Texas football coach Tom Herman addressed the media after Tuesday’s practice. Here are the highlights of Herman’s media availability:
- Herman said center Zach Shackelford had ankle surgery on Tuesday. He said Shackelford had multiple high-ankle sprains, and a wire was inserted in the foot. Herman is optimistic Shackelford will be at full speed by training camp.
- Meanwhile, Texas defensive lineman DeAndre Christmas has athletic pubalgia, which is often referred to as a sports hernia. Christmas will finish out the spring and visit a surgeon in Philadelphia after the spring game.
- Herman appears to be very happy with running back Kyle Porter and his performance this spring: “Knock on wood, he’s seizing it right now. He was player of the game in the scrimmage on Saturday. He runs hard. It’s really hard to run against our defense, and we know that. The offensive line has taken a while to adjust to that, which is good. By the time fall camp rolls around, there won’t be a front or a blitz that has ever been invented that they haven’t seen. Until then, it’s taken them a while. Kyle never complains. Never asks for a play off. Always goes full speed. He makes yards as he’s getting tackled. He never gets driven backwards. He’s been a joy to be around thus far.”
- In addition, Herman said he loves Porter’s decision not to be on social media.
- Last week, Herman said he was impressed by his receivers. However, Herman said the group needs to get tougher when asked about them on Tuesday: “That whole position group has got to get tougher. Really talented, but really not physically tough. I was talking to Colt McCoy out there at practice today. We were talking about wideouts, oohing and awing at how they looked on the hoof. I told them they have work to do in the toughness department. Again, these guys have heard that from me. I get a little surprised that sometimes I read reactions (that) I tell the media certain things. I’ve told the wide receivers, I’ve told coach (Drew) Mehringer, I’ve told coach (Tim) Beck they need to get tougher. They know, and they’re working on it. They want to.”
- Herman described Saturday’s scrimmage as “not great.” He said they held a team meeting on Tuesday to address it. The staff played 10 clips on the video screen (offense and defense) of players not giving 100 percent effort. Herman said, “When we’re in a live scrimmage situation, it is unacceptable to give anything but your maximum effort. We just need to keep playing and instill in them [pause]… applaud and praise those that do well, and those that exemplify our culture, and point out, continually point out, those that don’t, and make sure they are being taught what the expectations are around here every single play.”
- Herman said the defense has enjoyed the edge during team scrimmages, but has seen signs of life from the offense lately.
- Poona Ford and P.J. Locke are players who have exceeded Herman’s expectations: “You feel those guys when you’re standing out there, especially Poona playing that zero-nose. Phew. He’s a handful for any center.”
- Connor Williams has looked “great” at left tackle, but is waiting for a right tackle to emerge. Herman said they have looked good, but not great at right tackle. He is looking for Tristan Nickelson or Denzel Okafor to snatch that position. In addition, Herman said they need to find a fourth tackle. Herman’s goals is to have eight offensive lineman who can play on Saturdays.
- Texas safety DeShon Elliott is an “effort guy," according to Herman. The coach likes Elliott’s speed and ability to process what he sees on the field.
- Here is Herman’s description of what he needs from the B-backer position: “The importance is in order to be as multiple as we want to be, from an odd-front to a four-down front to our third-down package, all of that, that guy’s got to be a hybrid pass-rusher, linebacker and cover guy. He’s got to be able to take blocks for tackles and tight ends, but also drop in coverage and reroute a slot receiver, play man-to-man on a tight end. Those are the things that make that position so unique. I’ve been happy with how we’re progressing with the two guys there with Naashon Hughes and Jeffrey McCulloch. I’ve noticed them more and more as the weeks go on.”
- Herman said center Zach Shackelford had ankle surgery on Tuesday. He said Shackelford had multiple high-ankle sprains, and a wire was inserted in the foot. Herman is optimistic Shackelford will be at full speed by training camp.
- Meanwhile, Texas defensive lineman DeAndre Christmas has athletic pubalgia, which is often referred to as a sports hernia. Christmas will finish out the spring and visit a surgeon in Philadelphia after the spring game.
- Herman appears to be very happy with running back Kyle Porter and his performance this spring: “Knock on wood, he’s seizing it right now. He was player of the game in the scrimmage on Saturday. He runs hard. It’s really hard to run against our defense, and we know that. The offensive line has taken a while to adjust to that, which is good. By the time fall camp rolls around, there won’t be a front or a blitz that has ever been invented that they haven’t seen. Until then, it’s taken them a while. Kyle never complains. Never asks for a play off. Always goes full speed. He makes yards as he’s getting tackled. He never gets driven backwards. He’s been a joy to be around thus far.”
- In addition, Herman said he loves Porter’s decision not to be on social media.
- Last week, Herman said he was impressed by his receivers. However, Herman said the group needs to get tougher when asked about them on Tuesday: “That whole position group has got to get tougher. Really talented, but really not physically tough. I was talking to Colt McCoy out there at practice today. We were talking about wideouts, oohing and awing at how they looked on the hoof. I told them they have work to do in the toughness department. Again, these guys have heard that from me. I get a little surprised that sometimes I read reactions (that) I tell the media certain things. I’ve told the wide receivers, I’ve told coach (Drew) Mehringer, I’ve told coach (Tim) Beck they need to get tougher. They know, and they’re working on it. They want to.”
- Herman described Saturday’s scrimmage as “not great.” He said they held a team meeting on Tuesday to address it. The staff played 10 clips on the video screen (offense and defense) of players not giving 100 percent effort. Herman said, “When we’re in a live scrimmage situation, it is unacceptable to give anything but your maximum effort. We just need to keep playing and instill in them [pause]… applaud and praise those that do well, and those that exemplify our culture, and point out, continually point out, those that don’t, and make sure they are being taught what the expectations are around here every single play.”
- Herman said the defense has enjoyed the edge during team scrimmages, but has seen signs of life from the offense lately.
- Poona Ford and P.J. Locke are players who have exceeded Herman’s expectations: “You feel those guys when you’re standing out there, especially Poona playing that zero-nose. Phew. He’s a handful for any center.”
- Connor Williams has looked “great” at left tackle, but is waiting for a right tackle to emerge. Herman said they have looked good, but not great at right tackle. He is looking for Tristan Nickelson or Denzel Okafor to snatch that position. In addition, Herman said they need to find a fourth tackle. Herman’s goals is to have eight offensive lineman who can play on Saturdays.
- Texas safety DeShon Elliott is an “effort guy," according to Herman. The coach likes Elliott’s speed and ability to process what he sees on the field.
- Here is Herman’s description of what he needs from the B-backer position: “The importance is in order to be as multiple as we want to be, from an odd-front to a four-down front to our third-down package, all of that, that guy’s got to be a hybrid pass-rusher, linebacker and cover guy. He’s got to be able to take blocks for tackles and tight ends, but also drop in coverage and reroute a slot receiver, play man-to-man on a tight end. Those are the things that make that position so unique. I’ve been happy with how we’re progressing with the two guys there with Naashon Hughes and Jeffrey McCulloch. I’ve noticed them more and more as the weeks go on.”
