Tre Watson & The Running Back Rotation | Sourced Update

– Andrew King

Cal grad transfer running back Tre Watson, has been one the most vocal guys out of the running back room so far in camp.

The issue is that he hadn’t been a full participant in practice and was wearing a green non-contact jersey. Watson has been recovering from a torn ACL that ended his season at Cal in 2017. Earlier this week he practiced with no restrictions.

I talked to someone who told me that Daniel Young still got the first reps with the starters. The Watson was the first running back to run with the 2s, splitting carries with Keontay Ingram.

I suspect we’re going to start seeing Watson get some reps with the 1s sooner rather than later. And, if he stays healthy, he’s going to make a run at being the starter vs Maryland.

Source said that in yesterday’s practice, Watson had a phenomenal run. The offensive line opened up some space and once he was in the hole he made a man miss and split the safeties. Very quick and veteran vision.

Malik Hornsby | Live & in Person

– Super K

Last week, I went out to the “Members Only” workout session in the Houston area to see Texas 2020 quarterback target, Malik Hornsby (Fort Bend Marshall). I hadn’t had a chance to see him throw or move around in person. So, I remedied that.

While one might see Hornsby’s athleticism and assume he’s going to end up playing another position in college, he insists that isn’t the case. He tells me that he is a quarterback through and through.

There’s not doubt he’s athletic. But, Hornby can sling it. He has some work to do to continue to develop his accuracy but with the help of quarterback coach, JP Tillman along with more time on the field, I have little doubt he will. One thing appears certain, he has the arm to make all the throws.

Unlike many high school quarterbacks who hold division one offers, Hornsby didn’t grow up going to quarterback training sessions every week.

So, what you’re looking at is pure upside.

He’s made big strides in the past few months, but he’s still a young man who hasn’t scratched the surface of what he will become.

Watching him, you see a Tom Herman quarterback in every sense. Again, he’s as athletic as a defensive back with a big arm. Herman’s had success with guys similar to Hornsby and I suspect Herb Hand had a few guys with similar traits to Hornsby over at Auburn.

#HookEm QB target, Malik Hornsby (@1MalikH1) last night at the Houston #membersonly session getting work in with @TheQBTech. ✅ Fantastic feet. ✅ Infectious positive attitude. ✅The arm to make all the throws. pic.twitter.com/UIUY2abbsS — Super K (@SuperK_TFB) August 8, 2018

While at the event, I spoke with Hornsby but we didn’t go into any detail regarding recruiting. I was primarily there to get an up-close look at how Malik moves, throws, takes instruction and interacts with others. Again, I liked what I saw. I really noted his attitude. Took coaching well, looked his coach in the eye and was responsive to instruction and correction.

Also, loved his infectious attitude. He has leadership qualities. Hornsby has a presence about him but is fun to be around. He cuts up with the other guys. He dances. He’s comfortable in his own skin.

In terms of recruiting, I think my initial thoughts on the possibility that Roschon Johnson may work against Texas, were a bit overblown. Talking to more and more people around Hornsby, it sounds like Johnson isn’t going to have an effect on Malik’s decision and Texas is really one of the top players in this recruitment.

2019 DE Taurean Carter | Texas In Top Four

– Charlie S

– Earlier this week, 2019 defensive end and Texas offer Taurean Carter has trimmed his list to four and the Longhorns remain among his finalists.

I am thankful to have have this opportunity🙏🏾…FINAL 4‼️💯 pic.twitter.com/04P4mEB3vZ — Taurean Carter II (@KingCvrterII) August 16, 2018

Back in July Taurean told us he would be announcing his commitment on October 24th.

This still appears to be a battle between Arkansas and Texas with the Razorbacks holding the edge right now.

Texas needs to get him back on campus if they really want to make a push here. We will be checking in with him and people around him to find out the latest.

2019 Defensive Big Board

– Andrew King

Recently I posted an article breaking down the offensive side of the ball for 2019. Now we move onto the defensive side of the ball for this class. Texas’ class is pretty even right now, with eight offensive commits and seven defensive commits. I’d say there are more questions on the defensive side of the ball in the 2019 class than the offense. So here’s the breakdown….

DEFENSIVE TACKLE (1, maybe 2):

Amite (LA) Ishmael Sopsher

St. Louis (HI) Faatui Tuitele

Judson (TX) DeMarvin Leal (Committed to Texas A&M)

St. Frances De Sales (OH) Rodas Johnson

Texas took a couple of defensive tackles in the 2018 class, so it’s not a massive need in the 2019 class. That’s the reason I think Texas could very well only take one in 2019. Early on DeMarvin Leal was the clear #1 target at the position, then he committed to Texas A&M. Texas is still recruiting him but nobody is betting on him to flip.

