Will Baizer
Staff Writer
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2015
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Currently on the college football reddit there is are 5 questions going around.
1. In your opinion which new (likely) starters for the 2016 season will have the biggest impact?
2. Which 2016 recruit do you think can make an impact as a freshman? (it can be JUCO also)
3. What are you optimistic about?
4. What are you pessimistic about?
5. Are there any juniors that declared early for the draft/any starters that were kicked off this off-season/transferred?
I think it will be a great conversation to have and thought I'd bring the questions over to this community to get y'all's opinions.
I also tried my hand at answering these questions.
This is just a stream of consciousness.
1.In your opinion which new (likely) starters for the 2016 season will have the biggest impact?
I'll take a new look at this question. I'm going to look at it like which new player's success or failure could have the most impact on how the team performs.
To me, at the current time, that would be Zach Shackleford. Why Shackelford? Why not someone like Collin Johnson? Well the reason Shackleford’s play will impact the offense more than any other new comer is because
1.) He’s playing a new position.
2.) There is not much depth behind him in that position.
3.) The offensive line’s success is going to be very crucial to the success of the offense in general.
Many people shrug off the move from OG to C. The reality is that the switch is a huge change in how an offensive line plays the game. Now Shackelford not only has to worry about obvious exchange from C to QB, which is oh so crucial (Remember Baylor in 2014? Sorry for reminding you), but on top of that there are about 10 other things he has to worry about and remember compared to when he was an OG. Oh… and he hasn’t had any experience at this level.
If he is able to step up then the offensive line is set up to have a great year. Otherwise, the coaches are going to have to go digging around in their depth chart for somebody who could play C and then teach him the position over the summer… or deal with a huge hole in the center of your defensive line, which could kill the entire RPO game.
2.Which 2016 recruit do you think can make an impact as a freshman? (it can be JUCO also)
Looking at it the same way up top (where I'm looking at it like which new player's success or failure could have the most impact on how the team performs) I'm going to say one of those new guys on the DL.
It’s another year where multiple freshmen are going to have to step up in crucial ways. The lack of depth on the DL is glaring. The Longhorns need all the help they can get to get a solid rotation of DLinemen going. The lack of depth and a solid rotation last year was a huge reason that the defense was historically bad. If there is even one new DT or DE coming in who can become the Longhorn’s Daylon Mack or the Malik Jefferson of the DL then that will take the pressure off the LBs to cover for the DT’s inabilities, which means the DB can focus on doing their jobs.
Who do I think has the best chance of doing this? Jordan Elliott simply due to the fact that he is the most polished DLineman in the 2016 class.
3.What are you optimistic about?
AND
4.What are you pessimistic about?
Last year, during my season preview, when I was asked to predict which unit would have the most success and which would cause a lot of problems, I think I nailed the pessimism part (which I said I was very worried about the WRs... and unfortunately I was proven right in saying we would drop the ball a lot... b/c we did), but I said I was most optimistic about the DL... who weren't that good...
Looking back on it I think I overestimated the amount of impact Hassan Ridgeway and Desmond Jackson would have, underestimated the impact of how shallow the depth was, and didn't even think about the DE's. I thought the year would look like it did during the OU game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sidenote:
The OU game is also part of the reason I'm still skeptical of Brick Haley despite him bringing in a HUGE DL class, and he deserves a ton of credit for doing it.
BUT!
The fact that the DL was able to have a game like it did against OU where they dominated one of the best OLs in the nation and turned around and were very below average the rest of the year shows that the DL didn't lack talent and the depth wasn't as shallow as it seemed (even though it was still pretty shallow).
Yeah I guess you can point to Poona Ford as a counter example, and yeah they got better as the year went on, but our lack of DL (despite having Desmond Jackson and Hassan Ridgeway) was a huge reason our rush/pass defense was historically bad. I feel like this then falls on the shoulders of the coach to either get them ready for games or coach them up better.
This year I feel is actually going to be (or should be) a huge judgement year for Haley.
