Middle LB in 2015?

[Lord Vader]

Dalton Santos is a good special teams player, but Im not in love with the idea of him being the starter and getting the lions share of snaps next year.  Who can fill that role?  JUCO?

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Pending a few other things (Whitley's development), I expect they'll move Beck back to ILB and let him compete with Santos.

I don't relish the idea of a true freshman in the middle of the defense, but I do think highly of Cam Townsend's potential.

As much as Hicks & Edmond have improved under the new coaching staff, I'll take a wait and see approach on Santos. I agree though that Mike is concerning in 2015.

 

[Lord Vader]

Someone on TOS suggested Edwin Freeman for the role 

 

[echeese]

Isn't Townsend 205 or so?   He's an OLB all the way. . .

Santos doesn't seem to have the speed to play the spot. . . .

Bigtime question for next year. . .

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Isn't Townsend 205 or so?   He's an OLB all the way. . .

Probably closer to 200. I'm told they like his frame for more weight over Hager's or Jefferson's. Regardless, I think you'll see a slimmer, faster Mike in 2015. 

Like I said, I'm big on his potential. That doesn't mean I think he'll be ready to be the centerpiece of the defense 10 months from now.

 

[MikeV73]

Are we thinking Hicks is returning? Does he need the NCAA to give him another year? May not play middle, but need the update at LB for next season.

 

[utisdabomb12]

Are we thinking Hicks is returning? Does he need the NCAA to give him another year? May not play middle, but need the update at LB for next season.

I think Hicks is returning. He apparently wants to finish his masters in advertising. Not a shot in hell he's going to be drafted until the late rounds due to injury issues (would probably go undrafted). The only issue is if he gets a 6th year from the NCAA, but it sounds like he will. 

http://www.burntorangenation.com/2014/10/2/6897037/jordan-hicks-texas-longhorns-sixth-season-injuries

 

[MikeV73]

I think Hicks is returning. He apparently wants to finish his masters in advertising. Not a shot in hell he's going to be drafted until the late rounds due to injury issues (would probably go undrafted). The only issue is if he gets a 6th year from the NCAA, but it sounds like he will.

http://www.burntorangenation.com/2014/10/2/6897037/jordan-hicks-texas-longhorns-sixth-season-injuries

Appreciate the update. Hope he gets that sixth year, we need more highly qualified advertising execs in the workforce.

 

[GBT]

What is wrong with a Freshman ?... I remember a #11 a while back do a pretty good job.

 

[MikeV73]

What is wrong with a Freshman ?... I remember a #11 a while back do a pretty good job.

DJ was considered undersized early on as well and played pretty damn well.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Okay, okay I'll do it. 

 

[UTK66]

Next year, it's probably gonna be Santos or Jinkens I would think. Hopefully hicks returns again to man one of the OLB spots while Jefferson starts on the other side. 

 

[bcherry168]

We need to go get a middle linebacker.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Ok, rather than depend on a 50 yr old landscaper, perhaps bcherry has a point. 

With MLB, I think you have to look hard at a JUCO option.

 

[MikeV73]

Ok, rather than depend on a 50 yr old landscaper, perhaps bcherry has a point.

With MLB, I think you have to look hard at a JUCO option.

OK, let's get a JUCO middle LB who can mow yards for sirhornsalot. This solves all of our problems.

 

[doc longhorn]

Dalton Santos is a good special teams player, but Im not in love with the idea of him being the starter and getting the lions share of snaps next year.  Who can fill that role?  JUCO?

Man, I support what you said about Santos 100%.  By next year, he should be playing with his hand on the ground anyway.

I just don't see any Mikes on the horizon.  At least none that get me excited.

 

[Juan]

See recruiting update thread for a new name on this topic

 

[doc longhorn]

See recruiting update thread for a new name on this topic

Yeah, Cherry doesn't do much for me, but McNeal could.  I couldn't find a 40 time on McNeal - do you have one?

I want that MLB that has some speed and a mean streak.  Yeah, that's the ticket.

As far as the sizes - take off an inch in height and 10 lbs. in weight, and that would probably be closer to what he really is. Sizes are always overstated.

 

[Juan]

He runs track

His best times are --

100 Meters
2014 Outdoor 11.19a
 
200 Meters
2014 Outdoor  23.65a
 
He also runs on their 4x100 and 4x200 teams
And has done the Long Jump 20' 7.50
 
On the 40, I have seen 4.5, but those track times are at least official