Tom Herman NSD Press Conference

– CJ Vogel

The annual National Signing Day press conference took place this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. and Texas Head Coach Tom Herman dropped these tidbits regarding the 2019 class and some nuggets regarding the team’s offseason.

Patrick Hudson

Hudson is currently away from the team and will take time to “figure out what he wants to do moving forward. The possibility of returning to the program is certainly on the table.”

Hudson was one of the prized recruits from the 2016 recruiting class but has yet to be a big factor on the field. If you recall, Hudson was hospitalized in September and spent a week in the ICU for heat related cramps and dehydration.

Staff Switch-Up

Not much change in the coaching staff with Herman opting to keep the same personnel from last season, however some notable title changes:

Derek Warehime will be the Special Teams Coordinator.

Craig Naiver’s title on the staff will be co-defensive coordinator.

Finishing the 2019 Cycle

“Recruiting is heading into the right direction. We have the right players, we have the right coaches, and we have the right athletic director.”

Herman ended his press conference with that quote. He said he fully believes Texas is headed in the right direction.

***Javonne Shepherd did sign his LOI today and was announced by the Texas program as a member of the 2019 cycle.

Herman said Shepherd’s family was on campus last week and that was the only college visit his family went on during the entire recruiting process.

Herman also noted that Shepherd is 6’6″ and currently 318 pounds.

***Bru McCoy was announced as a member of the late signing day group despite being on campus for a week already.

Herman said he had a very “minimal” impact on McCoy’s recruitment but praised the relationships his staff was able to build with this cycle’s recruits.

“It is truly built on relationships. When they commit to the University of Texas, it is a decision in which they are not 99%, but they are almost 100% sure.”

Injury Updates

QB Sam Ehlinger – Has been limited in opening weeks of winter workouts.

WR Collin Johnson – Will miss a good majority of winter workouts following knee surgery.

DE Marqez Bimage- Has been cleared for contact and will be ready for the spring practice period.

Herman said all three should be ready to go for spring practice.

Spring Practice

Key Dates:

Spring Practice begins March 11

Texas Pro-Day is March 27

Orange-White Game is scheduled for April 13 at 6:00 p.m.

2020 Legacy Recruit Offered

– Super K

Earlier this week, I mentioned 2020 OT, Tosh Baker saying…

Earlier this evening, Texas A&M offered a talented offensive tackle, Tosh Baker out of Pinnacle HS (AZ) who I happened to see play basketball last week.

I spoke with Baker and his family after the game and it turns out that Bakers father used to coach at SMU and his mother is a Texas grad.

At that time I asked them if they’d heard from Texas yet but they said they had not. Texas is looking very good with their in-state prospects but given the numbers they need, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them at least reach out to Baker.

It appears the silence from the Horns has been broken as Baker did pick up a Texas offer.

After a great conversation with @CoachHand I’m blessed to say I’ve received an offer to play at the University of Texas!! pic.twitter.com/QbOhnIZ3US — Tosh Baker (@tdbakes) February 7, 2019

Baker’s father actually used to coach at the collegiate level including a stint at SMU and UTEP. His mother is Texas grad and originally from El Paso, Texas.

He recently took an unofficial visit to Notre Dame and in speaking to him it was clear they made quite the impression. Part of the appeal is clearly the academic standing of a program like Notre Dame. That should play in Texas’ favor.

I’ll go back through my notes from my conversation with Baker and his family for a full write-up.

I do expect Baker to visit Texas in the near future.

Quick Hitters | Team Notes

– Will Baizer

– Per a few sources in the program, when Spring practices start we are expecting redshirt freshman Christian Jones to be working with the 1s as the right tackle.

– Per the same sources, we will be expecting redshirt freshman Rafiti Ghirmai to be trying out the center position this Spring. If you’re familiar with Herb Hand, then this move to a matrix like depth chart shouldn’t surprise you. I don’t expect Ghirmai to stop working other positions, but with Elijah Rodriguez graduating, Texas will be pretty desperate for depth behind Shackelford.

– As we pointed out before, Derek Warehime will be taking special teams duties off of CraigNaivar’s hands, who now has Co-DC added to his title. We’ve talked about this in the past (and it seems obvious now), but once Todd Orlando leaves for a head coaching job, Craig Naivar would likely replace him as defensive coordinator.

– The more I head the more it seems like newcomer Jordan Whittington is blowing up so far during winter conditioning. According to one source, last week he led all skill players in “effort and weight lifting.”

Texas Offers | Ryan Watts & Jahari Rogers | Visit Update

– Super K

In my recent defensive backs’ notebook I mentioned the following…

Don’t be surprised to see Texas offer 2020 ATH Jahari Rogers (as a defensive back) out of Arlington HS. Also, keep an eye on Ethan Pouncey (Winter Park, FL), Ryan Watts (Little Elm), Joshua Eaton and others.

Two of those players have now been offered by Texas. The Horns extended offers to both Ryan Watts and Jahari Rogers.

#HookEm offers two of the top DFW targets…



2020 ATH, Jahari Rogers (Arlington HS)



2020 CB, Ryan Watts (Little Elm) pic.twitter.com/4JFoSO2AaF — Super K (@SuperK_TFB) February 7, 2019

Rogers plays quarterback but he’s being recruited as a defensive back. Very dynamic athlete. Schools like Oklahoma, Florida and Baylor are in the mix early. He’s a Sooner legacy and is originally from Louisiana. He moved to Texas after Katrina.

Ryan Watts is a big cornerback…to the tune of a legit 6’2. Watts tells me he’s already set up a visit to Texas for the junior day next weekend (February 16th).

For Watts Texas A&M, OU, Arkansas and Notre Dame seem to be the major players.