TEN THINGS TO WATCH FOR IN THE SPRING GAME (#6)

[Lukus Alderman]

Hornsports is getting you prepped for the Spring Game by counting down the days until kickoff with a daily topic for discussion. Here's the fifth installment in the series...


Can Deoundrei Davis and/or Andrew Beck push for serious playing time?

Last season, the linebacker corps was hit hard by the injury bug. First, Jordan Hicks was lost early in the season with a torn Achilles. Later in the season it was Steve Edmond that went down with a lacerated liver following a crack back block by a Texas Tech WR. Following those injuries, the Longhorns looked to reserves such as Peter Jinkins and Tim Cole to pick up the slack.

This year, Texas returns most of its depth at LB, including all starters. With that in mind, it is possible that Beck is redshirted. But, he has helped himself by enrolling early and getting a heads up on competition. Davis had a year in the wings to recover from a HS injury and he has all of the measurables that coaches look for in a LB (6'3" and 223lbs).

Reports out of spring practice are that Beck has impressed. Combine that with Brian Jean-Mary's reputation with linebackers and all bets are off for who the Horns will use in the rotation. With Davis entering the spring as a highly touted Redshirt Freshman, performances by both players could be indicative of their roles in next year's defense.

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

Beck has had some impressive practices and could push for second team reps.

Davis has showed flashes but, is still struggling with picking up the reads.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Beck has had some impressive practices and could push for second team reps.

Praise for Beck seems pretty universal. There isn't anybody saying anything negative.

 

[Jedi Day]

I also think no one really knows exactly how or if CS will cross train and interchange the olbs with the des. I am very interested i seeing exactly how this all will play out next year and beyond.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Our LBs are pretty stacked in regards to numbers. It is possible that the coaches may find a way to help the DEs with some of the warm bodies at linebacker. Good thought.

 

[bbdude]

Deoundrei enrolled early too in the 2013 class, I believe.  He has been on the 40 Acres for 3 semesters now.  Time for the big boy to show us what he has.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Deoundrei enrolled early too in the 2013 class, I believe.  He has been on the 40 Acres for 3 semesters now.  Time for the big boy to show us what he has.

This is correct. He used that time to heal his injury and learn the defense.  Unfortunately for him, we have changed defenses. 

Hopefully he's completely healed and is ready to hit it running.

 

[HornNdriftwood]

Davis will definitely play. Probably a lot on special teams. We have a lot of OLBs, if healthy, but I imagine he'll get to play some. May even be an opportunity for him to play some Buck.

The depth chart is a little thin at Mike, so Beck may see some action. We lose a lot of LBs after this year, so a RS might be a good long-range plan for him. While redshirting, he could cross-

train at TE.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I just hope Edmonds plays with instinct and stays healthy.  Don't think, just do.

 

[Jedi Day]

I really think the middle linebacker position will finally be simplified tonthe point that it will become a strong point (no pun intended, well, maybe a little) for the defense.