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ANYTHING SPRING FOOTBALL!!

With open competition, Texas intends to find its starting quarterback during spring football

By Chuck Carlton

On his short list of goals for spring practice, Texas coach Charlie Strong wants a stable quarterback situation with a starter clearly in place.
“I hope we're not talking about it in the fall,†Strong said. “I hope that by the end of spring we can at least say, ‘Hey, I feel really comfortable with this guy.’â€
Ever since Colt McCoy was injured in the 2010 BCS title game, the Texas quarterback situation has become college football’s Rubik’s cube, a confounding puzzle that refuses to be solved.
Entering Year 3, Strong and new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert have to find someone. Strong has admitted as much, including during Monday’s press conference just before spring drills started.
“The seat’s always been hot since I’ve been here,†he said. “We need to win. I mean, come on.â€
So senior Tryone Swoopes or sophomore Jerrod Heard or redshirt freshmen Kai Locksley or Matthew Merrick or incoming freshman Shane Buechele must deliver. Strong believes there will be enough reps for each to quickly find a quarterback.
The competition seems open, at least partially. Swoopes, the senior who backed up Heard most of last season and found a niche in short-yardage package, worked with the No. 1 offense because he started the season finale against Baylor. Heard, who started 10 games, will have to prove himself again. Strong even said he’s open to playing a true freshman, so that opens the door to Buechele, who graduated from Arlington Lamar and enrolled early.
“Until you get in the room and install this offense and start fitting it all up, you don’t know,†Gilbert told the Morning News recently.
So no preconceived notions.
Actually, with running backs D'Onta Foreman and Chris Warren III (now bulked up to 255 pounds), Texas could make Gilbert’s power spread offense work.
But if Texas doesn’t have a quarterback, nothing else really matters.
“The team's going to go as the quarterback goes and we just have to make sure of that,†Strong said. “We have the numbers there, and it's about who is really going to step up and be that guy.â€

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/texaslonghorns/2016/03/07/open-competition-texas-intends-find-starting-quarterback-spring-football

 
Spring practice battles: What to expect from Texas' QBs in 2016

For Charlie Strong and Texas, the easiest way to relieve some of the pressure on the football program is to pick up the offensive production.

Obviously, there's a lot more that will go into making this Texas team, 5-7 a year ago, into the kind of Big 12 contender that Longhorns fans want to see in Austin. But when the state's flagship football program has an offense that ranks No. 83 in points per game and No. 75 in Football Outsider's S&P+ Offense, everyone wants to know what changes, if any, are coming at the quarterback position.

The first change was to bring in Sterlin Gilbert as the team's new offensive coordinator. Gilbert comes from the Baylor-influenced spread-and-smash school, working for Dino Babers at Eastern Illinois and Bowling Green and most recently Philip Montgomery at Tulsa. Gilbert wants to be fast and physical, but he still needs to identify the trigger man for this re-worked Texas offense to hum.

Texas held its first spring practice on Monday. Charlie Strong told reporters the quarterback competition is "wide open" with a clean slate for all quarterbacks as they learn Gilbert's new system. Max Olson of ESPN.com noted that senior Tyrone Swoopes got first reps with No. 1 offense, followed by Jerrod Heard and true freshman Shane Buechele.

Swoopes was replaced by Heard as the starting quarterback last season, but Swoopes but never fell out of the rotation and ran the ball well (451 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns).

While "Baylor influence" has some fans imagining 50 pass attempts per game, it's the spread-to-run aspects of that system that could end up favoring Texas in 2016. D'Onta Foreman was fresh off four 100-yard games in a six-game run when he went down with a hand injury and Rockwell, Texas native Chris Warren could be ready to break out with more carries to go around this fall. Given Swoopes and Heard's threat to run, it's possible this new up-tempo attack is more Oregon than Baylor.

Texas-QB-Competition.jpg


http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/25508839/spring-practice-battles-what-can-we-expect-from-texas-qbs-in-2016

 
Looks like Bohls likes Buechele. Chip Brown said to watch out for Buechele also.

Bohls: John Burt, Collin Johnson exemplify ‘terrific athletes’ Charlie Strong has brought to Texas

Kirk Bohls released this week’s nine things and one crazy prediction yesterday. A few were dedicated to the Longhorns. Here’s Kirk’s take on some Bevo related items:

On the athletes Charlie Strong now has in the football program:

“I’m not sure anyone who watched Texas’ first spring football practice on Monday knows if this is a team that will win five games or nine, but it’s clear that Charlie Strong has recruited a bunch of terrific athletes. None is better than wideout John Burt, who continues to excel. But look out for an immediate impact from 6-foot-6-inch freshman Collin Johnson, a specimen with lineage (as the son of former Texas All-American defensive back Johnnie Johnson), great moves and outstanding hands that really stood out. Also, sophomore slot wide receiver Ryan Newsome looks due for a big year, and I’m a believer in Lorenzo Joe as well as they compete to be the No. 2 receiver or slot receiver.â€

