Here are the highlights of Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando’s press conference on Tuesday:
--- Orlando the inexperience of his defense has been apparent this spring. However, Orlando said Chris Brown was having an exceptional camp, along with Malcolm Roach. He described them as great leaders and super productive.
--- Orlando is not concerned about the number of defensive injuries because he is already familiar with their level of talent. He is focused on seeing what other players can do, such as Montrell Estell and Demarvion Overshown.
--- Orlando on the defensive line: “Malcolm has been very consistent. I like the way TQ (Ta’Quon Graham) is playing. Yancy’s done such a good job with him of making him strong. I thought last year, he played high, he peaked around, he wasn’t really technical because I don’t think he trusted his strength. He’s probably now one of the strongest guys that we have on our team.”
--- Gerald Wilbon and Keondre Coburn have been battling during spring practice, according to Orlando. He said if there were 80 plays in a game, each player would be in the 30 to 35 snap range. Orlando said, “I think they are things that Wilbon does a little bit better because of experience. I think Coburn is explosive. It’s just one of those things, can he do multiple reps?”
--- Orlando on linebacker Ayodele Adeoye: “He’s one of the guys we’ve talked about, lack of experience. He’s a work in progress.” However, Jeffrey McCulloch and Joseph Ossai have been solid, according to Orlando.
--- Orlando said he wants to see more consistency for Adeoye and other players competing for the chance to start this season.
--- Orlando is pleased with D’Shawn Jamison’s growth at cornerback. Orlando likes Jamison’s footwork and said the cornerback has natural ball skills because he played receiver: “I’m telling you, that kid has been such a pleasant surprise for myself. Just his mentality and demeanor, sometimes you get worried about that when you’re going over from the other side if whether you want to strike and compete. He’s been very, very impressive.” Orlando said Jalen Green has been “great," while the cornerbacks have been solid.
--- Orlando praised running backs Keaontay Ingram and Jordan Whittington. He said they have been outstanding during spring practice. In addition, Orlando said Sam Ehlinger has command of the offensive package.
--- Orlando on JuCo transfers Caleb Johnson and Jacoby Jones: “Like I said before when we got the Gary Johnson’s of the world, they have to learn what we do in our program. How hard we strain, the toughness. Really, as we get into the last week of spring football, this has been a grind. Staying on these guys to continue doing things the right way, but they’re both very athletic. Jacoby is one of those guys who is a natural pass-rush guy, and Caleb can run. They fit. It’s just going to take a little bit of time. I think their best development is one more training session with Yancy and his group, then to get him into some of the stuff in the summer time, and really have an answer for you in probably week two or three when we get into fall camp.”
--- Orlando the inexperience of his defense has been apparent this spring. However, Orlando said Chris Brown was having an exceptional camp, along with Malcolm Roach. He described them as great leaders and super productive.
--- Orlando is not concerned about the number of defensive injuries because he is already familiar with their level of talent. He is focused on seeing what other players can do, such as Montrell Estell and Demarvion Overshown.
--- Orlando on the defensive line: “Malcolm has been very consistent. I like the way TQ (Ta’Quon Graham) is playing. Yancy’s done such a good job with him of making him strong. I thought last year, he played high, he peaked around, he wasn’t really technical because I don’t think he trusted his strength. He’s probably now one of the strongest guys that we have on our team.”
--- Gerald Wilbon and Keondre Coburn have been battling during spring practice, according to Orlando. He said if there were 80 plays in a game, each player would be in the 30 to 35 snap range. Orlando said, “I think they are things that Wilbon does a little bit better because of experience. I think Coburn is explosive. It’s just one of those things, can he do multiple reps?”
--- Orlando on linebacker Ayodele Adeoye: “He’s one of the guys we’ve talked about, lack of experience. He’s a work in progress.” However, Jeffrey McCulloch and Joseph Ossai have been solid, according to Orlando.
--- Orlando said he wants to see more consistency for Adeoye and other players competing for the chance to start this season.
--- Orlando is pleased with D’Shawn Jamison’s growth at cornerback. Orlando likes Jamison’s footwork and said the cornerback has natural ball skills because he played receiver: “I’m telling you, that kid has been such a pleasant surprise for myself. Just his mentality and demeanor, sometimes you get worried about that when you’re going over from the other side if whether you want to strike and compete. He’s been very, very impressive.” Orlando said Jalen Green has been “great," while the cornerbacks have been solid.
--- Orlando praised running backs Keaontay Ingram and Jordan Whittington. He said they have been outstanding during spring practice. In addition, Orlando said Sam Ehlinger has command of the offensive package.
--- Orlando on JuCo transfers Caleb Johnson and Jacoby Jones: “Like I said before when we got the Gary Johnson’s of the world, they have to learn what we do in our program. How hard we strain, the toughness. Really, as we get into the last week of spring football, this has been a grind. Staying on these guys to continue doing things the right way, but they’re both very athletic. Jacoby is one of those guys who is a natural pass-rush guy, and Caleb can run. They fit. It’s just going to take a little bit of time. I think their best development is one more training session with Yancy and his group, then to get him into some of the stuff in the summer time, and really have an answer for you in probably week two or three when we get into fall camp.”
