Offensive Line Recruiting

[Eastexhorn]

There's no way we are taking 6 OL after taking 6 in '15. We may only take 4 OL.

  No offense but hope you are wrong on the four number. Reason i arrived at six this is three deep plus a couple more. Three deep at all positions minus kickers and punters is 66. So why not have three deep plus extras at a position which IMO is second most Important for team to be a winner. Does not matter how many taken last year, final number is what counts.
If Texas is going to compete on top ten level they need to get to the point of redshirting all or at least 95% of OL. And when starting line consists of RS. seniors and juniors they will be at that level IMO Has been a very interesting topic.

 

[primal defense]

I know this is taking a shot at Wick, but must be nice coaching at Oklahoma State, whiffing on 4 star OL while using the excuse that its hard to recruit in Stillwater, while other positions were able to land 4 star recruits and then anytime the OL group performed well being praised for their efforts b/c they are a bunch of 2 and 3 star recruits.

Coaching with a built in excuse is brilliant.  I bleed burnt orange and hope Wick excels on the 40; however, my point is that the jury is out on Wick and he is entering a very important time in his coaching life when production is required, not hoped for.

It's fair to take a shot at Wickline, however not when it's not true. I checked Oklahoma State's recruiting class from 2011-2013 and the majority of their recruits were 3 stars. The Cowboys averaged three to four 4 star recruits a year.

That's your first BS statement. The second is him making excuses. Coaches don't have to make excuses on their recruiting. They have to make excuses when they don't get results and Wickline consistently had great results at Oklahoma state.

At the same time Texas were getting 4 star recruits for their OL and the offense and our OL sucked, so it's more than getting 4 recruits it's coaching.

Your third BS statement is that's this an important time in his coaching life. It's always important to get production and results or else your looking for another job. The OL will need to show improvement just as Watson and all the other coaches.

 

[Coal Harbour]

It's fair to take a shot at Wickline, however not when it's not true. I checked Oklahoma State's recruiting class from 2011-2013 and the majority of their recruits were 3 stars. The Cowboys averaged three to four 4 star recruits a year.

That's your first BS statement. The second is him making excuses. Coaches don't have to make excuses on their recruiting. They have to make excuses when they don't get results and Wickline consistently had great results at Oklahoma state.

At the same time Texas were getting 4 star recruits for their OL and the offense and our OL sucked, so it's more than getting 4 recruits it's coaching.

Your third BS statement is that's this an important time in his coaching life. It's always important to get production and results or else your looking for another job. The OL will need to show improvement just as Watson and all the other coaches.

Per Rivals, from 2008-2013, Oklahoma State received 26 verbal commits from OL.  Here is the breakdown:

(5*)  0

(4*)  2

(3*) 19

(2*)  5

In 2008, Oklahoma State ranked 8th in the country in rushing per game, which I believe is a decent indicator of an effective OL.  Here is how the Pokes ranked nationally:

2008  8th

2009  22nd

2010  35th

2011  52nd

2012  21st

2013  55th

I don't see greatness with the numbers above and I certainly don't see "BS comments" that you see.  If you want to wear burnt orange glasses, go ahead, I do, but don't get caught going blind either.

 

[primal defense]

Per Rivals, from 2008-2013, Oklahoma State received 26 verbal commits from OL.  Here is the breakdown:

(5*)  0

(4*)  2

(3*) 19

(2*)  5

In 2008, Oklahoma State ranked 8th in the country in rushing per game, which I believe is a decent indicator of an effective OL.  Here is how the Pokes ranked nationally:

2008  8th

2009  22nd

2010  35th

2011  52nd

2012  21st

2013  55th

I don't see greatness with the numbers above and I certainly don't see "BS comments" that you see.  If you want to wear burnt orange glasses, go ahead, I do, but don't get caught going blind either.

Rushing per game is only part of a good offensive line. The other is allowing your QB time to make passes and to not get sacked and the overall effectiveness of the offense. His resume below is good enough for me which I don't believe is looking through burnt orange glasses. By the way if anyone knows where I can get some.

http://texassports.com/staff.aspx?staff=167

A 34-year coaching veteran, including the last nine at Oklahoma State, Wickline was at the heart of offensive coaching staffs that led the Cowboys to top 20 national finishes in total offense in 2006 (16th), 2007 (seventh), 2008 (sixth), 2010 (third), 2011 (third) and 2012 (fourth).

From 2010-13, the Cowboys scored 50 or more points 19 times, broke the 60-point mark in seven contests, the 70-point mark twice and the 80-point plateau once with Wickline's linemen in the trenches. He helped coach an Oklahoma State offense that averaged at least 40 points per game in five of the last seven seasons. The line also paved the way for six consecutive first-team All-Big 12 running backs from 2007-12, a 1,000-yard rusher in five of the past six seasons, and a 1,000-yard receiver in six of the past eight seasons.

Wickline coached the 2009 and 2011 recipients of the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year Award, with tackle Russell Okung securing the recognition in 2009 and center Grant Garner taking home the accolade in 2011.

During 2013, OSU tied for the lead in the Big 12 with Texas and Baylor going into the final weekend of the regular season. The Cowboys ended the season 10-3 and ranked 17th in both polls. The offense finished 14th in the nation in scoring at 39.1 ppg and OT Parker Graham earned first-team All-Big 12 honors.

In 2012, Oklahoma State ranked in the top 10 in the nation in scoring offense (third/45.7 ppg), total offense (fourth/547.0 ypg), passing offense (seventh/331.7 ypg) and sacks allowed (ninth/.92 pg), while ranking 21st in rushing as the team finished 8-5 with a win over Purdue in the Heart of Texas Bowl. The offense also set school records in both average total offense and total yards (7,111). OG Lane Taylor was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection and signed with the Green Bay Packers.

The 2011 season was one of the best in Oklahoma State history as the team went 12-1, finished No. 3 in both polls, captured the Big 12 Championship and won the Fiesta Bowl against Stanford. The team's only loss was in double overtime against Iowa State. The Cowboys ranked second nationally in scoring offense (48.7 ppg) and passing offense (387.2 ypg), third in total offense (545.9 ypg) and 11th in sacks allowed (.92 pg). The offense set school records for points scored (633), passing yards (5,034) and completion percentage (72.0 percent). Both Garner and OT Levy Adcock were selected first-team All-Big 12, with Adcock a unanimous choice.

The Cowboys capped 2010 with a 36-10 win over Arizona in the Alamo Bowl for a then school-record 11th win to finish 11-2 and a No. 13/10 ranking. Wickline took an offensive line that was replacing four starters and turned it into a group that paved the way for the nation's third-ranked team in scoring offense (44.2 ppg) and total offense (520.2 ypg), while finishing second in passing offense (345.9 ypg) and first in red zone offense. It led the Big 12 in all of those categories and also ranked first in pass efficiency (155.2) and fewest sacks allowed with just 10. Wickline helped guide junior OL Levy Adcock from minimal playing time prior to 2010 to a first-team All-Big 12 selection, also earning votes for Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year.

In 2009, the Cowboys were also one of the most balanced offenses in the nation, averaging 376.2 yards per game that included 179.5 passing yards and a Big 12-leading 187.8 rushing yards, while again leading the conference in fewest sacks allowed with 12. OSU finished 9-4 and ranked No. 25 in the coaches poll. Okung was named a unanimous first-team All-American and was the only offensive finalists for the 2009 Outland Trophy before becoming a first-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks.

Under Wickline’s tutelage, the 2008 Oklahoma State offensive line blocked for an offense that ranked sixth in the nation in total offense (487.7 ypg), ninth in scoring offense (40.8 ppg), eighth in rushing offense (245.5 ypg), fifth in pass efficiency (164.7) and 17th in fewest sacks allowed (16). That team also finished the season 9-4 and was ranked No. 16/18, while Okung earned the first of his first-team All-Big 12 honors.

The 2007 offensive line keyed an offense that defined balance, finishing the season with exactly 3,161 yards both rushing and passing. The 243.15 rushing yards per game ranked eighth in the nation, while the combined 486.3 total yards ranked seventh. The Cowboys were also 15th in passing efficiency (145.1) and third in sacks allowed with 11, while scoring 34.6 ppg, which was 22nd nationally.

Oklahoma State's balance in 2006 was close to that of 2007 with the line paving the way for 208.0 rushing yards per game (7th NCAA) and 201.8 passing yards, leading to 409.8 total yards (16th NCAA). The offense also ranked seventh nationally in scoring (35.2 ppg) and 26th in pass efficiency (143.7). Corey Hilliard was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection and went on to be drafted by the New England Patriots.

In his first season at OSU, Wickline helped Charlie Johnson make a successful transition to tackle from tight end. Johnson became the first OSU offensive lineman selected in the NFL Draft since 1985 when Indianapolis took him in 2006.

 

[utisdabomb12]

Total offense for OSU: 

'08-7th

'09-61st

'10-5th

'11-4th

'12-3rd

13-35th

4/6 years Oklahoma State had a top 10 offense in that period. Wickline's offensive line was a big part of that success. There's no doubt Wickline had great results at Oklahoma State. 

 

[utisdabomb12]

Oklahoma State's offense was #79 in total offense in '14. I do find it interesting that OSU's offense was worse than it had been in 7 years (the first year without Wickline). Granted, there might have been other issues in play. 

 

[primal defense]

Total offense for OSU: 

'08-7th

'09-61st

'10-5th

'11-4th

'12-3rd

13-35th

4/6 years Oklahoma State had a top 10 offense in that period. Wickline's offensive line was a big part of that success. There's no doubt Wickline had great results at Oklahoma State. 

Good stuff, here's some more facts. I can't believe I need to defend Wickline's record at Oklahoma State.

After all, during the nine seasons that Wickline was at Oklahoma State under Mike Gundy, the Cowboys consistently put up top rushing attacks that made it easy for running backs to dominate -- from 2007 to 2012, an Oklahoma State back was a first-team All-Big 12 selection, in no small part because of Wickline's work.

In fact, the Cowboys have ranked in the top 20 in fewest sacks allowed ever year since 2006 and led the Big 12 in rushing from 2006 to 2009.