DISCLAIMER: I'm saying these as an opinion piece without any real statistics to back it up, so take it with a grain of salt.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANYWAYS....
This year I feel like I'm making the same mistakes... oh well.
I'm going off the beaten path... kinda... I'm going to list the units in order of how optimistic I am about them
**1. RB**
I mean, it’s been explained before. The RBs unit has it all (or most of it). The Longhorns have the two beasts of human beings in D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren. The only thing missing from these two guy’s game is breakaway speed, but you have Kirk Johnson and Tristian Houston for that.
At this point, this unit has two known playmakers, a few potential playmakers, depth behind all those guys, and another very good RB coming in during the summer.
When Texas offered Anthony Johnson the job, he must’ve cried with happiness. They probably advanced his career x10 and it shouldn’t be difficult. All he has to do is keep the talent coming (recruiting)… and he’s already doing a pretty good job of that.
**2 .WR**
I fear that I'm overestimating the impact of John Burt and Collin Johnson like I did with Desmond Jackson and Hassan Ridgeway. However from what I've seen and heard, I feel like McNeal will hopefully do what Leonard didnt do last year (live up to the spring practice hype), and the Longhorns now have a two headed deep attack with Collin Johnson and John Burt which is huge for the type of offense the Longhorns are installing.
Not to mention the new WRs coming in really fit in the holes that the WR corps currently has / adds to the strengths. Davion Curtis, as I've said before, reminds me of Marquise Goodwin in terms of track athlete (with Burt) who is a down field threat. If Armanti Foreman can step up his game then this unit is loaded.
I don’t think dropped balls will be haunting the Longhorns this year like it has in the past.
**3. CB**
I think I read this somewhere, so let me reiterate it. When your 3rd CB is Chris Boyd, youre doing well at DB. Holton Hill I expect to continue to be a dominant force. I feel that Davante Davis will build upon what he learned last year, and his experience last year will help him cement his fundamentals and pass coverage ability (which was stellar last season). At Nickel/3CB the Longhorns have an embarrassment of riches to pick from: P.J. Locke, Chris Boyd, Sheroid Evans (possible), and even John Bonney.
At safety there is a bit more questions as to whether or not there is a solid difference maker, but they certainly have some very good guys to choose from. I know people do not like Dylan Haines, but he is a Strong type player and will hopefully provide some Senior leadership not only to the Safeties unit but for the entire team. If he doesn’t work out the Longhorns have DeShon Elliott who in limited time has proven that he can hit like a train. It’s just up to him to figure out how to position himself and learn the defense. Jason Hall, while not the best, is also not terrible. If all else fails the Longhorns have Chris Brown who is P.J. Locke IV and the #1 safety in the 2016 class in Brandon Jones coming in.
I’m not worried. The DBs now have good depth, play makers, and experience at the CB position which is something they lacked last year. The only way the pass defense could fall apart is if the run defense is atrocious and the defense can’t get pressure on the QB.
**4. LB**
I know what youre thinking. Linebackers are 4th? But Malik Jefferson! Anthony Wheeler! Jeffrey McCulloch! Eric Fowler! Edwin Freeman!
Yes, yes! I hear you. I know the Longhorns will have some INSANE depth at linebacker. I don’t need to reiterate what Malik did last season. I hear and read how huge of a step Wheeler has made. I know.
But one thing that we were missing last season and something that I haven’t heard has improved is the LB corps ability to cover the pass. We know we have beasts of pass/run rushers. Even Bedford says Breckyn Hager seems to be a better DE than the DEs. What we do not know is how they can protect the passing game. I think this is especially scary because the passing game is what the Big XII is known for. The Longhorns will be facing QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Mason Rudolph, Seth Russel/Jarret Stidham… etc. If there is an obvious hole in the pass defense they’ll be able to take advantage of it.
One may argue that the LB’s pass defense last year was hurt by the fact that the DL was bad, so you had to have your LBs focused on scrambling QBs and runs rather than covering WRs. Well, the DL MAY be even worse this year due to inexperience and depth.