On the Longhorns’ QBs:

“Looked like mixed results out of the Texas quarterbacks. The ball hit the ground way too much, and it’s very difficult to make accurate assessments because there’s no pass rush, no fear of getting hit and no offensive linemen to see over. I do like the athleticism of Shane Buechele, who has outstanding wheels and will inevitably spark comparisons to Colt McCoy although I’m not sure he’s any taller than 6-foot. He does have moxie.â€

On the Longhorns’ RBs:

“I’m also impressed with how strong and physical running backs D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren III are. I think the best positions on the team are running back, linebacker and defensive back. Those in the secondary like P.J. Locke and Holton Hill have added some weight and bring confidence to the position. The play of the day, if not Johnson’s out-of-bounds catch on a deep route, was safety Dylan Haines’ one-handed interception of a Jerrod Heard pass.â€

On whether Shaka should play Cam Ridley this week after just returning from injury:

“I’m all in with playing center Cam Ridley this week so Shaka Smart can find out exactly what he has when the Texas basketball team starts NCAA Tournament play next week. Ridley needs to get into basketball shape as soon as possible so he can hopefully play extended minutes in the NCAAs, give the Longhorns five more fouls out of their front court and allow Prince Ibeh to play more freely. Ridley started running and jumping Monday for the first time in 10 weeks since breaking a bone in his very large foot.â€

http://www.hookem.com/2016/03/09/bohls-john-burt-collin-johnson-exemplify-terrific-athletes-charlie-strong-has-brought-to-texas/

 
[tweet = https://twitter.com/Longhorn_FB/status/707766001266401280]

[tweet = https://twitter.com/Longhorn_FB/status/707756888625025024]

A FEW PRACTICE NUGGETS

The offense once again ran well over 200 plays in practice Wednesday – one right after the other – without Charlie Strong blowing the whistle to slow things down.

I’m told Tyrone Swoopes, Jerrod Heard and Shane Buechele all had good moments in Wednesday’s practice as they continue to get comfortable with the pace of Texas’ new offense.

OL Kent Perkins was asked how Strong was handling practices in which the offense is snapping the ball more than 200 times, always attempting to snap the ball within 10 to 12 seconds of the ball being set?

“I think Coach Strong is lovin’ this,†Perkins said. “He loves the energy we’re bringing to practice right now with how fast we’re going. You can see it his face and hear it in his voice.â€

WR Armanti Foreman suffered a mild ankle sprain in Monday’s practice and is day-to-day.

Brown, C. (2016). http://www.scout.com/college/texas/forums/2441-horns-house/14620409-hd-only-qb-drama-swoopes-boykin-malik-as-fox

 
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[tweet =https://twitter.com/chrisgb00/status/707733593351593984]

Per Chip:

"I was told Locksley did not make a good first impression with the new offensive coaches and there were questions about if Locksley is mature enough to handle the QB position. ... I was told, however, Locksley was likely to stay at QB. So we’ll see if anything changes. But, honestly, it doesn’t sound likely.

From what I’m hearing about Matthew Merrick, it sounds like the coaching staff just doesn’t think he’s ready yet."

Brown, C. (2016). http://www.scout.com/college/texas/forums/2441-horns-house/14620409-hd-only-qb-drama-swoopes-boykin-malik-as-fox

 
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Per Chip:

"Once you get a QB throwing and completing – really the same throws over and over again – he gains confidence, and it just takes off from there."

Another coach familiar with Sterlin Gilbert, the Briles' offense and Air Raid said a good offensive coordinator/QB coach can transform a player.

“That’s how you see a guy like Trevone Boykin go from being an athlete to Heisman numbers," the coach said. "If you have the right play caller and QB coach – and I think Sterlin Gilbert is absolutely the right guy – the quarterback starts to believe this offense can’t be stopped and his confidence just soars. ...Sterlin Gilbert teaches it with that same confidence.â€

The coach who uses the Briles offense told me three weeks ago he thought Tyrone Swoopes would end up being the starter against Notre Dame.

“Whatever image you’ve had of Swoopes up to this point, you have to wipe that away," the coach said. "He’s always loved going fast, but he’s never been in an offense like this one. If he’s the guy they go with, it means they have him ready, and he could shock everyone.â€

Brown, C. (2016). http://www.scout.com/college/texas/forums/2441-horns-house/14620409-hd-only-qb-drama-swoopes-boykin-malik-as-fox

 


Tracking the Longhorns: Player Availability After Practice



DT Paul Boyette, Jr.



On if the fast tempo offense hard on the defense in practice:

Oh yea. Very tough. Going into this spring Coach stressed our conditioning level and he's very straightforward about that. The high intensity offense, the fast pace is intense. I just joked with Coach Gilbert right now, " I don't even want to talk to you right now." But it's all good.