Wickline's best work may have come in 2010, when he was able to replace four starters and still helped the offense rank third nationally in scoring and total offense.

In 2009 and 2011, Wickline's pupils were named Big 12 Offensive Linemen of the Year, with Russell Okung taking home the honors in 2009 and Grant Garner earning them in 2011.

A Texas product out of Fort Bend Bush, Okung was the No. 6 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft after he was ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 71 player in the state by Rivals. Now with the Washington Redskins, Garner was also a three-star prospect from Texas who was overlooked by the home-state Horns.

The accolades and accomplishments go on and on for Wickline, for may have done of his best jobs this season, as the Cowboys recovered from a slow start along the offensive line to solidify a spot as one of the league's top teams by the end of the season -- it's clear that Wickline's offensive lines will improve throughout the year, every year.

From recruiting talent to Stillwater to evaluating talent to developing that talent, Wickline is simply one of the best and that fact will tremendously benefit the next Texas offensive coordinator, whomever that may be.

http://www.burntorangenation.com/2014/1/12/5301586/joe-wickline-offensive-line-texas-longhorns-oklahoma-state-cowboys

 

[primal defense]

Oklahoma State's offense was #79 in total offense in '14. I do find it interesting that OSU's offense was worse than it had been in 7 years (the first year without Wickline). Granted, there might have been other issues in play. 

No the drop off had to do with Oklahoma State's offensive line coach last year Bob Connelly. He was hired by USC this year.

Oklahoma State allowed 40 sacks last season, which ranked 113th in the country and quarterback Daxx Garman was sacked seven times against Texas. The Cowboys did manage 473 yards of offense against Washington in the Cactus Bowl.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20150209/usc-hires-oklahoma-state-assistant-as-offensive-line-coach

 

[Coal Harbour]

I sincerely hope all of you are right.  I want Wickline to succeed.  There is no Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon or Dez Bryant on the 40 at the moment and the depth on the OL is the worst on the team.  He has his work cut out for him and recruiting 3 star OL won't work as the goal at UT is to win National Championships, not compete for Big XII titles.  Now, don't misunderstand, there are 3 star OL playing in the NFL, but at UT, the doors for recruiting should be slightly more open than for Oklahoma State and it should be expected for Wick to land high ceiling 4 star caliber OL.  

 

[Hiphopopotamos]

I sincerely hope all of you are right.  I want Wickline to succeed.  There is no Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon or Dez Bryant on the 40 at the moment and the depth on the OL is the worst on the team.  He has his work cut out for him and recruiting 3 star OL won't work as the goal at UT is to win National Championships, not compete for Big XII titles.  Now, don't misunderstand, there are 3 star OL playing in the NFL, but at UT, the doors for recruiting should be slightly more open than for Oklahoma State and it should be expected for Wick to land high ceiling 4 star caliber OL.  

Brandon Weeden is too old to have a ranking on any of the sites - but going off memory he was not a highly recruited player out of high school.  Justin Blackmon was barely a 3 star out of high school.  Dez was a high 4-star. 

We have no idea if Dez, or Blackmon (sans bottle), or Weeden are on this team right now.  Its a question of how much we believe in Charlie Strong and staff's evaluation of these last two recruiting classes, and how much faith we have in their ability to develop these players once they get on campus.

 

[Coal Harbour]

Hip, I wasn't referring to rankings of those players in high school.  Those names would be loosely equivalent to James Brown, Jordan Shipley and Limas Sweed and I  would be estatic if any players currently on campus turned into those players.  I just don't see that as of yet.  Hook em.

 

[Eastexhorn]

I sincerely hope all of you are right.  I want Wickline to succeed.  There is no Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon or Dez Bryant on the 40 at the moment and the depth on the OL is the worst on the team.  He has his work cut out for him and recruiting 3 star OL won't work as the goal at UT is to win National Championships, not compete for Big XII titles.  Now, don't misunderstand, there are 3 star OL playing in the NFL, but at UT, the doors for recruiting should be slightly more open than for Oklahoma State and it should be expected for Wick to land high ceiling 4 star caliber OL.

OL depth is bad but IMO LB depth is worse. Maybe a thread on LB recruiting? 

 

[Coal Harbour]

Such a critical time for the OL as I catch myself thinking of the current group as young and learning, but Doyle, Flowers and Hutchins are seniors and Perkins is a junior.  I'm guessing Williams and Vahe are the future, but alot of perceived openings which should help recruiting as you can honestly sell potential for early playing time with graduations.

 

[Eastexhorn]

Such a critical time for the OL as I catch myself thinking of the current group as young and learning, but Doyle, Flowers and Hutchins are seniors and Perkins is a junior.  I'm guessing Williams and Vahe are the future, but alot of perceived openings which should help recruiting as you can honestly sell potential for early playing time with graduations.

The older guys are Mack's recruits and was coached by his coaches most of thier years at UT. Seems like one top OL's Dad would not allow his son to play for Texas due to the coaching available.

So for the inducements have not attracted OL recruits. As around 90% of them have commited else where. May get better hopefully as months to Feb.