Once this question has been answered, the LBs unit will either be the best part of the team or Strong is going to have to figure out a way to a.) get pressure on the QB and/or b.) set a perimeter and figure out how to take advantage of an offense’s only opening being in the middle of the field.
**5. OL**
Now I mean, youre going into the season with two Freshman All-Americans in Williams and Vahe. Youre losing two dead weights in Sedric Flowers and Taylor Doyle. You even have re-enforcements on the way! BUT the question that remains is who fills those spots in the line.
Longhorn fans should know pretty well from last season that despite having two really talented offensive linemen, an offensive line performs as well as its weakest link. Now we know they have Kent Perkins and Brandon Hodges as two suitable filler guys. But I feel as though it still won’t be good enough, especially if the Longhorns trot out a true freshman at QB/one that needs a lot of time to make decisions (i.e. all of their QBs). Plus with this new offense, I think how important the OL’s understanding of it and ability to put it in play is not being talked about enough in the media.
Now don’t take this as me saying they are going to be bad. I’m just not hopped up on the kool-aid yet. There are still too many questions about this unit that are way more important than “Will it be plagued by the sophomore slump?†In fact I feel like this unit has incredible potential to be the 3rd or even 2nd best unit on the team. But it’s potential. Let’s see how it
**6. P**
I BELIEVE IN THE AUSSIE! LETS GO DICKO!
He was a bit inconsistent last year, but overall he did very well... minus the end of the Oklahoma State game. He's got a helluva a leg. All he has to do is get himself some consistency in not shanking the ball and then the Longhorns have something special.
...maybe he can learn to kick field goals...
**7. DL**
This is where I start getting pessimistic.
So the Longhorns lost both Hassan Ridgeway and Desmond Jackson. Obviously Hassan losing Hassan hurts more. Texas loses it sacks leader from last year’s team in Jinkens (not a DL). Of the returning DLinemen they’re only returning 18 sacks (<50% of all sacks). Basically all the run stoppers on the DL from last year are gone.
Now the best player left on the DL for my money is Poona Ford and the other DT are big question marks. The defensive ends are even BIGGER question marks. Besides Charles Omenihu I don’t have much or any faith in the other DEs. They were unable to get any pressure on QBs last year, and from all reports (and straight from Bedford’s mouth), not much has changed.
Right now the only hope the DL has at gaining depth is the crazy haul of DTs and DEs from last recruiting cycle. Longhorn fans should know that not all recruits translate to college. Yeah I’m optimistic that they will translate really well, especially Jordan Elliott, but I’m not going to believe the hype until I see it translate on the field.
Also I unsure whether or not the two DEs coming in will be able to make an instant impact when they come in. It would be crazy if they could before the Notre Dame game.
**8. QB**
While I feel that the QB position is in a better spot than the DL in terms of experience and depth, I feel that due to the fact that the DL has the calvary on their way and the fact the QB position is more important to the team overall, I'm more worried about this unit.
I mean it's well documented at this point that Swoopes is the favorite currently for the job because he has the size and experience, but Buechele is the better QB in terms of Football IQ and throwing accuracy. Despite being the best runner, Heard lags behind in throwing accuracy, power, and Football IQ. But Swoopes has faced worse defenses than Cal's defense last year and wasn't able to put up record breaking numbers.
Once again, Texas will probably enter the season with a huge question mark at QB. Whether Gilbert can take what he has and still get some steady production (Which I think he can. This production doesn’t mean they have to improve passing numbers) will determine whether or not Texas is successful.
**9. TE**
I don't feel like I need to really explain this. No depth and no play makers. However, I feel that the strength of the WRs will more than make up for this.
**10. K**
If the Longhorns have to rely on something like Nick Rose or worse...well...
5. Are there any juniors that declared early for the draft/any starters that were kicked off this off-season/transferred?
Beside Ridgeway and Jinkens leaving, nothing of note yet.
Judging by the scholarships the Longhorns gave out this recruiting cycle there is going to be a transfer
I'm not surprised it hasn't come yet, and I feel like that speaks to the mentality of the team.
