Here are the highlights of Texas football coach Tom Herman’s press conference after Tuesday’s spring practice:
- Herman was very pleased with Saturday’s scrimmage: “I thought it was the best we’ve thrown the football consistently around here for a while. We had a lot of explosive plays on offense, but the defense still played well on third-down and had their moments as well. Played well in two-minute. The defense wound on winning, I think. The offense, I think the twos turned it over twice. The defense won the circle drill in the beginning. There were a couple of things that happen, but I thought one offense versus the one defense was really good.”
- In addition, Herman was impressed by the effort from his players on Tuesday after a hard practice on Saturday. Texas’ defense had a better day than the offense, according to Herman.
- Herman said safety P.J. Locke III sustained a really bad stinger on Saturday, and it is unlikely he will see the field again this spring. In addition, cornerback Davante Davis rolled his ankle during one-on-one drills on Tuesday and did not finish practice.
- Herman’s biggest concerns right now are depth at linebacker and offensive line. He said Texas currently has eight healthy scholarship offensive lineman. His backups at center and left guard are walk-on players. Herman said he needs Patrick Hudson and Mikey Grandy to get healthy.
- In addition, Herman said Malcolm Roach’s move to inside linebacker has gone well. In addition, Jeffrey McCulloch has received B-backer reps during nickel situations. In addition, Herman said Ayodele Adeoye will need to play this season.
- When asked how Breckyn Hager is looking, Herman said, “awesome.” Herman added, “I thanked him today for how hard he practices. Because of how hard he practices, he’s not just making himself better, he’s making Denzel Okafor better. He’s making Derek Kerstetter better. He’s making Andrew Beck and Reese Leitao better. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
- Herman’s response when asked what we should make of him not having a clear-cut No.1 quarterback, and if he is okay with not having a top passer once spring practice concludes: “You should make nothing of it, and yes, I’m okay. I think it’s great. Those guys have really improved. Coach (Tim) Beck has done a great job with them. They’ve done a great job on their own. They have really accepted and ran with the challenges we have given them in the offseason. For Sam [Ehlinger], it was quickening his release up, tightening that up, and protecting the ball. He’s done that. For Shane [Buechele], it was the management of the offense. Don’t just be a participant in the plays. You’re the conductor of the plays. You’re not just a passive participant, and both those guys have really gotten better.”
- Herman said his defense will be pretty vanilla in the spring game because it is televised. However, Herman did say seeing how his quarterbacks perform in front of thousands of fans during the spring game will matter a little more in the evaluation process. Instead of viewing it as just another practice, their performance in that game will matter.
- Running back Kirk Johnson’s recovery is taking longer than Herman anticipated. The plan is to get Patrick Hudson into specific position drills on Thursday, and Kyle Porter may receive reps next Tuesday and Thursday.
- Herman on hitting the spots in Texas with athletic director Chris Del Conte to reinvigorate the brand: “We do. I think he’s spot on. We need to excite our fans and our constituents about where Texas athletics is heading. The best way to do that is go out and win a bunch of games. I get that, but we’ve also got to educate them that they’re a big part of whether we win games or not. The support, the home-field advantage, and the responsibility that our players and coaches feel toward our fan base. That’s real, and that’s palpable. I think it’s a great idea. Chris is brand new. I’m fairly new. Shaka, three years, is somewhat new. They are real people here in Austin doing this, coaches as well as student athletes. We need everybody’s help to make sure, as Chris says, we’re all rowing in the same direction.”
- Herman was very pleased with Saturday’s scrimmage: “I thought it was the best we’ve thrown the football consistently around here for a while. We had a lot of explosive plays on offense, but the defense still played well on third-down and had their moments as well. Played well in two-minute. The defense wound on winning, I think. The offense, I think the twos turned it over twice. The defense won the circle drill in the beginning. There were a couple of things that happen, but I thought one offense versus the one defense was really good.”
- In addition, Herman was impressed by the effort from his players on Tuesday after a hard practice on Saturday. Texas’ defense had a better day than the offense, according to Herman.
- Herman said safety P.J. Locke III sustained a really bad stinger on Saturday, and it is unlikely he will see the field again this spring. In addition, cornerback Davante Davis rolled his ankle during one-on-one drills on Tuesday and did not finish practice.
- Herman’s biggest concerns right now are depth at linebacker and offensive line. He said Texas currently has eight healthy scholarship offensive lineman. His backups at center and left guard are walk-on players. Herman said he needs Patrick Hudson and Mikey Grandy to get healthy.
- In addition, Herman said Malcolm Roach’s move to inside linebacker has gone well. In addition, Jeffrey McCulloch has received B-backer reps during nickel situations. In addition, Herman said Ayodele Adeoye will need to play this season.
- When asked how Breckyn Hager is looking, Herman said, “awesome.” Herman added, “I thanked him today for how hard he practices. Because of how hard he practices, he’s not just making himself better, he’s making Denzel Okafor better. He’s making Derek Kerstetter better. He’s making Andrew Beck and Reese Leitao better. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
- Herman’s response when asked what we should make of him not having a clear-cut No.1 quarterback, and if he is okay with not having a top passer once spring practice concludes: “You should make nothing of it, and yes, I’m okay. I think it’s great. Those guys have really improved. Coach (Tim) Beck has done a great job with them. They’ve done a great job on their own. They have really accepted and ran with the challenges we have given them in the offseason. For Sam [Ehlinger], it was quickening his release up, tightening that up, and protecting the ball. He’s done that. For Shane [Buechele], it was the management of the offense. Don’t just be a participant in the plays. You’re the conductor of the plays. You’re not just a passive participant, and both those guys have really gotten better.”
- Herman said his defense will be pretty vanilla in the spring game because it is televised. However, Herman did say seeing how his quarterbacks perform in front of thousands of fans during the spring game will matter a little more in the evaluation process. Instead of viewing it as just another practice, their performance in that game will matter.
- Running back Kirk Johnson’s recovery is taking longer than Herman anticipated. The plan is to get Patrick Hudson into specific position drills on Thursday, and Kyle Porter may receive reps next Tuesday and Thursday.
- Herman on hitting the spots in Texas with athletic director Chris Del Conte to reinvigorate the brand: “We do. I think he’s spot on. We need to excite our fans and our constituents about where Texas athletics is heading. The best way to do that is go out and win a bunch of games. I get that, but we’ve also got to educate them that they’re a big part of whether we win games or not. The support, the home-field advantage, and the responsibility that our players and coaches feel toward our fan base. That’s real, and that’s palpable. I think it’s a great idea. Chris is brand new. I’m fairly new. Shaka, three years, is somewhat new. They are real people here in Austin doing this, coaches as well as student athletes. We need everybody’s help to make sure, as Chris says, we’re all rowing in the same direction.”
Last edited:
