TFB Short | The Dude Inside

– Gabriel

How are y’all doing!? Isn’t it a great feeling, Texas Football is in Fall Camp! With that comes interesting news about position changes. None other should interest you more than Devin Duvernay inside. I’ll give you time to cool off. If you follow me on Twitter you know that this is a prayer of mine and it being answered is Tom-sent, or whoever’s easy decision it is. Losing Humphrey leaves a huge hole in the offense. Instead of inserting an inexperienced player, why not one of the most physical, sure-handed, and fastest players on the roster, no-brainer. A couple questions you may have are, how this move effects scheme and who replaces Duvernay outside? That’s what we’re here to discuss.

First off, as mentioned above, Devin punches above his weight, he’s very fast, and last season, doesn’t drop passes. What he brings is effective blocking coming from the inside up to linebackers or safeties, that’s very important because Herman & Hand want to run the rock, good blocking in the alley will lead to bigger plays. Now, his speed, perhaps the most interesting aspect of moving The Dude inside. To scorch these quarters-heavy defenses, there’s no better route than the Seam-Read. Now, whether they run that particular ‘Choice Route’ or not is secondary. Defenses have to line up a Nickel and or safety over one of the fastest receivers in the league, creating issues for coverage because you can’t always bracket him with two. Why? I’m glad you asked! It’s because Collin freakin’ Johnson is on the other side of the field, sometimes the same side, yikes! Bracketing both means you have seven vs nine underneath, good luck with that. As you know, since you read here, Herman’s baby, 3-Level passing is also a big deal because the inside man either runs a Post, Corner, or a Switch Vertical (Wheel), that’s enough to set your hair on fire, and here’s the kicker. Outside of Devin you could see John Burt again. Stop imagining DB’s shaking in their boots for minute. This is just ridiculous wouldn’t you say? Add in 3 or 4-Verticals to the mix with a QB Draw option, just stupid. If this offense doesn’t explode, fire them all (LOL)! Now, are you excited about this switch?

Commitment Analysis | 2021 OLB Derrick Harris, Jr.

– Darius Terrell

Texas has a chance to challenge for the #1 class in the nation for 2021 and they are attacking the class in a way like never seen before in the history of the program. Texas added their 6th commitment of the 2021 class when standout New Caney LB Derrick Harris, Jr. made the call.

What is Texas getting in Harris, Jr.?

Ranking: #139 Nationally, #11 OLB, (247), #221 Nationally, #17 OLB, (ESPN) 4-star (Rivals), #12 Overall (Texas Top 25)

Top Offers: Texas A&M, Miami, Oklahoma St., Baylor

Size: 6’2.5 215lbs

Projected College Position: Outside Linebacker

Player Comparison: Jeffrey McCulloch (Texas 2016-)

Analysis: Harris is a long, lean tackling machine playing on the outskirts of Houston. He has the frame to easily play over 240lbs in college. He has the type of body and athleticism that will allow him to play any LB position at the next level. He was the district Newcomer of the Year award recipient after racking up nearly 80 tackles and 5 sacks as a Sophomore.

He displays some impressive explosiveness out of his stance and pursues the football with a vengeance. He is a natural shoulder-dipper and knee-bender when rushing the passer and has a tremendous upside as a blitzer. He has long arms that keep blockers at bay and the ability to disrupt offenses and change the game on defense. Harris is at his best moving forward and being aggressive.

I have questions about him in coverage, simply because he hasn’t had a ton of reps doing it. He’s usually attacking the QB, but whether or not he’s able to figure out the coverage game will ultimately determine what his ceiling will be as a football player. He has the talent to be able to do both, in my opinion.

Harris is undoubtedly a high-quality pickup and the position that he plays just so happens to be an extremely important position of need for the Longhorns. Harris will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact the moment that he steps on campus.

Instant Impact Rating: 6.5

Highlights:

Commitment Analysis | 2020 RB Bijan Robinson

– Darius Terrell

The Texas Longhorns have been the hottest team in College Football on the recruiting trail over the past three weeks in both the 2020 and 2021 classes and they don’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. Today, the Longhorns added perhaps their biggest commitment in the class to date, when Salpointe Catholic HS (Tucson, AZ) RB Bijan Robinson announced his pledge to join the program.

What is Texas getting in Robinson?

Ranking: #20 Overall, #3 RB, (247), #26 Overall, #4 RB, (Rivals), #31 Overall, #5 RB, (ESPN)

Top Offers: Ohio St., USC, UCLA, Washington, LSU, AlabamaSize: 6’0 210lbs

Projected College Position: Running Back

Player Comparison: Chuba Hubbard (Oklahoma St. 2017-)

Analysis: Wow.

Robinson is in the conversation for the top Running Back in the country for the class of 2020 and it doesn’t take looking at more than a few plays on his highlight tape to see why. He has the size at a chiseled 6’0 210lbs to run between the tackles and the speed to take it the distance (he self-reportedly runs in the 4.48 to 4.55 range in the 40-yard dash range.)

