I think Sterlin Gilbert is the most important recruit of Charlie Strong’s 2016 class.

He doesn’t have the size or speed (or eligibility) that the other signees have, but Texas’ new offensive coordinator will have more immediate impact than any other new arrival this offseason. Or at least, that’s what Longhorn Nation is hoping.

The second most important recruit of 2016: Matt Mattox. Yes, UT’s newest offensive line coach.

There’s much to be said for how UT’s offensive scheme will develop throughout the coming Spring. Last year’s squad finished 94th in total offense and 85th in points per game. That effort only produced five wins.

The Longhorns will have to win nine games or so next season to keep the fanbase happy, and the staff employed. It’s fair to interject here Texas had many defensive woes as well. It’s true. This was, statistically, the worst defense in Longhorns football history after they allowed 453 yards/game in 2015.

That sounds incredibly bad, and is bad. It’s about 50 yards more than defense of 2013 (407 yards/game) and no one wants to be remembered in the record books that way.

Keep in mind, though, that Texas plays in the Big 12 and faced four of the country’s top 10 offenses: Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, and Oklahoma. It’s understandable for a young and developing defense. I don’t think anyone would say it’s acceptable, but understandable nonetheless.

That being said, if Texas was more mature offensively — or just able to efficiently pass the ball — the Horns would be preparing for a bowl game now. Three of UT’s six losses came by a field goal or less. Instead, they’re back in offseason before the 2016 calendar year begins.

Thus, the Mattox hire is crucial.

Gilbert has one year to turn the offense around, and he needs as much buy-in from the program as is possible. Having Mattox, a like-minded person in the coaches’ “war room,” will help Gilbert make practical the vision he’s casting for offensive side of the ball.

Tulsa On Film

I don’t know Matt from Adam. So I decided to familiarize myself with his offensive line at Tulsa. I wasn’t evaluating them, the players, so much as I was trying to get a feel for how Mattox had coached them.

I watched the first half of Tulsa’s games against OU and Memphis, came away with a few impressions and how those hopefully translate to the Texas offensive line in the fall.

Good Movement on Inside Zone

Tulsa ran the ball impressively against OU, all things considered. With sub-par talent at the running back position, Tulsa had 100-yard rusher against the Sooners while averaging 4.4 yards/carry.

Several times the running back simply missed the hole or open lane. But, I was pleasantly surprised to see the offensive line get consistently good movement.

Don’t think that isn’t a big deal.

It’s true, Texas had an impressive day running the ball against Oklahoma—but for very different reasons. It wasn’t because the offensive line was mauling people (see the film review). It was because of rivalry, WRs blocking downfield, and the horses in the backfield. Tulsa ran the ball on Oklahoma because of scheme, yes, but also with consistent movement along the line of scrimmage. That happens with technique, aggression, and cohesive team play on the offensive line.

I was impressed, honestly.

Fastest Offense in the Country

Midway through the season, Tulsa was the fastest offense in the country. By the time they played Memphis, they averaged a play every 18.8 seconds. If you’ve never played major college football — especially as a 300-pound lineman — that’s really fast.

My junior year at Texas we installed what we called our “Jet Package,” inspired by what Oklahoma was doing at the time. It was set of five plays or so, and every player knew the signals. They were to be ran as fast as possible, with little to no communication needed on the offensive line, and meant as a change up to catch the defense off guard.

I hated it.

I knew it was a good thing and very productive at times. But my goodness, it sure could make a fat man tired. Sometimes while we were running it and getting closer to the goal line, the thought running through my head was that I just had to outlast the defensive lineman in front of me. The pace was hard on a defense (and hard on the offensive line as well).

Being the fastest offense in the country means your linemen can’t be out of shape. That’s a good thing. It means they have to be disciplined when they’re tired, if nothing us, and able to endure more than their opponent.

The Sum is Greater Than It’s Parts

Oklahoma is headed to the College Football Playoff, which means they’re one of the top four teams in the country. The fact that Tulsa could hang with them offensively is impressive.

The final score was 52 – 38.

When a teams plays well collectively, against better talent individually, it means they must be well coached. That, and possibly they’re genuinely a team. In Ian Boyd’s recent evaluation, Tulsa’s offensive line was “basically a rag tag bunch of Okies (with a single Texan)” that had “little size or meaningful experience except at guard.”

While frank, methinks he’s right.

Their line was composed of two returning starters at left and right guard, a former walk-on, and a converted DT at the tackles, and a redshirt freshmen at center. All of which, I’m pretty sure Mattox didn’t recruit out of high school. He was only at Tulsa one season.

That being said, what their offensive line accomplished is impressive. Currently in 2015, Tulsa has the 16th ranked offense in the country. They’ve averaged 35.9 points/game, and are now on their way to playing Frank Beamer’s Virginia Tech in the Independence Bowl. Not bad, and Mattox surely deserves his fair share of the credit. Far better to make much with little, than to make very little with much.

Mattox will have more returning starters at Texas (3) than he did at Tulsa in 2015. It’s safe to say he’ll have better talent to work with overall as well, including Freshman All American Connor Williams and first-year starter Patrick Vahe.

In 2016, look for a Longhorn offensive line that consistently moves people off the line of scrimmage. Mattox was quoted in his introductory press conference: “Our power running game…will always be our base.”

Look for a Texas offensive line that’s in shape and plays fast. Slow-footed, fat boys won’t be able to keep up the pace. And look for an offensive line that cohesively plays together. It’s the only way to beat teams that are bigger, stronger, and faster. But it’s possible.

If Mattox can get Tulsa-type production out of Texas’ offensive line — never thought I’d say that — the Longhorns (and Strong) will be sitting pretty at the end of the 2016 season.