1. In your opinion which new (likely) starters for the 2016 season will have the biggest impact?
2. Which 2016 recruit do you think can make an impact as a freshman? (it can be JUCO also)
3. What are you optimistic about?
4. What are you pessimistic about?
5. Are there any juniors that declared early for the draft/any starters that were kicked off this off-season/transferred?
I think it will be a great conversation to have and thought I'd bring the questions over to this community to get y'all's opinions.
I also tried my hand at answering these questions.
This is just a stream of consciousness.
1.In your opinion which new (likely) starters for the 2016 season will have the biggest impact?
I'll take a new look at this question. I'm going to look at it like which new player's success or failure could have the most impact on how the team performs.
To me, at the current time, that would be Zach Shackleford. Why Shackelford? Why not someone like Collin Johnson? Well the reason Shackleford’s play will impact the offense more than any other new comer is because
1.) He’s playing a new position.
2.) There is not much depth behind him in that position.
3.) The offensive line’s success is going to be very crucial to the success of the offense in general.
Many people shrug off the move from OG to C. The reality is that the switch is a huge change in how an offensive line plays the game. Now Shackelford not only has to worry about obvious exchange from C to QB, which is oh so crucial (Remember Baylor in 2014? Sorry for reminding you), but on top of that there are about 10 other things he has to worry about and remember compared to when he was an OG. Oh… and he hasn’t had any experience at this level.
If he is able to step up then the offensive line is set up to have a great year. Otherwise, the coaches are going to have to go digging around in their depth chart for somebody who could play C and then teach him the position over the summer… or deal with a huge hole in the center of your defensive line, which could kill the entire RPO game.
2.Which 2016 recruit do you think can make an impact as a freshman? (it can be JUCO also)
Looking at it the same way up top (where I'm looking at it like which new player's success or failure could have the most impact on how the team performs) I'm going to say one of those new guys on the DL.
It’s another year where multiple freshmen are going to have to step up in crucial ways. The lack of depth on the DL is glaring. The Longhorns need all the help they can get to get a solid rotation of DLinemen going. The lack of depth and a solid rotation last year was a huge reason that the defense was historically bad. If there is even one new DT or DE coming in who can become the Longhorn’s Daylon Mack or the Malik Jefferson of the DL then that will take the pressure off the LBs to cover for the DT’s inabilities, which means the DB can focus on doing their jobs.
Who do I think has the best chance of doing this? Jordan Elliott simply due to the fact that he is the most polished DLineman in the 2016 class.
3.What are you optimistic about?
AND
4.What are you pessimistic about?
Last year, during my season preview, when I was asked to predict which unit would have the most success and which would cause a lot of problems, I think I nailed the pessimism part (which I said I was very worried about the WRs... and unfortunately I was proven right in saying we would drop the ball a lot... b/c we did), but I said I was most optimistic about the DL... who weren't that good...
Looking back on it I think I overestimated the amount of impact Hassan Ridgeway and Desmond Jackson would have, underestimated the impact of how shallow the depth was, and didn't even think about the DE's. I thought the year would look like it did during the OU game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sidenote:
The OU game is also part of the reason I'm still skeptical of Brick Haley despite him bringing in a HUGE DL class, and he deserves a ton of credit for doing it.
BUT!
The fact that the DL was able to have a game like it did against OU where they dominated one of the best OLs in the nation and turned around and were very below average the rest of the year shows that the DL didn't lack talent and the depth wasn't as shallow as it seemed (even though it was still pretty shallow).
Yeah I guess you can point to Poona Ford as a counter example, and yeah they got better as the year went on, but our lack of DL (despite having Desmond Jackson and Hassan Ridgeway) was a huge reason our rush/pass defense was historically bad. I feel like this then falls on the shoulders of the coach to either get them ready for games or coach them up better.
This year I feel is actually going to be (or should be) a huge judgement year for Haley.
DISCLAIMER: I'm saying these as an opinion piece without any real statistics to back it up, so take it with a grain of salt.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANYWAYS....