He shows some terrific vision and patience in his highlights, waiting for holes to develop before bursting through the hole and getting up to top speed in a hurry. He’s got a dynamic jump-cut that he uses in traffic that I’ve only seen a handful of guys be able to do. He gets to the second level of a defense in the blink of an eye and lulls defenders into taking poor angles with his ability to change speeds. He is proportionately built and defenders have just as difficult of a time bringing him down low as they do attacking him up high.

Robinson is a man amongst boys playing ball at his current competition level in the state of Arizona, where he has been a member of the varsity since his Freshman season. As a Junior, he rushed for over 2400 yards and 36 touchdowns while adding another 150 yards and a score through the air. Although his high school team doesn’t utilize him there often (he’s so effective simply taking a handoff), Robinson has soft hands and has the ability to be a weapon in the passing game out of the backfield and on screen plays at the minimum. He can motion out of the backfield to a WR spot in an empty set and be a viable option.

Like most backs, he will need time to refine his pass-blocking and improve his ball security, but Bijan Robinson is an instant-impact player at the next level with the ability to play on Sundays if he’s able to stay healthy during his collegiate career. Longhorn fans should rejoice, their 5-star Running Back prayers appear to have been answered.

Instant Impact Rating: 8

Highlights:

Fall Camp Practice Report | August 4th, 2019

– Will Baizer

Third day of practice for the 2019 season. Still in helmets and shells.

DEPTH CHART

Offense

QB: Sam Ehlinger / Casey Thompson / Roschon Johnson

RB: Keaontay Ingram / Jordan Whittington / Kirk Johnson / Daniel Young

XWR: Collin Johnson / Malcolm Epps / Kennedy Lewis

Slot: Devin Duvernay / Josh Moore / Jordan Pouncey / Jake Smith

ZWR: Brennan Eagles / John Burt / AlVonte Woodard / Marcus Washington

TE: Cade Brewer / Reese Leitao / Jared Wiley / Brayden Liebrock

OL:

Sam Cosmi – Junior Angilau – Zach Shackelford – Derek Kerstetter – Denzel Okafor

Reese Moore – Tope Imade – Rafiti Ghirmai – JP Urquidez – Christian Jones

Defense

DL1: Malcolm Roach – Keondre Coburn – Taquon Graham

DL2: Marquez Bimage – Gerald Wilson – Jamari Chisholm

BLB: Joseph Ossai / Byron Hobbs

RLB: Caleb Johnson / Juwan Mitchell

MLB: Ayodele Adeoye / Marcus Tillman

NB: BJ Foster / Josh Thompson

Joker: Demarvion Overshown

CB: Jalen Green / Anthony Cook / Donovan Duvernay

FS: Caden Sterns / Montrell Estelle

BS: Brandon Jones / Chris Brown

CB: D’Shawn Jamison / Kobe Boyce / Kenyatta Watson

NOTES

– Freshman WR Marcus Washington and RS Freshman AlVonte Woodard were both back to practicing today. Woodard wasn’t full speed just yet.

– Senior LB Jeffrey McCulloch was missing from practice today. We’ll get official word later, but I’m assuming sickness seeing as he wasn’t working out with McKnight.

Update 12:13pm – Jeffrey McCulloch was battling an illness today. Nothing serious.

– Practice started out with circle drills to work physicality. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see who was going against who and who won.

– Apparently, there was a big team meeting last night where Tom Herman and some senior leaders talked about the mentality they wish to bring this year. Collin Johnson notably stated that, “He wanted it harder,” in practices.

– Tom Herman then told the team before practice that he wants them to work their discipline. That is what he is preaching the hardest saying, “Talent is common. Discipline is rare.” Also talked about making sure to keep oneself level-headed, “Make sure what you say to yourself is positive.”

– K Cameron Dicker is going to do kicker things this year. He was nails from 25, 30, 35, and 40 against rushing pressure. Like clockwork.

– During period 1 they worked mainly special teams individual drills and OL worked on their cadences and footwork for different blocking schemes.

– Newcomer OT Willie Tyler is a lot slimmer than I imagined he would be. He will likely need a year or two before he is big enough to hold down a tackle spot.

– In contrast, RS Freshman Junior Angilau is a big dude. He is also starting to become a leader as it appears he understands what is going on with certain schemes and what he needs to do. He and Zach Shackelford we’re constantly helping along some of the newcomers.

– Speaking of newcomers, some of the guys they were helping were Freshmen OTs Tyler Johnson and Javonne Shepherd. While those two definitely look the part, they seems to still be learning the playbook and how to execute certain blocks.

– Afterwards, Herb Hand spent an entire period working the crowder sled, which is his favorite thing. This sled works half-man blocking techniques which are important to Herb Hands philosophy and the inside zone game.

