Here are the highlights of Texas football coach Tom Herman’s media availability after practice on Wednesday:
--- Texas football coach Tom Herman said linebacker De'Gabriel Floyd (stinger) has been shutdown for the remainder of this spring. He will be reevaluated after the spring, and Herman is optimistic Floyd’s health will improve with rest and rehab. Christian Jones (high ankle sprain) participated in the individual portion of practice; receiver Bru McCoy participated in practice; running back Kirk Johnson (stinger) did not practice; receiver Collin Johnson has participated in non-contact drills this week; quarterback Sam Ehlinger fully participated in practice.
--- Texas was slated to practice on Monday, but Herman believed it was too quick of a turnaround and pushed it back to Tuesday. He was satisfied with the effort and energy level in practice this week.
--- Herman said Malcolm Epps is weighing 242 pounds right now, and the added strength has helped his receiver hit another level this spring. Herman does want Epps to polish his route-running. However, Herman has not noticed a pass dropped by Epps during team drills.
--- I asked Herman which position battles he expects to carry over until the fall and was told nose guard, Mike linebacker (he said Caleb Johnson is pushing Ayodele Adeoye), both offensive guard positions and left tackle. Herman expects to see some sort of rotation in fall camp, even though Sam Cosmi is seemingly a lock at left tackle.
--- Herman said tight end Cade Brewer made an “unbelievable” catch during practice reminded him of a reception his player made in high school. Brewer caught a pass off a defender’s back, setting the offense up for a field goal. In addition, Herman said Brewer’s blocking continues to improve.
--- Herman believes they have talent to replace the seniors who are no longer with the program. However, they have to start playing together with better fundamentals, and the nasty attitude last year’s seniors had.
--- When asked how fast is Jordan Whittington, Herman said, “fast enough.” In addition, Herman said, “I think what makes him so difficult for the defense is there’s no wasted movement. It doesn’t take him seven steps to change direction. It’s boom, boom, boom. Accelerating. He’s got great patience. He’s just really smooth. When you watch him, there’s not a whole lot of wasted movement.” In addition, Herman said Whittington is a hard worker in the film room and during meetings.
--- Herman believes Rafiti Ghirmai is going to be great, not good, as a backup center once he learns the position. If Texas has to play a game tomorrow, Herman said Derek Kerstetter would be the backup center. However, the staff is confidence Ghirmai will progress enough to move into the backup role.
--- Here is Herman’s answer to my question about his comfort level with this year’s team: “It’s great. We got a lot of work to do on the field, but these guys are a joy to be around. I love coming to work every day. The guys do a good job of policing our culture, our players do. There’s never an us versus them, or any kind of sentiment like that. We’re all in this together. I enjoy being around these guys. They’re a good group of guys.
--- Herman on Tyler Johnson being able to help up front in the fall: “I hope so. He will eventually. When you see him you say, ‘Oh yeah, we did good. That’s a good signee.’ But, it’s really, really fast for him. To play that position, especially tackle. At guard, you’re a little bit more protected. You don’t have to make as many calls. You don’t have to see as much big picture stuff as a tackle. He’s learning and growing. We’re excited about him, certainly.”
--- Herman said Jeffrey McCulloch was one of the few defensive players who received a championship grade after Saturday’s scrimmage. In addition, Malcolm Roach was the defensive player of the scrimmage, according to Herman.
--- Texas football coach Tom Herman said linebacker De'Gabriel Floyd (stinger) has been shutdown for the remainder of this spring. He will be reevaluated after the spring, and Herman is optimistic Floyd’s health will improve with rest and rehab. Christian Jones (high ankle sprain) participated in the individual portion of practice; receiver Bru McCoy participated in practice; running back Kirk Johnson (stinger) did not practice; receiver Collin Johnson has participated in non-contact drills this week; quarterback Sam Ehlinger fully participated in practice.
--- Texas was slated to practice on Monday, but Herman believed it was too quick of a turnaround and pushed it back to Tuesday. He was satisfied with the effort and energy level in practice this week.
--- Herman said Malcolm Epps is weighing 242 pounds right now, and the added strength has helped his receiver hit another level this spring. Herman does want Epps to polish his route-running. However, Herman has not noticed a pass dropped by Epps during team drills.
--- I asked Herman which position battles he expects to carry over until the fall and was told nose guard, Mike linebacker (he said Caleb Johnson is pushing Ayodele Adeoye), both offensive guard positions and left tackle. Herman expects to see some sort of rotation in fall camp, even though Sam Cosmi is seemingly a lock at left tackle.
--- Herman said tight end Cade Brewer made an “unbelievable” catch during practice reminded him of a reception his player made in high school. Brewer caught a pass off a defender’s back, setting the offense up for a field goal. In addition, Herman said Brewer’s blocking continues to improve.
--- Herman believes they have talent to replace the seniors who are no longer with the program. However, they have to start playing together with better fundamentals, and the nasty attitude last year’s seniors had.
--- When asked how fast is Jordan Whittington, Herman said, “fast enough.” In addition, Herman said, “I think what makes him so difficult for the defense is there’s no wasted movement. It doesn’t take him seven steps to change direction. It’s boom, boom, boom. Accelerating. He’s got great patience. He’s just really smooth. When you watch him, there’s not a whole lot of wasted movement.” In addition, Herman said Whittington is a hard worker in the film room and during meetings.
--- Herman believes Rafiti Ghirmai is going to be great, not good, as a backup center once he learns the position. If Texas has to play a game tomorrow, Herman said Derek Kerstetter would be the backup center. However, the staff is confidence Ghirmai will progress enough to move into the backup role.
--- Here is Herman’s answer to my question about his comfort level with this year’s team: “It’s great. We got a lot of work to do on the field, but these guys are a joy to be around. I love coming to work every day. The guys do a good job of policing our culture, our players do. There’s never an us versus them, or any kind of sentiment like that. We’re all in this together. I enjoy being around these guys. They’re a good group of guys.
--- Herman on Tyler Johnson being able to help up front in the fall: “I hope so. He will eventually. When you see him you say, ‘Oh yeah, we did good. That’s a good signee.’ But, it’s really, really fast for him. To play that position, especially tackle. At guard, you’re a little bit more protected. You don’t have to make as many calls. You don’t have to see as much big picture stuff as a tackle. He’s learning and growing. We’re excited about him, certainly.”
--- Herman said Jeffrey McCulloch was one of the few defensive players who received a championship grade after Saturday’s scrimmage. In addition, Malcolm Roach was the defensive player of the scrimmage, according to Herman.
