10 biggest non-QB position battles to watch this spring
Texas linebacker
Working toward solving the Longhorns’ quarterback quandary is undoubtedly the top item on the spring agenda for coach Charlie Strong, but he also needs to halt a defensive slide. Texas allowed .9 yards more per play in 2015 than it did in ’14 and 6.5 more points per game. Now the Longhorns must find a solution for the departure of top tackler Peter Jinkens, which means settling on a partner for rising star Malik Jefferson. Anthony Wheeler made a strong freshman debut with 36 tackles and a tackle for loss, but Breckyn Hagar or Timothy Cole could push him for the spot. That trio will battle in the spring before four-star recruit Jeffrey McCulloch joins the mix in the fall to further complicate Strong’s decision.
Ranking top 10 coordinator hires of the 2015–16 off-season
8. Sterlin Gilbert, Texas offensive coordinator
Charlie Strong came up empty on his first choice for a new offensive coordinator in Sonny Cumbie, who opted to remain in the same role with TCU. But Gilbert isn’t a bad consolation prize. While sharing coordinator duties at Tulsa with Matt Mattox (who is joining Gilbert in Austin as offensive line coach and run game coordinator) last season, Gilbert helped the Golden Hurricane finish third in the AAC in scoring (37.2 points per game). A former Texas high school quarterback, Gilbert is tasked with immediately improving the Longhorns’ passing attack with signal-callers Jerrod Heard and Tyrone Swoopes.
Manny is having a comeback since UT.
10. Manny Diaz, Miami defensive coordinator
Mark Richt’s first season at Miami includes a reunion with Diaz, who spent last season as Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator. The two coaches have a history: Diaz, a Miami native, was a graduate assistant at Florida State from 1998–99 while Richt served as the Seminoles’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Last season Diaz helped the Bulldogs improve by over 30 yards per game in total defense. Can he advance the Hurricanes from 11th in the ACC in the same category?