– Sophomore punter Ryan Bujcevski still inconsistent. We saw him put up six punts. Five of them were good going for 37, 37, 46, 40, and 42 yards. Then his last one was a shank that went maybe 20 yards. Can’t have that.

– While offense spent and entire two periods working on ball security, defense worked on full team pursuit drills.

– During individual defense drills I heard freshmen DBs Kenyatta Watson and Chris Adimora receive some praise.

– Man, Senior WR Collin Johnson is smooth. It’s like he’s taking a test with the answer sheet right next to him. He knows where to move, how to get pst defenders, and how to high point the ball.

Here are some sourced practice notes:

– They weren’t doing full tackling when it come to offense vs defense drills since they aren’t in full pads. Still there was some hard thumping going on in the trenches. From the sound of it some guys will walk away with nasty bruises. Such is football.

– Keaontay Ingram has gotten another gear in his engine this camp. He torched the first team defense for a seventy-yard touchdown.

– Same goes for Jordan Whittington who worked with the ones as well. He was able to weave his way through would be tacklers and blockers to break off his very own seventy-yarder.

– Besides that, it seems the defense’s strength comes when the offense tries to attack it on the ground. They are apparently very quick to swarm the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage thanks to the defensive line.

– CB Jalen Green was tasked with guarding Collin Johnson and broke up a number of passes. He looking like he may live up to the hype.

– Senior BS Brandon Jones had his own pass break up over the middle. Looks like that is a no-fly zone.

– Secondary and defensive line are actually pretty quietly good racking up a number of sacks and pass break ups.

– Second team offensive line is inconsistent. Some plays they give up an easy sack. Others they open up a hole big enough for Bevo to run through untouched.

– Sam’s deep ball still lacks a little bit of touch to the field side. I was told this led to a lot of the pass break ups. Either that or it’s a little overthrown. Sounds like he needs more of an arc to his deep ball.

– However, Ehlinger’s ability to improvise has taken off. He understands the offense much better and is able to make plays to his fourth and fifth reads. No more missing Duvernay.

– Roschon Johnson placed a very nice pass to Kennedy Lewis for a deep pass touchdown against third team defense.

– WR John Burt made his very own circus catch during practice. Was told he high-pointed the ball and came down with it with the wherewithal to keep his toes inbounds.

– Looks like we’re just waiting for the day when Junior Angilau is moves to RG, Parker Braun to LG, and RT becomes a competition.

– While the coaches are showing Kirk Johnson as the third running back, it sounds like Daniel Young is the one receiving all the third running back snaps.

– VERY INTERESTING NOTE, it looks like the coaches are very comfortable with taking a B-backer off the field and replacing him with Demarvion Overshown. Byron Hobbs was relegated to third team and replaced with Demarvion Overshown. He isn’t a B-Backer. But he’s closer to the line than Joker.

– Also, Freshman WR Jake Smith was moved up mid-practice to work with the twos at slot.

– Yes, Devin Duvernay is still mainly working as a slot. Brennan Eagles was taking all of the first team Z-WR reps. Oh! Eagles also changed his number to 13.

Updates | DL Numbers & Who’s Next

– Super K

***I know a few of you have been asking about the defensive line numbers and whether or not Texas will have enough room to take both Princely Umanmielen and Alfred Collins.

I’m assuming this question is coming from the fact that early on, Texas was looking to take three defensive linemen and once Fillinger and Broughton committed, it seemed to only leave one available spot.

I did check with a source and based on what I have heard it sounds like Texas is going to be able to make room for both Umanmielen and Collins.

***With commitments from Broughton, Jackson, Dorbah and Bijan, Texas 2020 recruiting got a big bump this summer but 2021 recruiting has been the talk of the town, as well.

So, in the 2021 class, who seems to be the next target, the recruits and staff have their eyes on?

The name I heard was JoJo Earle, the electric 2021 WR out of Aledo. Earle is a guy Texas identified early on as a weapon they want in the 2021 class and he’s been on campus multiple times. Source I spoke to said they’re optimistic they can bring him in the fold. However, I was told it may not be till closer to the LSU game. So, I’m not sure he would necessarily qualify as the answer to “Who’s Next?”, but again, he is the guy I’m told they are focused on.

Brennon Scott Will Announce Today

– Super K

2020 LB, Brennon Scott (Bishop Dunne) announced that he is ready to make his decision…

Committing tomorrow 🤩 — B͓̽r͓̽e͓̽n͓̽n͓̽o͓̽n͓̽ S͓̽c͓̽o͓̽t͓̽t͓̽ #9 ❄️ (@goliveB) August 5, 2019

Scott tells me that he will announce today at 6 PM. For a while Texas was seen as the front runner for Scott and it really just seemed like a matter of time.

But it sounds like things have changed for both Texas and Brennon. As such, we expect Brennon to select another program.