On if there are any conditioning changes to get ready for the new up tempo offense:

No. We just do extra cardio. All the big guys because we know that we're going to drop weight real fast the first two weeks.



On what makes this offensive change different from any others:

I think everybody's really bought in. Everybody really enjoys the coaching staff. We are trying to build a legacy with this new coaching staff. And really is just really focusing in on their "p's and q's". Everybody's really going out there and having fun and enjoying themselves because we know the last three years really hasn't been what we expected. But we want to get back on top and win a Big 12 Championship.



On not playing in a bowl game last year:

It was disappointing. Nobody wants to sit home during December and watch everybody else play. We know we left a lot of games out there last year, but moving forward we know that just made us stronger. And it brought this brotherhood together. As far as the senior class, we know we don't want to ever have that feeling again at this university. Because we should be playing.



On Coach Strong expressing that guys seem more spirited lately:

Yes, everybody has really bought in. We are out just there having fun. Everybody's out there being aggressive and doing everything with compassion. [strength and conditioning] Coach [Pat] Moorer, everytime we go in the weight room, he shows us a little everyday. It's not a project, it's a process. Which means moving forward, it's going to take time to build a legacy. And that's what we gotta do.



OT Kent Perkins



On offensive line coach/running game coordinator Matt Mattox:

I love Coach Mattox. He's cool. He's a player's coach. We already have a strong bond with Coach. We all want to play hard for Coach. He's a great coach.



On Coach Mattox's style:

Surprisingly, guys have fit real well. Guys got used to the techniques pretty quickly. But overall I feel like guys are pretty cool with everything.



On how things are different in the new offense:

First off, the offense is a thousand times faster. Man, it's crazy. I'm talking about we ran 150 plays on the first day. It's going to be fast and we are going to put up points. That's the goal.



On if the pass and run block schemes are different:

I wouldn't say it's different. I would say the technique of going about the play is different. It's basically the same scheme but with different fundamentals to perfect it.



On the learning curve with the new offense:

I feel like from day one to day two, it was a huge difference. Day one, guys were – the contact was off. We were hitting each other, we were ready, but in the same sense we were missing plays. But today it was way more solid. And we progressed so much in one day. And that all goes with guys being in shape because I feel like we are in a lot more shape than we were last year. And guys get more mental toughness so they can push each other further and stuff like that and not be lazy in technique.



On the young members of the offensive line:

Shack [Zach Shackelford] has impressed me a lot. Shack came in with a mindset that he was going to work his butt off[. His work ethic is amazing. I feel like in my opinion that's a future All-American right there. Brandon has been working hard. I have a real close personal connection with him. We are real close. He's a hard worker. I'm excited. He's ready to show what he can do.



TE Caleb Bluiett



On the offensive tempo:

Yeah, from what I hear from [offensive coordinator] Coach [sterlin] Gilbert, it's always going to be like this. It'll stay like this and it will never slow down.



On getting to know the new offensive coaches:

It's been good. They're really nice guys. They're all normal guys and they're good coaches and they know what they're talking about.



On what next year's offense will look like from a player's perspective:

You better stay hydrated. I mean, it's always extremely busy. That's all I know that you'll see on the bench.



On how he prepares himself for the new tempo:

On my end, I worry most about my job and doing my job to the best of my ability to make that job easy. Everyone is working hard to get their job done, so all that's happening is that we're all trying to get better ourselves so we can better the team.



On how the tight end position fits into the offense:

You know, we're just learning a new offense and trying to find our way in it. From what I can tell, we do have a lot to do with the offense. We can be a great asset to this offense. We just have to keep our heads down and do what we're supposed to do.



On how practices are different:

I can tell you that it's nonstop from beginning to end. We are continuously moving, running from different drills left and righ - it's nonstop. If you're worrying about our conditioning, we're going to be well-conditioned.



LB Malik Jefferson



On facing a new, quicker offense in practice:

I think they just help us get there defensively. We have to slow down the game faster. When we're out there, the team may go fast but we're going be used to it. We're going to be a lot faster on our end, and it's going to make the team better.



On how he felt at the end of last season with the team dealing with injuries:

It was very frustrating. For the last game of the season, it was good to be out there with my brothers and experience that win with them. But things happen. It was tough. I'll bounce back now, look at it as in the past and let it go.



On what he learned the most from his freshman year:

I have to be humble. I have to try to stay in my place and sit back and watch, and learn from my individual mistakes. So I think that was one of the hard parts I had to get used to as a leader. And also different environments changed. I don't know what.



On if it was hard to take a backseat as a leader on the team:

It was hard, very hard. But I knew that it was in my mind that I had to do it, and honestly it's helping me now.



texassports.com (2016). /http://www.texassports.com/news/2016/3/9/football-tracking-the-longhorns-player-availability.aspx

 
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