This year I feel like I'm making the same mistakes... oh well.
I'm going off the beaten path... kinda... I'm going to list the units in order of how optimistic I am about them
**1. RB**
I mean, it’s been explained before. The RBs unit has it all (or most of it). The Longhorns have the two beasts of human beings in D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren. The only thing missing from these two guy’s game is breakaway speed, but you have Kirk Johnson and Tristian Houston for that.
At this point, this unit has two known playmakers, a few potential playmakers, depth behind all those guys, and another very good RB coming in during the summer.
When Texas offered Anthony Johnson the job, he must’ve cried with happiness. They probably advanced his career x10 and it shouldn’t be difficult. All he has to do is keep the talent coming (recruiting)… and he’s already doing a pretty good job of that.
**2 .WR**
I fear that I'm overestimating the impact of John Burt and Collin Johnson like I did with Desmond Jackson and Hassan Ridgeway. However from what I've seen and heard, I feel like McNeal will hopefully do what Leonard didnt do last year (live up to the spring practice hype), and the Longhorns now have a two headed deep attack with Collin Johnson and John Burt which is huge for the type of offense the Longhorns are installing.
Not to mention the new WRs coming in really fit in the holes that the WR corps currently has / adds to the strengths. Davion Curtis, as I've said before, reminds me of Marquise Goodwin in terms of track athlete (with Burt) who is a down field threat. If Armanti Foreman can step up his game then this unit is loaded.
I don’t think dropped balls will be haunting the Longhorns this year like it has in the past.
**3. CB**
I think I read this somewhere, so let me reiterate it. When your 3rd CB is Chris Boyd, youre doing well at DB. Holton Hill I expect to continue to be a dominant force. I feel that Davante Davis will build upon what he learned last year, and his experience last year will help him cement his fundamentals and pass coverage ability (which was stellar last season). At Nickel/3CB the Longhorns have an embarrassment of riches to pick from: P.J. Locke, Chris Boyd, Sheroid Evans (possible), and even John Bonney.
At safety there is a bit more questions as to whether or not there is a solid difference maker, but they certainly have some very good guys to choose from. I know people do not like Dylan Haines, but he is a Strong type player and will hopefully provide some Senior leadership not only to the Safeties unit but for the entire team. If he doesn’t work out the Longhorns have DeShon Elliott who in limited time has proven that he can hit like a train. It’s just up to him to figure out how to position himself and learn the defense. Jason Hall, while not the best, is also not terrible. If all else fails the Longhorns have Chris Brown who is P.J. Locke IV and the #1 safety in the 2016 class in Brandon Jones coming in.
I’m not worried. The DBs now have good depth, play makers, and experience at the CB position which is something they lacked last year. The only way the pass defense could fall apart is if the run defense is atrocious and the defense can’t get pressure on the QB.
**4. LB**
I know what youre thinking. Linebackers are 4th? But Malik Jefferson! Anthony Wheeler! Jeffrey McCulloch! Eric Fowler! Edwin Freeman!
Yes, yes! I hear you. I know the Longhorns will have some INSANE depth at linebacker. I don’t need to reiterate what Malik did last season. I hear and read how huge of a step Wheeler has made. I know.
But one thing that we were missing last season and something that I haven’t heard has improved is the LB corps ability to cover the pass. We know we have beasts of pass/run rushers. Even Bedford says Breckyn Hager seems to be a better DE than the DEs. What we do not know is how they can protect the passing game. I think this is especially scary because the passing game is what the Big XII is known for. The Longhorns will be facing QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, Mason Rudolph, Seth Russel/Jarret Stidham… etc. If there is an obvious hole in the pass defense they’ll be able to take advantage of it.
One may argue that the LB’s pass defense last year was hurt by the fact that the DL was bad, so you had to have your LBs focused on scrambling QBs and runs rather than covering WRs. Well, the DL MAY be even worse this year due to inexperience and depth.
