Spring practices are officially done but the eyes of Texas are still focused on the quarterback position. Everyone has an opinion on which direction the Longhorn quarterback story will head, but the reality is that everyone is ignoring a few critical trees while worrying about the forest.
In terms of sheer roster numbers, running back looks to be one of the deepest positions on the team. Closer examination reveals that this stable of talented athletes is plagued with more questions than answers. No matter which tack the quarterback conundrum takes, having a dependable running game will alleviate loads of pressure from the position.
Whether it’s moving the chains, being the focal point of the defense, or picking up a blitz, the fate of the Longhorn’s quarterback is inextricably connected to the running back position. With so many unknowns up and down the roster, is it possible that the eyes of Texas should be focused on running back instead of quarterback?
Will Joe Bergeron be back?
Bergeron is a known quantity compared to other backs and while he has a specific skill set, he has proven to be a productive back when given opportunities. Capable of churning out short yardage and reliable on passing downs, there is no denying Bergeron’s importance to the team.
One of the key questions for the Longhorn backfield is whether Joe Bergeron will be on the team this fall. His performance on the field speaks for itself, but a player who has a problem with authority can sour a locker room. Charlie Strong knows this and is making every effort to insure that his team universally accepts the program’s new culture of accountability.
Rumors have been raised about Bergeron’s commitment to the new culture and, more importantly, Charlie Strong exiled him from spring practice. Coach Strong has publically commented that Bergeron is expected back in the fall, but will the result of Bergeron’s ‘timeout’ be a player going through the motions of his senior year or will he come back committed to the team? Can he truly fix whatever it is that is distancing him from the team and go all-in for his last round on campus?
Can Daje Johnson overcome his obstacles?
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After only two seasons, the one consistent aspect of Daje Johnson’s on-field contributions is their inconsistency. Johnson’s short career is hallmarked by a one step forward, then two steps back theme (after all, we are talking about a player who was suspended before the very first game of his freshman year for a violation of team rules).
At times last year Johnson was a true home run threat. Coaches, teammates and fans all saw the potential, but at other times it looked like he lacked focus on the field. The obvious example is that Johnson was mostly a non-factor on the field following his impressive performance against Oklahoma. He was eventually suspended for the Alamo Bowl and ruled academically ineligible.
Unlike Bergeron’s case, Coach Strong has not commented on Johnson’s status for the upcoming season. Was the fact that Johnson appeared in the spring game a positive sign? Will Johnson flourish under the new staff’s tough love, or will his academic plight be too much to overcome?
What about the new guys?
It’s fairly evident Joe Wickline and Shawn Watson plan to build an offense around the running game this year. To execute that goal is going to require a depth chart of productive and dependable backs. Can Donald Catalon and D’onta Foreman be counted on to contribute to this team? Is the more accurate question, should they be counted on?
Catalon was the higher rated prospect coming out of high school and appears to be better prepared to perform immediately, while Foreman’s contribution to the team looks like a long-term project with plenty of upside. Regardless, both runners will be challenged by making the transition to the college level.
All players making the jump from high school to college experience a game that moves ‘faster’. At running back that means holes that close quicker, and better disguised blitzes that are more complicated. In fact, blitz pickup is often the most challenging skill for young runners to learn. NCAA defensive coordinators are going to disguise blitzes with complicated fronts – especially when facing inexperienced (read: younger) players. For quarterbacks to have a chance to execute plays, it is critical for running backs to make pre-snap reads correctly.
Can Catalon and Foreman shorten their learning curve enough to contribute to the running back rotation? That answer could be the difference between a blindside blitz being picked up versus Wickline and Watson having to tread down the quarterback depth chart.
Jonathan Gray: To redshirt or not to redshirt?
A healthy Jonathan Gray would be a big shot in the arm for the Texas offense. Last fall proved that Gray is the most complete back on the team. With Gray, questions begin to swirl when examining his ruptured Achilles.
An Achilles injury is one of the more devastating injuries an athlete can face. This isn’t recovery from a torn ACL – the Achilles tendon affects both raw, physical power as well as athleticism. Typically an Achilles tendon requires an extended recovery. Although there have been cases in the NFL where players (ex: Demariyus Thomas and Leon Hall) have fully recovered from Achilles problems, the majority of evidence supports the claim that players who damage their Achilles tendon never regain 100% of their ability.
Expectations are that Gray will test his Achilles in fall camp and make a decision on his return, but should that decision be made now? Gray has not taken a redshirt year yet and could take advantage of one to fully rehab his injury. A redshirt year would insure that his injury has more time to heal and it would also provide an ‘extra’ year of depth.
Having watched Gray since his sophomore year in high school, I would bet he will do everything he can in order to get on the field this year. With this in mind, the most accurate question is whether a seventy percent Jonathan Gray is worth as much to the team this year as a one hundred percent Gray is next year?
What does Jalen Overstreet bring to the table?
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Fans that saw Overstreet play against New Mexico State last fall believed he had a bright future and could contribute immediately. Hindsight shows that Overstreet did not get many carries after that game and struggled with academics.
Overstreet has the ability to be a contributor at running back but thus far he has not shown it consistently enough to merit more than spot duty in the fourth quarter. Reports are that he performs well in practices, but, in live situations, he appears to lose his natural instincts.
There is a big difference between running from the quarterback position (where Overstreet did his damage in high school) and taking a handoff and running to a designed hole. Conversely, running quarterbacks depend on plays breaking down and then finding open rushing lanes. Running back techniques can be taught, but there is also certain set of instincts that separate good from great backs.
In Overstreet, the Longhorns have a very talented athlete. But talent and athleticism on their own is not a reliable indicator of whether a running back will be productive.
Can Malcolm Brown shoulder the load?
Brown’s ability to remain healthy throughout the upcoming season is one of the most crucial questions surrounding this fall. Malcolm Brown is poised to be the star of the show this year, and has been one of the most consistent players on the team when healthy. His punishing running style seems to be the one the new staff favors, and Brown is well versed in all aspects of his game.
The concern with Brown is that he has an injury history – his punishing style has led to nagging ailments throughout his career. Regardless of if any of the other backs reach their potential, Brown will be the straw that stirs the drink this season.
Can Brown be an every down back who handles twenty carries per game? This offense’s success is going to rest heavily on his shoulders…thereby making him the quarterback’s best friend.