To get you prepped for the Texas Longhorns’ Spring football game, Lukus Alderman took a look at the key issues facing the team. Each question has been discussed over the last 10 days. If you missed one or want to add to the analysis before Saturday’s game, be sure to click on the links below.
HornSports will be looking back at each of these topics, and more, after the Spring Game. Be sure to head to the site for plenty of post-game analysis and to let us know what you thought about your first look at Charlie Strong’s Longhorns.
Can Swoopes alleviate any concerns about the QB position?
The trigger point on offense, especially in college football, is the quarterback. Unless there is a trick play or direct snap to a running back, the QB has his hands on the ball for every offensive snap of the game. Unfortunately for Texas, this position has declined from a strength in years past to a major question mark. Whether blame goes to injury, poor play, or recruiting blunders, the quarterbacks who have taken the field for Texas have not played up to the standard that has been set since James Brown took control of his job in the early 1990’s. /topic/6509-ten-things-to-watch-for-in-the-spring-game-2/” rel=””>MORE
How will Strong/Bedford utilize the talent on the defense?
When Manny Diaz was defensive coordinator last season, the on-field performance revealed that there was a disconnect that caused the defense to fail. Some reports indicated that the defense that Diaz attempted to implement was too complex.Texas fans didn’t need statistics to know there was a major problem.
After Diaz was let go following the blowout loss to BYU, Greg Robinson was called on to “fix” the problem that was the entire defense. Almost instantly the defense started to show results. A close win against Iowa State was followed by a big victory over OU in the Cotton Bowl, highlighted by three interceptions, including one for a TD. The defense was clicking, and it would continue to improve over the rest of the season.
This year, Texas is breaking in yet another defensive coordinator… /topic/6472-ten-things-to-watch-for-in-the-spring-game-4/” rel=””>MORE
What will the offensive line look like?
I have always held fast to the belief that the most important unit on a football team is the offensive line. The success of both the running and passing game begins with how well an offensive line blocks. Unfortunately for Texas, it has been a long time since the offensive line has played at a championship level.
This year, Texas brings in an offensive line coach, Joe Wickline, that many people call the best in the business. Wickline has built a reputation of taking lesser known prospects and developing them into solid, and sometimes great, players. Now at Texas, Wickline has the task of taking some of the highly rated prospects recruited by the former staff and turning them into a formidable unit. /topic/6456-ten-things-to-watch-for-in-the-spring-game-6/” rel=””>MORE
How will the coaches utilize the talents of Daje Johnson?
When you ask any person that watched Texas play last year who they thought was most electrifying player on the Longhorns roster, nine times out of ten the answer you will probably get is “Daje Johnson”. When he has the ball in his hands, Daje is an instant threat to score.
The main question surrounding Daje is how the coaches will utilize his dynamic abilities. Last year, Daje was lined up in various positions including as a running back; in motion out of the backfield; and as a slot receiver. Johnson had success in all 3 roles. /topic/6435-ten-things-to-watch-for-in-the-spring-game-8/” rel=””>MORE
Who will take over at the vacant Safety position?
For the second straight year, Texas is having to replace it’s starting Strong Safety due to graduation. Kenny Vaccaro left for the NFL two years ago and now Adrian Phillips is gone. The key candidates who return from last year’s depth chart include Josh Turner and Adrian Colbert.
But there’s also the possibility that the Longhorns move someone like Quandre Diggs around to several positions, including Strong Safety. Moreover, if Charlie Strong and Vance Bedford decide to employ a 3-3-5 alignment, it would then open up yet another position that would need to be filled. While a hybrid safety/nickel is most often used in this alignment, it is also possible that Texas uses a CB as the extra defensive back instead. What kind of offense will the Longhorns use under Wickline/Watson?
Joe Wickline takes over the Texas Longhorns offense this year with the playcalling assistance of Shawn Watson. Wickline came from Oklahoma State, so it’s hard to imagine that the former Poke offensive line coach will stray from the quick-hitting, fast-paced offense that the Cowboys were successful with over the past 5-6 seasons.
However, Shawn Watson’s reputation is a more conservative background. His most recent work (at Louisville and Nebraska) featured a pro-style/West Coast offense. Even though Watson was tabbed as play-caller, Strong made it clear that Wickline is the offensive coordinator.