The two main guys Texas is really in the hunt with right now is Faatui Tuitele and Rodas Johnson. Tuitele has Texas in his Top 5 along with Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Washington. I think Texas only trails Alabama and Ohio State right now, and there’s always a numbers crunch at Alabama and the Urban Meyer drama can’t be helping Ohio State. So with a good season and a fantastic official visit, the Longhorns could be right at the top of this one.

With Johnson, Texas recently offered him and then they made his Top 6 along with Duke, Oklahoma, Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin. Johnson actually grew up in Texas and was a Longhorn fan, but also likes the Midwest. He took an official visit to Wisconsin in late June, and some have pegged the Badgers as the favorites heading into the season.

Sopsher is a guy that will likely be LSU bound unless Alabama can pull him out of the Boot. Texas could get an official visit, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up with that one.

DEFENSIVE ENDS (3 or 4):

Nolan Catholic (TX) NaNa Osafo-Mensah (Committed to Notre Dame)

Independence C.C. (KS) Jermaine Johnson (Committed to Georiga)

George Ranch (TX) Peter Mpagi (Committed to Texas)

Mayde Creek (TX) Marcus Stripling

Mansfield Legacy (TX) Taurean Carter

Huntsville (TX) T’Vondre Sweat (Committed to Texas)

Butler C.C. (KS) Jacoby Jones

Texas currently has two defensive ends committed in Peter Mpagi and T’Vondre Sweat. Both are very different players, Mpagi is more of a weak-side guy. With Sweat likely ending up on the strong-side or possibly even sliding down to defensive tackle as he’s already over 250 going into his senior season. I expect Texas to take at least one more guy at DE, possibly two.

They’ve missed out on their two top guys in Osafo-Mensah and Johnson. And Marcus Stripling is the top guy who’s uncommitted in Texas, but most have looked at him as a Texas A&M lean for a while now. But he plans to officially visit Texas in the fall, and the fact that he still hasn’t shut things down is good news for the Longhorns.

Taurean Carter was a guy that was trending Texas for a while, but Arkansas has been making a huge push as of late. Some feel they might have taken the lead, and remember they already have a DL committed who’s HS teammates with Carter. Then there is Jacoby Jones, who Texas offered in late May. It seemed like they were a leader in the recruitment, but after an OU offer in July, it seems like the Sooners have the lead. Texas should still get an official visit from Jones this fall. And are running #2 behind Oklahoma right now.

Some people are worried about defensive line recruiting, and I get that. But remember where we were closing in on signing day last year and people were worried about the same thing. Then Oscar Giles hung onto Keondre Coburn and landed Moro Ojomo, Joseph Ossai, Michael Williams, and Daniel Carson. So let’s just see how it all plays out.

Linebackers (3 or 4):

Westlake (CA) De’Gabriel Floyd (Committed to Texas)

Wekiva (FL) Rian Davis (Committed to Georiga)

Cinco Ranch (TX) David Gbenda

Punahou (HI) Maninoa Tufono (Committed to USC)

Jones (FL) Marcus Tillman Jr (Committed to Texas)

Trinity Catholic (MO) Shammond Cooper

Fullerton C.C. (CA) Caleb Johnson

Things get much simpler in terms of defensive recruiting as we get into the second half of this post. Starting with the linebackers, Todd Orlando has gone coast to coast for his two LB commits in the 2019 class. Going out to California and beating out West Coast powers for De’Gabriel Floyd, the former USC commit. And then out East and beating out some SEC and ACC schools for Marcus Tillman Jr, the former Florida commit. Both are more outside LB type guys, but after putting some good weight on, they could likely play either one in the Big 12.

Texas recently missed out on Rian Davis and Maninoa Tufono, and their focus is really on two guys right now. David Gbenda is the top available LB in the state of Texas, and we feel very good about Texas’ chances to land him. The other is JUCO LB Caleb Johnson who picked up a Texas offer over the weekend. He’s committed to Iowa State but Arkansas and Texas are both pushing for him, and he will take official visits to both schools.

Cornerbacks (2, maybe 3):

Grayson (GA) Kenyatta Watson (Committed to Texas)

Dekaney (TX) Marcus Banks (Committed to LSU)

Alvin (TX) Marques Caldwell (Committed to Texas)

Odessa Permian (TX) Peyton Powell

Texas is likely to just sit tight with their two CB commits in Kenyatta Watson and Marques Caldwell. Peyton Powell is being recruited as an athlete right now. But I think he ends up as a DB in college. Texas hopes to get an official visit from him this fall.

