Texas Preseason Depth Chart Released, A Few Nuggets from Mack's Presser

Mack Brown saddled up to the mic on Wednesday at 3:30 pm well-rested, jovial and confident.  The head coach of the Texas Longhorns had a few informal comments with media members and then released and addressed the preseason depth chart which consumed the majority of his time prior to the Q&A session.  Unlike the weeks and months that have preceeded today’s press conference, there is no question who wil be the starting quarterback when the Longhorns play Wyoming on September 1st.  As the depth chart reflects, David Ash will be the starter followed by Case McCoy.  The third string quarterback will be Connor Brewer followed by the dual threat and Tatum High School product Jalen Overstreet.  While Ash holds only a “ little edge” over Case McCoy, the plan, according to Mack, is still to play both quarterbacks. It looks like the grand plan for the Longhorns is to redshirt both Brewer and Overstreet this year.

On the injury front Mack reiterated how lucky he felt the team was in avoiding the injury bug in the preseason.  He discussed Penn State transfer and now Texas kicker/punter Anthony Fera’s hip flexor injury which he described as a “pull.”  Fera is not listed on the depth chart but will be reevaluated next week.  True freshman Nick Jordan gets the nod as the starting kicker for the Longhorns and Duke transfer Alex King will handle the punting duties.  There were two minor injuries which Mack addressed -  Wide receiver Jaxon Shipley has slight pull but nothing serious and  fellow wideout Mike Davis suffered a minor ankle sprain yesterday in practice.  According to Brown both the Shipley and Davis injuries are very minor and both should be fully recovered and ready to go against Wyoming next weekend.

 
• Left off the depth chart was freshman Daje Johnson, who was suspended for violating team rules, which Mack would not elaborate on.  With the display of athletecism Johnson has provided in camp, look for him to creep back in for potential playing time in games subsequent to the Wyoming game.
 
• Greg Daniels is playing well at Tight End and pushing the level of play at the position against seniors Barrett Matthews and projected starter D.J. Grant.
 
• Freshman phenom Johnathan Gray WILL play in the opener againast Wyoming.  How much or in what schemes is yet to be determined.
 
• The defensive tackle position shows a foursome that can handle the position, although junior Chris Whaley has had a surprisingly good preseason and has pushed his way to a starting spot alongside juco transfer Brandon Moore.  Ashton Dorsey and Desmond Jackson are the backup DT’s but it would not be surprising to see these two playing quite a bit.
 
• If the Wildhorn were to be run today it would be with one of the three running backs, Joe Bergeron, Malcolm Brown or Johnathan Gray.  According to Mack “All three of them could do it.”
 
• Offensive Linemen Trey Hopkins and Mason Walters seem to have impressed the coaching staff with play and leadership capability at the position.
 

The team has progressed a lot since the Spring Game and Mack seems to be very pleased with the progress to this point.  As he says, “Who you are is how many games you win.”  The Longhorns hope to win a bunch this year.

 Depth Chart

https://www.hornsports.com/images/preseason_depth_chart.jpg