Once this question has been answered, the LBs unit will either be the best part of the team or Strong is going to have to figure out a way to a.) get pressure on the QB and/or b.) set a perimeter and figure out how to take advantage of an offense’s only opening being in the middle of the field.
**5. OL**
Now I mean, youre going into the season with two Freshman All-Americans in Williams and Vahe. Youre losing two dead weights in Sedric Flowers and Taylor Doyle. You even have re-enforcements on the way! BUT the question that remains is who fills those spots in the line.
Longhorn fans should know pretty well from last season that despite having two really talented offensive linemen, an offensive line performs as well as its weakest link. Now we know they have Kent Perkins and Brandon Hodges as two suitable filler guys. But I feel as though it still won’t be good enough, especially if the Longhorns trot out a true freshman at QB/one that needs a lot of time to make decisions (i.e. all of their QBs). Plus with this new offense, I think how important the OL’s understanding of it and ability to put it in play is not being talked about enough in the media.
Now don’t take this as me saying they are going to be bad. I’m just not hopped up on the kool-aid yet. There are still too many questions about this unit that are way more important than “Will it be plagued by the sophomore slump?†In fact I feel like this unit has incredible potential to be the 3rd or even 2nd best unit on the team. But it’s potential. Let’s see how it
**6. P**
I BELIEVE IN THE AUSSIE! LETS GO DICKO!
He was a bit inconsistent last year, but overall he did very well... minus the end of the Oklahoma State game. He's got a helluva a leg. All he has to do is get himself some consistency in not shanking the ball and then the Longhorns have something special.
...maybe he can learn to kick field goals...
**7. DL**
This is where I start getting pessimistic.
So the Longhorns lost both Hassan Ridgeway and Desmond Jackson. Obviously Hassan losing Hassan hurts more. Texas loses it sacks leader from last year’s team in Jinkens (not a DL). Of the returning DLinemen they’re only returning 18 sacks (<50% of all sacks). Basically all the run stoppers on the DL from last year are gone.
Now the best player left on the DL for my money is Poona Ford and the other DT are big question marks. The defensive ends are even BIGGER question marks. Besides Charles Omenihu I don’t have much or any faith in the other DEs. They were unable to get any pressure on QBs last year, and from all reports (and straight from Bedford’s mouth), not much has changed.
Right now the only hope the DL has at gaining depth is the crazy haul of DTs and DEs from last recruiting cycle. Longhorn fans should know that not all recruits translate to college. Yeah I’m optimistic that they will translate really well, especially Jordan Elliott, but I’m not going to believe the hype until I see it translate on the field.
Also I unsure whether or not the two DEs coming in will be able to make an instant impact when they come in. It would be crazy if they could before the Notre Dame game.
**8. QB**
While I feel that the QB position is in a better spot than the DL in terms of experience and depth, I feel that due to the fact that the DL has the calvary on their way and the fact the QB position is more important to the team overall, I'm more worried about this unit.
I mean it's well documented at this point that Swoopes is the favorite currently for the job because he has the size and experience, but Buechele is the better QB in terms of Football IQ and throwing accuracy. Despite being the best runner, Heard lags behind in throwing accuracy, power, and Football IQ. But Swoopes has faced worse defenses than Cal's defense last year and wasn't able to put up record breaking numbers.
Once again, Texas will probably enter the season with a huge question mark at QB. Whether Gilbert can take what he has and still get some steady production (Which I think he can. This production doesn’t mean they have to improve passing numbers) will determine whether or not Texas is successful.
**9. TE**
I don't feel like I need to really explain this. No depth and no play makers. However, I feel that the strength of the WRs will more than make up for this.
**10. K**
If the Longhorns have to rely on something like Nick Rose or worse...well...
5. Are there any juniors that declared early for the draft/any starters that were kicked off this off-season/transferred?
Beside Ridgeway and Jinkens leaving, nothing of note yet.
Judging by the scholarships the Longhorns gave out this recruiting cycle there is going to be a transfer
I'm not surprised it hasn't come yet, and I feel like that speaks to the mentality of the team.
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