Safeties (2, maybe 3):

Trinity Christian (TX) Lewis Cine

Waxahachie (TX) Demani Richardson (Committed to Texas A&M)

Mayfair (CA) Chris Adimora (Committed to Texas)

Mansfield Legacy (TX) Jalen Catalon

Plano East (TX) Tyler Owens

Texas currently has one safety committed in California DB Chris Adimora. Right now I expect them to take two safeties, with Jalen Catalon being the most likely one. Lewis Cine is still on the board but he seems to be leaning towards Georiga. Tyler Owens is an elite athlete and is a take if Texas wants him. I’m just not sure he is one right now after the big safety class they took last year.

Post Practice August 16th | Sourced RB Note | Injury Updates

– Alex Briseno

Tom Herman spoke with the media following Thursday’s practice. Here are the highlights:

*** Texas still doesn’t have its starting quarterback. Herman says Rising and Thompson are in the mix but due to lack of experience combined with how Sam and Shane are playing, it will be “an uphill battle” for them.

*** With a little over two weeks until kickoff, though, Sam nor Shane have earned the starting spot outright.

Herman on QB battle:

“We need to have one guy be ahead for more than one day… Overall, it’s a really good thing. Both of them have pushed each other to where they are playing at a level that I haven’t seen either of them play.“ pic.twitter.com/nNvnAsk9Ue — alex briseño (@AlexxBriseno) August 16, 2018

“We need to have one guy be ahead for more than one day. They’ve both had their really, really good moments. They’ve both had some that you kind of shake your head at. Overall, it’s a really good thing. Both of them have pushed each other to where they are both playing at a level that I haven’t seen either of them play. Now, one of those guys has to put a few of those back-to-back-to-back-to-back.”

*** The offensive line will continue to be a question until we see the in-game product. As of right now, Herman has six guys he’s comfortable playing. Take your pick between Vahe, Shackelford, Rodriguez, Kerstetter, Okafor, Cosmi, Hudson and Anderson.

“He’s (Cosmi) in it. We’re probably nine guys right now: we have six that you would not hold your breath when they’re in the game. The other three could get you through a game but you would have to protect them a little bit. The rest of the crew is developmental at this point. Sam would be one of those nine.”

*** Herman is “very close” to naming the running backs he will run with on Sept. 1. He said the order will be set after their next scrimmage on Saturday.

“We don’t have a D’Onta Foreman just yet. He rushed for 2000 yards. We do have some developed talent in there… You can’t play seven of them but we will probably play at least three guys throughout the course of the ball game.”

Herman on the running backs:

“We dont have a D’Onta Foreman just yet… We feel like we do have some developed talent.” He says they will play at least three backs against Maryland. — alex briseño (@AlexxBriseno) August 16, 2018

Sourced Note: After Thursday’s practice, my source tells me Daniel Young, Toneil Carter, and Tre Watson are shaping up to be the three guys while Keontay Ingraham is hanging around and making a push.

*** Herman is concerned about depth at linebacker, and rightfully so. Between the first half suspension of Anthony Wheeler, suspension of DeMarco Boyd and injuries to McCulloh, Overshown and Adeoye, depth isn’t exactly at an all-time high.

*** Herman said Overshown would have seen the field at linebacker against Maryland before the injury. He isn’t considering moving anybody to linebacker just yet, though.

“It is a concern but the good thing is that we are pretty well-versed in our dime package too so if we had to live with it for a week or two I think we could. We’ll find a way to get through it.”

*** With Texas’ season opener against Maryland, it’s impossible to ignore the situation unfolding in College Park. Herman was asked to comment on the death of Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair and his confidence in his training staff at Texas.

“Any time you lose a student-athlete it’s a tragedy. Our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with him and his family and the whole University of Maryland community. I have a lot of confidence that the way our training staff, strength staff and our assistant coaches are as good as there is in the country. We take every precaution that there is.”

Injury Update:

*** The biggest news this week came after Texas announced freshmen Ayodele Adeoye (knee) and DB DeMarvion Overshown (knee) have both been ruled out for the Longhorns’ season opener against Maryland. Jeffrey McCulloch is hoping to return for game week.

*** A UT spokesperson announced that wide receiver John Burt sprained his foot in practice. He told me they are “hoping to get him back by game week.” I saw Caden Sterns with his shoulder wrapped after practice. Herman says it’s a contusion but that he finished practice and will be fine.

*** Davante Davis is expected to return at some point next week.

*** Texas will have another practice on Friday before a scrimmage on Saturday. That’s when we should get our best look at how the depth chart is shaping up.

“Most of the two-deep will be set after the scrimmage. We’ve got to prepare to win a game on Sunday. We’ve got to know who the guys are that we are able to do that with.”