Here are the highlights of Texas football coach Tom Herman’s media availability after Thursday’s spring practice:
- Herman said Thursday’s practice was very spirited and thought his guys went really hard. He is looking forward to his players wearing pads on Saturday.
- When asked how quarterback Sam Ehlinger has looked this week, Herman simply said, “good.” Herman did not expand. Clearly, he is not ready to entertain the quarterback topic right now.
- Herman on the perception Calvin Anderson will immediately replace Connor Williams at left tackle: “That’s tough for him, and really the guys that are out there competing. He’s out there in shorts and a t-shirt with a script trying to learn the offense, and the rest of the offensive linemen are out there working their tails off. That’s the normal in today’s media climate, I guess, but it’s not fair to him, it’s not fair to the rest of the offensive line, but we’re excited to have him, and we’re excited that a guy that is not going to be here until June can be out here for some of these practices and watching and trying to learn.”
- Herman also said he does not expect Anderson to step in and be a starter. Instead, he expects Anderson to earn it. If Anderson picks up the offense, he has a great chance to earn it, according to Herman.
- I asked Herman what receiver Collin Johnson needs to do to become a consistent player, and he said, “That’s the word. Consistency. He had some unbelievable plays today, and then some plays a junior shouldn’t be making … I have no issues with Collin’s buy-in level. I have no issues with Collin’s want-to, desire. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great player for a coach to coach. I think it’s got to be a constant, whether it’s self-talk, mental focus, whatever you want to call it, dialed into that 1-0 mentality each and every play. I think coach [Drew] Mehringer, coach [Corby] Meekins, myself, we’re constantly reminding him of that. He’ll get there. I’m very confident he’ll get there.”
- Herman said when his team eventually plays four receivers in practice, Lil’ Jordan Humphrey will play in the slot.
- Herman said he still expects Junior Angilau to enroll this summer and put off his mission trip.
- When asked about the leaders on this year’s team, Herman said he forgot to mention P.J. Locke III during his press conference on Monday. In addition, he still sees Locke as the nickleback.
- Herman on coaching Kris Boyd: “It is fun. The kid loves football, man. Absolutely loves football. When you win his heart, he’s as loyal as they come. I have no doubt Kris Boyd would take a bullet for Jason Washington, Todd Orlando, myself. He has bought in. Jumped in with both feet. He loves football. Now, there are times like hyper dog, you got to yank on the lease every now and again, but, again, you much rather yank on leashes than kick butts to get them in gear.”
- Herman said freshman linebacker Ayodele Adeoye knows football. Adeoye is still learning the nuances of his assignment, but has great instincts, according to Herman.
- Here is Herman on redshirt freshman tight end Reese Leitao: “Looks great. I’m excited. I wish that new redshirt rule that the AFCA [American Football Coaches Association], Todd Berry, and all of us coaches are hoping to get into effect, I wish that was in effect last year because we would have played him the last few games. It was more prudent to redshirt him. Had a great bowl prep, and then the two months with coach [Yancy] McKnight did wonders with him. He’s as strong as an ox. Super smart. The guy is majoring in neuroscience. I didn’t even know that was a major. Extremely smart. Loves football. You can tell he’s a coach’s kid. He goes hard. When he screws up, it kills him. We’re excited about him.”
- Herman said he does not have the huge tight ends he coached at Ohio State [Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett]. Instead, Herman said the tight ends he has are athletic, can move, have leverage, play in the slot and catch. He believes the offense is wide open because of the tight ends Texas has this year.
- Texas receiver Devin Duvernay has made standout plays this week, according to Herman.
- Players will be in full pads on Saturday, but not tackle. However, must of the drills will be in a "thud" tempo, according to Herman.
- Herman said Thursday’s practice was very spirited and thought his guys went really hard. He is looking forward to his players wearing pads on Saturday.
- When asked how quarterback Sam Ehlinger has looked this week, Herman simply said, “good.” Herman did not expand. Clearly, he is not ready to entertain the quarterback topic right now.
- Herman on the perception Calvin Anderson will immediately replace Connor Williams at left tackle: “That’s tough for him, and really the guys that are out there competing. He’s out there in shorts and a t-shirt with a script trying to learn the offense, and the rest of the offensive linemen are out there working their tails off. That’s the normal in today’s media climate, I guess, but it’s not fair to him, it’s not fair to the rest of the offensive line, but we’re excited to have him, and we’re excited that a guy that is not going to be here until June can be out here for some of these practices and watching and trying to learn.”
- Herman also said he does not expect Anderson to step in and be a starter. Instead, he expects Anderson to earn it. If Anderson picks up the offense, he has a great chance to earn it, according to Herman.
- I asked Herman what receiver Collin Johnson needs to do to become a consistent player, and he said, “That’s the word. Consistency. He had some unbelievable plays today, and then some plays a junior shouldn’t be making … I have no issues with Collin’s buy-in level. I have no issues with Collin’s want-to, desire. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great player for a coach to coach. I think it’s got to be a constant, whether it’s self-talk, mental focus, whatever you want to call it, dialed into that 1-0 mentality each and every play. I think coach [Drew] Mehringer, coach [Corby] Meekins, myself, we’re constantly reminding him of that. He’ll get there. I’m very confident he’ll get there.”
- Herman said when his team eventually plays four receivers in practice, Lil’ Jordan Humphrey will play in the slot.
- Herman said he still expects Junior Angilau to enroll this summer and put off his mission trip.
- When asked about the leaders on this year’s team, Herman said he forgot to mention P.J. Locke III during his press conference on Monday. In addition, he still sees Locke as the nickleback.
- Herman on coaching Kris Boyd: “It is fun. The kid loves football, man. Absolutely loves football. When you win his heart, he’s as loyal as they come. I have no doubt Kris Boyd would take a bullet for Jason Washington, Todd Orlando, myself. He has bought in. Jumped in with both feet. He loves football. Now, there are times like hyper dog, you got to yank on the lease every now and again, but, again, you much rather yank on leashes than kick butts to get them in gear.”
- Herman said freshman linebacker Ayodele Adeoye knows football. Adeoye is still learning the nuances of his assignment, but has great instincts, according to Herman.
- Here is Herman on redshirt freshman tight end Reese Leitao: “Looks great. I’m excited. I wish that new redshirt rule that the AFCA [American Football Coaches Association], Todd Berry, and all of us coaches are hoping to get into effect, I wish that was in effect last year because we would have played him the last few games. It was more prudent to redshirt him. Had a great bowl prep, and then the two months with coach [Yancy] McKnight did wonders with him. He’s as strong as an ox. Super smart. The guy is majoring in neuroscience. I didn’t even know that was a major. Extremely smart. Loves football. You can tell he’s a coach’s kid. He goes hard. When he screws up, it kills him. We’re excited about him.”
- Herman said he does not have the huge tight ends he coached at Ohio State [Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett]. Instead, Herman said the tight ends he has are athletic, can move, have leverage, play in the slot and catch. He believes the offense is wide open because of the tight ends Texas has this year.
- Texas receiver Devin Duvernay has made standout plays this week, according to Herman.
- Players will be in full pads on Saturday, but not tackle. However, must of the drills will be in a "thud" tempo, according to Herman.
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