offensive line with a bull rush. Nevertheless, Coburn was eventually matched up against Angilau, and subsequently shut down.
I was told Tope Imade is too big not to play this year. He weighs around 290 pounds and has the build of an NFL player.
Texas senior running back Tre Watson has made a great impression so far. From what I was told, Watson looks better than any running back who played last season. Basically, that means Keaontay Ingram and Watson could end up being the best running options for Texas this season.
Longhorn receiver Collin Johnson is a much tougher receiver, according to multiple people associated with the program. Johnson is developing the attitude of a bad ass, he has caught the attention this staff because of his aggressive play.
When the pads came on this past Wednesday, cornerback Kris Boyd began teeing off on receivers. Boyd landed huge hits and talked trash after each throttling. In fact, safety P.J. Locke recorded several hard hits this week in practice. From what I could tell, the defensive backs are the scariest unit on this year’s team.
*******
(Ketch)
One of the big topics on the site in recent days has seen the lack of presence by the Texas football program in the Dallas-Ft.Worth Metroplex in the last two recruiting classes, but especially in a 2019 recruiting year that doesn't the Longhorns with a single commitment from the area.
I exchanged messages with two well-known head coaches in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area on Thursday and asked them for their impressions on the subject. On the condition of anonymity, they all shared some thoughts with me.
Coach #1 - "My kids don't mention Texas very much. I asked one of my kids who was wearing a Texas shirt earlier in the year i he knew who Vince Young was and he said he didn't. I think the losing has taken a toll and the kids don't automatically view it as the program that it was when Mack was still coaching.
"I think it's going to take more than one really successful season for them to fully assert themselves in this area. I think they'll get there, though. I've talked with Coach Herman and he's told me how desperate they are to make stronger in-roads around here. They have to give the kids a reason to mention them."
Coach #2 - "I think they just need to win.
"That staff works incredibly had at recruiting, but working hard isn't going to cut it when Alabama, Ohio State or Oklahoma are calling you. The kids around here known TCU better than they probably know Texas right now."|
***
(McComas)
The Longhorns will be wrapping up hoops offseason practices very soon. A few notes to pass along:
--- The buzz surrounding Jericho Sims continues. It would be a surprise if he’s not one of the best players for Texas this season, and probably the entire Big 12.
--- Matt Coleman has spent a ton of time working on his mid-range jumper, and his overall shooting has progressed also.
--- Dylan Osetkowski has worked very diligently with the Texas Nutrition staff to change his diet, learn better habits and is in good shape.
--- The vibe around the program coming out of the final workouts is the team chemistry is in a very good place. Texas has a good mix of quality experience, and the freshmen have entered the program with the right mentality, including a real willingness to work and compete.
--- Don’t be surprised if Courtney Ramey plays a lot. National analysts labeled his perimeter shooting as an area that needed improvement, but Ramey shot the ball well to end his high school career. And he’s shot it well from deep in practices.
--- The main emphasis for Texas this offseason? The Longhorns focused on offense, and more specifically, playing with more pace and better spacing. With a deeper roster that should feature two point guards on the floor at all times, Texas has spent a lot of time on pick-and-roll action, and pushing the tempo as much as possible.
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